The Silence That Screams

Louis’ POV:

Liam jerked the cabin door open with panicked force, his eyes as wide as quarters.

“You three are plastered on every God-forsaken tele channel this side of England!” Liam informed the small group, gesturing toward the TV to solidify his blatant point.

Louis pushed passed the doctor and headed into the homely cabin, Sophia’s unconscious body in his arms.

“Yup, already aware, thanks for the bulletin. Now, be a lamb and go fetch some zip ties for me, doc. We have a hostage that needs to get settled.” Louis butted in before Harry could reply.

Liam’s brow furrowed.

“You weren’t sent on a hostage – “Liam began, but when Louis whirled around to face him, his eyes had gone from cerulean blue to a dark murky pool of annoyance.

“Meet Sophia Stone, Liam.” He introduced sarcastically, dumping Sophia into Liam’s unprepared arms.

“She needs a checkup, mind doing that while I go get the ties? Seeing as you seem to be stuck back a page or two and not following along with the rest of the class.” He snarked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Liam looked down at the girl, her damp clothes clinging to her skin uncomfortably.

He then looked back up at Louis.

“You were supposed to kill – “Liam tried again, but Louis rolled his eyes and made a ‘psh’ sound, turning around to make his way down the right side of the hall toward his room.

Harry stood awkwardly scratching the back of his head, staring at the doctor as a child would when they’re lost.

“Damien know?” Liam decided to ask Zayn, seeing as he was the only one that looked open to queries.

Zayn snorted.

Nope, he wasn’t up for a logical chat either.

“Yeah, you could say that.” He replied almost sardonically, his feet leading him to the bathroom for a well needed shower. Since Harry and Louis would be busy with their temporary hostage, he was using the facility first.

Liam looked back at Harry.

“Um – can you set her down on the couch for me? I need to go get my medic bag if you want me to check her over.” Liam asked awkwardly.

He wasn’t comfortable holding the girl.

Harry stood there blinking slowly, the question unheard against the screaming echoes already whirling about in his head.

Niall had been in the kitchen, but since the kitchen and living quarter attached together as one main room he had heard and seen everything up to that point.

“Harry!” Liam tried again, watching in disbelief as the young leader seemed to check out and walk passed him to where Louis had gone.

Niall waited until Harry’s back was turned and heading down the short hallway to rush for Liam and help the doctor out by taking the girl in his arms and placing her on the couch.

“Thanks, lad.” Liam said, clapping the Irish man on the back.

Niall slid the back of his hand against the palm of the other with a nod.

Liam returned the gesture and proceeded to turn Sophia on her side so the handcuffs she was wearing were easy access for Louis when he returned.

Unlike anyone else in the group, Louis was the only one in their group who knew how to pick a lock in record time.

Harry could pick them depending on the type, but it was Tomlinson’s skill that made it easier to enter into places they needed to be.

“You know, mate? I don’t remember the last time we had a lass here – few years ago, was it?” Liam thought back, snapping his fingers a moment later. “Ah – yeah, Tomlinson’s si –“

Louis came back into the room, his eyes as icy as a Winter’s storm.

Harry was trailing behind.

“I’m just saying Louis, we know what’s going to happen.” Harry argued, his one hand going to his hip.

Louis went over to Sophia wordlessly, a pick in one hand and black ties in the other.

Uncomfortable silence drifted over the group, because Harry raised a point – Damien would not let this go unpunished and usually for events such as this, there was only one outcome.

“Yup, most certain, but why are we worrying over it right now? Leave it go Harry.” Louis replied to the discussion they were having, his eyes concentrating on Sophia.

Louis swiftly got to work in unchaining the girl’s hands, the cuffs dropping off her abused wrists in mere seconds.

He gestured sarcastically to them, before glancing at Liam.

“Bandage, clean, do – “Louis started, but Harry interrupted.

“She needs shower and fresh clothes, Lou.” Harry decided to let the morbid fact of a slow death hanging above them dwindle to second priority for the moment, because the blatant thing was, they could do fuck all and Louis had already refused to believe in the worst-case scenario.

So, there they were. Standing in the living-kitchen area and discussing how they should go about taking care of the hostage – a hostage who should have already been dead.

Louis turned to look back at Harry, eyes narrowed.

