The Silence That Surrounds: Screams of the Damned

Sophia’s POV:

“Harry, please?” I begged tiredly, holding the fork up to his mouth but he whipped his head away from the utensil like it was a snake ready to strike his face.

“No. You need to eat, Sophia. I’m supposed to take care of you. Stop being difficult!” Harry hissed lowly, struggling to get out of my reach.

“How can you take care of me if you die of dehydration and starvation? Please think rationally about this, H.” I begged, setting down the fork into the bowl and reaching my fingers to trace the fingers to his hair, patting it away from his eyes.

He sighed and turned his eyes down. A bloke in his position was used to power and control and right now, he had none of it. With his hands shackled behind him in cuffs and his legs adorning the same stylish wear he had lost all of it. It showed by how humiliated he looked.

“Just…eat, Sophia.” Harry continued, not looking me.

“I will when you do, otherwise we’re both going hungry. Come on, let me help you for a change.” I offered, trying to approach him with a child’s glove because he was having a hard enough time swallowing what was happening around us.

He said nothing for a moment but finally looked up to meet my blue orbs.

“You’re stronger than people give you credit for Sophia, you know that right?” He questions out of the blue, making me smile a little.

I wish I felt as strong as he gives me credit for. I don’t. I feel so weak that a bullet would be a welcomed relief and since I no longer had that pill Broker gave me due to it being in my pocket at the time of being in that cage and because I wasn’t permitted to use the bathroom it got thoroughly soaked in my own urine. Now all I had was a prayer that something started going right.

“I’m a wreck, Harry. I Doubt that’s true. It certainly doesn’t feel true but if it means so much to you, I want to try. I want to try to survive with you but to do that, I need you to be up to par as well. Please eat.” I tried again, picking up the fork from the bowl and putting it to his lips. He looked at it and moved away from it again.

“Only if you promise me that you’ll eat after.” He compromises, his hair falling into his face again.

I nodded, reaching to my own hair and pulling out the rubber band Andros had given me to fix my own hair. Since I only had one to work with, he had been kind enough to help me. Now I have to figure out how to help Harry with his.

I stretched the band out on my good hand and maneuvered behind him, scrunching his hair together while trying to keep the band in place.

After four failed tries and Harry’s constant irritated sigh, I finally got it – though he looked funny with hair sticking everyplace but it was finally out of his eyes.

“There, now, let’s eat.” I said, shifting back in front of him, taking the fork again.

This time when I brought it to his lips he bit down gingerly, closing his eyes to savor the food. Truth be told it smelled delicious.

“Can I ask you something, Harry?” I asked, feeding him another bite.

“Hmm?” He hummed, looking at me.

“Why are you tied up and I’m not? It’s not like we can leave, this room has no windows, no other furniture but this mattress we’re laying on and some chains scattered on the walls. There’s no need, is there?”

He swallowed the piece of pasta before replying.

“Elliott is using precaution. He knows Damien trained me in the art of combat – though Louis would kick my ass in it. I’m not as good as he is but he’s shorter and more flexible. I suppose he’s just being careful, I don’t know why I’m tied up but I hope to clear all this up with him the next time he comes in.” Harry replied, hopeful.

I nodded, setting his fork down and picking up my own. I could see Harry eyeing it before glancing at me and it was obvious he wasn’t going to give up.

He chuckled.

“I win.” He teased, shifting his arms behind him before sighing. It made me wonder if he was scared, he certainly didn’t act like it.

I continued to eat, watching him try and get comfortable. It seemed he was more annoyed that he couldn’t get into a more complacent position.

“Are you scared?” I asked after a few minutes, looking down to my bowl that was almost empty. I just couldn’t seem to stomach eating anymore, my nerves were so raw and exposed.

“Yes. Truthfully? I’m terrified because I have never been in this position before. Not knowing is the worst part but I almost believe we will be okay, I just need you to believe that as well,” He paused glancing down. “Now, finish eating. I believe we had a compromise.”

I really didn’t want too but knowing Harry, tied up or not he would still make sure I followed through with my own promise. So I finished off the rest before giving him the remainder of his.

I will admit that it felt awkward. Me with two broken fingers feeding an able bodied bloke, however, Harry just seemed to go with it now.

“Harry?” I asked again making him sing out a response.

