The Silence That Surrounds: Screams of the Damned

Narrator’s POV:

Daylen was lead out to the newly repaired table and forcefully sat down beside it.

“You move a centimeter and you’ll lose a foot, hear me?” Zayn threatened lowly when his large hand pushed him into a sitting position on Sophia’s unoccupied chair.

Daylen let a soft breath of air through his mouth with a small whimper.

Zayn took that as an agreement and nodded to Harry.

“Right, let’s get his brother to the bathroom then.” Zayn told Harry, making the leader roll his eyes.

“Let’s just get this the bloody fuck over with,” Harry muttered, standing up and facing Niall. “Make sure the lad eats something, hm? If he stands up, there’s some rope over there to tie him to the chair.” Harry nodded towards a drawer without much effort and following Zayn to the hostage room to deal with Jace.

“This should be fun.” Liam muttered, sitting in the chair next to Daylen, which also happened to be Niall’s spot.

Niall approached the young boy and sat on the other side in Harry’s chair.

“Hey lad, um – “Niall scratched his hairline. “Do you have any allergies to anything?” He asked awkwardly.

Daylen brought his knees up into his chest, curling into himself on the chair and hiding his face into his lap while wrapping his arms around his legs.

“Okay, I will assume that’s a no?” Niall looked at Liam who reached over to a manila folder and opened it.

“No allergies, favorite food is – pasta. There’s nothing much in here regarding medical evaluation. I’ll give him a check over once he eats.” Liam decided, setting the file down and leaning back into his chair to keep a close eye on him.

“Right, so – what do I feed him?” Niall asked, not really comfortable with having to deal with younger kids.

“Food?” Liam rolled his eyes and looked at the scared tyke, not really uncomfortable, but more cautious of him doing a sudden bolt.

“Thanks for the help, mate.” Niall bantered back sarcastically and got up to see what he could make for the young lad.

Liam scoffed and shook his head.

“Do I look like a cook, Niall? That’s YOUR job.” Liam rubbed his forehead in irritation.

“Well, I wouldn’t be a cook if the world wasn’t so cocked up, would I, Liam? No, I’d be a famous – “Niall paused when Liam snorted in minimal amusement at his ranting.

“Niall? You’re good, but you aren’t that good, mate. You’d never make it as a famous guitarist – not alone and not with your attributes, because you’re not confident.” Liam waved him off, watching Niall roll his eyes and begin to take out breakfast stuff.

“Yeah? Well, you wouldn’t be a doctor either, right? We wouldn’t be here, but because we are, suppose we won’t ever know truly.” Niall sighed, dropping the subject.

“I never wanted to be a doctor, Niall. That was never my decision. I did what I had to in order to survive, just like you. Honestly, do you think if Harry never got sick that you would be standing where you are now? Louis couldn’t cook and you were days away from being executed.” Liam reminded the younger man, shaking his head at the memory.

“Louis couldn’t cook anything that Harry would eat.” Niall snorted at the memory, throwing a pan on the stove.

“Louis was also high as a kit. So, that wasn’t very helpful either.” Liam pointed out, chuckling a little.

Niall grinned.

“Yeah, he tried making Harry a – “He paused, furrowing his eyebrows in thought. “An asparagus sandwich, yeah? Mayo, tomato and – “He shook his head stopping the thought.

“Weed. Instead of lettuce, he -God, Louis – his wrists are pretty banged up and I handed him a pin, he just fisted it, didn’t even bother to unlock his cuffs. I don’t feel for many, but he looks downright terrible.” Liam admitted, noticing Daylen unburied his head from his lap and was watching Niall intently.

“Zayn killed Eleanor, Lou isn’t taking it too well.” Niall murmured, throwing three eggs in the pan and scrambling them.

“W-why he do tha’?” Daylen asked, his voice crackly from all the crying he had been doing since waking up.

“Because he’s being a right prick,” Niall answered without thinking, pausing when Liam cleared his throat in a way to suggest that he watch his language around the younger boy. “Sorry.”

Daylen used the back of his hand to wipe the snot from his nose, though he was still scared, hell; any one would be in his situation.

“Do you eat bacon?” Niall asked, switching to a safer subject.

“Yeah, mom cooks it ‘lot.” Daylen murmured, rubbing his eyes to try and get his eyes to dry. They were red and puffy and had been for a few hours, he just couldn’t find the energy in him to continue.

“Good. Harry says you need to eat something, I hope breakfast is alright?” Niall spoke, the air awkward between the two captors and captive.

Daylen shrugged without a verbal response while rubbing his stomach slightly.

Liam noticed and observed a little more with a frown.

“Stomach quake, lad?” Liam asked, making Daylen look over to him in confusion.

Liam scratched his head in response to the dazed glance the kid was returning to him.

“Uh – Is your stomach bothering you?” Liam tried again, forgetting the boy was American and that they were a little different in language as far as sayings go. In fact, Liam was sure smurf cookies and other Louis vocabulary had not even been invented in the Yank land yet.

“Yeah. Been since I woke up.” Daylen nodded, folding himself back into a ball and hiding his face into his lap again.

“I have something that might help. Niall? Will you watch him for a tick?” Liam asked, standing up to head to the back to get some anti-nausea medication and to check on Harry and Zayn, because it was far too quiet back there for his liking.

“I’m a bit busy, Liam. You know, doing the only apparent thing I’m good at doing and all.” Niall snarked back sardonically, throwing some sliced mushrooms into the pan to fry with the eggs.

“Oh, stuff it all.” Liam waved the irate blonde off and walking down the hall.

Niall eyed the kid momentarily before walking to the fridge and grabbing a water bottle and a can of soda.

