The Silence That Surrounds: Screams of the Damned

**A few hours prior to rescue**

Narrator’s POV:

It was quiet in the Cage tonight – unnaturally so, but Harry supposed it was the fact that more people died and new fighters were delivered. The hour was supposed to be quiet time, but it also felt earlier than it was.

Harry was on the floor, knees protesting the hard concrete below him and his ankle throbbing at the way his guard clicked the shackle tightly on to assure the gang leader wouldn’t get any ideas; though, nothing compared to the pain radiating in his eye socket from the punch Louis had been forced to lay on him.

“Andy? Come on baby bro, wake up, mate. It’s Aiden; you know me as the smarter, more handsome older brother.” Aiden patted his cheek lightly with a tearful laugh, causing Harry to glance over at the stressed out man.

Sophia was laying idly on the furthest cot; Harry’s hand gripping her non-broken one, while his other gently brushed away at her lifeless hair.

“Lifeless like her.” Harry murmured gently, looking back to Aiden when he slapped his slightly younger sibling to try and stir him.

“Andy? Please, wake up!” Aiden begged, shaking him a little.

Harry could hear the distant cries of Lily pleading for her daddy – and Louis’s cries of panic. He never was good at handling children.

This went on for a few minutes before the guards placed at that station began to tell them both to shut up. After that, it was silent at his end of the cage.

“Why would they separate Lily from Andros and Sophia?” Harry murmured aloud; his tired and dull eyes back on Sophia – HIS deadly Nightshade.

“Because Kaiser is an inconsiderate prick.” Aiden glowered, tears soaking down his face and onto his stained prison shirt.

“That’s not very nice, Deprave.” Kaiser laughed, his footsteps coming to stop in front of his cage and peering in again at the helpless fighters.

“You’re not very nice separating a little girl from her caretakers.” Aiden challenged, earning him a genuine laugh.

Kaiser’s light footsteps stopped outside their cell and leant against the bars.

“That so? You think I’m not very nice? Well, I suppose you got a point, lad. However, I wanted to stop by and hand you these,” He stepped to the side, holding his arms out as something was put into them.

Aiden wasn’t surprised when he stepped back and held out red sweats and a matching cotton undershirt.

He paused however when he noticed there were two of them, one of a light pastel pink color instead of blood color.

Kaiser noticed and let out a loud obnoxious cackle.

“No, the other one is for the living corpse there. Harry and the rest of his gang will be returned to Damien when Master Styles deems it worthy of his time. For his trouble, I am offering him one of my weaker fighters for his use and in return for this whole unfortunate situation; he intends to pay me quite the reward for you and your gang’s safe return, Harry. However, Sophia and Andros are to become a permanent resident of the Cage. Elliott Dawson counteracted a deal with me. Aiden’s life for his brother’s. Sophia will become what she has meant to become; a slag on her knees. Elliott says her mouth can do wondrous things and I’m itching to find out what. Thus the reason her outfit is the color pink. It lets my guards know she can be taken and used as much as desired.” Kaiser explained, his eyes lighting up sadistically.

“How do you intend to make her do anything when she’s in a coma?” Harry spat, his hand tightening on her good one, pulling himself closer to the girl as to try and shield her from Kaiser’s vision.

Kaiser shrugged.

“Haven’t through that far ahead. Anyhow, she’s of little use to me if she doesn’t wake up. I’ll give you a week to try and wake her up. If by that time she isn’t awake, I’ll slit her throat and end the trouble. I’m ace with either outcome,” Kaiser replied, throwing the outfits between the bars. “Since the little princess isn’t chained, go on and dress her into the appropriate clothing.” The man ordered, walking away to head towards where Lily was staying, a smaller outfit of the same shade of pink in the guard’s hands.

“Leave her alone.” Harry muttered, crawling over a few paces to grab the outfits before returning to his original place and turning to hand Aiden his.

Aiden took it with a frown, eyeing Sophia sadly.

“If you need some help – “He offered, his voice trailing off unsteadily.

Harry offered a weak smile in return.

“I’ve got her, mate. She’s my responsibility,” Harry assured, turning to Sophia and gently started peeling away the ruined clothing from her unwashed body.

“My Sophia,” Harry finished with a low, husky whisper; his chapped lips meeting hers in a gentle but dominant kiss. “Mine.” He assured himself, his eyes reflecting a dark shadow of green. He’d protect what was his until his last dying breath. Damn Kaiser, damn his punishments and fuck him. He wasn’t hurting anymore people in his gang. He wasn’t turning Sophia into something worthless. She wasn’t worthless, she belonged to him and no one else. No one had the right to decide what happened to her, except him. Because he was the leader, he was her leader and he was tired of everyone but him hurting her. If she was going to be hurt, HE was going hurt her, no one else.

“Mine.” Harry growled, his voice deepening.

Aiden frowned, noticing the crazed look in Harry’s eyes.