“Maybe I can try to get you untied? It’s harder with one hand instead of two, he has to understand that.” I fished for the acceptance of the idea, pulling my hairband out from Harry’s thick mane so it didn’t look so ridiculous.

I tried putting it back in my hair but gave up, I couldn’t do it one handed. Andros had did it for me the one time so I’d have to wait for him to come back in to collect the plates.

“He won’t, flower. He’s following precaution. If you need help, ask Andros. He can help.” Harry forced a smile but it didn’t reach his eyes. I had a feeling it was for my benefit alone and I didn’t want it. I wanted Harry to help me. It’s what I was familiar with, he helped me do things before – whether I wanted him to or not.

“Maybe I can offer to take your place?” I suggested but his smile turned into a glare.

“I can handle this, Sophia. Stop worrying about me and put more effort into yourself.” Harry argued, opening his mouth to say more but Andros unlocked the door and strolled in, shaking his head.

“I can hear you two out in the hall and Elliott will not untie Harry for safety reasons. God, you two argue like an old married couple and this is not the time for any of that.” Andros murmured, approaching the two, seeing Sophia’s hair in her face and the rubber band on her wrist.

He sighed and took the band from her, folding her hair into his big hands, securing her silk strands once more before gently touching her bad hand.

“Your fingers are going to need to be reset and our doctor isn’t around right now. I don’t have the experience to do it but Elliott does.” Andros offered.

“No bloody way.” I shook my head. That was completely out of the question, I did not trust that man. I would trust a pack of wolves far more than Elliott Dawson. Especially if his daughter was such a monster. If she was that bad, her father was worse.

“Soph, please? You need them reset and I can’t do it. If they don’t get them set, you are going to have deformed fingers,” Harry reasoned, glancing at Andros. “Let Elliott do it.”

Andros nodded and left to get our captor while I sat and folded my good arm over my chest, glaring at the curly headed asshat.

“I can make my own decisions, Harry. I don’t want his fucking help!” I hissed but turned away when Andros came back with Elliott.

He cleared his throat, glancing at the both of us silently.

“Don’t touch me.” I muttered, while he raised his eyebrows, glancing at Andros.

“I thought you said she wanted her fingers reset.” He looked confused.

“Not by you.” I bit out, cowering slightly when he gave me a sharp look but said nothing.

“Sophia, please? I don’t want your fingers deformed. Let him fix –“I interrupted Harry with a sharp and final NO.

“Evidently she finds me a monster, perhaps you want to -” Elliott started but the whole room went silent when a little girl with green eyes and vibrant blonde hair entered, no older than six years old.

“Daddy?” She called innocently, tottering in with a large teddy bear and bright smile.

“Hi precious.” Elliott smiled, his worn eyes tired.

He looked stressed beyond reason but it’s to be expected, considering you have the devil’s son for a hostage.

Lilyana smiled and tottered towards her dad, stopping in front of me and Harry. She glanced at the older boy for a few seconds before looking at her brown colored teddy bear and giggling. Harry had the same hair color as her bear did fur.

“You know you’re not supposed to be in here, kitten.” Elliott said, his tone as a parent tipping on warning.

“I know but you’re in here daddy and I’m a grown up, too.” She sassed back making Harry fight back a smile.

I failed when I laughed, making her beautiful green eyes look at me.

“Ouch?” She pointed to my sling, noticing it right away when she looked me over.

“Ouch.” I repeated but looked at Elliott. He didn’t seem too bothered by us talking to his daughter so I tried again.

“It doesn’t hurt too badly though, I promise. Just a small bit.” I crossed my heart, seeing her copy the motion, her eyes lighting with a child’s excitement.

She turned to Elliott.

“I like her, daddy.” She proclaimed, making me smile a little.

Harry chuckled himself this time, watching the exchange silently.

That simple action prompted Lilyana to look at Harry again, reaching forward and petting his hair, repeating the same with her bear and letting out another laugh. This was making Andros bite the inside of his cheek while Elliott failed at hiding a smile all together.

“You’re a bear, too.” She told Harry, his eyes glancing kindly back at her but he looked a little uncomfortable at the same time.

Elliott noticed and stepped in.

“Aright miss adult, it’s time for sleep; so say goodnight to your new friends. Andros can put you to bed tonight, I’ll be over to tuck you in in a minute, yeah?”