“Yeah, I know. I’m getting them to clean her scrapes beforehand so when I shower her, it minimizes the risk of infection. Right now, they should stop focusing so much on my good looks and concentrate on doing what I asked them to.” He eyed Liam more than Niall.

With Niall he simply signed to him and pointed back to the kitchen.

The Irish bloke narrowed his eyes, flipped him off and sauntered back to the familiar room he barely left.

Harry watched him go, brow raised at Louis.

“Mind telling me what you said to him?” Harry asked, feeling a slight pang of uneasiness as his eyes caught the long black scarf around the lad’s neck.

They all knew why Niall wore it – they were there to witness the reason first hand.

He shook the immediate thought away as it started to materialize, focusing instead on Sophia. For some reason, he wasn’t feeling all that bad for her.

“I told him supper wasn’t going to cook itself and I’m starved – may of said something about usefulness – but it would help if you had taken some time to learn sign language. Just saying, I seem to be the only one around here who gave a damn to try.” Louis muttered, watching Liam get up to go and get his bag.

“I’m still learning, Lou. You picked it up quicker than I.” Liam called from down the hall where he had disappeared.

There was a touch of defense etched in his tone, making Louis shrug.

“Meh, whatever. Just clean her and let me know when you’re done so I can give her a shower,” Louis dismissed, staring at Harry intently. “Unless of course you’d like to help?”

The way it was worded so strongly, Harry was certain Louis wasn’t just asking.

Staring at him for a long moment, Harry decided it was time for a few hours of sleep.

“Nope. I’ll let you take care of that, mate. Have fun. Your hostage, your responsibility.” He replied and walked back down the hall to the very end of it where his room was located.

When Louis heard the door slam closed, he cursed and looked at Liam.

“Allow me to rephrase that,” Louis cleared his throat, opening his mouth to speak again, well, until Liam beat him to it.

“Let me clean the open wounds first, then we’ll get her showered – if Zayn is out by then. You know how long he’s usually in there.” Liam pointed out, seeing a slow smile spread across the oldest member’s face.

Ut-oh.

“Oh, he’s just about finished.” Louis promised, walking to where the cellar was and jumping down the four steps.

Liam heard Louis walking to the other side of it – he guessed where the water heater was.

About fifteen seconds later, the whole house could hear a scream coming within the bathroom.

Louis had turned off the hot water.

He came back up the steps and shut the lights off to the basement.

“He should be out in record time.” Louis confirmed, eyeing the direction of the hallway when the sound of the bathroom door swung open with a crash.

Liam sighed, choosing to let the men settle their argument alone. He was tired of trying to play peacekeeper with two man-children now being sworn enemies and all because of –

“YOU MUPPET SLAPPER, TWAT-WANKER!” Zayn roared storming into the room, soaking wet to the bone and completely naked.

Niall blinked his eyes rapidly to scrub brush the image out of his head, tossing Zayn a small hand towel to cover himself.

Zayn let the rag fall to the floor, his posture arched stiffly and fire illuminating his normally Honey-brows to a dark dewy liquid of amber.

Liam looked over as well before shaking his head.

“No STD’s this month, mate. Put it away.” Liam chimed in to dissipate the tension, having not expected the bloke to come out in all his glory.

Louis grinned at the spectacle.

“Turn the hot water back on!” Zayn growled, his teeth bared in a snarl.

Louis looked him up and down, arms crossed.

“Dude, why? You’re red hot right now, you could probably boil it with your body and just for the record I was right! I have the bigger dick.” He chided after a tense moment, ignoring the younger male’s request.

Zayn opened his mouth to retort, but Harry was already at the mouth of the dark hall, his arms crossed.

“Lou? You ARE the bigger dick. Now, turn the hot water back on. If I have to come out here again before supper, one of you is going in the basement with the hostage.” Harry told them, his tone so deep and calm it was as if he were giving a warning not to turn the car left to avoid traffic.

Niall took a step toward him, signing rapidly and pointing to Zayn.

Seeing how Harry had been behind and got a full view, he didn’t understand what Niall was saying directly, but he guessed it had to do with the slightly older bloke.

Louis’ laughter only confirmed what he automatically guessed.

Rolling his eyes, he tapped Zayn’s shoulder.

“Zayn? Finish your shower. Five minutes,” He looked at Louis next. “And you need to leave him alone now.”