“Mate?” Aiden called cautiously, the jaded look of his orbs growing almost black.

“MINE!” Harry shouted with conviction, growling. It was like a dog becoming protective over a bone.

“Okay. She’s yours, no one else’s. She’s yours, mate. Calm down.” Aiden soothed, keeping his hands raised in defense.

Harry growled again, but continued to work gently to undress her, like a china doll that would shatter at just the slightest movement.

Aiden looked down at his ankle and realized that they hadn’t chained him back down, what was the point really? They had his brother and Harry’s girlfriend and gang. What was the absolute bloody point?

With a disgruntled snarky mutter, Aiden begrudgingly changed into the required execution outfit for tomorrow morning’s events. When he slipped out of his off white clothing and into the blood colored one, it was in a way, an off accusation. That his blood would spill; just as the ones before him that he so carelessly murdered. Some even begging for his mercy – just as he knew Andros would plead for his tomorrow and just like the ones before him – no one would heed to his clemency; just as he hadn’t for the damned he set free.

In a way, he didn’t fear death – Death? Well, he should fear Aiden, because who hears the screams of the condemned, but the reaper that came to collect?

*

When they had brought Lily into the Cage she was already untied and crying up a storm in panic. Which only seemed to boil over when Sophia and Andros were put into one cage and she was tossed in another.

“ANDY!” The little girl screamed, her arms being gripped tightly as she was all but thrown onto Harry’s old cot and held down.

Louis stood up, but was pushed back down onto his bed to prevent him from helping the little girl. It’s not that he was going to help exactly, he was just confused why they were throwing her into his and Zayn’s cell.

The two men watched as the guards manhandled and clicked the rusted shackle onto her ankle, backing away to avoid her kicks.

“ANDY!” She screamed again, tears cascading down from her face and the shrill tone alone made Louis flinch.

With nothing further to do the guards disappeared and left the screaming child in with the more than confused adults.

“Okay…” Louis trailed off, looking to Zayn with raised eyebrows. “So, Achmed? Wanna turn on the charm and make her stop?”

Zayn glared at him, but not before flipping him off.

“No? Okay – let’s see here…oh! Hey, bonnie lass? You with me?” Louis asked walking in front of the frightened child and knelt down to her level.

She kicked at Louis’s face in fear and Zayn smirked when Louis had to use his fast reflexes to deflect the little girl’s foot.

“Hey now, I’m not gonna hurt’cha. Don’t you remember us? We were at your house with Harry and Sophia.” He smiled, hoping that would bring Lily to ease. It was important to do that least she try to kick him in the face again.

Lily gradually stopped screaming and looked between the two men, their faces clicking in her mind.

“You’re Mr. Bear’s friends!” She finally recognized, letting her body fall forward to wrap her small arms around Louis’s neck in search of comfort.

Louis caught her, giving Zayn a panicked look.

The tinker of chains moved with the little girl, the weight of the iron and metal making her unsteady.

Zayn sighed and got up off his bed to kneel down beside Louis to become eye level with the girl, conjuring up his best smile. It wasn’t much, but, he figured his mate could use a hand.

“Hey now, don’t I get a squench?” He asked softly, holding his hands apart while Louis let her go so she could embrace Zayn.

“That’ta lass, good girl. What are you doing here, sugar? This is no place for a little lady like you.” Zayn tried to keep her focus on him, giving Louis a chance to explore the little roller suitcase that was thrown in beside the cot.

“Daddy said I was bad and told me I was being punished.” Lily remarked, her small hand reaching up to dry off her tears.

Zayn flinched knowing Dawson went off his rocker if he was throwing in a six-year-old girl into the 10th circle of hell, which was a circle outside the original oracles if he had anything to say about it.

“You aren’t bad. Your father is just a little off his rocker right now. He’ll see reason soon, hm?” Zayn comforted, not knowing if that was true.

“There is a God!” Louis hollered out low and excited, plucking a few bobby pins from the little girl’s bag where a few coloring books and some clothes lay.

Lily turned toward Louis in question. The man was a spiting fire of energy, that’s for sure.

Zayn glanced over as well, smiling wider. He set Lily on her cot and tilted in to see if he was dreaming.

“They’re for my hair.” Lily stated confused, but the men didn’t acknowledge her for the moment. They were giddy with excitement, knowing Lily was a blessing in disguise to their plight.

“That’s not all, sugarcane. Watch this, but be very quiet, yes?” Louis reasoned turning back towards her and twisting the ends inward, fitting the metal into the shackle of Lily’s anklet and working patiently to catch the release mechanism.

A minute of moving in a circular direction and back, the shackle came undone with a small click, making Lily squeal.

“Shhh.” Zayn shushed, holding his foot out to Louis.

“I need to teach you how to do this yourself, mate. Cause frankly and don’t take offense; your feet reek.” Louis muttered in disgust.

“Like you smell like roses, arsehole.” Zayn hit back.

