The Silence That Surrounds: Screams of the Damned

Sophia’s POV:

The cinnamon pumpkin spice that hit my tongue sent my taste buds into a piranha frenzy that I had never thought I could experience. The piquancy was heavenly and my lips tingled with the after flavor.

“Wow.” I looked up to Colton, a small arch in my perfectly aligned shaped eye brows rose up to meet his ever knowing stare.

“I told you, you can’t go wrong with pumpkin cinnamon.” Colton chuckled, biting into a cheese cream Danish.

The atmosphere around us had been pleasant and comfortable, especially at how easy he seemed to create conversation without even trying. It was…perfect. In fact, it was the most normal discussion I have had in months.

“I’ll admit defeat and give you the point. I cannot believe pumpkin lattes are a thing, truly. When I worked for my father – “I stopped and frowned, scratching the side of my head and wondering if that was too much information.

Colton gestured for me to continue.

“Go on.” He encouraged with a gentle move of his hand.

I cleared my throat and shook my head, choosing to brush off that fact.

“No, I shouldn’t have brought it up. I – actually, let’s get back to you. You’re living in a flat with three other roommates? Seems a bit crowded.” I chuckled, giving him a look of interest.

Colton shrugged.

“No more than when I was home. I suppose we’re both holding back some secrets, Ms. Star. So, I’ll tell you one of mine if you tell me one of yours. I ask you a question and you answer it as honest as you can.” He compromised, sensing I wasn’t letting on much about myself – which, I truthfully wish I could tell the bloke, but then I’d have to kill him – literally…or Louis would. So, my best bet was to let him do the talking.

I shrugged and bit into my cream pastry, closing my eyes as new flavors constantly invaded my mouth. Damn, this coffee shop will have to be my regular haunt if they keep carrying these types of treats. I had been sitting outside the café, under a decorative umbrella table for the past forty-five minutes.

“You look like you’ve never tasted sweets before.” Colton said, observing my face intently.

I furrowed my eye brows, trying to remember when the last time I had anything sweet and my mind came up blank. I normally just got a black coffee, sometimes caffeinated, but mostly decaffeinated. Dad always told me that in order to pique the clients interest, I needed to be careful about my figure and truth be told, I had no interest in soda or pastries before all this.

“Actually, I haven’t. I had a soda about a month or so back – actually, I had a sip. I’m not really a sweets type of girl, dad never approved of it growing up and I was never interested in it as I got older. I figured, if I never had it, I don’t miss it. Dad never said shit about my brother eating candy, but hell exploded from the ground if I touched a piece.” I rolled my eyes, remembering my dad getting on me when I was twelve for having a piece of it in my pocket – which Dylan had planted on me because he was mad at me for something I still to this day have no clue about.

“I guess that explains your eating disorder?” Colton remarked, giving me another once over – which he had been doing for the last forty-five minutes.

“I don’t have an eating disorder.” I defended myself, crossing my arms over my chest defensively. I didn’t, I just haven’t been very hungry lately – but could anyone fucking blame me? I got the co-leader taking me out on the town, then main leader who has suddenly blew a gasket since I chose to stay and Damien. He’s a whole other problem entirely.

Colton popped an eyebrow.

“Really? Luv, I don’t comment much on what I see, but clearly something is going on. Your body is littered with scars, you are underweight for a woman your age and you have racoon eyes – though, whoever did your makeover did an amazing job, but I know damn well that’s not from lack of sleep, due to the contusions by your lips that are split. You are a gorgeous girl and I don’t want to pick up a newspaper one day and see it plastered in the death notices.” He finished, the silence overtaking us again.

The air gradually started to turn tense, I could feel it in the breath I breathed in.

I avoided his eyes and looked to the cobblestone road, the people across the street in posh clothing, going ignorantly about their day and then there’s me – sitting outside a café in the morning hours, without Louis – who was probably still getting the crap kicked out of him by Eleanor.

“I better go, Colton. Thank you for the coffee and pastry.” I smiled, standing up to go find Louis. This was a mistake; a foolish, ill-thought out mistake. How could I have been so stupid?

He stood with me.

“You’re not walking around London, especially alone.” Colton insisted, our food and drink forgotten.

I shook my head.

“I appreciate your kindness, Colton, really I do, but I’ll manage. I’ve managed my whole life and besides, I’m not alone. My brother Leo met up with an old girlfriend unexpectedly and they had some – words, so I left them to their reunion and here I am.” I gestured and let my hand fall to my side limply.

Colton nodded.

“Alright, well, should we go and find your brother or did he cause the majority of your cosmetic impairs? Because all you need to do is tell me and I can help you, I know people…” He trailed off, looking around to make sure the latter sentence was only heard between us.

I swallowed and looked around, wishing Louis would find me.

He must have noticed my panicked expression, because he sighed and a look of resignation crossed his own face.

“Alright, let’s go find your brother. Just – it wasn’t him who caused this, was it? I promise, this conversation gets left here, I just need you to be honest.” Colton pried, walking up and taking my good hand, beginning to lead me back towards the park.

“Leo would never hurt me. I was involved with some bad company – they made sure to leave an everlasting impression.” I told him, not exactly lying and not exactly telling the truth.

Colton nodded in understanding.

“Does your brother know?” He prodded gently, making sure to watch my eyes intently as I answered – he clearly had a job as some sort of interrogator.

“Sort of hard not to, yeah? He got me out of the situation; or tried to, but I didn’t listen and against better judgement I stayed where I was and it got worse, not better. I’m fine now, Colton, Leo is making sure of it.” I insisted, eyeing the sidewalk in front of me.

“Your father? Is he responsible for this?” Colton pressed, lips pursed in a thin line.

“Partially. Business deal gone sour, I suppose you could say. Can we drop this? I really want to leave this conversation here and get onto more pleasant things.” I asserted with authority, asking nicely, but insisting that he step back from a conversation that was really none of his business.

“Of course, lady Star. As you wish.” He responded back in respect, our footsteps moving in time with one another.

The silence settled back around us and the noises and smells of the city seemed to pick up. There was a man chasing his dog down the street, yelling – well, more like begging for the animal to stop. Then the crash of the bicycle that the creature knocked over and the Irish swearing of I’d assume the same person that got knocked over on the path Fido used to go and chase the cat it had spotted.

I muttered a sparse thought under my breath with a snort, catching Colton’s interest immediately.

“I said, moral of the story: you can chase pussy, but it doesn’t always mean you’re going to be successful at catching it.” I laughed, finding a way to take down the awkwardness that had started to encircle us.

