Maura's Point of View

We all got in the car. My mind was spinning but surprisingly, I felt calm. The girl that my son had been so hung over had gone missing. He hadn't told me, and somehow, she ended up in Ireland, dirty, abused, and emotionally drained. It was a lot to take in.

Niall got in the back with the girl- now known as Emma. He laid her head down on his lap. I began getting teary-eyed. It's not everyday that you get to see a man taking care of a girl. It's also not everyday that you get to see a match made in heaven, finally meet.

Emma's Point of View

I was scared.

The lights were so bright, the people so crowded, the noise so loud. There were insults. I was used to insults, but these stung just as much.

I knew I was crying. I knew I looked like a mess.

I couldn't move. The moment Niall let go of my hand, my body refused to move by itself. Niall came over and put his hand on my back, gently pushing me to the car. He made sure I got in, and he made sure I was buckled. I dimly registered that my tears hadn't stopped.

I felt a hand on the other side of me; it was pulling me down. Down to Niall's lap. I felt strange. I felt uncomfortable. I was too close. Suddenly, he was playing with my hair. This was unprecedented. I tensed up, but as he continued I felt my shoulders relax; my head fell deeper into his lap.

I drifted off. Sleeping was never easy for me, but as long as he was near...

Niall's Point of View

She was a sight to behold. Fresh tears drying on her cheeks, and dirty, tangled hair matted down. I continued playing with her hair, trying to help restore her until we arrived at home.

Once the car stopped, Emma woke with a start, bolting upright in her seat. She sat still for a moment, before her face paled once more, and her shakes and tears resurfaced. I froze, not knowing what to do.

Do I get out of the car and help her? Or do I try to comfort her from here? I decided my former option was the best, and opened the car door.

I swiftly walked over to Emma's car door, and opened it. Reaching over her, I unbuckled her, and gently grabbed her calves. I swung them over the side of the car. I put my upper body inside of the car, and slid an arm around her shoulders. At the same time, I hooked an arm under her knees. I carefully took her out of the car, lifting her close to my chest. She curled up, snuggling up to me, with her head on my shoulder. Mum unlocked the house door, and I walked inside, carrying a still hysteric Emma.

"Your room," Mum whispered, leading the way. I followed her down the hall, carrying Emma. She felt so light, I knew she hadn't been eating properly. It scared me, how light she was.

Mum opened my door, so I walked inside, and gently set Emma on my bed, which had been made in my absence. Her hysterical tears had subsided to hiccups, but she was still curled up, hiding herself.

Mum sat down next to her and stroked her hair. "Would you like to take a shower or change?" Mum quietly asked Emma. Emma slowly pushed herself up. "I haven't got anything to change into," she said, wiping her face with shaky hands.

Mum sat there, staring off into space, thinking. She finally looked up and said, "We'll get something for you, don't worry. Why don't you go take a shower in Niall's bathroom, and I'll have some clothes for you when you get out, all right?"

Emma nodded, and stood, swaying slightly, and blinking rapidly. "Thank you," she whispered tremulously. Mum smiled, and replied, "No thanks are required."

Emma nodded again, and stumbled to the bathroom. Mum left to find some clothing. Feeling like a forgotten puppy, I sat against the closed door to my bathroom, and stared at my room. Same white walls with the same posters. Same brown shag carpet with the same stains. The only difference was the faint shadow of a girl in my bathroom.

Mum poked her head around the doorway and said, "Give her some of your clothes, will you? I haven't got anything she'd enjoy wearing." I laughed and stood up, walking to my dresser. All of my old clothes from before the X Factor were in there. I pulled out a plain blue T-shirt, and some basketball shorts.

"Is this okay?" I asked my mum. She stared thoughtfully at it before saying, "There isn't any underwear. What should we do about that?"

"I can give her a pair of my boxers, but I don't have any bras. Can't she just wear the one she has?" I asked while laughing, laying the clothing on the bed.

Mum nodded, laughing with me, before leaving again. I sat on the bed and listened to the water running.

I had my thoughts to myself.

Dirty, abused, crying. She isn't saying much, and she's lighter than a feather. Someone has been mistreating her. And that's going to stop, I fervently told myself.

The water stopped and I jumped up, running to the door, ready to show Emma the clothes. The doorknob slowly turned, and I saw then edge of a towel.

"Niall?" A hoarse voice whispered.

"Yes, Emma?" I asked tenderly.

"Thank you."

I smiled, and opened the door the rest of the way. She looked radiant with her hair dripping wet, and her body hidden by a towel.

"The clothes are on the bed, I have a pair of boxers on there too, but you'll have to use the bra you were wearing before," I rambled, placing my hand on her back and leading her to the bed. I smiled and left the room, letting her enjoy some more privacy. I heard rustling, and then I heard a sniffle. I hesitated, but flung open the door anyway.

The sight that met my eyes made me want to puke.

Emma had the boxers, the shorts, and her bra on. She was trying to lift the shirt above her head, but the higher she raised her arms, the more pain it seemed to cause. Her stomach was sunken, and covered in dark, purple bruises. Her back was to me, but when she heard the door open, she squeaked, and turned around, clutching the shirt to the front of her body.

"Emma," I breathed out. "What-Who... Why?" I asked, tugging the shirt from her fingers to get a better look at her injuries. She covered her stomach with her arms, and took a few steps back.

"Can I please have the shirt," she asked quietly.

"My mum needs to see this," I said, taking a step toward her. "It looks really bad."

Emma shook her head with a frightened look in her eyes. "No!" She exclaimed, backing up even more and bumping into my desk.

I sighed and replied, "Fine. But let me help you with this."

I walked over to her, and carefully pulled the shirt over her head. She pulled her arms through the holes, and shyly stared at the ground.

I pulled her chin up and smiled.

"It's good to see you again, Emma."

She blushed, and her eyes skimmed over my face. "I missed you," I said, trying to get her to respond.

Emma opened her mouth, but her face was suddenly drained of any color.

"Emma?" I asked frantically.

"I think I'm gonna... Pass..." She mumbled, before stumbling foreward a step and falling into my arms.

Notes

Hey! Sorry I didn't update, 80 subscribers was a bit crazy, and I meant to update, but I went to New York for a few days, and it was so amazing, I just got caught up in it all.

So, here is your chapter, thank you for being so patient.

On a different note, I'm beginning a new story. It's a bit different, it's an angel story, and it'll be called Fallen From Grace. I'm excited to start it, but I don't know exactly when. Let me know if y'all would read it I guess, and comment and vote and gather more subscribers!

I love you all so much!
-PickNandos