“You both smell icky.” Lily put in her two cents, wrinkling her nose in disgust, copying Louis’s facial expression from earlier and successfully silencing the two grown men’s bickering.

Louis laughed a little, but got to work on freeing Zayn’s foot.

Zayn sighed in relief when the shackle fell from him and stood up, kicking his foot out to test his new found freedom more so to believe that it wasn’t a dream.

Louis smirked and worked on his own freedom, kicking off the shackle in a matter of seconds once learning the release mechanism trick from freeing Lily and Zayn.

“I haven’t picked anything for almost a year, but I guess what they say is true. Once you learn something, becomes like riding a bike. You never forget.” Louis high fived Zayn and went to the side of the cage, catching attention from a fellow fighter. “Yo, Stroky? See that this gets to Harry in cell 93. Pass it on, tell them cell 93.”

Stroky, a good sized man took the small metal and looked at it before shrugging and told the fighter next to him the same thing.

“Let’s hope one of the guards don’t intercept it.” Zayn mumbled.

“We have another try if they do.” Louis calmed, sitting next to Lily on her cot. Zayn obliged to sit beside her on the other side.

Lily sat, kicking her heels back and forth awkwardly, the same facial expression still on her face.

“You two need a bath.” She decided to tell them, earning a laugh from Zayn.

“Lass? I’d kill two hundred bellends for a shower if that were possible. I am not in disagreement with you, Highness. However, we don’t get showers here. We get the hose and those aren’t very nice. So, I’m afraid you are stuck with two very icky men.” He told her good humoredly, opting to move back over to his old cot.

Louis still sat where he was, a wistful smile crossing his face.

“Zayn? I got a feeling. I might be wrong, but I got a feeling.” Louis told Zayn with light filled eyes.

“What kind of feeling?” Zayn asked, picking at some dirt in his nails with a flinch. God, she had to mention baths.

Louis shrugged.

“Dunno, but my feelings are hardly wrong so look out for anything conspicuous.” He warned, the three occupants fading back into silence.

It wasn’t until the lights went out did they all stand up, Zayn racing over to pick up Lily, holding her close.

“What the bloody fu –“ Zayn started.

“Right on time, I was beginning to wonder.” Louis laughed, the lights of gunfire shooting off the walls, agonizing screams piercing the dark and the gun cracks lighting up the shadowed space that was the underground.

“Think Harry got the pin?” Zayn questioned, hugging the little girl to him tightly while her little arms perched themselves around his slender neck to seek out protection from what was happening.

“I’m scared!” Lily yelled out, her tears starting again.

“It’s alright, sugarcane. Help just arrived.” Louis soothed, rubbing his hand on the small of her back. He really had no clue how to calm children so, he took a guess on what females in general would think appropriate and prayed he got it right.

“I’m taking the girl here, yeah?” Zayn rolled his eyes, noticing Louis seemed to be in a thoughtful mood as he hadn’t answered his question on the pin.

“Yeah, I think Private Long-Hair got the pin, I can practically hear him squealing from here and yes, you get the little lassie. I’m not good with children and they dislike me all the same. Leaving me with her is asking me to make one of us cry and I guarantee it won’t be me that does the sobbing.” Louis answered when his thoughts caught up with themselves.

“Anyone ever tell you you’re oh so charming, Lou? Cause I want to vote you gentleman of the year with that little speech.” Zayn bickered back sarcastically.

“Thanks, but I’ll accept only weed as a prize token, now come – less talk more lock fucking.” Louis stepped forward, only for the generators to kick on and his door open. “Holy fuck me, open sesame and onward to Narnia!” Louis hopped on the ball, running out as men entered into the place, guns wielding and firing. Louis let out a scream when one nearly missed his head. “Imbecile! Those aren’t toy guns! Watch where you’re shooting that thing! You could hurt someone – namely ME!”

“Sorry!” Niall shouted, catching Louis’s eyes.

“Niall!” He cried rushing at him and throwing the blonde into his arms full force. “The fuck took you all so long for the Calvary? They having tea and crumpets with the bloody queen? I get it, not God save Louis, God save the queen, eh?” He ranted, but released himself looking half perturbed.

“We got to get Lily and Zayn out of here! Oh and don’t think I’ve forgotten about that near death shot to the head, zombie killer.” Louis patted his shoulder and pushed him away. “Lead us, oh faithful puppy.”

“QUIT CALLING ME PUPPY!” Niall yelled, turning around to give Louis a death glare.

Louis backed off, having no clue where the hell Niall was going, he had no clue about Lucilius’s nickname for him so perhaps reaction was a bit rash.

“Okay, no more calling you puppy, yeesh, pluck my arm hair and call me Louisa. Fuck sake, just lead the way, blondie.” Louis invited him to start, another scream leaving his lips when another bullet rained beside him, fighters yelling and panicking around them as bullets struck waywardly.

“Guns kill! Hugs don’t!” Louis yelled, ducking and dodging the stray bullets.