With that, he turned to go back to his room, muttering a few curse words along the way.

Louis shrugged, the pleased look still on his face when he left to turn the water on again.

Zayn followed suit back to the shower.

Louis huffed when he came back, dropping on the floor.

“Okay, so I might be having too much fun pissing him off.” Louis admitted, though fought back a smile as he said this. Liam hummed out an mph, figuring the less he said the more trouble he could hope to avoid.

“You agree then, I’m having fun?” Louis pestered, his cerulean eyes brightening up the life inside him with glee.

Liam threw a quick stern look his way before humoring him.

“If you were a flavor mate, you’d be chocolate covered shit and that’s not a popular one to be,” Liam replied seriously, putting his finger up to point at Louis. “Stop making him get his knickers in a twist. It’s been going on for far too long. One of you is going to end up killing the other.”

Louis shrugged with a smile.

“Won’t matter after tomorrow. Die young, leave behind a hot corpse.” Was his comeback, like the fight had already been squashed from him.

Liam eyed Louis in disbelief, his hands going to the material of Sophia’s outfit.

Louis saw what he was doing and put his arms around her shoulders to lift her up.

Liam made quick work of undressing her, leaving her clad in her black bra and panties – which he was glad she was completely out, otherwise the task would have been a lot more challenging.

“I think you’re overcompensating for pain if you really want to know my thoughts,” Liam responded after a few tense minutes, gently wiping the antiseptic on Sophia’s bruised side. “Shit, did you guys have to get so rough? She has bloody footprints and fist marks everywhere.” He changed the subject, noticing a few deep contusions on her side and back.

Louis noticed too, although all he had saw before was the black eye she sported.

“Wasn’t us, mate. She already had that when I took her. She did hit her head when we crashed into the water, but none of that was us…except maybe the bruise on her wrists where I held her down.” Louis shrugged, dismissing Liam’s observation.

The door to the bathroom opened, Zayn’s footsteps could be heard shuffling against the carpet toward his room beside Niall’s with the vacant one being the first room.

All in all, the hallway stretched about twenty feet, had six rooms, one bathroom and a small closet for storing odds and end items.

The brown ugly bear-like rug made sure they knew who was going or coming down the hall, which thankfully ended at the mouth of the tube connecting into it, transforming to hard flooring for the occasional easy cleanup.

“Done?” Louis asked smugly.

Liam could hear Zayn pause and just by the way he suddenly stopped, the doctor knew a fight was about to break out.

“Get dressed, Zayn. I already have enough therapy appointments for today. Ignore him.” Liam warned, shaking his head when Zayn swore in another language, continuing to his room with a harsh slam once inside.

Louis shrugged cheekily when Liam glared.

“Leave him alone, Louis.” Liam hissed so he wouldn’t yell at the oldest male.

Louis sighed and gestured to Sophia.

“I’m done.” He assured, but with the smile not falling from his face, Liam suspected that the co-leader was lying.

“Uh-huh.” Liam muttered, helping to turn the girl completely on her back.

It was then he noticed the swollen midsection and the discolored skin of her chest and stomach.

“Bloody hell. Did she get into a fight with a kangaroo?” Louis retorted, his finger going to press on the slightly elevated flesh.

Liam slapped his hand away.

“Don’t touch that, we don’t know if it’s internal or just badly bruised.” Liam snapped, loosing his patience now.

He pointed toward the hall where the rooms were.

“Go. I’ll take care of the lass from here.” Liam assured, knowing damn well he was going to need Niall’s help lifting her to get her to the shower.

Louis had been waiting for that and jumped up without protest, slapping Liam in the shoulder.

“If you insist. Later, mate.” Louis waved, gone in nearly a blink.

Liam gave a small groan, noticing Niall had come back over, signing something to him with a shake of his head.

“Tell me about it. He is going to be the death of us all.” Liam replied, eyeing the Irish bloke. “Can you go in and ask Louis for a change of clothes for her? I don’t think my nerves can handle anymore Tomlinson antics today.” Liam muttered, but looked when Louis reentered with dark blue stretch pants and a plain grey tank top.

“Ye haveth little faith o’doctor Payne.” Louis smirked, handing Niall the cottons. “I had already set them out when I went back last time. Harry distracted me with those big demon-like flutters and I had forgotten to retrieve them from the bed for which they had been set. So, there you go – by the way, Ni – I wants tacos.”

