The Silence That Surrounds: Screams of the Damned

Narrator’s POV:

When the world is at stake, you make sacrifices. When everything falls apart around you, you mend it. Sometimes it’s an easy fix and sometimes it isn’t.

When Harry showed up at Lucilius’s at sunup it was proven he had made the choice to mend what might have been broken amongst the Style’s blood.

“Uncle Lucilius?” Harry called as he stepped into the cabin, heading toward the hall.

“In here, princess!” Lucilius answered from the kitchen.

Harry turned where he heard the voice from, a small smile on his face as he entered into a good sized kitchenette, completed with a deep freezer that took up a complete wall, double stainless steel door and locking mechanism to assure whatever was put in was not let out unless they needed to be.

“Uncle, a pleasure to see you again.” Harry bowed his head slightly in greeting.

“Princess,” Lucilius smirked and closed in the distance between them, throwing his arm over Harry and pulling him into a hug. “God, you need a hair clip.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Anyhow, what do you need, uncle?” Harry asked respectfully as he knew his uncle was a stack short of a pancake pyramid.

In other words; bat shit crazy.

“I need you for a tattoo and tracking session on my newest member. He’s already tied down to the bed and waiting for your arrival. By the way, how is your lady friend doing?” He smirked, pushing Harry away and turning so he could guide his nephew toward the prisoner’s room.

Harry followed without being prompted. The faster he got this done, the faster he could get back to the cabin.

“She’s well, uncle, thank you.” Harry nodded, unwilling to elaborate because he knew how fast Lucilius’s moods swung.

“Good, good. I’d hate to think that could change.” Lucilius cleared his throat, eyeing his younger nephew with a grin.

Harry shrugged.

“Do with her as you will, uncle; however, I’d like her to have enough sense so I can at least train her to Damien’s specifications.” Harry told Lucilius calmly, praying the man would get off the subject of Sophia.

Lucilius grew more curious.

“Oh? Damien’s strung claim over the sal already, hm?” He sounded slightly disappointed.

“He’s already strung claim for months, uncle Lucilius. Can we? I need to make sure my gang isn’t tearing the cabin down and as much as I trust Louis, I don’t completely trust that the cabin will survive without me there.” He spoke respectfully, earning a chuckle from Lucilius.

“I suppose we must, come, it’s this way. By the way, Damien wishes for you to stop by the playhouse after this visit and I told them you would oblige his request.” He nodded and continued to show him down a hollowed hall and taking the last door on the left.

When Lucilius opened the door, the scowl on Harry’s face was predominant. He did not feel like dealing with his father right at the moment, that’s for sure.

“Adam, you have company.” Lucilius spoke, stepping inside.

A muffled whimper sounded from the far corner of the room where a bed sat and on top of that, chained down naked on his stomach and gagged with what looked like a strong leather muzzle, was Adam.

“Tattooing kit is already by the bed, tracking needle and tracker already prepped is by it. Should you need anything, scream.” Lucilius chuckled, but stepped toward Adam and brought his hand down hard on the poor lad’s bare arse, making the boy flinch and tense, yelling into his gag.

“Oh, don’t be that way. You’ll feel like an important pet sooner or later, this is just a little welcome gift from me to you. So enjoy. Harry? If he gives you any trouble, a slap to the ass helps, just saying.” With that, Lucilius left Harry to deal with Adam.

Adam whimpered in misery, tear streaks were leaking from his eyes and his nose was stuffed up.

Harry saw that the tattooing kit was already set beside the bed as was the tracking needle – just as Lucilius had said.

Speaking of Lucilius, he popped back in again, finger in the air.

“Oh, I want an L on his left ass cheek and S on his right and make sure that it covers the whole cheek. When you track him, put it in a place that would kill him if he tries to remove or tamper with it. That is all.”

Harry sighed as he watched him go again. If anything, Zayn was the best at tattooing and using an ink gun, why he was chosen for this was beyond his cognitive understanding.