“Shut up, Louis!” Zayn exclaimed, yelling and ducking a bullet that nearly got him in the chest – which wouldn’t be good considering that’s where Lily was perched, her arms strangling the near life out of the older boy for how hard she was holding on. “Lily, darling? Can you let go of my neck? You’re choking me, luv.”

Lily let out a whimper and head shake, continuing to tighten her grip, making Zayn gag slightly.

Louis sighed and turned abruptly and took Lily from Zayn in an attempt to not turn this into any more of a tragedy then it already was.

They made their way up toward Harry’s cell, ducking for their life, the sounds of agonizing death lingering as they went.

Harry let out a breath of relief when the anklet fell off his foot, looking at Andros. He had just woken up – with vigor. In fact, Aiden was still feeling it in the nose from being head-butted.

“I don’t understand! Where’s Lily?!” Andros cried, sitting up in panic at the intrusion coming from downstream of their cell.

Harry took Sophia, their door already opening; the sound of screams filling down the long undergrounded cage.

“With Louis, I got confirmation by the pin here, they’re children’s pins and Louis is the only one who knows what cell were in, we’ll try to meet up and then I’ll lead you to safety, get you guys someplace safe – temporarily.” Harry promised, seeing the panicked look Andros was giving him.

“And what of Sophia? You look to barely keep yourself upright, forget carrying the mare. She – “Andros was overthinking this and it was vast becoming tiresome for Harry, but still – he needed to defuse any panic.

“Aiden will carry Sophia; I will guide you. Hopefully Louis and Zayn have Lily, when we are above surface I will order them to take you all back to the cabin. I must find the rescuing party leader – be it my father or –“

“Lucilius.” Liam showed up at the cell, Niall and the others cautiously trailing behind. The chaos did not start there yet, but it was only a matter of time.

“And he very much wishes to see you as well. Come, we need to get above ground before they make their way here and shoot us all dead. When Lucilius orders help, they need to make sure they got the directions not to shoot the people you’re supposed to rescue. I had to shoot a fifteen-year-old because he was about to take out Louis.” Liam explained, coming in and lifting up Sophia with little effort, frowning when he did so. “What’s wrong with her?”

“She’s in a self-coma. I’ll explain later. See that when you make it above to steal a car and take everyone back to the cabin. It’s your only safe haven right now.” Harry ordered his gang, a sense of pride going through him. It felt good to be in charge again.

“Aye-Aye o’capatain long-hair.” Louis saluted, but got serious when he saw Harry wasn’t in the mood for a joke about his ungodly long locks. In fact, if they weren’t washed soon they’d end up as dreadlocks.

“Lily, doll? You okay with Louis?” Niall asked, seeing Lily’s hands restrict again around his neck.

“I’m going to faint if she doesn’t let go of me. Just thought I’d let someone know in case they care or ya know, whatever.” Louis muttered passively.

Andros ran and clutched Lily away from Louis, hugging her to him tightly, the flood gates opening for the little girl as her father had come to save her from the madness that was the Styles gang.

Louis breathed a sigh of relief.

“I owe you my first child, thanks mate.” Louis said, his lips tightening into a frown at the sickening sight of the reunion. It wasn’t so much the sentiment, but it was more or less the display.

“Come on, gents. We need to move!” Liam ushered, taking up lead with an unconscious Sophia hanging limply from his arms.

In Niall’s hands was a gun, one he promptly handed over to Harry.

Harry never felt more in control when the cold metal reached his hand.

“He tried to shoot me.” Louis tattled, but moved ahead to create a barrier in front of Andros and Lily, Liam protecting Sophia by keeping her tucked close to him. By now, the ones without weapons were surrounding the prisoners they were meant to rescue. It was a win in Harry’s book.

“Good job, mates. I’ll meet you back at the cabin, I need to track down Lucilius.” Harry murmured, breaking off at the stairs and pointing. “Take these stairs up and once you cross a long pathway, keep following it upward. If there’s a car, steal it. If there’s a guard, kill it. If prisoners are trying to escape, let them go, but do not interfere with their plight. We need you all –“

A gunshot ricocheted off of the stairs besides Harry’s head – the chaos finally reaching their section.

“GO! I’ll be there as soon as I can! GO!” He screamed at them.

“Don’t have to tell me twice, go-go ranger powers, let’s get the fuck out of here!” Louis waved, putting his hand against Andros’s back to hurry them up, Aiden not too far to their left being guarded by Zayn.

Harry turned back and let off a bullet, followed by a fierce yell of command.

“MY NAME IS HARRY EDWARD STYLES AND I DEMAND YOU ALL CEASE FIRE!”

This would have been a good idea if fire didn’t sudden turn back on him, making him drop to the floor and make Louis hurry them the hell up out of there – not before making a few smartass remarks about duck fucking and Harry being a complete power tool.

The fire ceased when another yell made its way from the depths of hell – one that Harry didn’t think he’d ever be so glad to hear in his life.