Colton chuckled good naturedly and squeezed my hand reassuringly.

“Here, before I forget.” He insisted, taking a card from his pocket and handing it to me.

I stopped and stared at the perfect style cursive, showing his name, work address and at the bottom of it, his phone number.

“If you ever need help, call me and I will be there in less than a tick. I wasn’t lying when I said you were a beautiful girl. Hell, your brother is very lucky.” He smiled, beginning to lead me along to our original destination; London park.

It was just as we reached the entrance, did I spot Louis running towards me.

“Your brother?” Colton asked when Louis brought me in for a hug.

“Yeah, my brother, Leo. Leo, this is Colton; he saved me from getting run over by a car this morning.” I introduced, watching Louis eye Colton very carefully, almost as if he tried to place the name with the face.

Colton looked back at him, a deeper frown forming when he noticed Louis’s busted face.

“Sadie? Does your brother need some help, too? Who is doing this?” Colton demanded, eyes going back to me.

I let a smile slip.

“No, that damage was caused by a very upset girlfriend.” I insisted, watching the men very carefully.

“Ex-girlfriend.” Louis corrected, eyes furrowing down and a guarded expression instantly becoming dominant.

The silence hung heavily above us for a few heartbeats too long before Colton spoke again, extending his hand.

“Forgive me; my name is Colton, Colton Grear. You must be Leo Star, your sister has been exceptional company, mate.” Colton nodded politely.

Louis’s eyebrows quipped and he looked at me questioning.

“We went to a café for a coffee and pastry, though in my haste to make it back to you we didn’t get to enjoy much.” I said, easily able to brush off suspicion.

He nodded and took my head, shaking Colton’s in appreciation.

“Thanks man, I don’t know what I would have done if she had been roadkill,” Louis told him gratefully, his voice dropping to a soft hum. “Come on luv, we have a busy day.”

Colton put his hand on Louis’s shoulder, dropping his voice to volume only the two men could hear.

Louis’s eyes widened slightly, but he forcefully himself to stay calm so he didn’t riel suspicion.

“Alright mate, if there’s any trouble, we’ll call.” He insisted, taking my hand and leading me off into the park, his eyes filled with relief at finding me.

He waited until we were away from the other bloke before speaking, a breath of air escaping his mouth before he spoke.

“God Sophia, don’t ever do that again. When I said go have fun, I meant; take me with you. It’s too dangerous for you to be gallivanting around London, especially alone. Eli and Elliott are still out there and just because there’s benign activity, doesn’t mean it’s safe. We learned that after losing Harry and you the first time. I took you out, you’re my charge today, so please don’t wander like that again, huh?” Louis finished, his arm slinking around my shoulders.

I nodded.

“Good. Also, give me the contact card he gave you, because you’re not seeing the bloke again and before you argue – “He paused when I handed him the card without protest.

“I wasn’t going to see Colton again anyhow. I don’t need him at the bottom of a river because Harry found out that I made contact with another potential witness and you don’t want to shoot anybody, so, we’ll just play this off as a lesson of: don’t get separated.” I assured, leaning into his arms. For some reason, they felt safe and reassuring.

Louis nodded in agreement.

“Agreed. So, since you are a Brit like myself, tell me that you have at least gone up on the observation wheel.” Louis changed the subject, pocketing the card in his trousers.

I shook my head with a smile.

“Afraid not, Louis,” I paused, turning to take in his humorless express and thought better to continue. “Assume I’ve never done anything in my life but flirt, sell myself to my father’s corporation and tried to be the perfect daughter of a successful business man. Let’s for at least a moment, pretend I know nothing about London, other than what I’ve seen in the back of a limo.”

Louis’s somber expression seemed to darken.

“You know something, luv? It’s a good thing your father’s already dead; or I’d assassinate him myself.” Louis spoke, guiding me in a one-way direction.

I nodded once and continued to follow him along the small fences and well-kept walkways, moving along to a carnival-like sector of a small spot of land in an out of the way type of sector in the park.

“This is the carny area, I come here when Harry sends me to the store with the other lads; found it completely by accident. When we go out, they go shopping and I break away to out here.” He gestured to the small group walking around the rides and food stands.

I looked around, a few small carts scattered about, some with balloon decorations, some with a small table for homemade crafts and some food. Over a little way was a tilt-o-whirl, scrambler and beside that on the opposite side was a merry-go-round with smaller rides for the younger tykes.

“Why come here? Seems a bit loud.” I hummed, the food hitting my senses.

“A good place to clear my head, Flower. After all, not all of us like silence; especially when all you hear are echoes of people and kids begging you for their lives or the guns that go off that end their time in this world. I hear children, at least with being here I can hear them laughing and not screaming in terror for their mums or dads.” Louis shrugged, his blue eyes recollecting on a distant memory.

My mouth went slightly agape, the way he described this was as easy as drawing a waterfall at the edge of a flat world.

He took in my expression and shrugged.

“I was never innocent, Petal. That’s why I enjoy your company so much, it brings in just enough light to see,” He smiled, his taller figure overstretching mine as he leads me to the tilt-o-whirl, bypassing the carousel. “We’re going on this.” He finished, leading me to the que.

*

NARRATOR’S POV:

It was a few hours later when Harry and the rest of the gang got into London, parking their car on the side of the road and getting out.

“Zayn? You go in to the pubs, ask around and see if anyone’s seen Tomlinson. If they have, question them and then go from there. If you spot him, contain him and the girl until I get there, call the number I gave you. Niall, Liam? It says my car was last located a block from here from the first reading I got, you’ll both come with me.” Harry gave out orders, seeing the other two simply get out of the car and wait for their leader to move.

Harry rolled his eyes and headed in the direction of where his car was last seen, which was where Zayn was headed to anyhow, so he turned and followed behind them.

The people of London formed a parting sea for the young man and his gang, the fires of Hell shining as clear in his eyes as the North Star.

Niall leaned in close to Liam, whispering in his ear.

Liam looked back at him as if he had just gone completely bonkers.

“That’s not logical, mate. Now, let’s try to keep up with him post haste; spit-spot like, yeah?”” Liam responded back just as softly, hurrying to keep up with their leader.

Zayn folded his arms across his chest and gave the off glare at the passersby, giving a silent order to move.

They took notice and hurried passed or crossed the street all together, the sea of people thinning along as they made it to the scarp yard.

“This is the place.” Harry muttered, looking around and walking into the lot.

Liam grabbed Niall’s arm and shook his head as he was about to start after him.