With one more head shake he stepped up to the bed, Adam’s whimpers never dying down. Harry sat at the edge of it and spotted a pair of green medical gloves by the tattooing kit, without hesitation he snapped them on with a flinch.

He hated that sound, the sound of medical gloves being slipped on always had that effect on him – as it evidently did on Adam.

“Mate? Whether you believe me or not is not one of my top priorities, but I don’t want anywhere near your ass as much as you don’t want me near it. However, Lucilius is a bit unpredictable and frankly, he scares me. I’m not even afraid of my father as much as I am of his crazy brother, so, don’t hold this against me, alright?”

Adam whimpered again and struggled to speak over the leather strip, but sadly it all came out jumbled and he stuck to shaking his head with conviction.

Harry smiled despite the situation.

“Good. Now, let’s get started.” Harry nodded and picked up the tracking needle first.

“Okay, I’m going to stick this between your shoulder blades. It won’t kill you, but it won’t allow you to tamper with it either, sound good?” Harry asked rhetorically, picking up the small needle and uncapping it. “Okay, one, two – “He jammed the long needle in between his shoulder blades and pressed the plunger, making Adam scream.

“Hush now, that wasn’t so bad. Okay, let’s – “Harry paused when he noticed Adam had shit himself, quite in the literal sense. He pulled a face.

“I don’t say this often, mate and I don’t get grossed out by much, but you have managed to accomplish that, thanks,” Harry threw the now empty syringe onto the bed and stood up, going toward the door. “Uncle? I need a wet rag – or, can you come clear your pet up? He made a mess on the bed.”

Harry received no response and sighed, turning back in.

“Thank God for gloves.” He muttered and returned to Adam, perching beside him on the bed and putting together the ink gun.

Adam shook his head with a whimper.

“Hush now.” Harry repeated, clicking the bottom half with the needle into place and checked to make sure it was put together before turning it on to make sure it worked.

With the checklist complete, he got the black ink ready by opening the small vile and dipping the needle into the color.

“Don’t move.” Harry warned, the needle etching closer to Adam’s left butt cheek.

Adam couldn’t have moved even if he wanted to. He had been chained down securely hand to foot. That’s why it took Harry only twenty minutes to finish his left cheek before starting on the right.

By the time he was on Adam’s right ass cheek, the lad next to him had gone quiet and comatose.

This went on for only a few minutes before Harry could no longer tolerate the smell building up in the room.

“I need to get Lucilius. No offense but, I can’t take the stench anymore,” Harry said, throwing the tattoo gun down and walking to the door. “Uncle?! Will you please help Adam? He – “Harry shut his mouth when Lucilius appeared at the threshold as fast as the younger bloke could blink.

“I was busy preparing something for when you’re done. What is it, princess?” Lucilius smirked before pulling a face. “Good fucking –“

Harry nodded back into the room.

“Yeah, your pet shit himself; mind handling that? I need to get some water.” Harry excused himself, squeezing past his uncle and going into the kitchen.

“Don’t open the freezer!” Lucilius called after him, taking his leave to the bedroom to deal with Adam.

Harry turned back down the narrow hallway and into the kitchen, his eyes going to the freezer in curiosity. Lucilius told him not to open the freezer and he hadn’t even thought of it before he was told not to.

“Damn human curiosity.” Harry muttered, going to the refrigerator and pulling open the door.

He grabbed a water bottle out and popped the cap on it before putting it to his lips.

The fresh taste of spring water was a relief from the stagnant toilet water he had been forced to drink at the cage.

“God have mercy, this is good.” Harry muttered, getting lost in his own bliss.

He stood there quietly for several moments, sipping the top of the water bottle and letting his thoughts run away with him. Mainly Sophia.

Another few went by, Lucilius stepping into the kitchen with a smirk, his dark brown eyes feigning kindness – an emotion not at all felt or shown among members of the Styles gang…well, at least some members. Harry had to pick a number to see where he stood on the whole thing

“He’s clean, go on about your business,” Lucilius told him, grabbing the water bottle from Harry’s hand, walking over to the sink and dumping the rest down the drain. “You can have another one on your way to greet Damien. For now, I have a debt to be repaid and it’s in the bedroom.” He waved him out with his hand.

