The Silence That Surrounds: Screams of the Damned

Eli’s POV:

Shout magazine wasn’t anything to ‘shout’ about but it did give me some creative ways to apply makeup next time I wanted to add a little excitement to my life but then again – when was there ever a dull moment around here? Especially when you had to create the entertainment as you went along.

I smile at the thought of the cage and wonder if Tomlinson survived his day with Sawdust. I heard he was their best and promised fighter but –

A harsh bang against my door sounded and a moment later my father was in front of me, grasping my shoulders and violently shaking them. It would hurt if I was not already accustomed to pain. So the snap of my head was more like a tickle.

“WHAT DID YOU DO?!” Elliott screamed, trying to hold his senses enough to not knock the living shit out of me. Sometimes I wish he wouldn’t hold back. The in control Elliott is so…unattractive. I need to work on his last nerve.

“I’m uncertain what you mean, father?” I played dumb with a firing frown to match.

“Do not play stupid with me Eli Dawson! LOUIS TOMLINSON! He won today, thought you should bloody fucking know.” Elliott snapped, pushing me away from him and wringing invisible air.

I think he was imagining that was my throat. I smile at the thought and step forward again.

“Did he now? Tomlinson barely looks as though he could beat up a child. Sawdust was the Cage’s best fighter.” I noted and saw my father’s eyes flash red.

“He WAS. In fact, thanks to your little stunt; Jinx Kaiser has ordered me to pay ten million dollars and the contract we both agreed to has now been TERMINATED. Which means, I have little control over what goes on with the Styles boy or Deprave – though Kaiser told me that his contract with Damien was a better deal in the end. I’ve lost control over the only bargaining chip I had thanks to your fucking stunt!” Elliott bellowed and brought his hand into the air but I just smiled and taunted him to go ahead. After all; pain no longer hurts me.

He dropped his hand and massaged the bridge of his nose in frustration.

“I need a stiff drink. You’re driving me to drink, Eli.” Elliott responded in stress.

“I was simply trying to kill Tomlinson. He’s a cocky motherfucker, matching him up against Sawdust seemed right appropriate.” I defended my argument and turned to walk away but he stopped me.

“Eli? Princess? I need you to leave Louis alone and stop trying to kill Deprave. I had to take him off the execution list for the third TIME. You know I need him as leverage. Andros would sooner leave than stay here because without that pull, I have no control on him. He could simply leave and trust me – he’d never look back.” Elliott said, getting me to see some reason. Perhaps the old man did actually have some valid arguments.

“The problem I see father is this; you’re letting too much go on around here that allows your mind to worry about such things. For example, Sophia Stone. She is allowed to stay Lily’s room with Deprave. Do you know what they talk about at night?” I baited with a smile.

“Not really, should I care? Andros would sooner shield Lily from my dealings and Sophia has been wonderful to her despite my treatment so I’d say there’s little to concern myself with.” He shrugged and turned to leave for the kitchen.

“They talk about being free, father. I stand and listen at the door. She’s putting ideas in Deprave’s head, you know – giving him hope. He can see a future now. He says someday instead of one day. His eyes sparkle this beautiful shine when he looks at her. She’s his savior and like Jesus was to the people of Nazareth, she is giving him the hope to fight back and see a more illuminated road and daddy? I don’t think you want that,” I chuckled, seeing his eyes grow a darker color. Nonetheless I continued. “She’s trouble and needs to be eliminated or at the very least controlled. She needs structure and rules if she is ever going to truly know her place here; that is if you plan to keep her long term. I would drop Stone off with Styles, let him see the pain of watching his little bae fall into the depressions and realization that there is a hell far greater than here.”

Elliott’s eyes were dark, the contrast to the lighting was admitting somewhat worrying but it was not directed at me but the black haired redhead.

“And what do you propose, darling? I have as much control as I can have without physically chaining them to the walls.” He rolled his eyes and turned to walk out the door; I of course followed.

“What if I told you I had an idea?” I challenged him but he merely chuckled and continued down the hallway, half listening I suppose.