“I think given the circumstances of his mood, we need to wait out here for a few ticks to let him get this mess sorted. He’ll call us if he needs us.” Liam reasoned, looking into the lot to see Harry had already disappeared into the hunk of scrap metal.

Zayn walked through the men, bumping into Liam’s shoulder as he went and pushing Niall apart forcefully, glancing back at them with a judgmental glance.

“Thirteen seconds mate, you’ll hear him. Best come because if he calls for you, one of you is going to be in deep shit.” Zayn warned, turning back to follow Harry in, his eyes a hard brown.

Niall looked at Liam uncertainly and then ran after Zayn.

Liam sighed, his headache starting up again.

“This. This is definitely not going to end w – “Liam heard his name yelled from somewhere left and decided to post haste it to their unpredictable leader.

When he got there, he spotted Harry aside a perfect metal square – a square and license plate that resembled Harry’s car.

“Oh no – “Liam trailed off, walking up beside Harry, Niall and Zayn were standing a few feet from the curly haired bloke in fear of his temper. Liam however, was less worried.

“It’s not that bad, right? Zayn can fix that up in no– “Niall started, making Zayn turn and give him a glare that could freeze water and flame.

“Niall? What do you do in this group?” Zayn demanded, his hand twitching into a fist.

“Cook.” Niall smiled, obviously not taking this situation as a peril.

“Right, you know shit about fixing cars. Humpty Dumpty couldn’t be put back together again, he ended up as a scrambled omelet. Beda cannot be reshaped and even if by some bloody fucking miracle that I had metal reform manipulation as a super power, this car is complete rubbish and completely gone. So get a vigil ready, Niall, because the car is dead.” Zayn ranted, making Niall look at Harry.

“Do you want a vigil for Beda, Harry? I know a place that sells candles and funeral supp – “Niall could hear a growl in the back of Harry’s throat.

Liam placed his hand on Harry’s shoulders, watching his leader’s actions very carefully.

“Think logical, Harry. If you get upset –“ Liam started, only to have is hand thrown off rather violently.

“Stop telling me to think bloody logical! It’s my car! I’ve had her for years and now she’s – she’s…” Harry had to pause momentarily to think what exactly that car was to him, he enjoyed riding her, he enjoyed the upkeep and it was something his father gave him when he willingly got his driver’s license.

“Dead?” Niall helped, making Zayn slap him upside the head.

“Shut up, Irish.” Zayn hissed, looking intently at Harry.

“This was my first car.” Harry rubbed his eyes tiredly, a little of the anger leaving him.

“Are you sure you don’t want some candles?” Niall asked, making Zayn slap him in the back of the head again.

“Shut up, Niall.” Zayn warned this time, glancing at Harry who looked to be about ready to break down and cry silently at any given moment.

Niall went up to the car and glanced down at it, noticing something sticking out of the crushed in wheel.

He reached in and pulled it out, noticing it was a piece of white silk, a scarf, the piece tattered off.

“What’s this?” Niall questioned, handing it off to Harry who simply looked at the ripped piece of fabric before throwing it down.

“Doesn’t fucking matter, my car is gone because Louis wasn’t paying attention,” Harry grit his teeth, taking out his phone. “Locate Louis Tomlinson.”

The same signal was sent out, coming back quicker.

“Last known location of Louis Tomlinson: Argentina.”

Harry nodded.

“When I find him, I’m going to cut him up into little pieces and mail them to random cities in Argentina.” Harry decided, his fists gradually becoming firmer.

“Lou?” Niall asked, earning a kick to his shin.

“No, the fucking Easter bunny.” Harry snapped, kicking his steel-toed boot into the now useless piece of metal.

“What did –“ Zayn’s hand found Niall’s mouth before he could finish, a cross between a glare and a plea to be quiet settled on the other gent.

“For all the gold in the pot under the rainbow, will you shut up before Harry murders you instead? I might not like you, but you know your way around the kitchen and Harry would all see us starve to death if you weren’t around, so please, PLEASE Irish, Shut. The. Fuck. Up.” Zayn growled in the dyed blonde’s ear.

Niall nodded quickly and his mouth was released after.

He licked his lips nervously and glanced at Liam for some sort of support, but Liam stood frozen by the leader and just let Harry vent. It’s not like he was going to kill Louis…at least he was fifty percent sure.

“Niall?” Harry spoke calmly, turning to the blonde.

“Yeah, Harry?” Niall swallowed, taking a step forward.

“Go get some funeral supplies and after you’re done, stop by a hardware store and buy some gasoline, rope, hacksaw and black trash bags. Because I mean it – when I catch Louis, him and Sophia are fucking dead,” Harry gritted, turning to Liam. “And don’t you DARE tell me to calm down and think logical, because I will end you.” Harry finished off with a warning, reaching into his pocket to fetch his wallet to buy gas for the car that they had come in.

Upon opening his wallet, he noticed his main credit card was gone – the card that was paid off every month like clockwork and had a limit of over five-hundred-thousand.

“I – he – MOTHER FUCKER!” Harry screamed, hoisting his boot back and kicking his once precious car with all the strength in his foot.

He dropped to the ground in pain.

“FUCK!” He screamed, using his fist to pound into the metal.

Liam watched unamused, Niall had gone – presumably to get the requested items for Harry or was currently running down the London streets in panic to get away from his fury and Zayn just watched with his arms across his chest in a calm manner.

It’s a good thing that the scarp yard was vacated at the moment, because to explain why Harry Styles – son of Damien Crow Styles is on the ground, hitting a block of metal and screaming fuck over and over again, would not have made the gang look proficient.

“Harry? You’re not exactly making yourself look favorable like that.” Liam told him with a sigh, bending down to help the leader to his feet once again.

Zayn came up the other side and helped Liam lift Harry, his taller frame making it a little awkward, but the two got him back upright, steadying him as he breathed heavily in the now still air.

“Where’s Niall?” Harry asked, noticing Niall was nowhere to be seen.

“Probably up another tree.” Liam muttered, flinching when Harry kicked his other foot into the hunk of metal.

“I’ve had it.” Harry growled and turned to leave Liam to catch up, he was pissed and the Hells of flame around him was noticeably climbing higher, almost engulfing him in an aura that gave off a warning of staying out of the youngest gang leader’s way as he was on the hunt for the two others that disrupted his plans.

Zayn and Liam watched him go, before turning to one another.