Harry sighed and entered back down the narrow hallway and to the room, noticing it smelled like mint. With a breath of relief, he entered.

“Okay, mate. Let’s get this done and please try to control yourself.” Harry requested of him, picking up the tattoo gun and turning it on again.

Adam still laid in a comatose state; unmoving and unsounding.

Harry hummed a small tune as he finished up on Adam and checked his work, smearing the excess ink from his skin, admiring his work.

“Uncle, I’m done.” He called out, standing from the bed and moving out of the way.

Lucilius came around the corner before Harry could blink with a friendly smile and that only worried Harry slightly.

“Excellent. Now for your reward. Go and open the freezer, you’ll find a means to an end in there for your suffering. One I’m sure you’ll more than appreciate.” Lucilius said cryptically, making his way to untie Adam.

Harry watched him do this, deciding to feed his curiosity though, he didn’t see much else to happen inside the room. Instead he headed to the kitchen and to the freezer, unbolting the lock, unlatching the handle and finally opening it.

A brush of warm air hit his face, the stale wind filling his nostrils.

“Oh God, it stinks in here.”

A muffled protest hit his ears and his eyes zoomed to the very far back of the freezer, a smirk widening across his face.

“Why hello, Jinx. A pleasure seeing you here,” Harry chuckled, entering further into the freezer with a dark, yet excited look. “We are going to have so much fun!”

*

Sophia’s POV:

I sat up in bed quietly, my eyes staring blankly ahead, almost as if the universe was calling me. It was like an eerie whisper that left the lips of the long since dead; it’s voice hollow and musical. A mere echo that was so soft that it screamed.

However, the space I was staring was vacant – like my thoughts. I had way too many ideas running around my head to leave them sleep and it showed from the expression still on my face.

I suppose I was pretty deep in thought because I didn’t even hear the knock at the door until the young Irish bloke walked in, making me smile when I saw the tray he had with him.

“Niall.” I greeted softly, my absent thoughts stopping for a moment when I saw him shift slightly, returning the small gesture of kindness.

“It’s good to see you again, Dove,” He returned the greeting, walking over to the edge of the bed and sitting down. “I’m sorry breakfast was delayed. Louis kept burning the eggs; I had to chase him out of the kitchen twice with a cooking mitt.” He joked with a chuckle.

I perked up and held my good hand out to receive the plate, my eyes downcast to the food.

Never in my life did anything look as good.

“Thank you, Niall.” I grasped the plate, but he pulled it back with a frown.

“You won’t be able to use the utensils that way, lass. Here, let me help. You barely look like you can hold the plate, balancing it might be a little harder.” He offered, positioning himself to the side and using one hand to hold the plate and the other one to grasp the fork and cut a piece of the egg apart from the rest.

I looked sadly at the sling that cradled my broken fingers to me, the pain in them having been getting worse over the course of the past few hours.

“You look like y’been to hell n back.” Niall noted, probably taking in the black eyes and bruises. Not to mention the additional broken fingers.

“More truth in that then you will ever know.” I agreed, opening my mouth as the small piece of egg protruded at my lips, allowing the fork to enter.

The taste was phenomenal. It’s been the best thing I’ve had in longer than a month.

“Good?” Niall chuckled, going to take another piece from the plate. My hand shot out to pause his actions.

“Positively phenomenal, Niall, just - I want to feed myself. I need to get my strength back.”

He nodded in understanding.

“Right. Alright, here.” Niall responded, putting the plate on the bedside table and sliding his arms underneath me.

He shifted so my back laid straight against the metal headboard, adjusting the pillow so the frame wasn’t digging so much into my back.

I felt my back pop from laying so stiff so long and groaned slightly from the pull

“God, if I knew coming back to life would be so painful, I’d of stayed in my nightmare dream world.” I said, frustration clearly in my voice.