“Leave her for a week at The Cage and continue a deal with Kaiser – like rent her out to the guards that need a little release or even the clientele – they have some pretty weird kinks. In addition to that, train the mum hen to obey your direct orders. It’s a far worse punishment than Blade simply forcing her down to her knees for a blowjob or nearly raping her. That and Styles himself witnessing it would only be the cherry on the cake. Besides, you said you owed a ten-million-pound debt, yes? Let Stone pay it off with her services let her become the useful one around here. She has nothing else to lose and you have everything to gain.” I advised, smiling.

Elliott turned on his heels and stopped me where I stood, his jawline set tense and his eyes glaring.

“I am not putting Sophia Stone in the Cage. I want her here.” He decided and walked out into the kitchen, heading for his drinking cabinet and removing a tumbler glass.

I rolled my eyes and went over to his drinking cart that was set on the side and grabbed his premium scotch.

Without a word I poured it into his glass and handed it to him, reaching up to kiss his cheek.

“Alright, daddy. I shall respect your decision but maybe if you started listening to me, you would actually be on the brink of getting back to the man I used to love and respect. Anywho, I’m going back to my room. It’s obvious you’d rather live in obscurity and I want no part of that. Though if you do actually listen to what I say, I’d restrict the help from talking at night – it will decrease risk of an uprising oh sweet king of the kingdom.” I chuckle and roll my eyes. It’s obvious I was the one ruling this roost. Father just didn’t know it yet.

Elliott chuckled himself.

“I can’t keep them gagged, darling. It would traumatize Lily too much. Besides, it’s just talk; I find nothing wrong with a dose of false hope every now and again. Especially with Blade’s techniques. I have it under control.” He insisted and I tried hard not to roll my eyes again.

“Daddy? Between the two of us? You have jack shit under control from my perspective. If you can’t even control your sixteen-year-old daughter, how do you expect to control anything else? I bat my eyes and you fall back under the spell. Manipulation, daddy. I has it.” I purposely use a present tense phrase with a past sentence. It drives him insane.

“You have it, yes. It comes naturally from your old man. Now, be off to bed with you. I have some stuff to think about.” He dismissed, kissing my forehead quick but gently.

I thought on his action and smiled. He hadn’t done that in a while.

“Daddy? Think about what I said. All manipulation aside, daughter to father – you raised me and cared for me as you see. Sure, Andros was with me through the teenaged years but I’m an adult now and he wasn’t as hands on as he is with Lily. I want to be a part of something bigger. I want what you are trying to accomplish but I can’t do that unless you let me. When I was younger, I saw how you handled your enemies and Styles is your enemy. You have their precious diamond in the rough and all you want her to do is pleasure Blade and play mummy to Lily. Think deeper – be crueler. Let her know where her position is, what it is.” I smiled, staring into his face with softened features. I could tell he was listening.

“How do you propose I do that, precious?” Elliott asked, pouring himself another drink and downing it in a single gulp.

“Take the one thing left that she still has freedom to use and minimize it. You have chains that would reach around the whole house. Keep her and Deprave chained to them and make them work. Andros has become allowed to be too lax. It’s time to retrain them to YOUR will. When they are not catering to Lilith, they are to be locked in the basement – where the chains will be attached or doing housework per your or my leisure. To minimize talking, simple, shock collars. No gag required.” I explained, folding my arms. I didn’t blink for fear I would lose his attention.

Elliott let out a thoughtful dull hum and repeated his earlier kiss to my forehead.

“Alright. Tomorrow we’ll give it a try, see how well it goes.” He agreed reluctantly, smiling. I couldn’t help my own from shining through.

“Yes! Thank you daddy! We can be such a team; you’ll see – I promise you won’t regret this!” I exclaimed and threw my arms around him and turned tail back down the hall, stopping at Lily’s door.

Being the ever concerned sister that I am – well, concerned really about killing the little bitch when the time presents itself, I put my ear to the door to listen to Andros and Sophia. Surprisingly, they were quietly laughing. I had to know what got them in a good mood because I couldn’t wait to turn their world upside down.