“Here lad, drink up.” Niall directed, putting both drinks in front of him on the table.

Daylen looked up again and noticed the soda was ginger ale – something that would settle his stomach without the need of medicine that would make him drowsy.

“Thank you.” He murmured, opening it and taking a slow sip.

“I’d of made ginger tea if we had any, but Harry drinks the stuff like it is in danger of being obsolete.” Niall snorted before going back to the stove and finishing up the eggs, putting in some bacon while toasting some bread.

“I hate tea.” Daylen whispered, hearing a door open and voices coming from down the hall.

Niall chuckled.

“Oh lad, then you most certainly would never make it in England. I think they’re given tea from a bottle at birth. Though, some Irishmen would say the same thing with whiskey and beer. Everything depends on where you’re from.”

Daylen continued to sip on the can apprehensively and watch Niall cook. His brother warned him strongly about breaking rules and he promised he wouldn’t.

Besides, Niall wasn’t that bad. He just liked to talk too much.

Niall got the lad’s plate and put it in front of him, sitting down next to him.

Daylen reached for the metal fork that was set on the plate and begin to eat without being prompted again.

“Where’s my brother?” Jace asked with forced calmness, the door opening a little more from down the hall.

Daylen perked up and dropped the fork, standing up.

Niall grabbed his shoulder, shaking his head and forcing him back into the chair.

“’m ou’ ‘ere, Jace.” Daylen called, making the men hurry the older brother across to the bathroom, slamming the door behind them.

“Come on, there’s a good lad, sit and finish your food.” Niall ordered, patting his shoulder and retreating his hand, wishing for Liam to hurry up. This was just downright awkward. He hated having to watch kids.

“Why can’t Jace come ‘ou ‘ere?” Daylen asked, doing as Niall had asked with a small sigh, not understanding what was truly going on.

“He’s getting another shower, lad. He needed one and you don’t want to see your brother while he showers, do ya mate?” Niall asked, trying to deter the younger boy. He didn’t want to say that he couldn’t see his brother because Harry and Zayn had him chained down from hand to foot – it wouldn’t end well and as much as they were dicks, kids tended to be handled a little differently.

Daylen shrugged.

“We share the bathroom when we travel and sometimes at home. We’re boys, wha’ do it matter?” He asked, glancing at the older man in confusion with furrowed and intense brown chocolate eyes.

They could melt even the coldest of hearts if not careful.

“Might not hurt Harry none, the bloke needs to thaw a few notches.” Niall muttered as an afterthought, his stare going to the table.

“Huh?” Daylen questioned, making Niall shake his head.

“Nothen’, finish yer food.” Niall prompted again, his arms going across his chest.

“Okay.” Daylen agreed and did as the man asked.

Liam came back a moment after with a syringe in his hand and shaking his head.

“They really got him – “He started, stopping when Daylen looked at him with the same confused frown and innocent eyes. “Never mind. I got something for your stomach, it’s still upset, yeah?” Liam held up the syringe.

“Enoxaparin.” He explained, coming into the kitchen.

Daylen shot up from his chair faster than Niall could react, backing off from the madman with the vile of death.

“Shot? No shot.” Daylen protested, remembering Louis grabbing him and gently but forcefully injecting the needle into his arm.

“I gave him some ginger ale, Liam. Leave him be for a tick.” Niall insisted, a small bout of empathy passing over his cold steel blues.

“He needs this if he’s sick.” Liam asserted right back, not putting together that some children had a deathly fear of needles and unfortunately, Daylen happened to be one of those kids.

“No shot!” Daylen yelled, backing away.

Down the hall the bathroom door opened and Harry came back into the kitchen with a pointed expression, stopping at the entrance.

“Tie him up, I don’t have the time or patience today.” Harry ordered, furrowing his eyebrows at Daylen’s wide eyed terror frozen face, his brownie warm orbs intently locked on Liam’s hand that held the shot.

Harry chuckled at the quick realization.

“Oh,” He nodded in understanding. “That makes sense. Well lads, good luck with – “Harry paused when Daylen bolted to the door, threw it open and hightailed it down the cabin, dust kicking powerfully behind his feet as he was nowhere to be found when Harry and Niall managed to make it to the door.

“Holy shite, mate. He’s a fast-little bugger,” Niall blanched, looking at Liam. “And I told you to leave the kid alone for a tick, he was fine with the ale.”

Harry growled and turned to his left, throwing open the basement door.

“Tomlinson! Come here, now!” Harry screamed, making his way to the bottom of the steps to see Sophia collecting the plate and Louis standing up in alarm, his eyes still unsettlingly red.

“Attwater. Jr made a bolt for it out the door. You will help me go fetch him and Ms. Stone will take my place in the shower with Master. Attwater. I will not repeat myself, so I suggest you caught those instructions the first time.” Harry warned, waving Louis after him who followed up the end to keep up with the long-legged leader.

“Huh? In the shower…with…what the fuck?” Sophia scratched her head and bounded up the steps in confusion.

Niall wore a pleasant smile, taking the dish from her and walking back to the sink to begin his cleanup. Liam just sat in his chair, sipping his now lukewarm tea with little to no interest in the events that were taking place and Sophia stood there utterly confused as the door had slammed closed a moment before her feet got up the steps.

“I’m supposed to go in the bathroom? Shower, Attwater?” Sophia asked, scratching her head.

“Harry and Zayn were bathing Jace when Daylen bolted, Liam’s fault.” Niall accused, pointing to the other man.

Liam grunted though said nothing else.

“So – I take Harry’s place showering Jace with Zayn? Yeah, that’s not going to end well for me, no thanks. I’d rather get whipped to Hell and back.” Sophia decided, going to her chair and sitting down heavily into it.