“Okay gents, don’t kill him! We need Mister Harry Styles alive as THAT’S WHO WE CAME HERE FOR!” Lucilius yelled, his foot snapping down on the cold metal underneath their feet, making a loud clank to follow the command that was being given.

“Thank fuck.” Harry breathed, a pair of boots suddenly in his line of vision, a hand in his face a millisecond later.

Harry took it and got helped up off the floor.

“That’s my boy,” Lucilius murmured, patting his back before hugging Harry to him, pushing him back. “Holy shit, mate, you stink. If anyone here needs a shower, it would be you.”

“Thank you Uncle Lucilius. I will take care of that when I get back to the cabin.” Harry gritted his teeth, knowing he needed to be grateful to his rescuer.

“Not so fast. Kaiser is held up in his office and I need a favor for all my time I’ve wasted. Now, I’ll give you time to get back to your cabin to shower and settle a few things, but you need to meet me at this address once finished. I have a new recruit that needs tattooed and tagged so he can’t decide to back down. I’ll take that as a down payment that you owe me for this rescue.” Lucilius instructed, giving Harry a yellow piece of tablet paper with his address.

Harry nodded in promise before turning to follow his team up to the surface, only to be stopped.

“Sunup, Harry. You have until Sunup – otherwise I will take away your reason for keeping control. I believe her name is Sophia, yes?” Lucilius smiled when Harry stiffened.

“Sunup.” Harry nodded and began to run after his gang so he wouldn’t have to steal another car.

When Harry was out of sight, Lucilius smirked knowingly.

“Okay, gents. Kill all the fighters, but leave Jinx Kaiser to me! GO!” He ordered, sighing contently when the gunfire started up again. He lived for murder in the PM.

*

It was a few hours, Harry having got to the gang just in time before they drove off, Lily still holding tight to Andros and he just as tight to her. It was endearing, especially when Harry smiled to the little girl, earning him a small ‘Mister Bear’ and a tiny gasping sound of surprise. He was her hero the way she saw things and she showed him that long enough to pry away from her father and throw her tiny arms around the gang leader, making him chuckle.

Now they were back at the cabin, each of the men arguing who got the shower first…well, more like Harry arguing with Louis and Zayn and both of them had agreed to share the shower together if it meant they could wash the stench off.

“I’m the leader, so I go first!” Harry said with finality, trying to sidestep Louis who pushed him back.

“No bloody way! Zayn and I are going first, we’ll be like, twenty minutes. You said Sophia needed some assessing? Go assess!” Argued Louis.

“I have to be back at Lucilius’s by sunup, Louis. If I don’t he will HURT Sophia. Please, I’ll be ten minutes if that.” Harry took to pleading, but being met with nothing.

“No, we go first.” Louis folded his arms across his chest before getting an idea. “In case you don’t believe why, here, smell.” He put his arm up and stepped forward, making Harry take a step back with a disgusted look on his face.

“Goddamn it, Louis! PLEASE! I have enough nightmares coming my way, your stink doesn’t need added to it. Fine! Twenty minutes!” Harry relented, making Louis smirk, grabbing Zayn’s hand and dragging him into the bathroom, slamming the door in Harry’s face.

Harry kicked the door in frustration when he heard the shower turn on and wished the bathroom would have been built for more than two people at a time, because he would have gladly joined them if it meant getting clean sooner.

With a sigh he went out to the kitchen and plopped down next to Lily in his chair with a sigh. She was happily coloring on one of his notepads and Andros was next to her, his eyes focusing on the lines she drew with a small, content smile.

“Being a father is the greatest feeling in the world. It replaces all the anger you could feel for a human being – and it would be something I never would have experienced if it wasn’t for your group. So, I guess what I want to say is; thank you, Harry.” Andros extended his hand for the gang leader to shake.

Harry nodded and stuck his hand up to meet Andros.

Aiden was on the other side, watching all the going on’s silently. He was guarded, but at the same time, seemed relieved.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Aiden. Sophie seemed very special, the kindest I know I’ve ever met.” Harry offered his condolences again, his mind going back to Sophia and flinching. He was losing it when he claimed her as his.

In truth, Sophia didn’t belong to him – or anyone.

Aiden nodded and stood up.

“Do you have any clothes I could have? This suit just reminds me of what was going to happen if – “He didn’t bother filling in the thick air.

“Yeah, mate. Hold up, Louis has some in his closet I know I haven’t seen him wear in a bit and you two are almost the same size.” Harry offered, running to Louis’s room to get them both new clothing – sadly, he didn’t have any little girl’s clothes so Lily would have to stay in hers.

He grabbed blue basketball shorts for Aiden and a tank top, this was followed by some sweatpants and a soccer cut style tee for Andros.

He ran back in case Louis came out of the shower and saw him in his room, there was only so much he could explain and seeing a butt naked Louis was not in his favorite pastimes.