*

Sophia’s POV:

“You should have seen it, Sophia. Oh Goodness, Aiden went to punch the son of a bitch and ended up knocking himself out. This was his first fight and when he woke up – which, might I add I had to drag his arse out of the bar and back home. First thing he says when he wakes up is ‘did I get the git?’” Andros laughed quietly, his feet curled up on the small couch facing me. I was sitting beside him, our knees touching.

I laughed quietly as our voices echoed together. He had been such a comfort for me today. I had been allowed up earlier in the evening to attend to Lily. She hugged onto me tightly and I returned it without question.

“How’s your hand?” He smiled, making me glance at my swollen limb. It would be worse if he didn’t manage to steal me a morphine shot.

Pausing a few seconds, I returned the smile but it didn’t reach my eyes. To be truthful, the pain was still there. It throbbed and ached but it was bearable for now.

“Better. Thank you for your kindness, Andros; for everything. I know you can’t always be there but for the ti – “His finger met my lips with a smile of his own – only a lot cheekier.

“You’ve been taken from one hell and put into another. My kindness is worthless in the grand scheme of things, Sophia. My kindness will never completely bring you any comfort so don’t thank me. Just smile and let that beauty show. It’s hard some days but – it’ll get easier over the years. That and it makes me feel like I’m doing something right so if you can just stroke my nonexistent ego – that would help.” He chuckled, releasing my lips from his finger.

I did smile genuinely this time. It felt like years have passed since being in the Styles cabin but I knew the weeks were crawling by at a snail’s pace.

I moved my lips in to moisturize them, the tingling of his touch still lingered on him and I found myself falling. It might have been the situation – it might be Stockholm syndrome but Andros was kind. He wasn’t like Harry but even Harry still held a place in my heart.

“Your mind is wandering off again, little hummingbird. Let me in, love. What are you thinking?” He pries gently, his fingers racking through my hair.

I didn’t want to tell him but the glance into his face had me falling deeper. It was his eyes – his kindness.

“I was thinking about us.” I answered truthfully, making him pull back a little with an arched eyebrow.

“Us, darling? There is no ‘us’ we – “He stopped to close his mouth and breath out his nose to make himself calm.

I felt my heart bleed a little. I wasn’t trying to ruin the moment.

“There can’t be an us. I fell for someone a long time ago and it ended up nearly costing me my life and it cost them theirs completely.” He retreated, his face hardening before my eyes. I needed his eyes to shine again. They were the only things that lit my path.

“I meant our situation.” I explained further, forcing a small laugh. I felt miserable and broken. I just wanted to give up but there was never an opportunity.

His cheeks flushed a small red and he nodded without replying.

“I just meant, if this was a different situation we would be friends, right? I don’t have friends nowadays – that and family seem to be a continuous absents from my life and I just…” I didn’t even bother finishing, turning away to look up at the bed where Lily slept soundly. “I just want to go home. If you were a friend, you would help me do that – right?” I questioned meekly.

His fingers raked through my hair gently and I welcomed his touch. It reminded me of Dylan and I think right now I wanted my brother, I wanted him to tell me it was alright and he couldn’t so it left the people I was forced to be around and no one ever said it would be okay. They never truly told me anything and now Andros was doing the same.

“I am your friend, Sophia but I can’t do what you’re asking me to. I can’t help you with that. It’s something you will have to do yourself if you truly want to – leave.” He was pausing in his wording, dropping his voice to nearly a whisper. “I won’t try to stop you, love. I promise.”

I nod my head and lean it against his shoulder.

“Thank you.” I sighed, taking my uninjured hand and playing with the hem of his shirt.

He turned my head and a moment later, his lips were against mine.

“Sometimes, though not often – we find something worth fighting for. You, Aiden and Lily are my purpose, you’re my fight. So think about that before you go jumping off the highest tower in London.” He quipped in something that resembled anger and hurt, shaking his head as he did so.