“Don’t say that.” Niall chastised, straitening my knees outward and sitting back on the edge again, a small frown on his face. “Sometimes the dream world can be a welcomed relief from life and sometimes you got to face life to appreciate dreams. Simply put, lass? If you knew what we’ve been through, you’d be more thankful to be alive. I know we’ve missed ya, despite you being our main source of trouble.”

I laughed.

“Me? Trouble? I can barely move.” I disagreed, seeing the side of his lip twitch.

“I’ll spare you the details of my hell, but, you should know that when we attacked The Cage, Harry put your life above his own. Had it not been for him, you wouldn’t be awake here now.” Niall felt the need to inform me.

Sadly, I don’t remember much and that’s where I’m drawing the blank. I remember the kiss, I remember the gentle push of his lips and I remember the light. Everything else was darkness and fear. For years it seemed I was trapped in that forest and the ever shadowing of my past, one I still truly didn’t understand.

My thoughts were interrupted again when the warm heat of the plate met my lap, the fork set in my good hand a moment later.

“We don’t know what schedule Dawson had you on regarding meal times or how long you have been without so, take it slow. Okay?” Niall requested, turning to take his leave.

“Wait.” My voice hoarse from having not used it in a while.

He stopped and turned around with an arched brow. A silent question to my request.

“Stay with me, I want to know what’s happened since I was away and I could really use some friendly company.”

Niall laughed lightly, his chuckle forced.

“I would hardly call the likes of me friendly company, lass. I’ll go get Andros, he’s been dying to check up on you.” Niall smiled and turned away again.

“Niall? Please talk to me, fill me in. If I’m truly a part of this gang, then fill me in on what’s happened.” I pleaded with him, dropping the fork on the plate and reaching for him, my hand shaking uncontrollably as I did.

Niall took in my appearance with a frown, turning back and sitting on the edge of the bed again, taking the plate and fork.

“Okay, but you need to let me help ya, you need it right now and there’s no shame in wanting or needing help.” Niall compromised, the fork going to my mouth with the delicious tasting egg.

“Isn’t helping someone considered a weakness?” I asked after a moment of silence, save for the clank of metal against glass.

Niall was quiet for a while, the quiet atmosphere calm and comfortable around us.

“I don’t think you truly understand the depth of Harry’s sacrifice in this situation. I wouldn’t expect you to because he’s sworn us all to secrecy, but – he’s not evil. Harry is cruel. There is no denying that. He, however has weaknesses and –“

“MUMMY!” Lily yelled, running in with Aiden at her heels, trying to catch the little girl.

“Lily!” Aiden barked roughly, his tone a low growl of warning.

Lily squealed and jumped fragilely beside me, nearly knocking the plate from Niall’s hand. He was quick to move it and save me from the gooey substance that would have surely ended up on my lap otherwise.

“What’s going on?” I asked confused, Lily’s arms encircling my waist.

“I told her she could visit you later, but – “I smiled softly at that and returned Lily’s hug.

“It’s alright, Aiden. She’s not harming anything. Where’s Andros?” I looked to the door.

Aiden shifted before approaching the bed.

“He actually fell asleep around twenty minutes ago. The lad ran himself ragged and this little ball of energy doesn’t help.” Aiden gestured to Lily, but smiled so the little girl knew he wasn’t meaning it in a rude way.

“Hey! I’m not ball of energy, I’m Lily.” She argued and I laughed.

“You’re a smart miss. That’s what you are little one.” Aiden playfully argued back.

“And you’re Uncle Grouch!” Lily ended the argument, making Aiden stick his tongue out and laugh.

“No arguments there, little one. Just, next time I tell you later, you need to listen. Okay? Sophia might not feel good and we don’t bother people when they are sick.” Aiden said, turning to leave.

“Aiden, it’s fine. I welcome Lily’s company any time. She’s a good girl and she’s lucky to have a family that will love and protect her. It’s such an honor to finally meet you. Andros has talked endless hours about you and the shenanigans you used to get up to in the bars. I dare say, I hope those days are behind you.” I joked, my voice hinting at a playful tone that wasn’t unnoticed.

Aiden winked in response.