Niall’s mouth dropped a little, his hands moving at superspeed in reply and Liam had no clue what was said, however, he could see the Irish bloke was not the least bit amused.

“I don’t care if you are thawing meat for pasta – “Louis shrugged, ducking when Niall picked up one of the small clocks on the side table next to the couch.

“Okay! Pasta it is. Excuse me, I’m going to go fuck off now, sheesh.” He saluted his hand upward, knowing Niall did not miss his target when things started flying.

“Put the clock down and help me with the lass.” Liam calmed, watching Louis leave and confirm his departure with the closing of his door a few moments later.

They both sighed in relief.

“Okay, let’s get her in the shower and then the other two can take theirs.” Liam said, checking Sophia over again to make sure everything was anointed in antiseptic.

Niall gave Liam a thumbs up, reaching over and lifting her up in one go.

Liam snorted, feeling like he should invest in some weights.

“Smartarse.” Liam gest, pointing to the hall.

Niall nodded, his feet padding softly to the carpet at the entrance, the shuffling briefly heading down it to the third door on the right.

Liam grabbed the forgotten clothes that Niall set down and followed, a prayer thrown to the heavens that the girl was truly well under – because nothing said welcome like an early evening strip down with an invasion of privacy to boot.

Of course, a naked girl didn’t bother Liam in the slightest. He had seen it all and even things he wished he hadn’t, but that was expected of someone in a criminal syndicate.

Luckily, Sophia had stayed asleep through the entire process.

*

Silverware clinked softly in the silent room, each member sitting in their respective places around the kitchen table, immersed in the steaming hot pasta and garlic bread that sat in the middle.

Not one word was spoken in the tense environment and it was made even more awkward with the hostage only a few feet away, still asleep.

Louis stared at her from where he sat, brows furrowed in a silent curiosity.

Sure, he had killed countless women, men and children without so much as a hesitation, but she was different. Something in him could sense it and Louis Tomlinson knew that girl had it.

Whatever it was.

Harry cleared his throat subtly, shoving another forkful of pasta into his mouth, his utensil hitting his plate with a loud clank soon after.

“I’ve spoken with father earlier, he is to make a visit tomorrow morning around 0500. We need to be up no later than 0400.” Harry announced calmly, noticing Niall about threw his fork involuntarily at the news, blue eyes filling rapidly with sparkling fear.

Louis hummed out a small acknowledgment, but that was all he did.

Zayn sneered at the oldest gent with disgust.

“Glad to see Louis calm under pressure for once. Excuse me, I’m going to go pray to Allah for a swift and painless death.” Zayn muttered, his appetite non-existent. He had barely touched anything since being ordered out there to supper nearly an hour ago.

He threw his fork on his forgotten plate and went to stand up, Harry homed his eyes on the lanky lad, throwing himself up into a standing position and pointing down.

“SIT DOWN! No one is going anywhere.” Harry told him sternly, only following his own order when Zayn had reluctantly taken a seat again.

Liam raised his brow, keeping quiet nonetheless.

“Louis? Your attention, yeah? There’s something more detrimentally pressing regarding you as I believe you are already well aware.” Harry gestured to their little problem on the couch sarcastically, the cool tone of his deep voice froze the already ridged air.

Louis nodded.

“Yup, crystal. Damien will roast me balls o’er a nice flame when he gets here, but my fuck’o’meter is currently out of order, H. I just don’t have enough energy left in me to care.” Louis replied, taking a bite of his bread, humming out a satisfied sound. “For a last meal, this really did the trick, Niall. Hat’s to ya mate.” He nodded to the cook with a smile.

Harry huffed, continuing on to empty his plate.

There was no point in talking to Louis when he wasn’t going to listen.

Niall signed something to Louis, pointing to Sophia with a questioning look.

Louis followed Niall’s finger to the girl, shrugging.

“I don’t think she’ll be up to eating, lad. She’s more likely to throw the food at us than eat it.” Louis replied, standing up to stretch.

Harry was sitting at the end of the table facing the door, Louis on his right side, Liam on his left, Zayn next to the doctor and Niall next to Louis. The positions leaving a clear view to the front door and the unconscious hostage on the couch.

Niall nodded, standing up to clear the plates away.

