Mia's POV:

Zayn and I look out over the ocean as we travel inland. My eyes wander over the beauty of the ocean. I wonder what secrets it has. What it has seen and heard...what it hides deep beneath the surface. And I wonder if we'll ever know.

"What're you thinking about?" Zayn asks, looking over at me.

"Oh, nothing." I laugh, shaking my head. Before he can pry, I change the subject. "What're we going to do today?"

He smirks, "You really want to know?"

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know."

"Ohhh, sassy! And well, you're going to hate me...but I promise once you get going, you'll be having the time of your life."

My stomach drops, "Zayn...what is it?"

A small smile appears, "How do you feel about some ziplining and paragliding?"

"Oh god, oh god. Zayn!" I hiss, anxiety running through. "I will not! I refuse."

"Come on, Mia! It is my first time, too!"

I slow my breathing down, "Okay...alright."

He grins, "Really?"

"Yes. Let's just...not talk about it right now. Alright?" I compromise, closing my eyes.

"Yes! Of course, no talking about it..." He trails off, thinking of what to say next. "So...how's life?"

I open my eyes and turn to glare at him, "Shut up."

When we arrive inland, we got off our boat and head into town. I look over all the people hustling down the streets, all trying to get to their destination.

"Alright, we are here." Zayn informs me.

I turn my attention to a large cement platform, over-looking the beach. We head up the stairs to the top, and are greeted by somebody.

Zayn speaks to them and explains that we want the package deal of both paragliding and ziplining. The man rings us up before leading us to the equipment station.

As he goes over the rules and instructions, I listen as carefully as possible, trying to comprehend every bit of information he is giving us.

"You guys understand?" He asks, smiling at us.

"Yes." Zayn agrees, smiling back.

My chest goes heavy, "Yes."

"Perfect!" The man claps his hands, giving us the things we need.

Zayn and I get all the equipment on us and afterwards, we follow him towards the paraglider. He shows us everything we need to know and then straps us in.

"Alright, you need to back up and get a running start, and then land down there." He points us to somewhere on the beach. "Then we will lead you to the ziplining."

We both nod and step back, farther away from the edge.

"Are you two ready?" He asks, excitement written on his face.

I hesitantly nod, "Now or never."

Zayn looks over at me and grins, "You'll love it, I promise."

"Go!" The man instructs us, pointing towards the edge.

I take a deep breath as Zayn and I start running as fast as we can. I clench my jaw and eyes shut as our feet are no longer on the cement, but in the air.

Zayn eases me to open my eyes, "Mia...it's so beautiful. You can open your eyes. You will be okay, I promise."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as I open my eyes. It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust, but as they do, I am in awe. Below us is scenery I never thought could get any more beautiful, and the thousands of people below us.

"It's so beautiful, Zayn." I admit, my body finally relaxing.

"I knew you would love it."

After a while, we land with ease. My feet come in contact with the hot sand, and I can't help but wish I was back up in the sky.

"How did you like it?" The man approaches us, his grin stretching from ear-to-ear.

"I loved it!" I breathe out as the workers help us take off our things.

"I'm so glad!" He tells me, turning to Zayn. "And you?"

"It was absolutely breathtaking! I would definitely do this again."

"Maybe another time! But for now, let me lead you to the ziplining course."

When we get to the course, we get all ready and they do the same thing as the paragliding. They tell us all the rules and instructions of what to do.

"Do you understand?" They ask as we stand in the new equipment.

"Absolutely." We agree, nodding.

"Great! Let's get you all hooked up."

And just like paragliding, I had the best time of my life. And what made it better was Zayn being right by me.

"Did you like ziplining?" Zayn asks, leading me down the street.

"I loved it!" I grin, holding his hand. "It was absolutely amazing."

"I'm so glad you had fun." He smiles. "Let's go get something to eat, yeah?"

We head farther down the street and turn right into a small but fancy restaurant. Immediately we are seated and handed menus.

"Mia, I have a question for you." Zayn tells me, looking over the menu before finally deciding on what he wants.