“I guess we’ll see.” He hit back and turned his attention to Lily. “Come on Lil’ Star o’ mine. You need sleep and there’s a long distance of traveling ahead of us.” Aiden prompted, making Lily hold on tighter to my waist.

“No, I want to stay with mum.” Lily shook her head.

I looked at Niall, his face a deep frown knowing that wasn’t a possibility let alone a probability. Today would most likely be the last time I ever saw her again.

“Lily, darling? I’m afraid you can’t stay with me. I have to get better and it’s going to take a long, long time before I am. These men here, Mr. Bear’s friends? They’re going to take really good care of me. Like Niall here, he’s a marvelous cook, so I won’t be hungry,” I gestured to Niall, making him smile.

“I can promise you that, lass. She won’t.” Niall agreed with me.

“Louis? He’s Mr. Bear’s best friend. He knows how to protect me and he’s going to show me some really cool tricks so I can make sure I’m safe when he’s not around. I just have to get better. Liam, he’s a doctor – “ I paused when she picked her head up.

“I know, he showed me a boring book and started telling me boring stuff. I fell asleep.” Lily frowned, making Aiden snort.

“That was the point.” Aiden revealed.

I laughed.

Lily pouted, a questioning look coming across her eyes.

“What about Mister Achmed and Mr. Bear?” She asked, leaving me confused.

“Mister Achmed? Who is Mr – “Niall started to laugh, amusement clearly shadowing his face.

“Zayn. She means Zayn. I’ll fill you in on that one in a few.” Niall responded, clearly entertained at the name.

Lily bit her lip before leaning over and whispering in my ear.

“Mr. Bear, he kissed you. He loves you. It’s true kiss, true love’ kiss and it’s powerful.”

I smiled at the innocent mindset of the little girl, putting my lips to her forehead in a gentle kiss.

“If I ever have children, I hope I have a daughter and I hope she’s just like you.” I whispered to her, knowing everyone in the room could hear.

Lily frowned.

“But you’re my mum, you could come with us.” Lily insisted with tears building at the corner of her eyes.

I opened my mouth, but Louis had apparently heard enough of the discussion to decide when to interrupt and I can’t say I’m not thankful.

“Lily? There you are, darling. Your dad just woke up and was looking around for you, don’t scare him like that again, yeah? Why don’t we let mum rest and you can talk to her later, okay?” Louis suggested, making his way over.

I shot a thankful look to him, but quickly smiled when she released her hold on my waist to look at me questioningly.

I nodded slightly in reassurance.

“It’s pretty early, you need to sleep. We’ll see one another later, darling.” I promised, reaching over to give her another hug, stopping when she handed me a small folded up piece of paper.

“It’s you and Mr. Bear.” She said happily, getting off the bed, continuing her thoughts. “Mr. Bear kissed you, you two are going to be married and live happily ever after. If he kisses you, it means he loves you and cause he loves you, he has to marry you.”

My mouth dropped open and a small shock of quietness settled into the room.

“Well, that escalated quickly. Awkwardness level: nine hundred.” Louis chuckled, clearing his throat.

“It’s true! When you kiss a girl, you have to marry her.” Lily insisted.

“Lily? Let’s go see daddy. I think enough has been said on this subject.” Aiden insisted, stepping forward and taking the young girl’s hand and all but pulling her from the quiet room.

Louis seemed to think on Lily’s words before sitting at the edge of my bed in thought.

“If what the little miss said is true, I’m going to go broke on engagement rings alone, do you know how many women I’ve snogged over the years?” Louis asked, his tone completely mocking.

I didn’t laugh.

“Bad joke?” Louis asked, the awkward silence of the room almost deafening.

“Yeah, mate. Extremely bad joke.” Niall confirmed, making Louis flip him off.

“Well, that was a rhetorical question, puppy.” Louis snipped.

Niall growled, shifting to stand up.

I grabbed him before he could. Mostly because I was about to end up with a lap full of food and Niall could throw a good hit when he put his mind to it.

“Drop it, both of you.” I insisted, eyeing the two of them. “Catch me up to date with what’s going on, because I am extremely confused.”