“God damn it, Sophia! You’re special and you don’t even see it. I wish you saw what I did. I wish you could see how beautiful you are.” He revealed, his hand coming to stop on my cheek. “Everyone can see this but you and if you want to be a victim, then be a victim but you don’t want to die, not truly. Do you?” He asked pointedly, our eyes meeting in the most intense gaze I had ever seen.

“I want peace. I want to go home to my family where I belong. I don’t deserve –“ He stopped me right there.

“You deserve to live as much as the next person. God, you don’t want to die, not truly. You would have by now.” He argued, but I shook my head to disagree.

“I want to find peace, peace is death.” I pulled away and stood up to face the outside world through the bars on the window.

“It doesn’t have to be. Christ, Soph, that’s what I’m saying. What if I can give you that peace? What if I showed you something that I learned to do years ago?” He challenged, sitting himself on the floor and patting the space in front of him.

My hand had grasped the one bar in front of the only window big enough to look out of but the space beside Andros looked appealing for some reason and I nodded with only a small hesitation.

His face lit up when I came to sit in front of him, his hands taking my one good one.

“You have to completely trust me, okay? This can be dangerous if you fall in too deep but I will be with you through the whole thing, I promise.” He explained cryptically.

“What are you going to do?” I panicked slightly, seeing him reach for my eyes and shut them lightly with his fingers.

“Self-hypnosis. Now, keep your eyes closed and follow my voice.” He instructed, scooting forward and keeping hold of my hand. “Receive my energy, picture a white light in our hands. Imagine how warm that energy is when I put it into your palm.”

I focused on our touch and pictured a white flame, it’s warm heating me at its touch. I smiled.

“I feel it, it’s so warm.” I told him, hearing him chuckle.

“It is warm, it’s my energy,” He replied, his hand leaving mine and traveling up my arm slowly. “Picture my light traveling up your arm, it’s glowing presence warming and relaxing the tension, your arm going limp into my hands. You feel safe and protected because the small ball of white is growing, covering your skin in this glow that make you shine as the brightest thing in the room.”

I felt he was being too nice but I pictured where his hand was and the growing warm that felt over me, shining like a ball of fire in the darkness of the room.

“That’s it, relax. Let the guilt and sadness run off you like water, that’s it, lay back, I got you,” He assured, pushing me down into his arms. He must have moved but I didn’t care. I kept his energy around me, feeling my body being laid down on his lap. “Now just hold that light around you and focus on its warm, I’m right here. I’m not going to leave you.”

I let out a tension filled sigh and I felt the tension start to leave in waves.

“That’s it, love. Breathe in and breathe out, see the negative energy forced out in a black cloud. Feel the light hold you.”

I felt a warmness in my mind that I had never felt before, it was almost blinding but it didn’t hurt. I haven’t felt peace like this in a long time.

“Good girl, you’re almost completely relaxed. Do you see the brightness? Do you feel how warm it is?” He asked, a smile now in his voice. I didn’t want to answer but I managed a yes.

“Wonderful. You’re in a field, the grass is a yellow green and tall, you’ve been walking through it for miles and wondering when it will end. Suddenly you step out into a clearing. A dock a short distance in front of you in a small dark pond. There are a heard of ducks – wait, not ducks. After Louis, ducks have been crossed off and banned from my self-hypnosis. Okay, swans. Beautiful white and black swans. They’re in the pond below the dock, you smile and watch the babies follow their mother. By the dock, in a little corner beside an old oak tree is a blanket.

I looked around while Andros voice faded into the background until it disappeared completely. I could feel the smooth grass under my feet and the warm spring day away from everyone and everything.

In the corner by the tree sat a guitar, a guitar that wasn’t there before.

“This is beautiful, oh God this is – “I never dreamt I could imagine somewhere so – so amazing. I’m surrounded by tall grass, my own little world incased inside it. The grass was my protection, it didn’t let anyone see in and hid me from the world. I loved it here. The air was so crisp, blowing so gently that it only knocked my hair slightly. My strands were their natural color and original length.

“Andros? Are you here?” I called but realized I was alone when he didn’t answer, that was a little disappointing.