Still, he got the clothes and handed them to their new respective owners.

Aiden looked his over before switching with Andros.

“I don’t wear nothing with Doncaster teams.” He told Harry, watching the leader blanch.

“Well, pardon me, sire. I hadn’t a clue.” Harry mock bowed, but smiled when Lily giggled.

“Mister Bear is funny.” She laughed, making Aiden role his eyes.

“Yes, Mister Bear is so funny I forgot to laugh. Seriously though. no sports teams, mate. Wrong shirt will get you killed.” He repeated, making Harry snort and shake his head.

“Alright, no sports clothing, got you.” He gave up and looked down at Lily’s drawing. Surprisingly it was of a small bear – at least in child form. “Aw, is that me?” He asked with a coo, making Lily nod enthusiastically.

“Yeah! You’re a bear because you fixed – “Lily started, but shushed when Andros calmed her down, her voice was picking up and he stepped in to make sure she stayed soft.

“It’s alright, mate. Let her have some excitement.” Harry smiled, using his one hand to ruffle the kid’s hair.

Andros smiled and pulled Lily into a hug, kissing the back of her hair in a moment of silent gratuity.

“I’m lucky – no, we’re lucky. I have my family back. I can take Lily and disappear and I have my brother back. We can become a family, we can leave and start over – I dunno where. Italy, Ireland…further North.” He looked to Aiden to confirm his own plans and with a small, almost invisible smile he nodded.

“Anywhere we find, little bro. Anywhere you feel safe, just tell me and we’ll begin to set up shop there.” Aiden promised, standing up to change.

Andros was quick to cover Lily’s eyes with a disapproving look.

“We can take the fighter from the cage, but we can’t take the cage out of the fighter, huh, Aiden? Next time change somewhere more private!” Andros snapped.

“Was a fine place right here, mate. Now, shh. I got a headache.” Aiden murmured, throwing on the sports cut tee and the plain sweatpants.

Andros went into the hall to change, making sure Lily didn’t have to witness her dad in the nude – unfortunately, Andros also didn’t get that lucky.

“Great fucking Easter bunnies! I’m blind!” Louis yelled, clearly not expecting to open up the door to see Andros butt naked in the hall.

Harry couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing.

For some, this would come out as odd to see the tough leader of a gang laughing his head off, but truth be told – everyone needs a good laugh once in a bit and this happened to be hilarious from his standpoint.

Louis hurried passed Andros and straight into his room with Zayn coming out a moment later with a towel wrapped around him. He gave Andros an amused look before going to his own room next to Louis.

“This is why we cover children’s eyes, mate!” Harry called good humoredly, coming to the back and into the bathroom.

“Someone needed to warn me! Or cover my eyes! That would have been much appreciated.” Louis called, throwing his towel off and drying himself vigorously – especially his head to erase the image of Andros’s butt.

Once everyone had showered, the next point of assessment was Sophia.

She laid in the guest bedroom in a comfortable pose. Her hands laid across her chest and her feet straight.

Liam and Niall were already in there, with Louis and Zayn coming in next.

“So, what’s happening?” Harry asked, stopping beside Liam who stroked a piece of hair back, Niall sitting next to her with Dylan’s guitar strumming absently.

“I’ve tried getting her out, mate. She’s too far in. She can’t hear us and Niall has been trying to get some reaction by playing Dylan’s guitar, but – nothing so far.” Liam filled in, looking at Harry with concern in his brown orbs.

Harry nodded and stepped to the other side of the bed so there wasn’t much crowding and took her hand.

“Sophia? You need to wake up now. It’s time to come out, my deadly nightshaded flower. It’s time to come back to your family.” Harry tried coaxing, looking at his gang. None of them objected to the term ‘family’ and he wasn’t going to push the matter.

Louis rolled his eyes.

“If I had a family like us, I’d stay asleep too.” He muttered, earning him a slap on the head from Zayn and a warning look from Niall. “Alright! Jesus Zeus, uncle. Yeesh.”

Harry shook his head with a sigh. He had to leave before sunup to get back to Lucilius’s cabin and he had no clue where to begin.

Louis pursed his lips in thought.

“I might have an idea, but it will take Niall and his magical fiddle.” Louis said, his tone as serious as can be.

“Guitar, mate.” Niall corrected, but was shushed by Louis with his eyes closed.

“What’s Sophia’s middle name? I know we know her by Stone, but – we never were given a middle name for her; were we?” He looked at Harry.

Harry took in the question with a frown.

“Officially it’s Sophia Stone – unofficially – “Harry started, only to be interrupted by Liam.

“Unofficially?” He questioned, scratching his head in confusion.

“Daniel Stone didn’t want the middle name, Ms. Stone went and had another birth certificate made up with the desired middle name – so, she has two birth certificates. One with a middle name and one without.” Harry explained, frowning deeply at the thought.

“Well, what’s her middle name, mate?” Louis pressed on.