Louis sat close to the head of the bed and Niall sat beside me, his hand going back to the fork and continuing to feed me.

To be truthful, with how shaky my body felt, I wasn’t going to argue, but I did want to know what’s going on as I’ve been checked out from reality for a bit and no one wants to fill me in.

“Long version short, Damien spent weeks starving us before Zayn and I escaped from the dollhouse. Niall and Liam were the ones to distract Damien and Dr. Sadistic. Longer version is us getting caught up in Eli’s trap trying to get Harry and you back and of course you know about The Cage and I’m not going into detail, but to put it simply, we were in the tenth circle of hell. What about you? How long were you out?” Louis summed up, returning questions of his own.

I had no clue how long I was out. I know it was awhile because of the stiffness, but how long I was unsure.

“Your black eyes and bruises, they don’t look recent. They’re beginning to fade; how did you acquire those?” Niall prodded, his eyes focusing on my disappearing blemishes.

“Working like a dog, treated worse than one, that’s all I want to discuss about that.” I told them, folding my good arm over my chest and looking away. I didn’t want to relive Dawson’s treatment and in some cases, it was best to let the past be the past.

“Understandable, luv. We feel the exact same way, so, let’s change subjects,” Louis agreed, standing up. “Be right back.”

Niall cleared his throat awkwardly and offered another piece of egg, but I shook my head, the pain now traveling into my hand at full force. I closed my eyes and focused on letting it die down.

“Do you need a drink? You’re losing color.” Niall asked with a kind tone. I heard the plate being set down on the side table before a hand found my forehead.

“You’re warm, but not hot. No fever, what’s going on?” Niall murmured, looking at my sling. “Pain?”

I nodded and he understood, standing up to leave the room.

“Alright, let me go get something.” He offered, but Louis had popped back in before he could.

“I got it. Shaking is usually a tall tale sign, this will take the edge off.” Louis said, uncapping the syringe and sticking it in my arm without pause.

I groaned and put my hand over Louis.

He took the empty syringe from my arm and tossed it on the bedside table beside my barely touched plate.

“When is Harry coming back? I want Harry.”

My head was beginning to get fuzzy and I hated the thought of sleep when I just woke up.

Louis took my hand and helped me lay down, grimacing at the feel of my oiled down hair.

“Niall? Get Zayn, I’m going to need help getting her to the shower. Her hair and clothes are filthy. I’d wait, but I think once we get her under warm water I don’t think she will be in as much pain. I gave her some Fentanyl; that should help take the edge off.” He ignored my question, stepping into his command as easily as reciting the alphabet.

“I don’t want a bloody shower. What’s got you shower happy all of a sudden?” I protested, the warm feeling spreading through my body, the pain leaving my hand and lessening the tremors racking through me.

“I know, but you’re filthy and your hair could use a wash through. Besides, we were supposed to do it earlier and now that you’re awake it will be easier. Not to mention, it will help with some of your pain. Your muscles are weak and that’s what is causing your discomfort. I’ll get Liam to reset your fingers after and bandage it.” Louis compromised.

My head became foggier and I found my strength zapped away. It was like it was before, one of the reasons I hate being drugged.

*

Narrator’s POV:

Sophia’s eyes closed tiredly, muttering sparse thoughts into the quiet air.

“Just rest, luv. We’re going to take care of the hard work.” Louis assured, petting some of her oiled hair back.

Sophia’s eyes opened again tiredly, her good hand placing itself on Louis’s wrist.

“Lou? Can I ask a query? Please?” She asked tiredly, prompting him to smile.

“Technically, you just did; but have another go, flower. What is it?” Louis asked, gently beginning to strip the clothes from her body.

“I want to offend myself. M’tired of being kidnapped and getting the shit kicked out of me. Will you teach me to be strong like you?” She asking in a murmur, the air hitting her bare breast.

