The Hostage and the Wanted

Isabella helped Niall finish the dishes and went to sit down on the couch next to Louis, Harry and Liam had retreated outside, Zayn was sitting on the ottoman, his feet up, looking about half asleep. Niall went to join her on the couch, his eyes going to the television.

“Anything interesting, Lou?” Niall asked absently, noticing they were watching a news report.

“Some officer was shot out somewhere.” Louis replied tiredly, shrugging his good shoulder.

Niall began to watch the report, a picture of the officer flashing up on the screen. That caught Zayn’s attention and his eyes opened, wide –in fact they grew wider by the second.

“Fuck me till bloody Sunday!” He yelled, his feet hitting the floor and his body leaned forward toward the TV.

“Officer Burke’s body was found early this morning by passing truckers, he was found bound to a tree with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Police have no leads, we’ll keep you updated as this story develops. Back to you in the story, Alice.”

“What the hell, mate? You left him tied up. He was sure as hell kicking when we left –what happened?” Niall asked, seeing Isabella’s hands going to her mouth, tears beginning to well in her eyes.

“What, dove? What’s wrong?” Niall asked, seeing her reaction.

“The van –the van! They –they did that! Had to have been them!” Isabella exclaimed, standing up, backing away from the couch.

“Ella, calm down. Ok? This isn’t anyone’s fault.” Zayn tried to calm while standing up.

“This is mine! I –I shouldn’t have…oh my God, what have I done? I’m –I’m responsible for his death! They shot him to send a message! They’re getting close, we have to go!” Ella exclaimed, causing Harry and Liam to come in to find what all the fuss was about.

“Isabella, what’s going on?” Harry asked, walking toward but stopping when she shook her head and stepped back.

“They’re getting closer, we have to go! Harry –please? We need to –“Her pleas were cut off by his hard look.

“We’re staying here, Isabella. What happened?” Harry asked again, moving a step forward. Liam moved into the doorway and shut it behind him.

“The police officer we tied up, the psychos in the van blew his head off.” Zayn explained in the gravest terms he knew how.

Harry looked slightly taken aback, turning to Zayn.

“Seriously?” Harry asked.

“Yes, apparently trying to send a message. I think we should read it loud and clear, mate. This could be dangerous.” Zayn cautioned, watching Isabella intently.

“Could be? Bloody hell, mate, we’ve been shot at, chased – there’s no ‘could be’ anywhere in that equation.”

“Alright, then you need to figure out what we’re going to do.” Zayn argued, folding his arms. He was trying to keep calm but this was not something they needed.

“Were we followed? I didn’t see any cars, nothing passed through, and I don’t think they found us – because if they did, we would have known it by now. Right?” Harry reasoned, his heart pounding slightly.

“I don’t think we were, they would have struck the first chance they got and there’s been chances. I think we’re ok. Just everyone that goes out, needs to be careful.” Liam calmed the group, his eyes scouting the group and the door, locking it.

Isabella began to pace, her heart beating in her chest and the tears falling freely down her cheeks. She was beside herself, knowing it was her fault. Another body to add to the count of victims she’s caused over the last two years.

“They won’t stop, they won’t quit searching. Give them what they want, just give them what they want. Just so they’ll stop killing innocent people. That message was a warning. They won’t stop.” Isabella cried, moving back and forth with panic in her stride.

“We aren’t giving them shit, luv, come on, sit down before you faint.” Harry tried coaxing, moving forward to Isabella and embracing her into his arms.

She broke down and cried, but pushed against his touch, shaking her head.

“It’s my fault.” Isabella insisted, her hands to her eyes. She never felt so powerless in her life. She couldn’t run, she couldn’t lead them away. She was well and truly a hostage of circumstance.

Harry sighed and massaged her shoulder.

“Come on, luv, it has been a really long day, you’re tired. I’m tired. We’ll figure it out later today, okay? I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about.” Although Harry still sounded unsure.

“They’ll find me. They usually do. It’s only a matter of time and now you all are on the list. If you let me go I could lead them away but you won’t! You’re so convinced I’m a card when really I’m just rubbish! I’m trash! Please –Harry, please let me lead them away. I can disappear! I could just – I could create a diversion if you just let me!” Isabella pleaded, her panicked gasps hitching in her throat, making it almost impossible for her to catch her breath.

Niall noticed her knees buckling but by then Harry had already caught her against him, guiding her body to the floor with his own so she wouldn’t hurt herself. He caught her eye with his own.

“Ella, listen very carefully to me, okay? I need you to calm down. You need to do this because you’re going to go into a full out panic attack otherwise.” Harry used a soft but stern voice.

“Too late for that, mate.” Zayn murmured, walking toward another door in the hall and going in.

Niall joined his friend, kneeling on the floor and rubbing Isabella’s back gently.

“Come on, dove, we won’t let anything happen to you. We like you.” Niall tried, his tone soothing.

“Speak for yourself.” Harry muttered but didn’t give up trying to defuse the comment. “I don’t like you but I certainly won’t let them hurt you. I don’t know your story but I’m not going to send you to them, alright? Please calm down.” He pleaded, moving a piece of hair from her face with his free hand as his other arm held her to him securely.