“Sophia Lorelei Stone. Lorelei is her unofficial middle name.” Harry smiled, it suited her like no other name could. In a sense, the whole thing completed the comatose girl.

“I know a song – “Niall started, looking around at the crew and unsure how to even pull it off. Sure, he knew the chords and the words, but he needed some hand claps too. Sadly, they were a gang – not musicians.

“I just need some help, will one of you do hand claps?” Niall asked, earning him a few weird looks.

“We will,” Andros came in, Lily in tow. “I hope you don’t mind, Lily wanted to see Sophia.”

“That’s fine, mate. Come on in and join the party.” Louis invited sarcastically, keeping his tone clipped calmly.

Andros nodded and came in to perch beside Niall, who, looked thankful for the support in what he wanted to do.

“Lily? You’re gonna be a big help to me today, okay? When you hear me singing, I need you to clap six times, when I say land or Lorelei, I’m going to need Andros here to double clap, you think you can do this for me?”

Lily nodded enthusiastically.

“Yeah!” She exclaimed, earning her a chuckle.

“While you do that, I’m gonna get right here so I can talk to her – guide her out, if it works, it works…if not, we might need to –“

“Shhh,” Niall calmed, glancing to Sophia with a hopeful look. “There’s no might. Just got to hope she hears us and we’ll make plenty of noise, won’t we Lily?” He winked at the little girl.

“Yeah!” She repeated excitedly.

“Okay, Louis – do your thing, mate. We’ll start up the rear once we receive your nod.”

Louis nodded and sat at the edge of the bed, his hand grabbing one of hers with a slow intake of breath out he started.

“All around you is darkness, I’m here to guide you out of there, Soph, but I need you to listen to me very carefully. Nothing can hurt you while I’m holding your hand. Nobody and nothing, alright?”

Sophia laid comatose and unresponsive.

Louis nodded and the beginning chords to Lorelei started from the guitar, it’s sound soft and sad.

“Merrily we sailed along
Though the waves were plenty strong
Down the twisting river Rhine
Following a song.”

Lily started to clap along with the gentle sound, a smile on her face as she merrily clapped out of tune.

Louis let out a sigh before continuing.

“The moon above you is shining tonight, the color of it is so white that it nearly blinds you. The texture is beautiful and smooth – like peanut butter.”

” Legend's faded storyline
Tried to warn us all
Oh, they called her, "Loreley"
Careful or you'll fall.”

“Below you is specs of sand like crystals that are guiding you down a trail. They shine so bright that you begin to follow them with the moon above you. You’re not afraid, flower. You’re strong and brave – much more than any of us have given you credit for, tonight you’ll conquer your fear and come back to us.”

” Oh, the stories we were told
Quite a vision to behold
Mysteries of the seas
In her eyes of gold.”

“You walk slow and cautiously, your eyes darting in fear at the sound beside you, but it’s only me. It’s only ever just me.” Louis’s voice cracked, his hand squeezing Sophia’s.

His eyes widened when she squeezed back, her mouth forming a small o, like she herself couldn’t believe it.

“Laying on the silver stone
Such a lonely sight
Barnacles become a throne
My poor Loreley.

“Louis.” She whimpered, her hand clamping down on his.

Harry sat up straighter then, moving to the same place Louis was on the other side of the bed, knowing Louis just made contact. He just broke through, the next few moments will be crucial.

” And the winds would cry
And many men would die
And all the waves would bow down
To the Loreley.”

“I’m here baby, don’t leave me, okay? I need you to stay with –“ He started but she shook her head.

“Scared, need to h-hide.” Sophia pleaded, her grip tightening on Louis’s hand.

” You would not believe your eyes
How a voice could hypnotize
Promises are only lies
From Loreley.”

“No you don’t! You need to follow me, princess. Come on, take my hand and let me walk with you, please don’t hide. God, Soph, It’s me, please don’t go back into hiding! Stay with me, goddamn it!” Louis yelled, grabbing her hand and shaking it slightly.

Lily gasped, but kept on clapping, her father double clapping for her – praying Sophia didn’t go back into hiding – if she did, no one would be able to get her back again. She’d be lost to her mind

” In a shade of mossy green
Seashell in her hand
She was born the river queen
Ne'er to grace the land.

“L-let go!” Sophia squeaked, making Louis shake his head with determination.

“Not on your life, sweetheart. I will never let you go. Do you hear me, Sophia? NEVER. So wake up!” Louis pleaded.

Sophia let out a small whimper.

” And the winds would cry
And many men would die
And all the waves would bow down
To the Loreley.”

Harry leaned over, grabbing her other hand.

“I’m here too. I won’t leave you,” Harry spoke soft and slow, his voice deep and hallow. He made sure she knew she wasn’t alone in the room. “We’re all here waiting, baby. We’re all here waiting for you to wake up.”

“Ha-Harry? No, I watched him kill you. It’s a trap.” Sophia whispered, a small whine escaping her breath.