“Defiance is a dangerous thing around here, Angel.” Liam warned, grunting again and getting up to reheat his tea.

“Fine, but I’m taking a page from Louis’s book though.” Sophia insisted with a deepened glare, going to the bag that had been dropped by the worn couch and unzipping it, spotting a grenade.

Potatoes forgot to mention the hidden compartment where five others were stashed and Harry’s ill-thinking in setting them in the main compartment prompted Sophia to grab one.

This did not go unnoticed by Niall.

“Uh – so, Liam…fancy a run, yeah?” Niall asked, his eyes giving way to shock and fear.

“No. Why would I?” Liam looked confused, turning to Niall who was frantically pointing to Sophia.

Liam made the mistake of turning around.

“Oh, screw me. Um, ZAYN!” Liam panicked.

It was silent for a moment before his irate voice broke through from down the hall.

“I’m busy! What the fuck do you want!?” Zayn yelled, watching Sophia fist the grenade and walk toward the bathroom with a broken finger gripping the pin.

“Nothing! We’re gonna go visit my pigeon-squirrel Kevin, later mate!” Niall yelled, grabbing Liam’s shoulder as they both bolted out the front door and down the path.

“Harry!? Hey Harry?! We have a teeny tiny situation at the cabin!” Niall called, praying Harry was at least close by.

“Teeny?! Tiny?! More like a potential disaster! HARRY!? SOPHIA HAS A GRENADE!” Liam yelled, stopping short by where the new car was parked.

“A-are w-we sure this is far e-enough?” Niall asked while simultaneously trying to catch his breath.

“No!” Liam turned on him with a growl.

Niall held his hands out in surrender.

“Just a query, mate. Chill. Okay, so – redhead with a grenade…could be worse.” Niall decided, making Liam’s mouth fall open as his counterpart took to leaning against the newly stolen car.

“I don’t see how this could possibly get any worse!” Liam exclaimed, coming to lean by the car with him.

Niall shrugged.

“She could have found the bazooka or even worse, we could be Zayn.” Niall grinned, flinching when Liam slapped him across the head.

“Get serious, Horan!” Liam hissed, hearing a panicked yell from in the distance they had just ran from.

“Zayn.” Both men said in perfect unison.

“We’re over here, mate!” Niall called, his voice carrying through the trees.

It took a moment, but the panicked footsteps etched closer and Zayn entered their sights, pointing wildly behind him.

“She has an explosive and tried to shove it down my pants! How the fuck did she get a hold of one of those?!” Zayn yelled, his eyes reflecting a sort of fear that only Sophia could achieve.

“Well, we watched her grab one from the weapons bag and then decided it was a good time as any to go for a run.” Niall pointed out, making Liam roll his eyes.

“You sure you want to go with that, Niall?” Liam asked sardonically, glancing at Zayn who looked like he just had a near death experience.

“Harry calls her the redheaded demon bitch sometimes – are we really surprised? She did say she was taking a page from Louis’s book – though I doubt even Lou is that fucking bonkers.” Niall shrugged.

“Oh, Lou is that fucking crazy. I vote we keep those two far fucking away from each other. That’s what I vote! Liam? You’re the voice of reason. Go back in there and get that damn grenade off her.” Zayn pointed back towards the cabin, making Liam snort in disbelief and Niall to shake his head.

“I’m not going back in there until Harry gives an all clear, I am staying right here and wait to see if she blows up the cabin.” Liam told him firmly, eyes planted to the edge of the clearing where they had run.

“Well, we need to find Harry then, because I am not going back in there without proper protection.” Zayn insisted, rubbing his thigh where she had forced the grenade – right before she forced him against the bathroom wall and shoved it down his pants – with the pin still thankfully in place. Otherwise Zayn wouldn’t currently be standing where he was in panic.

“What did you do to her? Besides the obvious. She doesn’t just lose it like that” Niall asked with speculation.

“Nothing and this is really not the time to accuse me as the guilty party, huh?” Zayn shot back, looking around, walking between two dying trees and leaning against them heavily.

“Well, we need to do something. I’m going to go this way and look for Harry, you two take the opposite ends and see if you can spot either Harry or Louis. I have a feeling Lou would be able to talk more sense into her than Harry – or any of us really.” Liam pointed while heading West, Zayn taking North and Niall taking South because no one wanted to head East due to the obvious reason.

*

“I think I scared him.” Sophia smiled, putting the grenade in the bathroom sink and going to where Jace’s bound and nude form was hunched in the corner of the shower, his legs pulled up to protect himself from exposure.

“You did just throw him against the wall, threaten him and shove explosive material down his pants in the course of all but ten seconds. I’ve never seen someone run that fast in my entire life.” Jace said, shivering at the cold air on his soaked skin, the nozzle of the showerhead spraying away to the other side of the small space where it had been dropped when she caught Zayn off guard.

Sophia hummed an agreement, pulling out Harry’s phone and shutting the water off while simultaneously bending down next to Jace.

“What’s your father’s number, lad? Harry and Louis are looking for Daylen, according to Harry he escaped out the front door.” Sophia explained, the phone already open.

“He what?! I told him not to!” Jace panicked, struggling in the cuffs that held his wrists behind his back, clipped onto a chain that was locked to his waist.

“Shh, relax. That’s why I’m doing this now. I know when they get back with Harry, he will assign extra security as precaution and sadly, that won’t let me have easy access to you. Just do not mention my name or Harry’s if you can. Just tell your dad that you’re safe and that you have someone helping you try to escape and should be back with him soon. No more, no less, okay?” Sophia pleaded.

Jace swallowed nervously.

