Twisted

"Claire, where are you going?"

"I have to leave." As soon as I had read the letter, I knew I had to get out of here. I needed to get away from this insanity. And it was insanity! I crushed the note tightly in my hand, stuffing it in the jeans Francine let me wear. I gathered my now dry clothes, and brushed past a panicking Francine.

"Claire, you can't go out there! They'll find you!" She protested loudly. I winced at the volume and pitch of her voice.

This was starting to sound crazy.

"Look," I came to a halt, "this is madness, okay? I need to get out of here. I'll call you later or something. I-I don't know what to think about all this." I shook my head, remembering all the things she told me earlier. I didn't want to believe them—I couldn't. People don't just drag people off the streets! The 21st century doesn't do that. We have guns and heavy ammunition.

"You don't believe me, do you." Francine said, eyes wide. "Are you serious? You think I'm lying?"

"No." I paused. "I think you may be over exaggerating." Come to think of it, Francine was always known to be a drama queen. I love the girl, but when we were at the movies, she went into hysterics when she dropped her cup of popcorn. I never thought much about it at the time, but now it seemed a bit more sense. I couldn't think less of her just because she's over exaggerating, but she's scaring me. Who's to say she's not making this gang sound so evil?

I thought about the note and knew they were dangerous. But quite frankly, Francine was scaring me. I just knew I had to get away to allow myself to think.

"Over exaggerating?" Francine repeated. "Claire, I've seen what they've done, you haven't! I know how dangerous they are! I'm only trying to help you."

I gave her a smile. "I know you are, and I really appreciate it. But I think I just need to get back and have some time to think alone."

"Claire, you'll be by yourself. They'll find you—"

I hurried out of the room, her voice draining in the background. When I saw the jacket lying on the ground, I completely toned out her hysterical voice. The jacket looked like any normal leather jacket, except for the large symbol on the right arm sleeve. I picked it up carefully, as if it may explode, and examined the symbol. I've never seen a symbol like that before. But underneath the symbol, were the letters "1D", written plainly and clearly as possible in an almost neat fashion. And I could not lie, a chill went through me as I saw the torn fabric of the jacket. I wondered what things this jacket had witnessed…

"That stands for One Direction," Francine's voice sounded, softer, behind me. "The name of their gang."

I swallowed hard and tossed the heavy jacket over my shoulder. "This is crazy. I…I just have to go. I'll talk to you later, Fran."

Francine looked like I had just signed my own death warrant. I don't know, I guess I was just tired of hearing how "evil" these guys are. This may sound crazy, but I've only seen one of them. And he didn't try to kill me. So maybe I was just being a skeptic, the kind of person who had to see something to believe it.

But you know when you're in a chaotic situation and when one person panics, everyone seems to panic also? That's how I was feeling. Panic was infectious.

I walked out of her front door, feeling the chilly air of November wind hit me in the face. I felt Francine's eyes on my back as I walked away quickly, taking as big steps as I could. I was careful to keep my eyes on the floor to look as inconspicuous as possible.

Nothing seemed out of the norm. Before I had ever heard of this One Direction gang, I felt so comfortable here. I knew alleyways were never "safe", but now I don't think I'll ever be able to step into one.

Everyone around me looked normal. Except, I did notice one thing.

Some people gave me strange looks. I don't mean obvious glares or looks that made me speak up. But they could ignore me until I walked past, and as I walked away, I could feel eyes bore into my back. I wondered if I had something stuck to my back.

And then it hit me.

I was carrying their jacket. Cursing under my breath, I folded the jacket as tightly as possible, trying to make it seem like any other jacket. I made sure that their symbol was hidden.

I felt a great amount of relief when I made it to my apartments. I smiled at one of my neighbors, and they smiled back. See? Nothing scary there.

I made my way to my room, finding my key in my purse. I unlocked my door and made my way inside. Inhaling deeply, I smiled in relief. Okay, so nothing is dangerous here. This was my home. Nothing could get me here.

Feeling a lot better since last night, I tossed the wretched coat on a table and sat on my sofa, looking around. I have a very simple décor, since I was a simple person. And the apartments were a wise because they furnished a lot of your apartment if you paid for it, which I did. I felt like laughing in glee from the strong wave of relief.

One Direction is just a group of gangsters. I was in no way involved with them. So why would they want me? It wasn't like I double crossed them or witnessed something I shouldn't have. All I did was meet one of them in an alley on a stormy night. But nothing I said was insulting or anything negative.

I had nothing to be afraid of.

I took out the note that was thrown Francine's window and looked over the messy handwriting. I saw that the note was a paper torn from another paper, seeing its torn edges. I laughed lightly under my breath, wondering how I was so scared earlier. It felt so incredibly good when I took the note and tore it right in half. I tossed the broken pieces to the floor, standing to my feet.

I had to call Kym.

I dug my phone out of my bag and dialed Kym's number. She answered on the second ring.

"Hey Claire," She greeted cheerfully, "what's up?"