Lilyana gave a huff but nodded, her small arms reaching over and wrapping themselves around Harry’s neck.

“Goodnight, Mr. Bear.” She smiled, turning to me and repeating the same gesture.

I froze for a second but carefully took my good arm and put it across her back, returning it. I didn’t know if I was supposed to or if it would be considered rude not to.

Andros came forward then and swooped her away, her small little hand waving over his shoulder at us as they walked away. After that, it was back to awkward silence.

“She’s beautiful.” Harry complimented respectfully, looking over at me. I silently nodded in agreement with him.

“Thank you, she got it from her mother.” Elliott smiled fondly but it slowly slipped back to a frown. “Do you want me or Harry to set your fingers back? I can exchange his chains for a restraint belt. That will allow him for better use to use his hands limitedly as they will still be chained to either side of him by the belt and that in itself is equipped with hook rings on the left and right side. I will extend the shackle chains a little so he can put his hands in front. That way he can do what he needs to.” Elliott explained, hearing Lilyana call for him impatiently.

Elliott fought a smile and shook his head.

“You know something? It’s amazing that I have one daughter that terrorizes the whole neighborhood and one who makes angels sing. How does that happen?” He questioned but it seemed to be to himself.

“Luck of the draw?” Harry tried.

“Luck – sure isn’t on my side now, huh? Your father is going to murder me.”

Harry shook his head.

“Not necessarily. If you have time later, I really would like to get this cleared up with you.” Harry tried but Elliott gave it no acknowledgment. Instead he moved on.

“If you two ever have kids, pray for boys, they’re a lot less trouble.” He chuckled and left the room…no, allow me to rephrase that. He left the room in awkward silence because there was no way I had anything I could reply to, to that.

Harry however seemed to have a good laugh.

“Kids, marriage and a white picket fence in the middle of nowhere with dead bodies buried beneath it. Sounds like a dream to me,” He laughed, continuing. “Any idea when you might want the ring?” Harry jested, making me look at him and glare. That was really something I wanted to joke about.

“I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last gentlemen on earth and as for kids? There’s no way I’d bring them up in this lifestyle and there’s definitely no way in HELL I’d have them with you. So don’t even joke like that.” I put him in his place and turned away.

“Ouch,” Harry muttered. “You really know how to give a guy a complex, angel.”

“Good, someone has to. This isn’t a time for humor, Harry. I’m scared and you crack jokes about marriage. I mean, do people like you even get married? Can you? Then there’s the children who grow up beaten and unloved, forced to do their parents bidding. Elliott seems like he’s mellow compared to others but you Harry…you are a perfect example. You were beaten, you were abused and I personally would never allow you around any children of mine. So don’t expect them to call you uncle, asshole.” I huffed, my good hand going to my stomach as I imagined what it would be like to be pregnant and stuck in this situation. It wasn’t a good thought.

“Hey!” Andros hissed, coming in to stop the argument before it could really get going. “That’s enough, the both of you. God, what is it with you two and arguing? Did you two forget to take your daily PMS pills because right now, the last thing you two need to be doing is arguing.” He reasoned, making me clamp my mouth shut.

Andros turned towards me.

“Sometimes in this situation, the best thing is laughter. It might not be your type of humor but you are being rude. The only thing the two of you currently have is one another and I would hold that with all my heart and soul, because anyone else should only be as lucky as you two, to have the other,” He paused, looking at Harry. “I’m here to help in the physical tasks but we’re not going to be friends. So you two can argue and have no one or you can stop and think on how the other person is feeling. Either way, I’ll leave that up to you guys. Master Elliott didn’t mean to start world war three in here, he thought, since you were using terms like my girl or my nightshade that you two were together. Truthfully? I thought you two were as well because of all the damn fighting you’re doing. Knock it off, the both of you or we’re going to gag you two and leave it there. Up to you but I’d choose the first option.” He finished in warning, looking at the door as Elliott came in.

“My apologies Mr. Styles; I did not mean to get your balls handed to you,” He shook his head tiredly. “At any rate, I will fix your bird’s fingers and unchain you for the night. If there are any problems and I mean any at all, I will personally escort you downstairs and beat you within an inch of your life. From there, I will lock you back into the jacket and the cage. I hope that is warning enough to deter any stupid thoughts.” Elliott warned, taking a key from his pocket and handing it to Andros.