“Why are you doin’ this? I don’t deserve this, my brother though – “Jace paused, making Sophia nod her head.

“Maybe, but I don’t want to see another family go through the same tragedy that I did. I may think the eldest boy is a prick of the most deplorable nature – he is though still just a boy and that is why I’m doing this.” Sophia answered his question, waiting patiently for the number.

“And you’re only a few years older. What makes me just a boy and you something else?” Jace asked, relenting to her intense gaze and giving her his father’s number.

“Because my innocence was taken from me. I was ignorant, but now I’m not so blinded anymore. Everything has become much clearer and I may be making the stupidest mistake of my life…though I truly have nothing else to lose and knowing that, well, sometimes you have to put others before yourself.” Sophia explained, her fingers dialing the numbers and putting it on speaker.

The phone rang three times, picking up on the fourth.

“Jace?” Senior Attwater sounded hopeful.

“Dad! Dad, listen, I’m alright. I was kidnapped, but I met someone…they’re gonna help Daylen and I escape, please don’t leave England without us.” Jace pleaded, a tear slipping from his eyes and his voice cracking as he begged the oldest Attwater.

“Daylen is okay, right?” His dad dismissed his son’s words, concern clearly for the youngest brother.

“Yes, he’s fine. I been keeping him sa – “Jace started, but was cut off.

“Clearly you haven’t. If you had, he would not be with you there. I swear Jace, what do I have to do to convince you that this is not a game?” His dad sighed in disappointment.

“I tried. I tried to protect him, but they were too strong to fight off. Our door was kicked in and we were put out with a shot. I did fight them. I swear on my grave, dad.” Jace promised, sucking in a sob that threatened to leave his throat. It was the most vulnerable Sophia had ever seen the young man.

“Suck it up, Jace. You know you could have done better and I saw the surveillance. You fooled around and they got the best of you – also, why was Daniel Stone’s daughter in our hotel suite with Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson? Jace, if this is your idea of a sick fucking joke, I am NOT amused.” His father yelled from the other line.

Jace let out a growl, losing his own patience.

“It’s not a fucking joke! They came in, Sophia grabbed Daylen – but she for some unknown reason gave him a knife and allowed him to get to the bathroom. She’s the one whose helping us to get back, if you just give her some time –“ Jace pleaded, his father’s words brisk when he spoke again.

“If something should happen to Daylen, don’t bother coming back. I’ve had it with you and your attitude.” His father huffed.

Sophia could only kneel there and listen in shock. It’s a good thing Jace’s hands were chained down – or the phone might not be functional.

“This coming from someone whose fucking an English cunt behind mom’s back, I can’t say I’m surprised.” Jace hit back.

“You have twenty-four hours to get back to the hotel. If you are not back, I will leave without you.” The older man threatened, hanging up on the younger man.

It was quiet for a few moments, each person stuck in their own thoughts.

“Would he truly – “Sophia began cautiously, approaching the conversation with as much gentleness as she could.

“My father has left me in worse places. Hell, I was in Beijing China and got separated from him and my brother. He left me there, but mom made him send for a plane ticket back…economy.” Jace muttered, making Sophia laugh a little, despite the tense story.

“I’m beginning to believe he loves Daylen more than me, you heard him. He’s been this way since I told him I wasn’t sure about following in his footsteps. The business world is always so cold – you would know. Your father is pretty brutal himself.”

He stated, his brown eyes staring into Sophia’s own. It was a look of complete helplessness and the older girl couldn’t really find words to comfort him in this situation.

“He was,” She agreed after a short period of momentary silence. “His problems are over though, mine are unfortunately constant nowadays it would seem.”

Jace simply kept his stare, shaking his hands against the cuffs.

“I have twenty-four ho – “His voice died in his throat when the bathroom door slammed open.

Sophia stuffed the phone back into her pocket in a hurry, throwing the showerhead back on.

Without looking, she reached up calmly and took the shampoo from the shelf and dumped some on Jace’s head, setting down the bottle and using her good hand to rub it in.

“Sophia?” Harry called, his teeth grinding together.

“Yes, sir?” Sophia hummed lightly, her hand soaping up his chest – which would have been alright if she had bothered to grab the soap.

“Zayn.” Harry pointed out flatly while trying not to scream at her in front of the hostage. He stepped behind them to watch her reaction.

It was quiet for a moment, Sophia’s lip twitching.

“What about him, sir?” Sophia asked, grabbing the washcloth and lemon soap.

It was quiet again, her hand gently soaping his chest and humming an unknown song.

“He told me you shoved TNT down his trousers? I’d hate to think this was true.” Harry replied, his green eyes turning more jaded.

Sophia shrugged, turning around to glance up at the leader.

“Grenade and I technically didn’t shove it down his pants, sir. I was here to do as you asked, but Zayn didn’t want my help. So, when he didn’t let me, I threw him against the wall like he had done to me earlier and smashed it against his crotch – may have threatened him too, but come on, I’m fucking useless right now.” Sophia gestured to herself to play off her helplessness.

Harry snorted, a smirk passing his lips.

“Yeah, because you didn’t shove a cactus against a chap’s balls or go Bruce Lee on Tiny? Lass, I may have been born, but I was not born yesterday. Don’t start lying to me now. I hate liars.” Harry scowled by the time he finished.

Sophia rolled her eyes.

“Fine, I did. However, I was not coming in here unarmed and you know damn well he’s unpredictable. You knew he would attack me if I was left alone with him. I wasn’t going to be his victim again, so yeah, I shoved the goddamn grenade down his knickers. He screamed like a bitch and ran away.” She explained honestly.

Harry shook his head.