"Oh my gosh," I breathed into the phone, relaxing on the sofa. "You would never believe what happened last night."

"What happened?" I heard shuffling on the other end of the call and waited for her to reply. "Sorry, I'm trying to clean this place up. I have a date."

"A date with whom?"

"Derek. Remember him?"

I honestly had no idea who she was talking about. Sadly, I knew I must've met him somewhere with Kym, so I said, "Of course. Where are you two going?"

"We're going somewhere to eat. Nothing fancy." Kym sighed on the phone. "So, uh, what happened last night?"

I told her everything. I told her how I was walking in the rain and took shelter in an alleyway. I told her about this "mysterious" Harry Styles, and what we talked about. But then I told her about the news Francine unloaded on me. But I was surprised when Kym laughed.

"This Francine girl sounds like she's definitely over exaggerating." Kym said. "There's no way a gang of all things can own a town. It's impossible."

"I know," I agreed, glad she was agreeing with me. It really calmed my nerves. "She really had me scared."

"Well instead of trying to scare you, she should've tried to comfort you. I miss you Claire! You need to visit America soon. You can stay at my place."

"I'll take you up on that." I told her. "Well, I'll let you go. I just had to tell someone, you know?"

"I understand. You need to keep me updated on you, since we're like thousands of miles from each other. I'll call you after my date to give you the details." I could hear her smiling. I smiled, too.

I really did miss her.

"Okay, you better call me." I mock threatened. We shared goodbyes and hung up. I was then left with an empty house. Normally I always went to work, which was at a jewelry store. Yeah, I know it's not exciting or unique. But I've always liked jewelry, even as a teenager. Sure it wasn't anything mind-blowing, but I didn't mind it. Plus it earned me a steady salary.

Sadly, today I had the day off. I sat there on the sofa, wondering what I should do.

My eyes unwillingly glanced at the jacket. The words on the letter repeated in my mind. That Harry guy wanted me to meet him in the alley at dusk. I checked the time. I had two hours, and that was just a guess for what time dusk was.

No. Don't think about him.

But…his jacket.

Francine's words repeated in my mind. He'll come for it. And then he'll come for me.

No. Gangs are only interested in money and drugs. Why would they waste their time on me if I had nothing to do with them?

It was simple. They wouldn't. I needed to stop worrying.

I had to get them off my mind.




I spent the next hour and a half watching TV. I wasn't quite focusing on whatever I was watching, I kept checking the time. When it was half an hour until dusk, I turned off my TV and looked at the jacket.

I nibbled on my bottom lip nervously. For a moment, I actually contemplated whether or not I should meet him.

But then I scoffed, shaking my head. Was I stupid?

But I didn't want to stay here, all alone. I quickly found a light-weight coat of my own, grabbed my purse, and left my apartment. I paused a moment to lock it behind me, glancing down the hallway. Nobody was there. I descended down the stairs, walking through the doors of the apartments.

I immediately tagged down a British cab, telling him I wanted to go to the nearest café. It was a small, family-owned business, but it looked decent. I found a booth inside near a window. My waiter was a young man with a heavy British accent.

"What can I get for you today?" He asked with a smile. He looked like he was just laughing, probably at something someone else said.

I looked over the menu. "I'll have water, and do you all have a soup of the day?"

He answered me but my eyes saw something out of the window. There was an alleyway across the street and I saw the faint lines of figures inside of it. Because there was still light outside—though close to sunset—I could see them. They were there.

"So, what will you be having?" The waiter's voice brought me back to attention.

I cleared my throat and replied, "I'll just have the soup of the day."

"Great choice. It'll come right out." He hurried off to another booth.

I leaned back in my seat, trying not to look out the window. I was safe in here. There were people; it was a public place.

…Right?

And then Francine's words played in my mind. I thought about them and almost regretted not bringing the jacket with me. But then if I did, surely it would attract attention.

A shadow passed over me through the window. I looked up; feeling fear grip me, but only saw a guy wearing a long, brown trench coat. I rolled my eyes at my foolishness, watching the guy as he walked across the street. However, something seemed…different about him. He looked like he was guilty of something. I watched as he glanced around anxiously. He continuously looked over his shoulder, as if someone was following him.

I leaned forward in my seat a bit. How come I had never noticed things like this before? Oh yeah, because I had no idea there were gangs here.

Ignorance sure is bliss.

My eyes tore away from the suspicious man for a moment to see a mother and daughter holding hands. The little girl was giggling at something her mother said. I watched in admiration as the woman bent down a little, picking the little girl up and giving her a kiss. They were across the street from the guy.

And then, from the alleys, came two guys. One had blond hair and the other had brown. They seemed to just come from the darkness. I couldn't exactly see their faces, but I watched in silent horror and shock to watch them come behind the suspicious man. They grabbed him, and I saw the man start to scream. He pulled a pistol out of his trench coat, but the two guys had wrestled with him, knocking the gun away.

The woman had quickly turned around, half-running away, carrying her daughter, who was oblivious to everything that was happening.

