The Silence That Surrounds: Screams of the Damned

Narrator’s POV:

It had been two days since they were put in the room they were currently held in and four days since they had been kidnapped.

Time to the two prisoners consisted of waking up, detaching themselves from one another, being taken to the bathroom to clean up and shower, given a change of clothes, put back into the room where they ate breakfast. Not to mention the bathroom breaks in the afternoon and evening with meals in between.

“This is getting mundane.” Harry murmured, watching Sophia sleep. He was half tempted to join her from how bored he was.

He didn’t move but rather studied Sophia’s face. It was beautiful; despite the stressful look. Even dreaming he couldn’t shake how on edge she looked.

A small whimper from Sophia caught his attention, her face screwing up into a pained expression.

“Oh no…” He trailed off, taking his hand and shaking her shoulder gently. “Sophia? Come on, you’re having another nightmare.”

Her head jerked to the side as it had done the day before, her mouth opening to scream.

He was quick to place his hand over before she could.

“No, no darling. Come back to me,” He tapped the side of her cheek, seeing her eyes flutter. “That’s it beautiful.”

Sophia groaned under his hand, er eyes shooting open, struggling to take in a breath.

Harry released his hand gag and allowed her to breathe, coughing as she did so from the stale air she tried to inhale while his hand was over her mouth.

“Another bad dream?” Harry asked with concern, rubbing her back.

Sophia nodded.

“Yeah, worse than before. These dreams are getting too lucid.” She replied, crossing her good hand over her heart and wincing. “I think the pain medication is wearing off. Will you ask Andros for more?”

Harry hesitated, his hand finding her shoulder.

“Sophia, you need to learn to work with the pain. Someday you will be in a situation where pain meds aren’t available to you. Ry to go a few extra hours. If it gets to be too much, I will ask Elliott for a dose, alright?” He compromised, making Sophia frown.

“It hurts.” She argued, rubbing her sore hand.

“I know it does but we need to think of your training. When I was whipped the first time, I received nothing. Damien told this to me and I will tell it to you. Pain is an imaginative of the mind. The concept of pain hurts but in reality, it’s your mind that is sending the signals. You don’t really hurt, you’re simply imagining it.” Harry smiled, which didn’t go over well with Sophia.

“Yeah? Well let me break your fingers, see if it’s all in YOUR head, asshole. I had my fingers broken, Harry. Not once but twice. I want some fucking pain relief!” Sophia glowered, pulling away from Harry’s touch.

“No.” Harry told her firmly, his hand gently gripping her arm.

“Harry, it HURTS.” Sophia pleaded, tears springing to her eyes.

The green eyed man frowned, his own orbs softening.

“I know it does, kitten. Trust me, I know but we need to establish how high your pain tolerance is.” Harry tried reasoning.

Sophia didn’t react but let out a small pained mew. This made Harry smile, abet a bit sadly.

“Let me get your mind off it.” He offered but Sophia shook her head.

“No. It’s not going to work, I’m hurting and you’re being unreasonable.” She declined, pain etching her features now.

“Let me try? Please?” He tried again.

“Why? You’re not always going to be around to ‘get my mind off it’ so what fuck good does it do? Hm? You going to hold my hand forever, Harry? Comfort me every time I cry?” Sophia asked, tears slipping down her face silently.

Harry took his one hand and used the back of it to softly wipe away her sadness.

“Perhaps I won’t always be around to counteract your sadness but I’m here right now and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to help. Every training has exceptions. I don’t want you to think ending your pain by a pill or a shot will make it any more durable. There might come a day where Damien will show you the true meaning of real pain –“He began but she interrupted.

“You promised to protect me, so why would there even be a possibility?” She demanded, his soft flesh rubbing under her eye again to keep the cascade of salty water under control.

“Because there is going to be a time where I can’t protect you, flower. There will be a day where I am powerless and you will have to protect yourself.” He responded calmly.

“You’re powerless now.” She snapped, taking her good hand and throwing his comforting one away from her face.

“Perhaps; but not in protecting you.” He continued to get her to see his point, setting his offending limb back into his lap.

“What could you do if one of these men wanted to rape me? Huh? NOTHING!” She hissed, becoming agitated.

“I would fight as much as I could. I wouldn’t let them hurt you if I could help it.”

Sophia shook her head, breaking down.

“You can’t do shit and you want me to be miserable. You want me to hurt.” She accused him.

“You know what? You’re making me miserable. I’m trying here Sophia, truly and the last thing I want is for you to hurt but I also need you to use your logic here and think about what I’m saying.” Harry said, scratching his temple with a finger awkwardly.