“Believe me, sir, you had me at jacket and cage. I want to cooperate to make this transition go easier but I need to know that you will consider working something out with me? I need to get back to my gang and Sophia has a lot of hours to her training that I still need to oversee.” Harry reasoned, groaning when Andros knelt behind him and released his hands from their vice like prison.

“We will talk tomorrow on rules and if letting you go is a possibility. You killed one of my gang members and while I did not actively seek you out, nor do I care about the disposal of Razor, it still goes against my code. You are very lucky that I hold Damien in such high regards. Otherwise, I would have executed you by now.” Elliott told Harry truthfully, making me swallow.

Harry did not argue with the gang leader, he merely nodded and rubbed his raw wrists.

Andros finished by unlocking his ankles, standing back up again, giving the key back to Elliott and taking Harry’s chains away.

“I understand. Just promise me that Sophia will be protected, she has nothing to do with anything involving our activities.” Harry promised, shooting me a warning to keep my mouth shut.

I nodded to him to show I had no intention on opening the hole in my face.

“Sophia will be kept safe, Mr. Styles. On that you have my word. I am not interested in harming innocent women but your dad doesn’t hold much standards to that even, does he?” He snorted, bending down in front of me and gently unclasping my sling so it fell from my shoulder.

“He holds little regard to human life, sir.” Harry confirmed, sliding next to me and grabbing my good hand.

I squeezed Harry’s hand nervously, wondering why he would even bother after I was so rude to him but part of me was glad he did.

“I’m pretty skilled so this shouldn’t hurt too badly, okay? It will sting but if done right, it shouldn’t hurt too badly. I been setting broken bones since I was twelve, if that gives you any indication of how long I been in the business.” He chuckled, grasping my fingers.

I let out a whimper, his one large hand positioning my broken finger and the other holding my wrist still.

“Okay, count to three with me princess and then it will be all over.” He promised, giving Harry a nod.

Harry returned it and strengthened his hold while I squeezed down even more.

“One –“Elliott counted as I repeated it in a faint breath.

“T-two –“I stuttered, crying out when he suddenly pulled up, twisted and jammed my fingers back down into place. “Fuck a cupcake! God on a pogo stick that hurt!”

Elliott laughed, patting my shoulder before helping to readjust my sling back on my shoulder but kept my arm out.

“Andros? Medical door in the hall, grab two splints and some medical tape, bring them back to me.” He ordered, watching the younger lad nod and hop to orders.

Harry released my good hand but stayed with me, his own going to my shoulder and rubbing it slightly.

“It’s all over, you can relax now.” Harry comforted, eyeing Elliott who only nodded.

Andros returned a few seconds later with the required items.

The leader gave his thanks before positioning the splints on my fingers to keep them straight and taping them securely around.

“There, all done.” He said, putting my arm back in the sling.

“Thank you.” Harry spoke up before I could.

In the end I repeated what Harry had.

Elliott gave a nod to both of us, standing up again.

“Andros? Hall closet, grab them a few blankets and some pillows. It’s been a long day for everyone and they look like they could use a few hours.”

Andros nodded and went to grab the items, leaving Elliott to look after the prisoners.

“Mr. Dawson? What’s going to happen to us? You still haven’t told us.” I asked timidly.

Harry reached over and touched my shoulder, shaking his head.

“I don’t need to, Ms. Stone. I haven’t figured that out myself but when I know, so will you. You have my word.” He promised.

I took that as the best answer I was going to get considering the circumstances.

“Alright, thank you.”

He didn’t reply, he simply remained stoic.

Andros walked in a minute later, tossing three long blankets beside us with two full pillows. In addition to the mattress we were currently on, sleep wasn’t too far off.

“I will leave you both to get settled. Should you two require a restroom break or a bottle of water, knock on the door. Andros will be keeping guard until morning.” Elliott let us know.

I nodded, watching them both leave through the door. Andros gave us one last look before closing the door and locking it.

“Let’s get our bed made up, get some sleep.” Harry suggested, helping me stand from the mattress while he put a blanket down on top of it.

I watched him fold the blankets methodically, leaving one off the bed on the floor next to the mattress with a pillow while fixing one of each the mattress.