“Sit down, Lou. I need to discuss something with you and Zayn,” Harry requested, gesturing he sit back in his seat. Zayn hadn’t moved an inch since the leader screamed at him for it, so he didn’t know why the gang leader was being so calm with Louis.

Louis could tell that it was an order and that the concern in the lad’s green eyes was very much present.

“Alright,” Louis sighed, sitting down again and gesturing to Harry. “We know Damien will yell, threaten, scream, do the mambo head stomp on us a few times, possibly yank our fingernails off with pliers and then calm down enough to remove the wad from his thong long enough to think rationally. Stop worrying.” Louis assured him, moving his hand to clad the younger male on the shoulder in reassurance.

Harry caught his wrist and shoved it away angrily.

Zayn watched, he wasn’t addressed and he knew it was more than that because Harry was calmly reacting to something else entirely.

“You’re going with Damien tomorrow, Louis. He requests your presence at The Playhouse. Something about honoring your agreement,” Harry put his arms across his chest. “He said you made an agreement to honor mine too – what did you do?” He demanded.

“I told him I’d transfer there on certain condi – “Louis started explaining, but Harry slammed his fist on the table.

“YOU WHAT?!” He exclaimed, noticing a large smirk spreading over Zayn’s face and wasn’t appreciating the reaction one bit. “Zayn? Don’t look so smug. He wants you over there too.”

Zayn’s smile dropped and he deflated back into his seat with his arms across his lap.

“I don’t see how any of this is my fault.” He complained, only quieting when Harry grabbed his fork and pointed it in his direction.

“Be.Quiet.Zayn.”

Zayn did not utter another word.

“I told him I’d transfer over to his unit. So, maybe he’s cashing in the offer.” Louis shrugged, half suspecting Damien would kill him before they even made it to the playhouse.

“You spared the slapper by offering yourself as my father’s ordure? Have you lost your bloody Goddamn mind?!” Harry yelled, standing up to tower over his second in command.

Liam shook his head, signing to Niall.

Niall nodded, standing up to clear off the table.

Liam followed his lead, none of this had anything to do with them.

“I dunno, H. I’d like the think I was at least a king-sized chocolate bar – an ordure is hardly filling. Give me some credit, lad.” Louis rolled his eyes.

Harry was about to speak, but a loud groan from the couch caught all of their attention.

Instead, he stuffed what was left of his garlic bread into his mouth and wiped his hands together to shake off the crumbs.

“Oh God – my head,” Sophia cried, her unrestrained hands going to her head, the agonizing pain riddling her vision black with the harsh reality of consciousness. “Why do I feel like I got skull fucked by the planet’s biggest dildo?”

“Because you were.” Zayn murmured.

Louis flipped him off and followed next to Harry to officially welcome the girl to their own corner of hell.

“Liam? A few painkillers for the lass, yeah?” Harry requested, bending down so the leader was eye level with his hostage.

“My bag on the side there will have some.” Liam replied, taking to helping Niall wash plates.

Louis bent down to look in the bag, finding the pills inside a travel sized bottle. He took two of the red capsules and held them out for Harry to take.

Niall opened the fridge door to grab a water and bring it over without being prompted to.

Harry took both items.

“I’ve some pills to help with the headache. McMichaelson might have overdosed you.” Harry said, going to put the medicine into her mouth.

“Uh – Harry? Me thinks that’s not such a hot – “

Sophia spit the pills from her mouth as soon as they touched her tongue.

“Idea.” Louis finished lamely.

“HELP! HELP ME! I’M BEING ABDUCTED!” Sophia screeched in panic, the throbbing of her heart beating in the base of her skull.

Louis flinched, Harry felt a headache coming on himself and Zayn just sat there watching, waiting to see how it all played out.

Niall and Liam continued to ignore the chaos because from experience, you just don’t get involved in other people’s situations.

“No one can hear you! You’re not anyplace anyone can hear you scream, shut up!” Harry panicked, grabbing her head and shoving the capsules down her throat, the water forgotten on the floor.

“Besides, we’re not aliens. We don’t abduct people, probing them is just too much work.” Louis tried to lighten the situation.

Harry looked at him in disbelief.

“Ya know something? Maybe Damien should have slit your throat and removed your vocals instead. Shit, do you even know HOW to shut up?” Harry asked in astonishment, trying to stop Sophia from thrashing about – not an easy task, especially since her body was thin and spry.