“You go after curly, I’m going to go track down and find Lucy and Ethel. When I find them, they have a lot of s’plainin’ to do.” Zayn muttered, slipping passed Liam to hit the first bar he knew by heart. It was one that he and Louis frequented.

Liam chuckled despite himself, though jumped when Harry screamed his name down the street.

He glared in the direction of the sound.

“I wonder how much trouble I’d be in if I knocked his arse out a few hours for some well needed peace and quiet.” Liam huffed, rushing after Harry.

Zayn turned down the opposite way and Niall was currently trying to get the things Harry requested on credit with the store owner they knew.

In the end, Harry was traveling down the main stretch of London in the West and Zayn went further East to the broken side of town. He didn’t even need to use his tracking skills to know Louis’s route. He’s known it for a long time.

*

Sophia looked out through the glass of the observation wheel, the large window painting a beautiful picture of London, as far as Sophia’s eyes could see.

“Louis, it’s beautiful.” She murmured, leaning into the glass to get a bird’s eye view of the city that she grew up in.

Louis smiled and plucked a bit of fairy floss from the cone he had picked up for them, popping the sugary cotton in his mouth.

“The sight of London never gets tiresome from up here. It feels safe, you know? Like you can touch the sky – it’s almost indescribable.” Louis responded thoughtfully, putting the fairy floss cone in Sophia’s good hand and stepping beside her on the opposite side where they were currently stopped.

Below them were two main bridges, a river underneath it; the structures sturdy and in heavy use as the traffic of the day began to pick up. A little ways away was the many old buildings mingling together in a compact space and above, standing proud was Big Ben. A clock that proved to stand the test of time – surviving world war two, by sheer luck – but not without a little damage.

Sophia stared across at the crisp body of water from across the city, wondering briefly if she had left that night, if maybe she would be looking outside and wondering about what could be here? If that her fate had already been decided and saw that she kept to the straight and narrow.

“Harry just came into town.” Louis nodded to the bridge, seeing the familiar black range rover rolling over it in a hurried pace.

“Could be anyone’s.” Sophia disagreed, though tried to zoom inside the car, making Louis chuckle.

“Flower? It’s Harry, trust me. He’s a bit late to the party, but no matter. We need to distance ourselves between – “He started, going silent when his phone began to ring.

He took it out of his pocket, Damien’s name highlighting the screen.

“Fuck a biscuit. I’m either getting calls from the head demon or Hitler’s protégé, I don’t know which I prefer more,” He muttered sarcastically, answering the phone with a cheerful tone. “The sun is always shining in hell, Tomlinson speaking.”

Sophia stifled a laugh.

He put it on speaker since it was only the two of them in the pod, no thanks to Louis bribing the operator with a £100 – subsequently also nicked from Harry’s wallet.

Sophia put the pink cotton like sweet to her lips and gently bit off a small piece with her teeth, a look of bliss lighting across her expression momentarily.

“Stop being a wise ass, Louis. Where is Harry? We got an emergency and I need him at the Playhouse, pronto. He isn’t answering his phone.” Damien growled, the sound of his feet pacing across the floor in unease.

“Harry has a new number, sir. His phone got brutally murdered this morning, rest its soul – but if I can acquire about this state of emergency in Sadistic town?” Louis questioned, not taking in Damien’s warning, though he probably should have.

“Buy gone wrong, we’re doing an extermination of all dolls, ridding the evidence and starting again next month to make sure it’s all in the clear, besides – the current dolls are all but ruined and cleaning house seems the most plausible. It’s going to be an all-day event – as McMichaelson will be busy ‘investigating’. You and the others are to come as well – seeing as my son has a bloody conscience and can’t bring himself to be helpful.” Damien all but growled.

“Sir? As much as I would love to help you kill innocent children and burn them into nothing but ash, I’m kind of tied up in babysitting and training Princess Warrior. Besides, we have the brother hostages to look after and Harry is in London for the day. He said something about needing to get away for today and clear his head, you can take your issue up with him on the matter; here’s his new number.” Louis offered easily, throwing Harry under the bus and figuring Damien can scream at him – hell he already bit into the monkey bread, he might as well steal the whole bloody cake while he was at it.

“He’s WHERE?! He needs to be looking after the hostages! I’ve their father right where I want him and will need to send proof of life!” Damien yelled, some stuff falling down with force on the other side – which made both gang members glad there was a phone separating them from Damien.

“Yeah, can’t help you. Sorry. Anyway, Harry’s number – “Louis got back on point, giving him the new number and hanging up after.

“Harry is going to murder you.” Sophia shook her head, seeing him smirk and switch sides, taking the cotton candy stick from her hand and tossing it to the floor, taking her palm within his and leading her to the other side of the pod, their turn almost coming up to get out.

“We need to go. Zayn is an exceptional tracker and will be able to track us down if we stay in this area, but fear not, I have our next outing all planned out.” Louis assured, hoping to run into Eleanor to clear some things up with his old flame. In hindsight, he still felt bad about not ending things the right way before.

“How do you know Zayn is even with Harry?” Sophia questioned, her eyes out to the water below as they got closer to the ground.

“Because he’s looking for us and Zayn’s the better tracker than the rest of us. I can track, but my skills only go so far – as if trying to find you today was anything to go by.” Louis chuckled.

“Harry is going to murder the both of us.” Sophia sighed, stealing a glance into Louis’s eyes and finding herself also smiling. For some reason, Louis’s give no damn attitude was reassuring in this whole wild card idea that the co-leader dragged them into.

Louis waved her off, the motion of the London Eye observation wheel bringing them back to earth, stopping at the bottom.

“Nah, lass. He’s going to be far too busy today helping Damien drag bodies to the basement and silently crying. However, like I said, he got his trusted bloodhound sniffing us out. He’ll leave him to go run about damnation to find us and Liam and Niall – if they came, will follow their master to the Playhouse to give him and Master I-failed-anger-management some assistance. No worries, angel.” He disregarded, smiling brightly at the operator.

“Thanks for the extra go rounds, Victor, mate. It’s Flower’s first time, two hours was just enough time to clear our heads.” He thanked the operator politely and guided Sophia off the pod, back into the fresh air and sweetly flavored aromas of the city.

“T’was a pleasure, mh? Coming again?” Victor asked, eyeing Sophia again with mirth-filled eyes. He never saw a lass so dressed up for a simple outing to London’s Eye before.

“I visit frequently, you know that.” Louis told him, glancing at his ‘date.’

“Bringing your lady friend again, hm?” He prodded, his iris’s flashing to the innocent looking girl that still did amuse him.