It took about ten minutes but everything was finally settled.

“I’ll take the floor beside you, after all don’t want my violent nature rubbing off on anyone, do we?” He asked sarcastically, helping me to gently sit back down on the mattress.

I sighed and turned away, getting comfortable on the mattress. I wasn’t replying to him if he was going to be sarcastic.

That seemed to quiet him because he settled next to me on the floor. Though he lied, the mattress was a queen. It was plenty big.

He shifted a few times before stilling, a sigh leaving his own lips.

“Sophia? I may not be your prince charming and I’ve had to kill kids before under Damien’s force. Believe me when I tell you that it killed me inside. It got to the point where I’d of rather felt nothing than remember all their cries and frightened looks. That makes me a monster, yes and I don’t deny this but if I had a child, if you had one, not with me but in general; I would never allow harm to come to them,” He trailed off, shifting so he was looking at my back. “I would run away, I would help you run away because I know this life destroys a person and you’re right, I am a prime example of someone not to lead by but I’m not as cruel as you think. Because I used to have dreams about leaving, about being married to an amazing woman. I imagined what it was like to hold my own child in my arms and not worrying about if I had to put a bullet through its head or not. A part of me still wants that life but the logical side of me knows I will never be able to have it. I’m trapped here in a life I can’t leave. It’s all I know and I’m struggling enough with you. I’m struggling to find my human side.”

He trailed off again for a few seconds, his hand on my back.

“You are a light in my darkness and I’m so very dark, Sophia. It’s been said I have a heart as black as stone. That’s probably true but when you came, as much as you were annoying, you were also my chance for some sort of redemption.” He took a breath.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m sorry. For what I did to you. The box, chaining you up, humiliating you – raping you. Words won’t make up for that, nor will an apology. I have a lot to prove to you and I hope that with some time you will let me. I can show you how beautiful this world can be. Yes, it’s violent but on rare occasions, it can be breathtaking too. I can show you how to fight and how to pick pocket. I can show you a whole new life – a whole new world but you have to want it.”

I turned slowly to meet his light green orbs, they weren’t as jaded as they usually were. He was being completely open and honest. He only did want what was best.

“I just want things to be okay again.” I repeated from early, making him smile.

“They will be. It looks bad right now but things are going to get better, I promise.” He responded in sincerity.

I scooted over some.

“It’s late, let’s get some sleep.” I suggested, feeling him frown as I shook his touch from me. I was just trying to give him some room.

“We’ve been sleeping together in a bed for over three weeks. It would feel weird to change routine, I’m moving over to let you on.”

Harry simply chuckled but I felt him moving his blanket and pillow on the mattress, getting himself into a more comfortable position. When he found it, his arms wrapped around my waist.

“I still have control over you.” He teased but cleared his throat and went to release his arms from me again, knowing what he said and what he was doing was a little forward.

As he pulled his arms away I felt the warmth and comfort of security leave me cold, so I grabbed his one wrist with my good hand before it could leave completely.

“No, I need this. We both do.” I reasoned, feeling his arms slip under my body again and pull me close to his chest.

“For what it’s worth, angel? I need this too. Because truth be told I am scared and that’s the hardest thing I have ever had to admit. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me but I do know you’re going to be alright. I know because I would never let anything happen to someone as beautiful as you.” He promised, his deep rich voice a mere whisper in my ear.

If things had happened differently, if he had never taken me hostage I probably would have fallen for him. I could have loved him if we met under different circumstances…couldn’t I?

“I know you don’t love me and I don’t blame you but in time, I’m hoping you will give me the pleasure of showing you my other side, one I haven’t shown since Evelynn…since before I was kidnapped by my father. I wasn’t a bad kid, I was actually a good lad, Sophia and someday I hope you can see me as that too.”

I pushed into his chest with my back and let him pull me in the rest of the way.

“I’m sure in time…” I trailed off, picking his hand up and giving it a comforting kiss, letting it drop back down again.

“Goodnight, H.” I bid him, feeling his chest ruble against my back in a chuckle.

“Sweet dreams my angel.”

My mind was reeling with thoughts but as time wore on they became sluggish.

More time after that and I finally fell into a fitful sleep, lulled into dreamland by Harry’s even breaths.

Notes