“I think you’ve been around Louis way too much. He and you are not to be around one another unless others are present or I order it.” Harry decided, bending down next to her and taking the showerhead, washing the shampoo out of Jace’s hair.

“Please – “Jace begged, feeling extremely violated; especially when Harry took the washcloth from Sophia and began to wash away the soap from his body.

“Almost done. Hang on a tick longer, hm?” Harry murmured, pointing to the conditioner.

Sophia nodded and poured the conditioner onto Jace’s head, massaging it into his scalp.

“Please stop, I – I can’t breathe.” Jace pleaded, his breath now coming out ragged.

Harry stopped and reached over to halt Sophia’s action as well.

“What’s wrong?” Harry asked patiently, eyeing his hostage with apprehension.

“I – I, I need you to stop touching me, please.” Jace wheezed, his eyes going to Sophia with these panicked browns.

“Okay, let’s wash this off you and then we’ll get you dressed, okay?” Sophia calmed, seeing Harry continue his actions until the shampoo and conditioner were washed out thoroughly.

“Go and get his nightwear. I believe Liam laid out a red flannel shirt and some matching pants on the bed,” Harry ordered, watching her thin form stand up and head toward the hall, but another thought entered and he called out to her again. “Sophia? There should be a sedative on the nightstand, grab that too.”

“Okay, sir.” Sophia replied back soberly.

Jace sat up quickly, protesting.

“I been behaved!” He exclaimed, trying to shake his hands unsuccessfully from the cuffs.

Harry noticed the panicked look of the younger boy and shushed his anxiety by putting his hand on the lad’s bare shoulder so he could try and explain.

“Yes, but it’s just Sophia and I until Louis and the others find your brother. It’s not going to put you out, it is only going to make you feel tired. Relax.” He told him, pushing the boy’s shoulders back so he was resting against the wall of the shower.

“Please don’t do this to me, man. I – it’s not fair. It’s not right either. Why do you need us? Why can’t you just let us go?” Jace fired his queries at Harry, begging him for an answer.

Harry just remained silent, using his one hand to keep the boy against the wall.

It was silent for a moment, save for the lad’s sharp breathing.

Harry knew the lad was expecting an answer, but what could he say?

He sighed and shrugged slightly.

“Life isn’t fair, Jace. I’ll let you in on a little secret here; I was kidnapped by my father at thirteen and trained in this life ever since. If you are expecting me to let you go because of morality, I’m afraid you will be let down. I have very little of it left in me. However, you are right. It isn’t fair. For you or Daylen, but Damien ordered this and unfortunately, it was you two that he needed. Your father – “Jace interrupted Harry at that point.

“My father won’t pay ransom, except for maybe Daylen. He won’t pay it for me though, you have to believe me.” Jace panicked, leaning forward to push against his captor’s hand.

Harry held his grip firm.

“It’s not about ransom. It’s about the pharmaceutical company and nothing more. He had hoped to deter your father, which obviously didn’t work,” Harry grit his teeth to keep the agitation out of it. “Now my job is to wait for my orders and when I know them, you will. Okay? Until then, you need to work with me here.”

Jace shook his head, slamming it back against the wall, his eyes staring up to the white ceiling.

“I’m not stupid. No one who gets taken by you ever comes back alive.” He stated with conviction, looking at the reproaching footsteps, seeing Sophia come in with his nightwear and sedative.

“Sophia was taken by me and she is alive and well.” Harry said, pointing out the obvious.

Jace shook his head.

“Look at her! How could you consider her condition to be well? She’s scarred and damaged.” Jace challenged tiredly, the water being shut off beside him.

Harry clicked his tongue, not bothering to hide his annoyance as he had before.

“Everything has a price, lad. I’m not going to sit here and feed you false hope. Yes, there is a fair chance that you and Daylen will die. Right now, however, is not that time. So, no use worrying about it.” Harry dismissed, eyeing Sophia when she knelt back down next to him.

“Here are the items you requested, sir.” Sophia showed him, handing him the syringe.

He took it with a nod, uncapping and injecting it into Jace’s shoulder.

Jace groaned, slamming his head against the wall one last time.

Sophia shushed him with a sympathetic look and a small gesture of kindness when she reached her hand up to brush away the wet brown strands of hair from his face.

“I’m trying here, Sophia. I am.” Jace moaned pitifully as he felt the strength he had moments before leave him in a small exhale of breath.

“I know you are, luv. Come on, yeah? To bed with you, everything will look better in a few hours when the medication has left your system.” Sophia promised, looking at Harry to see what his next movement would be.

Harry just stared at her with a cocked brow, though he was unsuspecting and It was merely a silent question to accompany Jace’s statement.

“What about Daylen? You’re not going to hurt him, are you? He’s just a little boy.” Jace shook his head to try and fight the dizziness that was swirling around his vision.

“Louis is out looking for him, but no, I’m not going to physically hurt him. He is going to have to be punished for running off though. He will be locked up in the basement tonight, that’s not negotiable.” Harry said, pulling the boy from the ground and walking him over to the corner of the room by the now barred window, setting him down into the chair and taking out the key to his cuffs.

“He’s afraid of the dark.” Jace pleaded, his head leaning back on the overstuffed cushion, water dripping from his body.

“Dry him off.” Harry ignored Jace and motioned to the towel that was folded neatly on the small table.

Sophia took it without a word and gently wiped him down, not really uncomfortable because of having to watch Harry be dressed and undressed daily when they were both laid up from Damien’s visit. It was like second nature – that and sometimes the door was left open to where Sophia could see Louis’s naked ass stumbling blindly to the bathroom at all hours of the night – so, really, it wasn’t that awkward for her anymore.