“Perhaps later on in the coming months, if it should work out that way. Anyway, if Zayn comes by – pretend not to know any English. Think you can do that for me, mate?” Louis asked, flashing another £100.

Victor grabbed it with both hands and put it up to the sun, before pocketing it.

“Co me suka twa si tuwah.” Victor replied, making Sophia arch an eyebrow.

“What did he just say?” Sophia asked, being led away again by a cackling Louis.

“Victor doesn’t speak another language, luv. He’s a born and bred Londoner.” Louis informed her with amusement, their feet walking in time with each other, making their way further down the path.

*

Ten Minutes Later:

“CLEAR YOUR HEAD?! ARE YOU BLOODY – “Harry jerked his head away from the phone in confusion, his father’s voice reaching all the way to Liam, who took a step back in subconscious fear.

“Dad? What are you – “Harry tried, also flinching from the deafening volume of his father’s thunderous roar.

“He sounds mad.” Liam noted, swallowing the fear of doom back in to his stomach.

“How did you get this number?” Harry demanded, cutting off his father’s ranting and trying to make sense of what his old man was on about being in London – and how he would even be aware of that. Had he been recorded by someone?

“HOW DID I GET YOUR NUMBER? YOU MEAN THE FUCKING BLOODY NUMBER I’M SUPPOSED TO HAVE AT ALL TIMES?!” Damien screamed, making an older couple look in Harry’s direction with disapproval.

Harry covered the mouthpiece and looked at Liam.

“You want to talk to him? Maybe he’ll answer you more calmly? I have no idea what he’s on about.” Harry desperately tried handing the cellphone off to Liam.

Liam shook his head and stepped back.

“No bloody way! Your father scares the right piss out of me, I need to go change my trousers by just bloody listening to that conversation.” Liam hissed lowly.

“He’s on about going to London to clear my head? I’m trying to find Louis and Sophia!” Harry spit back, knowing he couldn’t tell his father that for fear of retribution.

“You owe me a bloody week in Jamaica after this.” Liam muttered, taking the phone from the leader, though he did not put it to his ear.

“Damien? This is Liam –“ He began, flinching.

“NO SHIT! WHY ARE YOU TWO IN LONDON!? LOUIS SAID YOU JUST LEFT HIM WITH THE GIRL AND HOSTAGES TO CLEAR YOUR HEAD AND RELAX TODAY?! ARE YOU MAD?!” Damien screamed, making Liam throw the phone back into Harry’s chest and gesture sarcastically.

“Louis. Why does all the trouble seem to start with him today?” Liam questioned, seeing Harry cover the mouthpiece again.

“I was going to kill him quickly. I believe a long and drawn out death is in order.” Harry gritted his teeth, turning to speak with his father again. “Dad? I don’t know what Louis told you – “Harry tried again, only to be interrupted.

“He told me you left him, Ms. Stone and the brothers to go to London to relax, do you want to explain to me why?” Damien growled.

“I -well – “He paused, seeing Niall come around the corner with a large bag full of supplies. He cocked up his eye brow.

“Never mind. We have a situation at the Playhouse. Sadistic is clearing stock, bad buy – the boy died before they were ready for him to and the buyer has gone to the police. McMichaelson is handling it, but because of ‘old stock’ Sadistic wants to kill and incinerate the bodies and start anew with new dolls, restock will happen next week. Your presence, along with your band of abominations are needed here pronto. We’ll discuss this later; you can bet your ass we will!” Damien promised darkly, hanging up.

“Mind if I join you in Jamaica? Because by the time he’s done, my arse will probably be very vividly kicked there without the need of a plane.” Harry muttered, looking up to Niall as he approached with a smile and handed over a large shopping bag.

“I got the gasoline, rope, rubbish bags and hacksaw.” Niall said pleasantly, making Harry’s confused look only become more detailed.

“Niall – I wasn’t bloody serious! ARE YOU STUPID OR DOES IT COME NATURALLY?!” Harry exploded, using the back of his hand to smack Niall upside the head.

Liam stepped in and dragged Harry away before he could kill the only decent cook they had.

“Harry, calm down. Bloody hell, mate. Okay, we meet Damien at the Playhouse and help – “Liam tried to calm, but Niall began to shake his head.

“No bloody way! I’m not going back there! WHAT FOR?! NO! No fucking way!” Niall panicked, hearing Liam mention the Playhouse.

Harry watched as Niall turned about and began to run in the direction he just came from.

Liam watched the Irish lad practically hop a chair and go around the corner.

Harry went to take off running after him, but Liam grabbed his arm and shook his head calmly.

“He’s going to come around the corner again, remember last time? He ran around the block? He’ll come back through again and when he does, we’ll grab him and make our way to Sadistic’s.” Liam reasoned, both men turning to the opposite block to watch.

“This is a mess.” Harry mumbled tiredly.

Liam nodded in agreement.

*

An Hour Later:

“Have you seen a bloke around my age and a girl with black-red hair come through here? He answers to Louis and the girl answers to Sophia.” Zayn asked stoically, finding himself awhile later at the observation wheel, leaning lightly on the guardrail to speak to the ride operator.

“Co ja has-muydar?” Victor asked in gibberish, knowing Zayn well from a few times before, but never personally spoke to the lad.

Zayn looked at the man as if he just grew two heads and was doing the funky chicken dance naked.

“What?” Zayn asked, making sure he didn’t misunderstand him.

“Co me sas dicktra?” Victor responded back in question.

“Huh? What’s that mean?” Zayn scratched his head. “I just need to see if you saw Louis or Sophia, he’s been by here plenty before. He has a brown quaff, but it’s sort of flattened? The girl was a red head, but she has like, black hair with red roots showing – “Zayn was gesturing to his own hair, his voice trailing off.

Victor quirked up his own eye brows.

“Talma to sy fitta, zah whola?” He gestured to his hips and bringing his hands out in the shape of a huge figure. “Fattago?” Victor continued, wiggling his eye brows.

“What the fuck language are you speaking, mate? No, not fat! She’s a skinny twig and he’s short!” Zayn exclaimed, getting frustrated.

“Englan, no. Somberina fo shire hob?” He gave Zayn his most confused look, hunching over some and using the air as a cane. “Oldna?”

“THEY’RE NOT ELDERLY!” Zayn exploded, slapping his hand on his forehead.

“Somah? Woof, woof?” Victor smiled, enjoying the younger lad’s frustration.

“How do you get DOGS from a red head and a flattened brown headed bloke?” Zayn continued to interrogate him, seeing the operator walk to the control panel and pick up a piece of paper, going back to Zayn.