“FUCK YOU!” She growled back in contempt.

“I understand that’s the pain talking but it’s in your head, Sophia.” Harry argued, unwilling to give into her childish tantrum.

Sophia’s good hand clenched into a fist and before Harry could blink, it was grasping his balls and twisting.

“OUCH!” Harry froze, feeling pain shoot up his back from how intense her tight grasp was.

“Aw, Harry. It’s not painful, it’s all in your head.” She gritted, tightening her hold a little more, along with another small twist.

“Sophia, let go!” Harry demanded going to force her hand away from his family jewels but he paused when her grip got a little tighter. The pain was definitely not in his imagination.

“Fuck you!” Her voice dropped lower, her face closing in on his. “I’m not the only one who is going to need pain medicine if you move again. I will twist them right the fuck off.” She threatened, her attention going to the opening door, Andros pausing just inside.

“Who on –“He started but Harry interrupted.

“Andros? She needs a pain shot, please? I think I might need one myself if she doesn’t release her hand from my family crests.” Harry groaned, seeing Sophia smirk.

“Why? After all, it’s only in your head.” She responded sweetly.

“Okay, Sophia? I’m going to go get your shot, wait right there and don’t hurt him, yeah?” Andros held his hand up but looked at Harry.

“How did...this,” He paused, gesturing toward the two prisoners. “Escalate?”

Sophia growled, clamping down more and making Harry jump, he didn’t dare move for fear of her actually hurting him.

“He tried telling me the pain is all in my head, I’m returning the favor.” She said, baring her teeth in a snarl.

Andros looked at the two like they had lost their marbles.

“I’ll be right back, perhaps Elliott is better equipped in handling this.” He excused himself but paused when a distant scream was heard, followed by crying.

“Oh for the love of God in Heaven and the Virgin Jesus Mary.” Andros complained, Lilyana rushing in and to the two prisoners, throwing her small arms around Harry and hugging him in a death grip.

Sophia disengaged in confusion, especially when Lily began to cry.

“She hates me.” Lily sobbed, tightening her hold on Harry’s neck and burying her face into his shoulder.

“Damn right I do you little slag!” Eli appeared, Lily’s bear in hand.

Without much thought she used her other hand to rip the soft material apart, effectively separating Mr. Bear’s head from his body.

This act of unusual cruelty made Lily scream and Andros step in.

“Get out of here, Eli! Go on, go back to your room!” He shoed her, gesturing out as he did so – like chasing away a fly.

“Gladly. Tell the little tramp to steer clear of my room or I’ll rip her fucking head off next time. I have a do not enter sign for a reason – or can no one fucking read around here?!” She screamed, marching forward.

“Hey Lily?” She called, smirking slightly when the little girl turned to her.

It was the perfect opportunity because Eli’s hand flew swiftly through the air, making contact with Lily’s face. The hit was so hard that it snapped her neck back at an unnatural angle from the force alone.

This intensified the girl’s cries, making Harry warp his arms around the little girl protectively.

“Stay the fuck out of my room you pathetic, unloved creature. No one wants you here, no one fucking loves you and do you know why?” Eli promoted, making Harry’s eyes darken.

“ENOUGH!” He shouted but Eli didn’t heed his warning. She continued.

“Because you killed mom. It’s your fucking fault she’s dead. I hope you fucking die too you pathetic cunt.” She finished with a deep chuckle, pushing past Andros and leaving the whole room unnerved.

“Oh princess, it’s alright.” Harry shushed, glancing at Sophia who looked just as shocked. Even Andros didn’t know what to make of the situation.

“I’ll go get your pain medicine and then I need to go talk to Mr. Dawson.” Andros said, leaving the room before anyone can respond.

Sophia moved forward and grabbed the now ruined bear, starting at it sadly.

“And here I thought Damien was cruel.” She murmured to herself, catching Harry’s attention, his grip around the younger girl tightly.

“He’s not an appropriate discussion of conversation right now, Sophia.” He told her briskly, gently prying the girl’s face from his shoulder. “Come on little lass, let’s see those pretty eyes.”

Sophia watched as Harry patiently waited for Lily to look at him. When she did, he offered her an award winning smile.

“There’s that beautiful face.” He jested lightly, struggling not to frown as a deep and dark red hand print appeared across her cheek.

“I want a mummy, maybe then she wouldn’t be so mean to me.” Lily said, sobs leaving her little chest in a gust of forced breaths. She was hyperventilating and Harry knew that was never a good sign.

“Aw little one, she’s just going through some things right now. They’re nothing for you to worry about.” Harry calmed, gently passing her to Sophia.