The soft purple towel was wiped down his arms, giving Harry a chance to unbutton the flannel and help the nearly unconscious lad into it.

“Help me lift him if you can, I need to get his trousers up.” Harry directed, kneeling down to put Jace’s feet in the correct holes.

With that done, Sophia and Harry helped to lift him up, with Sophia steadying the younger boy and Harry pulling the material over to recover his hips, offering the lad some dignity.

Sophia was losing her grip so Harry grabbed the boy’s body and set him back into the chair again.

“Y-you promised. I’m trying and you promised.” Jace sobbed, his thoughts incoherent.

“I’m not going to hurt him.” Harry assured, looking to Sophia and noticed her eyes furrowed with intense thought.

“He needs bed. Let’s get him into it and then I can go help search for Daylen.” Sophia said after a moment of critical thinking.

“You won’t be helping with the search. You are going to go and clean the dishes in the kitchen.” Harry told her, hauling the lanky, but well-built lad from the chair, Sophia beside him helped as they made their way back to the hostage room.

“That’s Niall’s job.” Sophia returned with a grunt, glad to be getting rid of the access weight of Jace when they settled him back onto his bed.

Harry threw his legs up and began to restrain him with the ten point straps again.

“Yeah? Well, Niall is refusing to come back inside and Zayn too. Liam is just waiting to see if the cabin blows up – the mean-spirited sod.” Harry muttered, using his muscles to pull the strap taunt against the prisoner’s hips, making the boy grown in discomfort.

“Then let me make it up to you for causing unneeded turmoil.” Sophia suggested, using her good hand to tie down Jace’s right wrist and arm.

There was silence for a moment, Harry’s eyes focused on the task at hand.

When he finally spoke, it wasn’t very promising and Sophia knew his walls were up again, if not higher than before.

“I’ve given you an order, you will follow it. Is that understood?” Harry looked back at her, his eyes a beautiful deep green. He was getting angry and Sophia did not understand quite why.

“Yes, of course, but – “Sophia started, her cheek slapping to the side harshly.

“No buts. No anything. You are to say only yes sir or no sir. Now, do you understand?” Harry asked again, this time more forcefully.

“Yes, sir.” Sophia gave up, rubbing her cheek and wishing she could get a momentary break from the abuse.

“Good. I’m glad we can understand one another.” Harry nodded stiffly, finishing up with tying Jace down the rest of the way, not realizing that Sophia had tied the lad’s wrist too loose.

“May I ask you something, sir?” Sophia stood up, following Harry from the room, turning to the side to observe him lock the captive into the room.

“If you absolutely must.” Harry grumbled, walking out toward the kitchen, but then made his way over towards the basement, going down the short flight of steps.

Sophia followed behind him like a lost puppy.

“Will I ever be able to do anything right in your eyes? Will you ever accept me and call me an equal? Even Belle accepted the beast and I accept you, why can you not do the same?” Sophia asked quietly, her wrapped hand going to Harry’s shoulder.

Harry threw it off with a grunt and went to the other side of the room, throwing boxes away from the walls.

Sophia watched him, disappointed in his response, but she knew in her heart that he would never answer. So, she tried a lighter question.

“What are you looking for, luv?” She treaded cautiously with the nickname, not knowing what she could get away with.

He stopped with a sigh of annoyance.

“Zayn’s cage. We stored it down here somewhere when it was no longer useful. I am putting Daylen into it for the night. He must learn that there are consequences for his action...and don’t call me luv.” Harry said after a brief pause, kicking one of the boxes aside with force.

Sophia could only shake her head and that didn’t go unnoticed by Harry.

“I believe I gave you an order, luv.” He mocked her term of endearment right back, slamming his fist into the wall when he couldn’t spot the metal crate.

Sophia took a step forward.

“Harry? Calm down, let me help you find it.” Sophia try to pacify, but that only made Harry’s walls harden and she could tell that he was about to lash out at her. “If you want to hit me, then hit me. It seems to make you feel better, but I can’t wash dishes. I can’t hold any weight on my injured hand. So go on, do it and be done with it.” She finished with challenge, stepping in front of him and grabbing his hand to put to her cheek.

“It’s not like it bothers me anymore. You’re a brute and I get that, but don’t pretend you don’t fucking care about me or any of this. I stayed because I’m hoping for another way out. Be it honorably or dishonorably. I don’t care anymore. I stayed for the group’s benefit, not mine. Because unlike half the human race, I actually give a damn. About you, about Louis and even Zayn, Niall and Liam. So, hit me if it pleases your over compensated power hungry ego.”

Harry’s eyes were black and his hand sat rigid against her cheek. It was like an internal battle and for a moment, Sophia needed to hear him say something, so she softened her voice and pressed his hand a little harder against her flesh.

“If you didn’t give a damn, you wouldn’t be fighting so hard to maintain the world’s weight on your shoulders. You wouldn’t be fighting so hard to keep the world going around here and I get that. But, Harry? You aren’t alone, luv. You never are and if you just opened your eyes a little more, you would see that. You care about your men. You have to in some small way, because you’ve been together with them since you were young. I only want to see you thrive as a leader and I will do anything, but I can’t do it unless you show me. Guide me and I won’t disappoint you.” Sophia paused, dropping his hand from her cheek when he made no move to hit her.

Instead, he just stared at her in the calm way that only Harry could and clicked his tongue against his teeth in thought.

“No.” Harry decided, shaking his head and walking away to the other side of the room to look there for the cage.

Sophia didn’t bother to follow him, she just looked on to watch her leader.

“No what?” Sophia asked, taking a small step towards the steps, figuring she could go and help with finding Daylen. Maybe Louis could teach her how to track.