Zayn grabbed it in a very thin line of anger and glanced at it, seeing a small poodle on the front, Lost across the top and Louis under it, with a phone number.

“No, no seesetna.” The operator told him pleasantly, turning to make sure the observation wheel was spinning correctly.

“I’M NOT LOOKING FOR A DOG!” Zayn yelled, making people look over at him.

“Mah timbono tibleh.” Victor waved him off, turning from the younger lad.

“How the hell did you even get this job? Hell, what planet did you come from?! Because I have NEVER in my life heard that sort of language. EVER!” Zayn asked frantically, trying to make sense of which part of the twilight zone he woke up in.

Victor chuckled quietly, though paused when he heard footsteps enter up into the station, his reprieve coming to stand in for him for the rest of the day since it was now the end of his shift.

“Victor, what’s going on here? Why is this young lad so upset?” Sam asked, his blue eyes settling on Zayn.

“I’m looking for Louis and he doesn’t speak English!” Zayn complained, making Victor turn and smile at the both of them pleasantly.

“Endtto, gy fundo. Soon-Soon.” He waved, slapping Sam on the back hard, walking purposely unsteadily down the metal incline.

“Oi! Victor, I thought you were back on the wagon, mate? Better not go home to your wife drunk like that, she’ll kick your arse!” Sam called, making Victor put his hand up and wave.

“AND DON’T COME TO WORK KNACKERED!” Sam called as an after-thought.

Victor disappeared quickly into the crowd, laughing quietly all the while. He liked Louis, despite the crazy situations that seem to follow him around London. No doubt, if Louis was in town – things were bound to happen.

Zayn watched the man hurry off and disappear, turning to the new operator.

“I’m looking for Louis; he’s accompanying a girl today, Sophia. Black-red hair? Have you seen them?” Zayn sighed, rubbing at the back of his head where the caffeine headache was still just as painful.

“I saw Louis about a tick ago, heading into Sal’s Pub – but the girl he was with was all red head. Mate? She was a Goddess…at least from the back.” Sam smiled, seeing Zayn take off down the incline and plow straight through people, forcing them to part as he made his way to the pub.

*

An Hour Before:

Louis high-fived Sal and helped Sophia down into a stool, ordering them each a drink.

“Sal? A Long Island Ice Tea for my bird and I’ll have an Irish Car Bomb,” Louis requested, winking at Sophia and reached over for the nuts, setting the basket between them. “You want to make sure to eat when you drink.” Louis explained, grabbing a handful of nuts and popping them in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully.

Sophia looked at the old wooden structure of the run down bar, the liquor display behind the bar and the pale oak stools set opposite side with about twelve same wooden tables and chairs set throughout a low-lit room with two pool tables in the very near back. The décor on the dark oak walls, nonvisible.

“Why do you like this place? It doesn’t seem very – exciting,” She turned back to Louis, lowering her voice. “And it smells rank, like, sex, stale puke and smoke.”

Louis beamed at her description, handing her drink over as it was set down.

“Darling? Get ready for your first official lesson, a lesson I’d like to call: self-defense,” Louis announced, taking her purse from her. “Anything can be used as a weapon; some just take more practice than others. After we finish our drinks, I’ll show you. For now, just listen.” He continued on, handing his drink and taking a large gulp.

Sophia took hers and put the glass to her lips.

Her eyes dogged out of her head at the flavor alone. It was strong and burned going down her throat – though a Long Island Iced Tea was supposed to be smooth and fruity.

She coughed, pushing the drink away with a twisted up lip, focusing back on Louis as he simply watched her with a chuckle.

“Yeah, this is the place you come to when you want to get snockered.” He smirked, another swig of his drink gone.

“Or murdered or trying to discover a rare form of disease not seen in a million years.” Sophia continued on sarcastically.

Louis gave her a look and she settled back to silence.

“Alright; when you pick a fight with someone, you have to make sure with absolute certainty that you have an advantage or it’s going to be arse over tits – as I learned the hard way.” Louis went on, turning around in his stool to survey the other patrons.

Sophia followed his lead.

“Now; if I were going to pick a fight, who do you think would be an ideal opponent?” Louis quizzed her, gesturing about the place with his hand.

Sophia’s eyes tried to focus on the silhouettes of the other patrons, before pointing to a man no taller than four foot in height.

“That one.” Sophia replied confidently, making Louis’s perfectly shaped eye brow raise.

“The bloke is only what? A hundred and twenty-two centimeters? Why would you target him specifically?” Louis questioned back, trying to bring on more critical thinking from the girl beside him.

“Because he’s short?” Sophia guessed, making Sal chuckle as he had been listening intently on their conversation.

“Yep and you’re a bully picking out the weakest, lass. No, it’s not about finding the weakest. It’s about finding an advantage in strategy. Don’t go for the weakest, go for the one that presence a challenge…and Mike may be a short-shit, but the bloke can throw a punch.” Louis finished, eyeing the tallest one in the back playing pool.

“Why do we even have to look for a fight? I mean, what’s the point?” Sophia questioned, looking to where Louis was pointing.

“The tall one with the muscular build, lass. He’s the one you want to pair up against. Technically, we’re using this time as an example. It’s not so much about LOOKING for a fight as it is when you find yourself in one. Steele isn’t going to scratch you behind the ears and tell you what a cute little kitten you are, he’s going to come at you swinging. The lesson here is knowing the movement of your opponent and after I knock back a few of these, I want you to go over there to Gigantor and flirt. When I deem it appropriate, I’ll step in and take care of the rest.” Louis waved, turning back in his seat to look at Sal.

“Mate? When the brawl breaks out; call the Bobbies and do a police report, collect on your insurance. You know the drill.”

Sal nodded.

“Mmh. Third time this year, Tomlinson. I’ll need another insurance company if this keeps happening. Between you and Malik, my bar hasn’t known peace in quite a few years.” Sal replied, his voice a deep mutter, though he didn’t appear to be upset.

Sal was a salt peppered hair bloke with a blatant Italian build and Irish face, the cold blue eyes gave him away with hair that used to be brown.

Louis reached over and slapped the older gent’s shoulder with a cocky smirk.

“Mate? Without me, you’d be out of business. I keep the party going.” Louis replied, knocking back the rest of his drink and tapping his glass.

Sal nodded and went to fix him another.

Sophia was still looking at the tall, muscular guy. She wasn’t too sure about flirting – she was still mastering confidence and that would take a lot of it to go and throw herself at a random guy.