Louis ignored Harry and took to grasping the younger female’s wrists in his strong grip and adding his bodyweight down onto her gently so he wasn’t potentially hurting her in case Liam was right on there being internal damage.

“Easy steady, luv. Come on.” He helped Harry hold her down, the leader’s hand over Sophia’s mouth to help prevent her from both screaming and spitting out the painkillers.

“ENOUGH!” Harry exploded, pressing his hand down harder so all that escaped the young woman was a pathetic moan of panic, but eventually her urgency gave way to tiredness, the blinding dark vision still reeling from her elevated heartrate.

“That’s it, let’s all calm down now.” Louis murmured, feeling the agitation radiating from his leader with the close proximity. He could tell Harry was now at the edge and ready to jump.

Sophia’s breath was hyperventilating in and out her nose with wide eyes, her body tense from the realization that she had been kidnapped by a criminal syndicate.

Meaning, she was in deep shit and she knew it. Especially since Styles was involved.

Harry met her eyes and waited until she completely stilled before removing his hand.

“Done?” He asked sardonically, wiping his palm on the side of his jeans from the moister that had gathered from the rich girl’s lips.

Sophia swallowed, remembering full well who Harry Styles was – and his father.

Did her father finally cash in on his threat?

She hadn’t tried leaving again…so why would he?

Tears filled her eyes, letting her weight fall completely back onto the couch.

“My father sent you after me, didn’t he?” She asked, her throaty hoarse voice struggling not to crack from pure terror.

Louis cocked his brow in amusement at that, focusing his attention to Harry.

“Wanna explain that one Luke Skywalker? Because Princess Leia there seems to be confused.” Louis chuckled when it was Harry’s turn to look miffed.

Though, he wasn’t explaining anything to the hostage, because unlike most gang leaders he wanted to avoid the panic that was sure to come after.

Instead, he hardened his jaded dark eyes at the young lass in warning.

“I’m not here to discuss what your father may or may not be involved in. My focus – “He paused to choose his next words carefully. “Is to follow through with my orders regarding this whole situation.”

Sophia swallowed, that did not answer her question what so ever.

Sophia found herself nodding, the feel of their hands on her body bringing about uneasy memories. She hated to be touched, she loathed the criminals in front of her, even if they weren’t aware of her plight…though, perhaps they were and just didn’t care?

“Are we calm now, Ms. Stone? May I move without you trying to run away?” Harry asked, watching Louis get up off the girl but continue to kneel in case she tried anything.

Sophia nodded.

“Yes, sir.” She whispered, not moving an inch when he sat back.

“Good. If you behave, there will be no need to resort to drastic measurements. If you don’t…” Harry trailed off, pointing at the black zip ties that laid on the floor below her. “We have ways to make sure your compliance is guaranteed.”

Sophia nodded again in understanding, the sparkling fear was almost overwhelming to her senses, but she needed to remain calm in order to have a chance at escaping and if that meant being obedient until their backs were turned, she could do that without issue.

“I understand, Master Styles.” She swallowed, noticing how his eyes were almost black. It was scary and if his nature was this unpredictable, what would he do to her if she stepped out of line?

“Harry. My name is Harry and I would appreciate if you addressed me as such.” He requested, standing up the same time as Louis.

“Yes, Master Harry.” Sophia swallowed, seeing Louis grin.

“No master. Just Harry. Plain old Harry. No Mister, no squire, no sir – it’s Harry and if you don’t wipe that smirk off your face right now, Louis – “He threatened, eyeing him with distain.

Sophia swallowed thickly.

“Okay. I’m sorry, sir – I mean Ma…HARRY!” She yelled, not liking the way his voice was raising. It made him sound demonic, especially with how deep he spoke.

Zayn chuckled, standing up to approach the small group.

“Maybe you should let her call you master. It has a nice ring to it.” Zayn joked, but he wasn’t trying to scare the girl. It was just too easy for them to do at that stage…but given Damien was visiting in just a few short hours, her fear was more than logical.

Harry didn’t say anything, he pointed down to the water bottle on the floor, the cap still sealed.

“Drink. It will help your headache.” He promised, turning on his feet to walk away.

Louis noticed she was entirely rooted to her spot and Zayn wasn’t far off in figuring that out either, because she made no attempt to reach for the cooling liquid.