“You asked me if I will ever see you as an equal, that if you will ever be able to do something right in my eyes and the answer is no. This isn’t a fairytale, Sophia and like I’ve stated before, I am not a prince and you are not a princess or country bumpkin.” Harry finished, letting out a sigh when he had no luck on that side either.

Sophia didn’t say anything, she simply went diagonal to him and moved a few boxes with her good hand, revealing the wall and the collapsed metal bars.

“Then I shall take my leave to go and help the others search for your hostage. By the way, I found your cage. It’s over here.” She pointed, watching Harry turn around and walk next to her, eyeing the box and hauling it from the wall.

“Thank you. Now, go find Zayn. If you want to learn how to track – he’s the right person to teach you.” Harry nodded to the stairs, indicating for her to go.

Sophia just shook her head, following up the short flight to go do as he ordered. She was done trying to fight for a soul that couldn’t be saved and his couldn’t. He was so infuriating, yet the attraction despite that was still around him. He was alluring and beautiful, but damaged.

“Aren’t we all?” Sophia thought bitterly, making her way outside.

She looked around, deciding to head towards the West, after all – the forest paths all lead back to the cabin. If she got lost, she could just follow one and be lead back again.

“When did things get so cocked up?” Sophia wondered aloud, following down the path to find Zayn. She knew he had to be around about, especially if he was able to find Harry and tattle on her.

“Zayn?! Hey Zayn, where are you?!” Sophia called, walking in the direction of where Harry parks his cars.

“Sod off you deplorably detested cunt!” Zayn snapped when she neared the path by the newly stolen car and Harry’s other Range Rover.

“Language.” Sophia hissed in warning, seeing him standing next to Liam and Niall.

“Fine. How’s this? Piss off you deplorable, disgusting demon spawn of hell!” Zayn growled back, his honey dews darkening in contrast at the very sight of the redhead.

Sophia didn’t bat an eye; she nodded in approval as if it were tamer than a deplorable cunt.

“Better. I was sent out here on Harry’s orders – if you hadn’t guessed.” She pointed to the slight red mark where he had slapped her.

“And? You want a biscuit or something from that?” Zayn quipped back sarcastically.

Sophia rolled her eyes, already tired of his attitude.

“No. I was told to come to you to learn how to track. He says you and the others are supposed to be looking for Daylen. Harry is setting up a cage in the basement for him.” Sophia said, eyeing the ground.

It was quiet for a moment and that in turn made Sophia glance back up at the three men. Even Zayn seemed a little sullener.

“My cage?” He finally asked.

Sophia shrugged.

“I don’t know, it was a large dog crate.” She answered him with a matching tone.

Zayn nodded and turned from her, walking further down the path.

“That was mine. Come, if Harry ordered me to show you how to track – then we have a lot of work to cover today.” Zayn dismissed, not stopping his long strides.

Sophia sighed and walked after him, though not at all trusting.

Niall and Liam headed back East towards the cabin, figuring the coast was clear.

*

Louis sat at the top of one of the trees overlooking the serene spot of the river, the quiet flow of water calming him into a tranquil state.

He had been sent after the boy, but he really couldn’t be arsed with tracking him. Daylen was near, but the boy would be found in his own time and even then, he knew Harry would punish the lad for running off. They had done it with Sophia and others before her. It was something he didn’t feel like witnessing or being a part of again. His heart just wasn’t into it.

Then again, it wasn’t into much at the moment.

Humming softly to himself, Louis continued to watch the stream of water trickle down the slick rocks, making a continuous lapping sound of softly woven string like silk. It was continuous and calming that he briefly wondered why it took him so long to come out here.

“Because Harry is a twat.” Louis muttered with decision, taking a long drag of his leaf made joint.

Being that he didn’t have a specific time to report to his master, Louis had nicked Zayn’s lighter, found some leaves and stole some weed off his plant to make for a peaceful time by himself. He didn’t want to be alone, but he didn’t want to risk bringing anyone else down into his misery either.

The more he sucked on the tip of the leaf and burned the weed inside it, it was undoubtedly clear that even the pot couldn’t cheer him up as it normally did and he couldn’t get stupid stoned, because then Harry would notice.

“Bugger it.” Louis decided, smashing what was left against the tree to put it out.

He jumped down from the tree and made his way a little more out, following the small stream to the edge of the small river, far away from the trails. Not many people knew of this place. He and Zayn were the only ones as far as he knew and being as this was literally unpaved, he doubted Harry would even venture this far to begin with.

He did however, get the distinct feeling that the tyke that escaped would and he also knew the kid wasn’t stupid.

Sighing tiredly, he rubbed his fingers over his eyes and knelt down to the dirt to see if it had been recently disturbed.

It hadn’t.

“Okay, large forest; small kid. Where would I hide if I was his age and being pursued by a bunch of unstable blokes?” Louis asked himself sarcastically.

He really wasn’t in the mood to play hide and seek with a runaway, but hey, Harry ordered it and heaven forbid the master should be disobeyed.

“What’s he going to murder next? My imaginary goldfish?” Louis continued to rant, pausing in the thought. “No, he’d get me one and then proceed to cook it in front of my eyes just to be a dick.” He decided once more.

The trees thickened into large groves, making Louis stop and sigh when he figured the lad wouldn’t have traveled this far.

“Where are ya, kid? It’s going to rain soon and you will end up catching your death.” Louis wondered, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

There were no footprints and the ground looked unbothered by ether humor or animal.

“Right, back-walk then, yeah?” Louis asked himself, walking back a step and then heading East into a new direction.

It was roundabout an hour before he heard it.

At first it was silent, but Louis soon zoomed in on the small bouts of movement – along with the quiet crying in the short distance ahead.