I stiffened, my eyes trained on the struggling man. The two men literally dragged the man into the alleyway, and they all disappeared within the depths of the darkness.

And I saw everything.

My mouth was agape and the color drained from my face. My entire body was instilled with fear. Oh my god—Francine wasn't kidding. People were literally being dragged off the street.

I suddenly lost my appetite.

"Here's your water." My waiter returned, setting the water down.

"I-I just saw a man get dragged into that alley." I told him loudly, my heart racing in my chest. "You should call the police. He had a gun!"

The water's eyes glanced out the window, and his smile disappeared. He seemed suddenly very nervous. "Are you sure you saw a man get dragged into an alley?"

Was he serious?

"Yes, I saw it." I insisted. "I just saw it!"

"Well I didn't see it. Your food will be right out." He said quickly—so quickly that I had no time to protest. I watched him hurry away. I looked around the café. Conveniently, everyone seemed to be suddenly interested in something. Nobody looked at me or my outburst.

They acted as if nothing had happened.

I was stunned. Speechless.

Pursing my lips, I took my cellphone out of my purse and called the police here. They answered on the second ring.

I spoke quickly. "Yes, I just saw a man getting attacked. They had a gun and—"

"—you are now put on hold." A ring went through the phone, and I hung up. What the hell was wrong with these people?

I threw down a 20 dollar bill and ran out of the café, not even looking back. I ran on the sidewalk, steering clear of the alleys. I could feel tears in my eyes.

I couldn't believe this. This stuff just didn't happen. It couldn't happen. If it was true, then who was safe?

Nobody was safe.

Including me.

I stopped in my tracks, waiting for a car to pass. When the road was safe, I ran across, breathing heavily. I had to get back. I noticed the sky was gradually getting darker…it was past dusk, that was for sure.

When I couldn't run any longer, I slowed into a walk. I stopped for a moment, leaning against the wall, clutching my purse to me tightly. This had to be some kind of nightmare. Some kind of realistic, horrifying dream.

It had to be.

I tried to slow my racing heart. I tried to remain calm, to regain my composure so I could perhaps think clearly. But I couldn't. I still remembered seeing that man being dragged by his hands into the alley. It was so surreal.

And nobody helped—I didn't even help.

I didn't hear the footsteps until it was too late.

I let out a startled scream when someone had suddenly grabbed my shoulders, shoving me into them. I immediately went into action and hit them with the first thing I thought of—my purse. That however did nothing.

It was the brown-haired guy. He wore the same leather jacket as the one at my house. I saw the symbol, and when I saw it, my eyes widened dramatically.

"We aren't here to hurt you," He snapped at me under his breath, trying to be as low-key as possible. His eyes glared into mine, speaking no nonsense.

"Then what do you want?" I replied, just as the blonde one took my purse. I went to hit him but the brown-haired one grabbed my wrists, stilling me.

"You're coming with us."

I could've fainted at his words. Were they kidnapping me?

I did the one thing America taught me to do in this situation, ever since I was a kid. I opened my mouth and screamed as loudly as I could, "HELP ME!" I then let out a blood-curling shriek, and heard the blonde guy curse loudly at my outburst.

"Shut her up," The blonde one snapped.

"We can't hit her." The brown-haired guy replied. "Remember?"

"Yeah, I remember."

"Look, lady, if you keep screaming like this, we're going to hurt someone." The brown-haired guy hissed at me. I stopped screaming when my throat started to burn.

"Hurt someone?" I repeated, my voice hoarse.

"Yeah. See that little girl over there?" He nudged his head in the direction of the mother and child, who were now sitting on a bench. "She won't start the 1st grade if you keep this up. Get it?"

Tears pooled in my eyes. Oh my god. They would kill a little girl?

"Let's get moving." The blonde one said, shifting his feet.

"Now do we have to carry you or can you walk?"

I couldn't reply. I couldn't believe this was happening. Would they really hurt the little girl? Was this real or just a nightmare?

When I didn't reply, he picked me up and swung me effortlessly over his shoulder. I bit my tongue, trying to stay silent for the child's sake. His shoulder dug into my abdomen but I ignored the pain. Fear was starting to overwhelm me by now. I was trembling all over and my mind was racing with so many thoughts of what to do or how to get out of this.

They took me into the alleyway, and all I saw was darkness. I didn't dare speak, I just held on tightly to his shoulder, the pain increasing by the passing second.

They walked in the darkness quickly, as if the dark was light to them. I finally closed my eyes tightly, wishing I was back in America with Kym. What were they going to do with me? Kill me?

I was starting to feel light-headed, especially when they emerged from the other side of the alleyway. I looked over my shoulder to see a black car waiting for us.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked quietly, my voice shaking with fear as they approached the car. I was honestly just hoping he would put me down soon.

And then the blonde one said the one thing that made me nearly faint:

"We're taking you to Harry."

Notes

;) Harry's going to be in the next chapter. Excited?

AND GUYS THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE VIEWS. You are ALL amazing. Can I ask to have 10 Votes for me to update? ;p