Zayn felt slightly guilty and bent down to get it for her.

“Here lass, don’t be afraid. We’re not trying to hurt you. We just need you to cooperate right now until we figure out what’s going on from base, alright? There’s nothing to be afraid of.” He tried, using his faux optimism, attempting to assure both her and himself.

Truth was, Damien’s visits always left one of them needing stitches – on the positive side he was sure it would be Louis getting it this time.

“Knock the grin away smirky. It won’t be just my arse on the line. I can read body language quite well, asshole.” Louis glowered, making his smile widen.

“Good, I’ve been waiting to say that all day. I hope Damien nails your ass to the wall. I don’t enjoy torture, but in your case, I am happy enough to make the bloody exception.” Zayn finally replied, his anger feeling no need to hold back anymore. If this was his last night alive, then damnit, he was going to kick Louis’ arse.

Louis cocked his head sideways.

“Mate? The only case you’ve ever made was whether or not the sheep you fucked was your girlfriend or your sister.” He retorted cheekily, knowing exactly what button to press to get Zayn fully going.

He was itching to beat the shit out of him and if he were to die tomorrow, he would go proudly in knowing he finally got his revenge.

“LOUIS!” Harry stepped in, but Zayn beat him to it with a sharp knuckled punch against the older bloke’s nose.

Louis started to laugh, Sophia’s disturbed scream echoing around the room when some of Louis’ blood escaped from his nose.

“No, fuck off Harry. We need to have this discussion,” Louis said, swallowing the pain and pushing away from the couch, Zayn taking purposeful steps forward as the older chap did the opposite.

“Not in here you don’t! Take it outside and kill each other there! Come on, we have a few hours until Damien gets here and after that it’s not going to matter! We’re going to be dead and so will Ms. Stone! So, for the love of fuck! STOP THE FIGHTING!” Harry roared, marching over and shoving them away from one another quite violently.

Sophia felt her insides freeze solid.

Her father sent Damien to kill her? Why? She stayed…she had promised she would. So why would he have her murdered?

Tears were pushing passed her ducts faster than she could stop them and instinct was scratching out of her like a desperate animal.

No.

No, she wasn’t going to die. Not ever…well except old age. However, that wasn’t a factor at that moment.

She stumbled up onto her feet ungracefully, stumbling dizzily, her feet uncoordinated from all those hours unconscious.

“SIT THE FUCK DOWN!” Harry roared at her, making the young girl jump practically out of her skin, when he took a step forward, Louis hauled back and slammed his fist into Zayn’s gut, making the honeydew eyed male hunch over with a loud grunt, retaliating by going to knock Louis’ feet out from under him.

He ducked Zayn’s advanced, slamming his leg into the side of Zayn’s knees, successfully sending him to the floor.

“FOR CHRIST SAKE!” Harry turned back to deal with the two children having a disagreement.

Liam and Niall were clearing the dishes, watching on the small spectacle before them.

Niall signed to Liam, pointing to Louis, who had just tried to kick Zayn in the throat.

Luckily, Zayn grabbed hold of his ankle and twisted so it unbalanced him enough to send him crashing onto the floor.

Liam nodded.

“Alright, £10.00 on Zayn.” Liam muttered, taking a plate and drying it.

Niall nodded, his bet was on Harry. Because, if looks could kill, both men would be dead as doorknobs.

Sophia let her desperation guide her numbly to the door, throwing it open.

It was then she noticed the cold temperature and the thin layer of clothes she wore – clothes that were not her own.

She opened her mouth and screamed at the indecency of it, her legs pounding heartily on the wooden structure and jumping from the few steps.

Sophia screamed again, begging the heavens for a sign, asking the universe for a prayer that she might live and return home…if her father would allow it.

He sent them after her, after she promised!

Another sob left her throat, followed by another scream.

Unfortunately, she didn’t know that her father had nothing to do with her abduction, but since the panic was so great and Harry hadn’t bothered to explain anything it was the only logical thought her brain could come up with.

One thing was for sure, Sophia wasn’t going down without a fight and with that determination, she ran up the path as fast as her feet would carry her.

Meanwhile, Harry had simply watched the girl go. He knew they were miles from civilization with a ten-kilometer path that broke off into countless dead ends, so escape wasn’t that much of a concern – it was just the annoyance of finding Sophia that was the inconvenience to him…and the two gang members kicking the shit out of each other.