The girl didn’t mind, she wrapped her little arms around the older girl and hid her face into her chest.

“Harry!” Sophia mouthed frantically, making him smile.

“You have a woman’s touch, Soph and if Dawson walks in, he would not appreciate seeing me comforting his kid. There’s just some things you can explain and some you can’t. This would be on the unexplainable list. Besides, I’m not good with children.” Harry reasoned, taking his hand and patting the younger girl’s long hair from her face.

Sophia bit her lip but took her good arm and placed it over Lily’s back, returning the small gesture of kindness.

Lily sniffled, looking up to Sophia with big eyes. “You can be my mum. You’re nice.” Making poor Sophia look to Harry for help. He offered her nothing but a smile.

“This is about twisting your family crests, isn’t it? That’s why you’re putting me through this.” She accused, her good hand massaging the girl’s hair back.

“No, I don’t hold that against you but it’s funny seeing you flustered.” Harry chuckled.

Sophia shook her head. She didn’t have the experience with children and Andros left them alone with one.

“Hey, Lily?” Harry called kindly, seeing her poke her head up from Sophia’s chest, her small eyes sad and tear streaked.

“Mr. Bear? Can I ask question?” She asked, her thumb going to her mouth, hiccupping, small sobs still ripping through her throat but she was calming.

“Of course, darling.” Harry smiled.

“Mummy gave me my bear before she went to heaven and you are a bear, you can fix him?” She asked hopefully, her small little head dropping. “Cause Daddy tried fixing princess cat and couldn’t.”

“I could try.” Harry comforted, looking at the door, Elliott and Andros coming through.

Elliott’s frown deepened when he saw Sophia hugging Lily.

“Lily Rose Dawson, we’ve discussed you being by yourself with strangers, come here.” Elliott motioned but she shook her head and dug her face back into Sophia’s chest.

“No, I like Sophia and Mr. Bear. They’re nice,” Lily defended, her long eyelashes batting shyly. “I want Sophie to be my mum, daddy.”

“She’s not your mum. She’s a prisoner and that is how it is to remain. Come, it’s almost lunch time and we’re having your favorite.” Elliott came forward and picked her up from Sophia, taking her from the room but not before nodding to Andros.

Andros returned it, approaching Sophia with her pain shot.

He knelt down but she stopped him, her blue eyes reflecting a sparse thought.

“I don’t want it anymore.” She murmured, turning away from the older lad and facing away from both of the men.

“Soph –“Harry tried but she shook her head and laid back down.

“I’m tired, Harry. I’m going to sleep.” Sophia decided, closing her eyes but opening them again when she felt the small jab of the needle, she turned around, frowning.

Harry gave her a sad smile, his hand massaging her shoulder.

“Don’t worry about it, Sophia. You did nothing wrong, come here.” He gestured, glancing at Andros and giving him a nod of thanks.

Andros returned it and stood up.

“Lunch will be served in a few minutes.” He let them know before going to exit the room, stopping just outside the door to turn around to shut it but paused, seeing Harry pull Sophia into a hug. It was obvious that everything was taking its toll on the young couple.

“Can I get some brown thread, a sewing needles, sewing scissors and some stuffing? I need something to do, figure I’ll try and fix the kid’s bear.” Harry shrugged, tightening his embrace.

Sophia didn’t react, she just let Harry pull her into him, the faraway look more evident than before.

Andros nodded and went to ask Elliott if Harry could be granted those items, locking the door behind him.

When he was gone, Sophia’s body physically relaxed into Harry’s.

“I’m weak.” She murmured, shifting herself to look at Harry.

Harry preened a few loose hairs from her face, his eyes kind.

“You’re human.” He corrected, smiling a little but it too was worn.

“I don’t feel like it. I had no idea what to do with Lily and her father seemed displeased we even tried helping.” Sophia murmured, pushing Harry away gently, laying down on the mattress and pulling her blanket around her.

That didn’t deter Harry from raking his fingers through her hair to try and ease her fears.

“I know darling but if I had two prisoners being nice to my little girl, I’d be weary too. It’s just his fatherly instincts kicked into overdrive. He no more trusts us as we do him. it’s how you’re supposed to feel towards your enemy and unfortunately, Sophia, we are enemies.” Harry sighed, his fingers moving to her back, rubbing up and down gently.

“Everything is always black or white, never color with you gangs.” Sophia murmured, her muscles becoming deadweight on the mattress under his touch.

“Believe me, we see more color than you would think. Unfortunately, it always seems to be red.” Harry replied, the continuous motion of his fingers lulling her into a light sleep.