Zayn came out of the room with a small syringe in his hand, coming to kneel next to Isabella.

“Ella, this will help you calm down, ok?” Zayn asked, showing her the syringe.

Isabella’s eyes widened further, struggling to move back.

“No, Ella. I think you need this more than anyone. Zayn? Just do it.” Harry ordered, tightening his grip as she fought against him, her breath heavy but she couldn’t scream, she couldn’t do anything but panic.

Zayn uncapped the syringe and tested it before gently inserting it into her arm.

“Come on, love, breathe.” Zayn encouraged, petting her hair.

“Sit Isabella down over here and get her the hell off the ground.” Louis motioned with order, his voice tired but more coherent.

Harry, Niall and Zayn lifted Isabella from the ground and helped her to the couch, setting her down gently, her lungs still struggling to take in adequate breath.

“Easy steady there, dove.” Niall said, sitting next to her as Harry knelt down in front.

“Ella? Calm down.”

Isabella could do nothing but stare ahead into Harry’s jaded green eyes. They were emerald and beautiful but hidden within them was a darkness that consumed him. In clarity she could see it and it scared her. He was a time bomb ready to blow.

“Please let me go.” Isabella cried, her head beginning to feel lightheaded, her muscles loosening up against her will.

Harry sighed but said nothing.

“Maybe lay her down on the bed? The injection I gave her is a mild sedative.” Zayn explained, glancing at his friends, not really knowing what they wanted to do.

“That maybe a good idea.” Liam agreed, standing behind Isabella, his hand petting against her hair softly.

“I want a shower.” Isabella cried out suddenly, fighting the drug, trying to stand but was held back by three pairs of arms.

“Not right now, love. Let’s get you to bed.” Zayn smiled, looking at Niall and nodding.

Harry stood, helping Niall and Zayn lift Isabella up, helping her walk back to the bedroom.

Once there she was set on the bed, Harry and Niall sitting between her on either side.

“Can I help with anything?” Liam offered, having followed them back.

“There’s a bag next to Louis, it has some clothes he got her from the thrift store. There’s a pair of pajama bottoms and a matching top, you can’t miss them, mate. Really big help if you could fetch them for me.” Harry requested, seeing Liam nod and pad down the hall.

“A bottle of water too!” Zayn called as an afterthought, realizing they hadn’t given her anything to drink since leaving her place.

Isabella’s eyes were blinking rapidly but her breathing finally evened.

“That’s it,” Harry encouraged, placing his arm across her back to keep her steady before looking at Zayn. “How are we doing this? We’re all obviously going to bed soon –what are we going to do in terms of making sure she stays put if those ties are bruising her wrists?”

Zayn took an ace bandage out of his pocket and shrugged.

“I can restrain her wrists in this and tie them to the headboard but we need to get her some water. I don’t know why she didn’t say anything before.”

Isabella moaned, her thoughts slowing down to virtually nothing at all. It made consciousness hard to hang onto.

Liam came back down the hell, clothing and a water bottle in his hand.

He brought them in wordlessly, handing them to Harry who set them beside him on the bed.

“See if Louis is ready to crash out, will you? We’ll figure out sleeping arrangements.” Harry said, more focused on Isabella as her head kept nodding forward and picking up.

“I have never seen anyone fight a drug so admirably before, she’s lasted longer than any of my patients. If she continues to fight the injection though, I will have to give her a little more but it may be easier to just wait. Get her dressed and settled first.”

“I can fly myself.” Isabella insisted, her movement sluggish as she picked up her arm only for it to fall on her lap.

“I’m sure you can dove, but you know what they say –never fly high without some precautions, yeah?” Niall winked, looking at Harry. “How are we doing this, Hazza?”

As they were discussing options, Zayn bent down and popped the cap off the water bottle, putting it to Isabella’s lips.

“Take a few sips for me, love, yeah?” Zayn tried, helping the girl lift her head up.

Isabella managed to take a sip or two before coughing, which made Zayn pulled the bottle away and looked at Harry.

“If you’re uncomfortable with undressing her, I can do it. I will just need someone to stay and help me lift and that.” Zayn interrupted the two.

Harry looked at Niall and shrugged, standing up.

“I’ll help, you two go see if Louis needs help.” Liam said, settling the discussion between the two.

Niall and Harry got up and said nothing further, walking out of the room and leaving Isabella to Liam and Zayn’s care.

Once the two went out, Liam shut the door and joined Zayn by the bed, looking at him before sighing.

“Amazing after these few years we all get together and we still know who the children of the group are, huh?” Liam said, making Zayn chuckle.

“Fact to that, mate.” Zayn agreed before starting to give Liam instructions.

They both had Isabella undressed and redressed in a few minutes time before Zayn finally turned down the covers and helped position her into the bed, tying her wrists together with the ace bandage before tying it securely to the headboard.

“Goodnight love.” Zayn whispered, covering Isabella back up and swiping the lose piece of hair from her face before walking back out of the room, Liam following after.

Notes