“Lad? Come on, mate. It’s going to pour like a puddle of cats and dogs soon. You will catch your death; we need to go back to the cabin.” Louis called softly, trying to avoid frightening the boy more than he was.

“No shot, please.” Daylen pleaded, his voice a croak from crying so much.

“No shot, lad. I’m unarmed, I promise. Whereabouts, are you? I just want to talk.” Louis promised, nearing where he had heard his small cries.

“I’m stuck.” Daylen relented with a cry, moving to catch Louis’s attention.

The older man hurried to the sound, a good-natured laugh escaping his lips despite the despair blackening his heart inside.

“A swift one you are, lad. How on earth –“ He paused, seeing Daylen’s feet sticking out of the small burrow of an old fox hole, the dug earth barely big enough to fit the growing boy – which in turn wedged his frame against packed earth and rendered him helpless in the process as his shoulders couldn’t move to allow him to move forward or backward.

“I got scared, Liam was gonna give me shot an’ I didn’ wan’ it. ‘m ‘fraid of needles,” Daylen replied, sniffling a little. “Please get me ou’.”

Louis walked over and knelt by the younger boy’s feet.

“Alright, lad. I’ll get you out, hold tight,” Louis calmed, looking in to see the poor boy. “Man, you really got yourself into a hole.” He smirked at the double innuendo.

“No’ funny. Please pull me ou, ‘m scared of the dark.” Daylen pleaded.

Louis shushed him again, grabbing Daylen around the ankles.

“It’s a good thing I came along then, isn’t it? Because when it rains out here these holes have a habit of filling with water. What you did was incredibly stupid. I understand you’re scared, but please don’t run away like that again, okay? Your brother is the one who is going to end up being punished for it. I don’t want to see Harry hurt him or you.” Louis explained, pulling back to try and get him unstuck.

Daylen’s body strained against Louis’s pull, stretching out his lanky body.

“Ouch!” Daylen yelled, his shoulders jamming against some buried roots.

“For the bloody love of my great drunk aunt Mildred!” Louis exploded, dropping the kid’s feet. “Why did you have to bury yourself in a bloody hole, lad? Are all you Americans dumb like this? Amazing, really. Positively so.” Louis finished, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

Daylen started to cry again, his small chest heaving and his quiet cries echoing from the hole a second later.

“Oh, fuck my great aunt Cecilia with an inbred skunk. I’m sorry, I’ve really not had a good day, mate. Let me try again and if I can’t get you, I’ll go get Ha – “He paused, feeling the first drop of rain.

“It’s official, God hates me. Then again, I’ve done everything to deserve it, haven’t I?” He asked rhetorically up to the sky in defeat.

“He loves ‘veryone. Even if they don’ love ‘im.” Daylen replied, his small breath still restricted by his panic.

“Fine, then his sense of humor fucking sucks.” Louis gave up, throwing his hands in the air and slapping them down on his knees.

“My shoulders are caught against roots.” Daylen told him, wiggling a little and making the older bloke panic.

“Bloody Nora! Don’t move! You’re going to get yourself jammed more.” Louis yelled.

Daylen stilled.

“What I do then?”

Louis wanted to retort something sarcastic, but he knew the kid was already high-wired.

“You stay as still as a mannequin and don’t move a Goddamn muscle, that’s what you do lad, because if I don’t get you out of there and soon, you’re going to end up drowning. It’s coming down out here good now and is only a matter of time before it saturates the ground and starts going into there.” Louis responded calmly, the sky’s tears falling down onto his head and soaking his brown locks to his face while his clothes clung to him from absorbing nature’s element.

“Just pull me ou’ please!” Daylen begged, panicking and struggling in the hole, kicking his legs back and forth.

“For the love of smurf cookies! Please, lad? Please stop.” Louis tried to shush him, grabbing hold of his feet and pulling again out of desperation to get the boy to calm down.

Daylen screamed, his body giving a little as it scraped past the jagged roots.

“I want mom! Please let me go ‘ome! I wanna go ‘ome!” Daylen screamed, his chest heaving in exertion and sobs.

Louis gave one more pull and Daylen’s body was now free from the hole.

The boy turned sharply and clung onto Louis with every ounce of strength he had. His blonde hair weighing down with the water pelting him and his once clean clothes a sopping mess of muck.

“Take me ‘ome.” He pleaded to Louis once more, his small arms around the older gentleman.

Louis knelt there frozen, but eventually he returned the little boy’s embrace, knowing it was the comfort her needed right then.

“Oh Soph, what have you done to me?” Louis asked himself, closing his eyes and rocking the smaller lad slightly, their bodies swaying in the cold rain by the abandoned foxhole.

“You can take me ‘ome, right? You can give us back to dad.” Daylen pleaded with Louis one last time.

Louis kept his eyes closed, because he simply couldn’t stand to look at the sight of the crying boy. It was a conflict of interest and he knew that in his heart, he couldn’t help the brothers – even if he had wanted to.

“Shhh, come now, lad. You’re a strong kid. You got this.” Louis calmed, using the same gentle tone that he had with Sophia on occasions. He found it worked the best.

He felt the boy’s grip loosen and in turn was able to pry the boy gently off him.

When Louis got a look at their hostage, the small part of his heart that had not already been shattered physically began hurting at the beautiful and helpless brown eyes that stared back at him.

“Come on, we’ll take up shelter until the rain slows down,” Louis told him, using the pad of his thumb to wipe the stray tears, standing up and helping him to his feet. “Just stop crying. You’re breaking my fricken heart. Besides, I got something cool to show you. I can make things disappear.”

He grabbed Daylen’s wrist gently and began to lead him to a drier spot.

Notes