“Flower?” Louis caught her attention, turning her barstool around easily enough to face him. “Lesson two, sometimes – flirting can save your life. It’s something you will need to master to survive the game, but also because it gives you a window of opportunity.”

Sophia just looked at him in a way to suggest he lost her somewhere along the way, especially to the whole flirting to survive information.

She opened her mouth, but Louis quickly put his finger over her lips.

“Let me explain. Everyone has a weakness and it’s extracting that weakness to get the reward. It sounds very hamster on a wheel, but it’s the main thing that makes the whole equation. Meaning, if you flirt, you better abstract their attention long enough to get what you need to.” Louis made clear, taking his finger from her mouth and took the new drink that was set in front of him.

Sophia reached back gingerly to take back her own drink, taking another sip and gagging again, shaking her head.

“Too alcoholic.” She made a face, to which Louis chuckled.

“Liquid courage, beautiful. Trust me, you’re going to need it.” He assured her, a knowing grin aimed at Sal.

Sal shook his head and went to the other side of the bar to take care of another customer that had just walked in.

“So what’s the plan? Get shit faced and then start a brawl? That doesn’t sound like an even logical idea.” Sophia protested, wondering exactly what Louis was up to because so far, he seemed like he was winging it.

“No. I’m going to observe how quick your reaction times are and if you have been paying even a spec of attention to what I’ve been saying. I’m going to create a situation and you’re going to counteract what I do. It’s part of me learning about you, flower. It’s about me being able to see what you are truly capable of.” Louis explained, taking another long swig of his drink.

“Getting drunk is all part of this then? You need to be sober or this whole thing is wasted.” Sophia sighed, shaking her head when all he did was laugh.

“Darling? Two drinks is a fuck-all. I know how much I can handle and believe me, I haven’t even come close.” Louis assured her, finishing off the second glass.

“Okay, so how many are you going to have before you go and cause trouble? Because I don’t like the looks of this.” Sophia voiced, arms sliding across her chest.

“Last I checked lovely, we aren’t married and you aren’t my little woman. So step off my nuts so they can breathe, will ya? I got my balls busted once already today by a bird, I refuse to let one of them tell me when to stop drinking. So shut up and join me. That’s not a request, that would be an order.” Louis glowered, sliding her drink back to her.

Sophia took it with distain and took another swig, nearly gagging.

“Nu-uh, finish it.” Louis put his hand under her glass and forced the rest of it into her mouth.

Sophia shivered in disgust, grateful when Louis took the glass away, though not appreciative when he tapped her glass to a second go-round.

“Make it a triple mate, easy on the alcohol, portion it out with the juice.” Louis instructed, winking at Sophia and the way her skin started to pale.

“If you want me to act like a slorg, you need just tell me, Tomlinson. No more drinks!” Sophia insisted, making Louis shrug.

“Orders, luv. Now, turn around again, I got more to explain and you need to look at the ugly fucks around here to get the general idea.” He gestured, turning around.

Sophia grumbled but did the same.

“Like I said, Mike is a short-shit, but he’s got a good punch, which would not make him an even opponent. There are about thirty people in here and you want to choose the best one for your type of level of skill. Bike bitch there –“ He pointed to the short, blue haired biker looking woman. “She would kick your arse all the way back to primary school.”

Sophia nodded, her eyes finally adjusting to the dark lighting in the pub.

“Now, the girl beside her, she’s fair game. I want you to flirt with Gigantor and then when I distract him, I want you to watch and when you think it’s acceptable to step in, I want you to do the first thing that comes to mind. Understand?”

Sophia nodded with a long wistful sigh.

“This is not going to end well.” Sophia muttered, picking up her new drink without being told to and gulping the sweet-sour liquid in nearly one go.

“Sweet smurf dildos, that’a lass! Good, we’ll get you relaxed yet!” Louis smiled, using one of his hands to push her off the stool. “Now that you look the part, walk over and flirt. Flirt like your life depended on it, pretend your father is about to nail another account and act how you would with him.” He suggested, his eyes beaming with the impending action about to happen.

Sophia groaned, walking unsteadily towards the rather large man – which confused her as he looked like he was well taller than Louis by at least eight inches.

“Louis is crazy, he means well, but God help if it won’t get one of us killed.” Sophia said to herself, crossing to the back towards the pool table with a plastered on smile – just like dad taught her.

“Gents, how’s the match?” She let her posh accent shone through, her hips swaying seductively, slinking herself to the side of the table and leaning one of her hips on it.

Gigantor’s eyes immediately took in the beauty before him – as did short-shit Mike. Louis grinned, watching the whole thing play out.

Sophia gingerly picked up the white ball, pretending to examine it.

“You boys know your stuff, I been watching you all and I got to say; pretty impressive pool playing skills you gents have. Mind if I take a strike? My brother told me I could use some – improvements.” She winked, not at all comfortable with leading a bunch of perverts on – but if Louis’s wisdoms were anything to go by, she best just listen to their insanities for a bit.

Gigantor immediately handed her the que stick, turning her around so his hips were digging into her bum, the green dress offering little protection from showing what the skies above gave her.

“I’d be happy to show you my little boiler.” He purred, earning a chuckle from biker bitch.

“Tiny! Don’t be letting er’ swell yer’ goolies, mate. She’s a bint, dirty rubbish. All is all she is.” Biker bitch waved off, making Sophia’s teeth grit. She didn’t appreciate the other woman’s words – she looked more of a bint then Sophia ever could.

“Coming from a punk slag who looks like she shopped out of the reject tub of an old leather donation store, you should be one to talk, clod.” Sophia snapped back with her own insult, stilling the room completely.

Louis groaned and looked at Sal.

“Didn’t I just tell her, not even fifteen ticks ago to not pick a fight with the biker bitch?” He asked Sal, who was intently watching the back room.

“You did, but she is a woman and they don’t listen worth nothing.” Sal smirked, watching Louis pop off the bar stool and go towards the back.

“Excuse me ladies, but what’s that problem?” Louis smiled, though visibly gave Sophia a pointed look to let her know that he was not happy with the confutation.

“She called me a bint, so I defended myself.” Sophia huffed, taking the que stick in her good hand as Gigantor stepped away from Sophia.

“She did?” Louis asked in pretended interest, folding his arms across his chest. “Did she also take your teddy bear? Seriously, flower? We don’t go grassing on someone, we react accordingly,” He eyed the large man. “Now, was it just my imagination or did Tiny have his tiny pressing into your arse? Because I don’t recall you giving him permission to do that, luv.”