Harry had enough of the fight and took his gun out from his pocket.

Liam and Niall covering their ears at the same time. They knew Harry just lost it and when he cocked the gun and aimed it toward the open door, it confirmed what was already obvious.

Without a word, he shot off all six rounds in his pistol, the room freezing on the third round and when the ominous click of the empty chamber sounded, the leader’s eyes were dark, pissed and ready to kill.

Still, he spoke with such soft calmness that it disguised the malice in the folds of his voice, the voice that when soft or deep, was a very good reason to shut up, run or both.

Now was the time to be quiet.

In the next twenty second, it would probably be time to run.

A few deep breaths left Harry’s mouth, the technique he picked up from Liam worked wonders for his mood before performing violent acts – in this case, he took to smiling.

It was a grin that when combined with the natural emotion of his eyes, was a chilling sight. Louis would even agree that it made Damien look like a teddy bear in comparison.

“Look around and tell me what’s missing? I see something that was here two seconds ago, but disappeared like heroin at an underground rave. Hm, I wonder what it could fucking be!” He pretended to think, the hostility changing to enraged mirth.

“Oh! Oh, I know! It has long legs, screams and runs like it’s about to be murdered by Jack the fucking ripper, what can I POSSIBLY be talking about?”

“Zayn’s girlfriend after she sees him approach her with his trousers down? “Harry pointed the empty gun at Louis’ head and just randomly started pulling the trigger.

Louis chose that point to go look for the girl, the click of Harry’s gun following his move until he was far down the path.

When he was a safe distance away, he decided that t was probably best to take his time finding the lass, because then it gave their leader a chance to calm down.

“At least he didn’t entirely miss the joke.” Louis muttered, hearing Sophia’s echoed screams pierce the night.

He kept going at his own pace, slowing down some when footsteps approached behind him.

“If you want to fight – “Louis challenged, ready to finish it once and for all.

Zayn cut him off.

“I DON’T! I’m tired, Louis. Just fuck off, I can make quicker work tracking her than you can. We wait for tomorrow and then we die. God knows a fuck up like today doesn’t get you second chances,” Zayn stated with fact, focusing on the direction Sophia’s scream were coming from. “Excuse me, I have a girl to catch.” Zayn sneered, his footsteps falling back to climb up a tree.

Louis chuckled, because he knew if Damien was taking him to the Playhouse, it meant they weren’t going to die or they were and it would be slow and agonizing.

Either way, he just didn’t care.

Although, his interest was piqued when he heard the distant sound of vehicles approaching.

“Zayn?!” He called with a hum, curious to know who that could be at this time.

A tick of silence, Zayn also noticing.

“I hear them! Fall back to the cabin and warn Harry!” Zayn ordered from where he was.

Since the lad was up a tree, Zayn could see out further than Louis could from the ground.

“Who is it!?” Louis called, backing up to turn around the short distance he walked.

“Cops! Not McMichaelson’s gang either! Red flashers!” Zayn replied, making Louis shutter.

“Zayn, track the girl, those ain’t cops!” Louis shouted, hurrying back to the cabin. “Those are rivals!”

“How the hell did they find us?!” Zayn freaked, using the tree to shade himself from view.

Louis rolled his eyes.

“Well, it certainly wasn’t Tinder!” He called sardonically, running toward the cabin and back inside the already open door.

Harry was sitting with his head in his hands, Liam next to him.

“Harry!” Louis exclaimed, pointing to the outside. “Grab your guns, rivals! They found us!”

Harry looked up at Louis, his posture more relaxed to what it had been moments before.

When Louis mentioned other gang members though – Harry’s dark smile slowly returned.

“Good,” He nodded in approval. “Then let’s meet them outside. It’s not polite to keep visitors waiting, is it?” Harry asked, going to grab a few weapons from his room.

Liam snapped his fingers to Niall, but he was already at the basement door opening it and jumping into the dark space.

The doctor followed the other lad’s example, locking the reinforced door behind him.

Louis went to grab what he could for defense, hoping Harry and him would be able to take them out, because the one thing none of them counted on was being ambushed or found at all.

“Here goes nothing.” Louis muttered, grabbing his guns from his nightstand.

Notes