"Yes?" I ask, taking a sip of water.

"I want to take you somewhere new tonight...and I want you to pick. I mean, it's only fair. I did pick Rio."

My mouth falls open, "Really?"

"Really." He agrees, sitting back.

"Alright..." I rack my brain for a place I have always wanted to go. "There are so many...I don't know."

"That's fine, no hurry."

After the waitress comes and takes our order, it hits me.

"I know where I want to go." I smile, grinning.

"And where is that?"

"Rome."

"Rome?" He asks, clarifying. "Why Rome?"

"I have always wanted to visit. I have seen photos and it looks absolutely amazing, Zayn. Just...the architecture...the people...the food. It all looks inviting."

Zayn nods, "Alright. To Rome we will go."

When we finish dinner, Zayn makes a few calls for somebody to go pick up our luggage before we go and head onto the plane.

"Do you travel a lot?" I ask, heading first into the plane.

He shrugs, "Depends."

"On what?"

"On how busy I am. I only really travel when the stress gets too much for me, you know?" Zayn replies, looking out the window as the plane takes off.

"When does the stress get the worst?"

"It's a stressful time all around, but definitely when I would get my check-ins on you. I wanted to be with you so bad, but I couldn't. I wanted you to remember."

I smile, "I always remembered you. Every night, I would dream of you. And I knew you were a real person although nobody else remembered you...and then Niall asked me about you. That was my hint to go and find you."

When in Rome, we head straight towards our room and fall asleep. We were absolutely exhausted, that was for sure.

That morning, I am awoken by the smell of pancakes and bacon. I get up and head into the kitchen, only to see Zayn cooking.

"I could get used to this." I smirk, kissing him.

He hands me a plate of food and sits down next to me, "I got a call from my boss."

"And?"

"And he wants me back. We have the rest of today and then we need to head back out." He sighs, rubbing his temples. "I'm sorry."

"No, that is totally fine!" I assure him. "I don't mind."

We finish breakfast and he suggests we go sight-seeing later today and I agree.

"Want to do something fun while we wait?" He asks, mischief dancing around in his dark brown eyes.

I laugh, "Morning sex?"

"Can we?" He grins, making me know I hit spot on to what he wanted.

"I'm down." I agree, making him smile wider than before. "But first, I'm going to go use the bathroom."

"I'll be waiting."

I head down the hall to the bathroom and close the door, getting ready to clean up a bit. My eyes widen and my throat clenches when I see Harry standing behind me in the mirror.

"Don't scream, I just want to talk."

I turn around and come face-to-face with him. "You need to leave, now."

"Why? So you can go have your daily sex?" He rolls his eyes. "Grow up, Mia."

"Fuck off."

"I just needed to see you, alright?" Harry admits, shrugging.

"What for?"

"To do this." Before I can stop him, he leans in and kisses me. "God...I needed that."

I push him away, "You need to leave."

"Don't you miss me?"

My heart aches, and I know I do miss him. I miss our friendship.

"Harry, please go." My voice cracks.

He steps away from me and furrows his eyebrows, "Fine...I'll go. But this isn't the last you'll see of me. I'll be back, and you'll both be sorry."

I close my eyes and reopen them after a few seconds and Harry is no longer in front of me. My mind and body begs me to allow myself to break down, but I blink away my tears and head to Zayn and I's room.

"You alright, Mia?" He asks, concern wrapped in his voice.

"Never been better." I smile, trying to be convincing.

"Mia..."

"Drop it."

Zayn goes quiet, looking down at his hands in his lap.

"I'm sorry." I sigh, placing my hand on his cheek. "I just need you, right now."

He looks up slightly, "Anything for you."

----

I know there is a ton of traveling, lmao. I'm sorry, but it's supposed to be this way. I hope you all don't mind.

After this chapter, there is ONE more chapter and then "Shadows" is officially over. I'm so sad that the "Darkness" series is ending, but it must happen.

If you love Louis Tomlinson and paranormal stories, check out "The Box"! I really think you'll enjoy it.

Remember to vote and comment! I love you all so much!