“I can teach you to offend yourself, but – wouldn’t you rather defend yourself? Because between you and me, luv; You’re far too pretty to offend,” Louis chuckled, tossing her shirt to the ground, looking to the door when Zayn walked in. “Zayn! My favorite person in the whole wide earth, come here; I need your help getting her showered.”

Zayn took in the scene, cautiously approaching the bed, Louis only sparing him a glance before tugging her pants off with a frown, noticing the same fading bruises on her legs.

“How is she doing?” Zayn asked, coming to look down at her.

“Well, we know she was abused. Other than that? Well, it’s hard to say. She’s out of it thanks to the Fentanyl I gave her. All joking aside, mate, I need your help showering her. I was supposed to do it earlier.” Louis requested, gently sliding the sling from her and un-bandaging her hand.

Zayn flinched.

“Jesus fucking clowns.” Zayn muttered, eyeing the unnatural angle of her five broken fingers. They hadn’t been reset properly.

“I know, Liam is going to need to reset them, it looks like they were bent back until – “Zayn waved his hand about.

“No mental image, I got it.” He assured, which made Louis smile.

“Want to lift her and take her into the shower for me? I’ll be in, in a moment. I’m going to go find Liam.” Louis said, patting Zayn’s back and left towards the hall, turning left and going up a door before knocking.

There was a small amount of movement, the door opening a few seconds after.

“What’s going on?” Liam asked, a book tucked underneath his arm.

“Sophia’s fingers, when you bandaged them earlier, you didn’t happen to notice that they were reset incorrectly, did you?” Louis questioned, entering through to Liam’s room without invite.

Liam nodded.

“I did. Unfortunately, I don’t think I can reset them. Doctor Sadistic may need to do it surg - “Liam started explaining, only stopping when Louis shook his head.

“No. That arse monkey can take a banana and shove it up his ol’ wazoo. No, I want you to break her fingers again and reset them correctly if that’s what it takes. Sadistic isn’t going to get his hands on Flower,” Louis insisted, turning to leave the room, but stopped short again and looked at Liam intently.

“Before Zayn and I left, remember what Damien said about Sophia? I wouldn’t trust Sadistic not to do it then and there. You know how unpredictable he is. Just as you know Damien will follow through with his threat. I have a set of very specific instructions and, mate? I need you to be on board. We protect our own, flower is ours now. You know the sacrifice Harry made for her that night. We cannot afford to fail him. Granted, this is a setback, but only slightly. Please?” Louis halfway pleaded, his blue eyes a hidden emotion behind a hard gaze.

Liam sighed, nodding his head with agreement.

“Alright. Make sure she’s showered and clean, because I’m going to have to break her fingers in two separate places. From examining her, they were broken in two separate spots, so, I will need to break them where they were originally snapped and reposition them. In short, she’s going to be wearing a cast to keep them in place and she will need to rest a few weeks to let them heal.” Liam advised Louis, making the bloke scratch his hairline nervously.

“Yeah, rest – hope Harry is as understanding.” Louis muttered, leaving the room to help Zayn with showering Sophia.

Liam shook his head, going to get the stuff for her cast, two of their strongest sedatives and a few surgical tools to help with re-breaking her fingers.

When that was done, he sought out Niall.

“Hey, lad? I need a favor.” Liam requested, taking note of an exhausted looking Andros sitting at the table, his face looking as though it was about to face plant into his breakfast and a now sleeping Lily perched on Aiden’s strong chest.

“Hmm?” Niall hummed, placing a plate in front of him, sitting down to enjoy a well needed and deserved breakfast.

“I need you to look up ferry schedules. We need to get these three away by evening. I know Harry told us not to wait too long and that he could buy us a day, but the sooner, the better I’ll feel. If you can’t look up scheduling, ask Louis to call, will you? The last Ferry out will give them all night to travel and by morning next, they should be safe away.” Liam explained, offering Aiden and Andros a small nod.

“What about Sophia? What about us? What do we do till tonight?” Andros asked tiredly, rubbing his face in frustration.