“I can’t play guitar so why this would be – “I started but paused at the approaching footsteps through what sounded like leaves behind the tree.

“You never learned but that doesn’t mean I can’t.” Dylan said, approaching into the clearing with the biggest smile. I stood there frozen, knowing automatically he wasn’t real.

Sensing this his smile dropped and he walked closer, grasping my fingers into his. It was at that moment I realized my broken hand was healed and didn’t hurt. I flexed my fingers and looked on in astonishment, my eyes wide in surprise.

“I’m real, Sophia. I’m a constant worry in your mind now a days and it’s preventing you from finding your own peace; it’s preventing you from seeing anything but misery and I want you to enjoy your time here…like the old days. Come on, the food is going to get cold.” Dylan ushered, guiding my shocked figure onto the blanket and sitting beside me.

I felt his energy next to me and reached over to poke him before making sure and doing it again.

He laughed heartedly and grabbed my hand, his two fingers gently moving up and down my arm.

“I never forgot, Sophia. I know you’ll always remember too and that’s what is important. Not to forget, to keep the memories we made alive,” He smiled, taking my hand and kissing it. “You are always in my thoughts too, Nala.”

I knew it was him but frowned and looked up at the clouds that looked to be peeking a light gray – though that could be in my head.

“Why did you leave, Dylan? Harry was going to release us. He was going to send us to Ireland and –“ I started but Dylan shook his head and pulled me into a hug.

“We wouldn’t have made it, Nala. Your place is with Harry; he’s going to protect you. The years are going to be rough my darling sister but he will be there. Just keep your mind open and stop fantasizing about death. I can promise you, it’s not as glamorous as those Christians make it out to be. It’s hot and tropical down there without the water if you catch my drift.” He winked, seeing my face drop in shock before he started to laugh. “I’m kidding. To be truthful, I’m someplace safe – happy but I need to make sure you’re happy. It’s difficult right now but you are going to be fine.” Dylan promised, taking away his touch to the basket, bringing out a bowl of fruit, Sheppard’s pie and a hot turkey sub.

“Just let your mind relax, don’t think about your worries, let them fall into their own beds tonight. Tonight, it’s about us…just us.”

The way he soothed my fear was indescribable. I felt I could stay here forever, I wanted to stay here forever because then I wouldn’t have to leave Dylan. Tears pricked my eyes when I thought I would have to let him go again.

Somehow he heard my thoughts and shushed my active mind back to serenity.

“I’m here whenever you need me. Just make sure you don’t go in too deep. The consequences aren’t pretty and we can’t live in our heads – when we do, we tend to crack. Something cracks so only come here when things get too much. Okay?” Dylan made me promise and I agreed, smiling when he grabbed his guitar while I ate.

“I’ve been Dying to hear you play again, Simba. I missed this so much.” I nearly cried, him relaxing me with his touch.

It was so calming that my mind felt heavy but at peace. After so long, I wasn’t stressed or sad. I was happy. My brother was here with me; he didn’t leave me after all.

He put the guitar strap over his shoulder and started to strum the cords, his beautiful blue eyes shut.

“Let it be.” I requested, settling down.

He opened his eyes and laughed.

“Since when did you become a Beatles fan?” He teased but I heard the music come to life, like an orchestra of instruments that no longer needed a guitar. So he winked and took the guitar from his shoulder and stood up, reaching his hand out.

“I would like to ask for a brother and sister dance.” He smiled and flicked his wrist so the guitar began to play a steady rhythm.

I reached for his hand but the winds shifted a lot strongly. I panicked but Dylan was there to soothe me once more, his hair the long beautiful blonde I once knew, longer than mine and I could not be any more envious. The way I saw him in my mind – he would never grow old or get sick. He would never meet a girl and kiss her hand. He would never have children. He was stuck in my mind forever underneath all the torment and like me, he was also a prisoner.

He shook his head.

“Stop that, Sophia. I am your memory; you can’t forget about me. No matter how you try. You’ve closed off your emotions before but you can’t forget about your past. Not me – or father.” He gulped, looking up at the tree.