Louis moved closer with a knowing smile and Sal went to pick up his phone to call the cops – as he’d be needing them with the ruckus that was about to ensue.

“I –‘ Sophia started, silencing herself when Louis held up his hand while his other drug a wooden chair closer.

“No, no luv, I don’t want to hear excuses, I want to see results. You picked a fight with the Kate Moss on Meth reject after I specifically told you not to. Now, you have about five seconds to react or you’re going to feel it in the morning.” Louis warned, seeing the biker was about to pick up a stool.

Sophia looked to where Louis was staring, eyes going wide in fear, reacting the only way she knew how.

She brought her foot up to land a solid kick into the woman’s vagina.

Louis flinched as biker bitch screamed in pain, the que stick Sophia was holding made its way over the girl’s head a second after – snapping right in half.

“Holy fuck! SOPHIA! Bad form! We don’t – “Louis started, only to watch his girl spin and deliver her heel into biker’s nose.

“Oi! She was down!” Louis yelled, seeing Sophia look him straight in the eyes.

“Yeah, I wanted to make sure she stayed down, the blitzed cunt. No one calls me a bint!” Sophia yelled, though her heart was jackhammering inside her chest – that was a rush.

Louis just looked at her in disbelief.

“I told you to be confident, not psychotic and I was the one that was supposed to start this little party off, you were supposed to flirt!” Louis chastised her, unaware that the whole bar had now gone completely silent – except Sal, who was talking to the police.

“I did flirt, but then SHE ruined it! I’m bloody TIRED of being called names and degraded! First Harry, now this biker cunt? What next? WHO next?” Sophia yelled, the alcohol hitting her right in the emotions.

Louis hit his head.

“Don’t tell me alcohol makes you emotional.” Louis groaned, looking around at the other patrons.

“No, it makes me aggressive.” Sophia wanted to roll her eyes, but looked at the bitch knocked out on the floor, her foot going back and kicking her as hard as she could in the gussie.

Louis grabbed her.

“That’s enough of that! I’m supposed to be teaching you. Now, the jab to the crotch will only serve to piss them a new one. You want to get more vital parts.” Louis told her, taking the chair within both hands and picking it up.

Sophia watched as he brought the chair up over his shoulder and swung it around, the legs of it slamming into Tiny’s face.

Tiny’s neck slapped back, his body lofting sideways, but he stayed upright, baring his teeth.

“I think you had a better chance with biker bitch.” Sophia noted, eyes surveying the small area they were at before turning suddenly and using her casted hand to her advantage, slapping Mike short-shit in the back of the head and then kicking him in the stomach, throwing him into another patron.

Louis jumped back from Tiny’s fists, ducking as he swung a right hook and then tried to one up it a little more with his left.

“I told you – “Louis began, but grunted a second after, his body flying backwards.

“Yeah, well – it doesn’t matter the target. What matters is if you win or not, right?” Sophia growled when one of the men came around, throwing his arms over her to secure the lass in a restrictive embrace.

Sophia knew few things at the moment – other than she hated to be touched.

Andros’s words echoed through her head and she reacted be stepping back and smashing her heel onto his toes, throwing her head back at the same time and raising the other half of the que stick to jab into the interfering man.

The blighter jerked backwards, blood spilling out his nose as she jammed the sharp edge of the stick into his leg, pushing him against the stomach to throw him back against the nearest wall.

Another one went forward, but was punched by another patron – who was extremely intoxicated and wanted to get in on the brawl happening.

She glanced over at Louis and took one of the pool balls, throwing it with her good arm at Tiny’s head. It hit with a plonk, but didn’t deter the giant.

“Everybody was kung-fu fighting.” Louis groaned, rolling up from the ground slowly while Gigantor’s attention was aimed at Sophia, his eyes a gleam with dangerous intent as he stalked towards his new pray.

Louis took a barstool nearby that wasn’t currently in use causing injury of some sort to someone and stepping forward at the same time Sophia threw another ball, her body now on the pool table in a defensive stance.

Louis ducked as the ball almost hit him square in the forehead.

“Oi! Not me! I want to be counting bodies, not Tweety-birds!” Louis yelled, shoving Tiny in the back with the end of the barstool. “Lesson three; sensitive points – go for the throat or Adam’s apple!” Louis hollered over the chaos, watching Sophia throw another ball, this time aiming where Louis said, watching the man gag and take hold of his neck.

“Good lass! Now come on, these people are well started – let em finish!” Louis urged her, seeing her take another cue stick and snap the bottom off. “No more!”

She didn’t listen to him, hopping off the table and imbedding the jagged wood right into Tiny’s shoulder, bringing her foot up between his legs and pushing off from the ground to knock him back from her and Louis.

Louis watched enough and jerked Sophia away, leading her to the bar table, finishing his drink off and waving to Sal as they made their leave.

When they were briskly walking down the street he turned back and looked at the wildcard in is possession.

“And Styles says I’m a pound short of a hundred? I ain’t got nothing on you lass. When I tell you to do something, you need to listen!” Louis shook his head, not exactly happy that she saved his ass. He was supposed to work with another scenario, but Sophia just didn’t let that happen – and she made poor Tiny cry for his mum.

“Hey, I got the bastard! You told me aim for his throat, I did! When I stabbed him with the cue, he screamed ‘mummy’ didn’t he?”

Louis gave her a stern look and continued her along.

“Hey, you wanted to start a brawl, so we did.” Sophia defended when he didn’t reply, jogging to keep up with his quick steps as his hand held onto her wrist for dear life.

“You knocked short-shit out! I think you even broke his jaw. I wanted to start the brawl in a different way, the way it was started was a nothing short of a cockup!” Louis gritted, dragging her around the corner as Zayn ran around the opposite one and into the bar, stopping short of the madness that was taking place inside.

He glanced at Sal behind the bar and went to stand at the bar.

Sal passed him a shot of rum and watched the goings happening in the domino effect that was no doubt caused by Louis.

“How long since he and the girl were here?” Zayn shouted over the loud destruction.

“Just left!” Sal called back, watching Zayn’s eyes widen and head back out towards the door, running into an older gentleman about to go in.

“Wouldn’t do that mate, big trouble in there. Best find another pub for a few.” Zayn called at him, running down the street with eyes focused in trying to find the two.

Zayn cursed and slowed, not seeing them around.

“Bloody hell.” He huffed, going to a phone box instead and dialing Harry’s number.

Notes