“We should change it someday.” She yawned.

“Maybe someday.” Harry whispered, slowing his hands and covering her shoulders up, glancing at the opening door.

Andros walked in with the requested items Harry had asked for and a food tray.

He stood up carefully, walking to meet him and taking the items from the older man’s hands.

“Thank you.” He said nodding, bringing them back onto the mattress.

Harry set the food tray away from the other stuff, giving Sophia a chance for a short nap before he would wake her.

“Yeah, no problem. Just knock if you need to use the bathroom or require anything else.” Andros offered, leaving back out through the door, locking it from the outside as he did so.

Harry sighed and got to work on Mr. Bear. He had no idea why he offered to fix Lilly’s stuffed animal but it seemed somehow important…that and he was bored. The distraction of getting his mind focused on something was a welcoming change.

His skill with a sewing needle was a meticulous as it was with a knife. He cur carefully around the ripped seams of the bear, smoothing it over by adding more stuffing and finishing it off with careful needle work.

The whole process took over an hour but in the end, Mr. Bear was as good as new. When Andros came to collect the food tray, which hadn’t been touched; he was surprised Harry had made such fast progress on the pervious ruined teddy bear.

“I’m impressed.” He told Harry, taking the bear carefully from the prisoner, looking it over in scrutiny, not to be rude but he was surprised a lad of Harry’s position would even know how to sew.

“My father taught me some self-effective tricks to mending bullet holes in clothing – and in flesh. He always told me that you either learn or you die, it’s that simple. That’s why I’m good with a needle, self-sufficient because I have to be, not necessarily because I want to be.” Harry told Andros, looking him in the eye as he spoke.

“Shame you have a father like Master Styles. Even more so because your whole world is stacked against you either way. You succeed, you fail, you fail, and you get your ass handed off to you for it. If it makes you feel any better, you have my sympathy.” Andros said, shaking his head before going to leave.

“I don’t want sympathy. I just want an answer. Am I going to die?” Harry swallowed, picking up the stuff, minus the food tray and handed it back to Andros.

Andros took the stuff back but stood to match Harry’s look, looking him over before choosing his words carefully.

“No Harry, you’re not going to die…” He trailed off, backing away to the outside of the door in cautious steps. “At least…not today,” He paused again, unable to look Harry in the eyes. “Knock when you two are done eating or need anything. I’ll go give this to Lily, I know she’ll appreciate it.” He changed the subject, locking the door with a soft click.

Harry swallowed thickly before sighing, dropping back down on the bed in worry, slowly laying down with Sophia. When he was situated on the mattress his strong arms wrapped around her once again and though she could only offer him physical comfort, it was better than nothing.

“I’m sorry I failed.” Harry whispered, a lone tear falling out from the corner of his eye. “Because I don’t know how I’m going to get us out of this mess. Help should have come by now.”

Sophia’s good hand enclosed over his gently, her voice just as soft as his had been.

“You didn’t fail.” She promised him, turning around in his arms.

Sophia saw the lone tear streak when she did and reached up to brush it away.

“You can only work with what you’ve been given and right now, we don’t have much to create with. You don’t have to be strong, Harry. You don’t have to be made of titanium because you’re not. No matter how much you wish to be. Let it go, let it out because if you don’t – you’re going to implode on yourself.” She frowned, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“I’m being strong because I have to be. I have to make sure you’re alright and I know you haven’t been.” Harry reasoned but felt another tear slip out, tightening his hold. Sophia’s body inching closer, their chests touching and their breaths syncing in time with one another.

“I won’t ever admit this again but I’m terrified. Not of dying but leaving you. Knowing that I failed to train you ,that I left you defenseless.” He began but stopped at the touch of Sophia’s fingers across his lips, her eyes dilated.

“You tried. I’m the one that failed you.” She admitted, bringing her head into his chest and hugging Harry to her with her good hand.

“I could have tried harder.” He insisted, only to be shushed by Sophia.

“When we get out of here, I’ll train with you.” She promised, hearing his even breath.

“If –“Harry tried but Sophia shook her head against his chest.

“When.” She finalized the argument, bringing her head to his, kissing him on the cheek.

“Okay…when.” Harry agreed, seeing Sophia lower her head to under his chin and curl her body to his own, his hold unrelenting.

“Good.” She sighed, enjoying the comfort of his arms. It was weird she could fall asleep so easily in that position but she no longer feared Harry. She feared the situation they were in and though she didn’t believe the words spoken, Harry was the one who needed hope the most right now. After all, when the leader of your gang begins to give up – what else was there truly besides death?

Notes