I looked too and let out a scream. He was laying lazily against the tree with a smirk on his face.

“Baby girl, I’ve missed you. Come give your papa a kiss.” He taunted, moving forward but flinched and let out a frustrated sigh. “Before you killed me, the least you could have done is ask those delinquents to take the curling iron out of my arse.”

I frowned, knowing they had already. Was I going insane?

“They did, I slit your throat.” I struggled to remember. Why couldn’t I remember?

Daniel laughed and stepped forward, I looked at Dylan and wondered why he would bring up our father.

“You’re going in too deep, darling. Lines of reality are blurring, you’re seeing two different pictures, sweetness. One you want to see and one you don’t. Right now, your mind is breaking and I can’t wait for the fun to start.” Daniel teased, humming and going to sit carefully on the blanket, grabbing a handful of grapes that were untouched, his lips letting out a sound of relief.

“Cracking?” I gulped, looking at Dylan.

Dylan waved his hand and the music stopped completely, his face a frown.

“You’re going to be fine, sis. Just don’t give up, okay?” He replied, not answering my question.

“No, not okay! What does asshole mean cracking? Dylan Richard Stone, you tell me or I’m going to – “He let out a small sigh and pulled me closer into a hug.

“I need you to see what’s really in front of you, Nala. I know you don’t want to but you have to wake up now before this gets worse. Come on, wake up.” Dylan gently coaxed me, pushing me away a little bit before bringing my hand to his neck, the same sharp bone sticking out of his neck – the very same one Harry showed me.

“I’m dead. See it – remember it.” His voice turned raspy, like he hadn’t had a drink for years.

I pulled away in horror when the dark ring slowly started to appear on his perfect skin, his head tilting downward into an unnatural angle.

A gasp left my mouth and Daniel chuckled – one I had never heard him make before. It was deeper than his normal evil cackle.

“Time to wake up, precious. You’re being summoned.” Daniel tormented, standing up and approaching me, Dylan stepping in front of him to shield me.

“Come any closer dad and I will – “He stopped and looked at me like he realized something too late and that caused me to gulp. “Sophia, you got to wake up! The lake, go to the lake and jump in!”

His voice sounds far away now, an echo of what it used to be but he was standing right here in front of me.

Daniel smirked wide and went to advance but I followed Dylan’s instructions and ran to the dock, jumping into the cold water before me, pulling in a breath of both surprise and pain. It was a flash of white light that slowly started to darken and fade the light above me to complete black.

For a moment I was stuck. I couldn’t swim up or sink down. The water turned to gel around me and for that moment panic set in.

“Come on, follow my voice you worthless bitch!” The thunderous clouds bellowed around my ears and I flinched at the volume but the gel fell away and I was able to make it to the surface. When I did, I sat up and took in a lung full of air.

My eyes wide I looked around to find myself on the ground and Elliott knelt above me with a smile that could freeze the depths of hell.

“Welcome back, cupcake. I see Andros taught you his little mind escape trick – no matter, you two won’t be conversing for quite a while and I’m afraid there will be no more happy dreams for you,” He pouted but reached over and gripped my hair tightly, yanking my head in a painful tug towards his alcohol filled mouth. “You see, darling – your stay here is supposed to be a learning tool. I don’t see you learning anything. So we are going to start retraining you and Andros tomorrow.” He whispered, smiling when Lily groaned out a small protest in her sleep from the noise of her father’s voice.

“What about Lily?” I asked sadly, trying to look up to her but my head was held firmly.

“You will attend to your watch over her but you will not be allowed to speak. If she asks a question, you will simply shrug. Andros is having the same thing done to him, I want order in this house and that is going to start with you.” He made up his mind, giving my head a small shake.

I whimpered but held myself back from crying out.

“I –“ I started but Elliott cut me off with a soft shush.

“No, no I’s – it’s time you went back to sleep. At least this time, I can be assured of you having no pleasant dreams. So with that in mind, darling, I bid you Aude and a goodnight.” He finished, taking his other hand and balling it into a fist.

That was the last thing I saw before my vision went completely black.

Notes