[i}”Oh, the song of Loreley
Charms the moon right from the sky
She will get inside your mind
Lovely Loreley.”

“No it’s not! Sophia, whatever you saw was a trick of your mind, the moon lights your path, the ground is littered with diamond sands, run! It’s the only way, you got to run until it ends!” Harry yelled, hitting his free hand beside her head and making her body jump.

” When she cries, "Be with me
Until the end of time"
You know you will ever be
With your Loreley.

“Run, flower. Run as fast as you can! We’re with you!” Louis encouraged, hearing her breath hitch and heighten.

” And the winds would cry
And many men would die
And all the waves would bow down
To the Loreley.”

Her body jerked suddenly.

“I-it’s dark, the water’s dark.” She stumbled on her words.

“I don’t care, JUMP!” Louis yelled, shaking her hand a little.

“I don’t -AAAH!”

” And the winds would cry
And many men would die
And all the waves would bow down
To the Loreley.”

“Sophia?” Louis called, his heart beating in his head.

“A kiss! A prince kiss!” Lily exclaimed, trying to help the situation.

“No way in hell, I’m not kissing her! Ew.” Louis straight up refused, but Harry bent down as the last of the lyrics sounded, his voice singing lowly with the end of Niall’s

” And the winds would cry, And many men would die, And all the waves would bow down, To the Loreley.

As the last lyric struck, Harry bent down, his face inches from hers; his lips lingering down to hers in a soft, fragile kiss; the clock somewhere striking an unknown time.

And just like that, Sophia’s eyes snapped open.

Harry and Louis smiled as she looked from one to the other before bursting into tears and wrapping her arms around both their necks at the same time.

“I’m alive!” She cried out, pulling herself up in an unrelenting embrace on the two gang members.

“You’re alive.” Harry cooed, smiling wider when Lily jumped up and down.

“True love’s kiss!” She squealed, making Andros shush her.

“Now, love – too much noise.” Andros told her gently.

“Harry? Sunup is about two hours away, if you hope to make it you’re gonna have to leave now.” Louis noticed the slight light in the sky.

Harry unattached himself from Sophia and nodded. He wasn’t going to let Lucilius hurt Sophia. Not after it took him so long to get her back.

“Make sure you get Lily, Andros and Aiden where they need to go. I can buy us some time to get them out, but don’t wait too long – otherwise it will be too late.” Harry nodded to Andros and ruffled Lily’s hair with a smile.

He didn’t even turn back towards Sophia, but she wouldn’t even have noticed as she was far too busy hugging the life out of Louis.

As he made his way out, he was too occupied to see Zayn following him, an unpleased look on his face.

When they made it outside did Zayn speak.

“Tell me something, mate?” Zayn asked, making Harry stop and look back at him in question.

“I can tell you a lot of things, but both would be unpleasant to hear.” Harry responded without missing a beat.

Zayn snorted, walking to the stairs and leaning against the pillar for support.

“Do you love her? Because the way I see it, everything you touch dies. Everything you are is vile, so, do you love her? I want to know.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. Where on earth was this going?

“I’ve touched you a million times and you are still regrettably here, so, I think in that retrospect she’ll be perfectly ace, mate.” Harry rolled his eyes.

“You know what I mean, Harry and you give yourself too much credit I wouldn't let you get into my heart if you were the prettiest female in the world. You are just as vile as the cruelest of them. What you did to me, what you did to her, it wasn’t fair and you damn well know it!" Zay yelled, stomping his foot against the wooden stairs.

Harry points towards the cabin with a smirk on his face.

"Zayn's pity party is in the cabin. Go there if you want to coddle yourself, God knows I won't try and stop you, but life isn't always fair and some pay for the mistakes of their families. It's the way it is, so if were done, excuse me" He turns to walk away, only to be stopped again by Zayn’s yelling.

"DO YOU LOVE HER?! ANSWER ME!" He screams to the heavens, chest heaving in and out rapidly.

"I -" Harry Paused before smiling wider "I tolerate her. Excuse me, leader duty calls, cheerio, mate."

Harry doesn’t stop this time and Zayn doesn’t speak until Harry is out of earshot and getting into his car.

With him out of sight, Zayn throws his hands up.

“"Ya know, if I ever get a girl I'll use that line and see how many times I get slapped in the face. No darling, I don't love you, I only tolerate you. And this is why Harry Styles is single." He muttered before going back into the cabin and toward his room, only to bump into Louis.

"Trouble in paradise?" Louis calls out teasingly.

“Screw you!” Zayn responds, going towards his room, only for Louis to grab him and bring his mouth close to him.

"Well, I have a tick - sure" Louis speaks huskily, planting a kiss on Zayn’s temple, only to be shoved away forcefully, making him laugh. “If you aren’t serious, mate, don’t offer. Could be dangerous for your health.” He finished warning with a laugh, the door to Zayn’s room slamming in his face with force.

Notes