“Sleep. You three look like you need it. As for tonight, Louis will be taking you to the Ferry and making sure to see you three off. We’ll try setting up something to buy you a few days, I know Dawson will want a body count and names. Once he sees you are not amongst the other fighters, he will start a search to find you, especially with you being in possession of his daughter.” Liam explained, Andros’s tired eyes giving off a glare.

“MY daughter, she won’t ever go back to the likes of him. I will die before I let him hurt her again.” Andros promised, his rough voice a mere glower, but eyes kind as they glanced upon his brother and little girl.

Liam smiled, abet gently at the sentiment. It wasn’t very often he sees a happy ending, especially for people entering the cabin, but this was different. He could feel the darkness of the cabin fading.

“Like I said, we’ll buy you some time,” Liam reassured, his brown eyes gazing at the tuckered out little girl. “For Lily and Sophia’s sake. She cares a lot for Lily.”

“We care for Sophia too; will she be alright here?” Andros asked, his stare meeting Liam’s drained brown ones with concerned ones.

Liam wasn’t sure how to answer that question directly. So he shrugged.

“Between Harry, Louis and Zayn to protect her and me and Niall with personal care, she should be perfectly fine. My only concern right now is her broken fingers. I’m going to need to re-break her fingers in two major places and set the bones in a cast. It’s going to be a very hard few weeks for her until the bones start to heal.” Liam sighed, scratching the side of his head awkwardly.

“Dawson, Blade and Eli all took turns snapping her fingers. That’s why they look so twisted, they weren’t reset properly after last time.” Andros murmured sadly, rubbing his head and standing up. “What can I do to help? I want to help you. I have some medical training.”

Liam sat Andros back down in the chair gently.

“You’re about to fall over from exhaustion, mate. I will care for her, all you need to worry about is rest, which, I have a place you three can sleep comfortably. There’s a cot in there for little miss and a king sized bed for you and Aiden. I’m sure Harry won’t mind you staying his room.” Liam said, convincing more himself than them.

Niall snorted, having nothing to add to the conversation and even less so when Liam shot him a look. With defeat, the blonde Irish lad went back to his breakfast.

Aiden got up carefully with Lily and walked to Andros’s chair, carefully helping him to stand.

“Come on, mate, Doctor’s orders. Best get us some sleep.” Aiden agreed with Liam, his strong arm coming across Andros’s back supportively, while the other was firmly holding tight to Lily.

Liam nodded and guided them to Harry’s room without further incident, just allowing them to enter before taking the door handle.

“If you need anything to eat or drink, ask Niall. If there’s anything unrelated to that, find Zayn, Louis or myself. Have a good rest, gents. See you in the evening, yeah?”

Aiden nodded, helping Andros to the bed before setting Lily in the spacious cot by the window.

“Thanks mate, for the help. We’ll ring if we need anything.” Aiden assured, making Liam smile.

“Alright, well, goodnight.” Liam bid a farewell, even though it was technically morning and not evening.

“Goodnight, Liam.” Aiden returned, the door clicking shut.

When the doctor was gone he went to the bed and pulled the softer then hell sheets back from their tucked in place.

“Come on, Andy, bedtime.” Aiden coaxed, noticing Andros was staring at the door longingly, fighting off sleep.

“I want to help – “Andros began, but felt himself being pushed back on the soft mattress.

“You can, by getting some sleep. You won’t be any good to her later if you don’t,” Aiden reasoned, setting a hand on his shoulder. “We’ve got a lot happening tonight and I need you to be able to function. Trust me, Andy; she’s in the best hands there is. Nothing will happen.” He finished with tired promise before crawling up to the edge of the right side of the huge bed and allowing his body to mold into the mattress with a groan.

“After seven years without a proper bed, you’re going to sleep like a – “Andros heard soft snoring moments after and looked at his brother that literally laid down two seconds before. “Are you shitting me?” He asked in astonishment, but couldn’t be bothered to dwell on the idea.

Instead, he positioned himself on the left side and found the contouring mattress heavenly on his stiff and tired bones.

“No wonder Harry wakes up well rested, if I had a mattress like this…” He trailed off in a murmur, his reality slowly fading from him.

Notes