The Silence That Surrounds

Sophia’s POV:

It was many hours later when the door opened again, Niall walking in looking no worse than wear.

“We’re ready to do the ransom tape.” Niall murmured, as all I did was stare back at him silently. There wasn’t much I could do.

He seemed to take me in for a moment before walking to the shackle that was attached to my ankle. He touched the siding thoughtfully, almost like he was trying to remember how to open it. With a few complicated looking moves the ankles fell off and I was left with the ties and gag. He didn’t even bother to remove those as he picked me up and walked me into the living room.

Once we hit the living room he deposited me on the chair with the white backdrop.

“Here’s the deal Ms. Stone. I’m going to untie this –“ He tapped the bandana that was in my mouth. “And you’re going to send your dad a little heartfelt message. Cry, beg –whatever. It seems to be what you’re good at.” Niall laid it out for me on the table and all I did was nod. My tears were dried up and I just didn’t have the energy. I wanted to go back to my bed and sleep some more. I just wanted away from these monsters.

“Okay, good.” Niall said, his voice filled with a bitter growl. I could tell he was fed up and I knew if I wanted to keep in good health I would need to try to make things right with my captors. I just wanted to go home in one piece and provoking them would only fall out of my favor if I didn’t watch my step.

His hands went back and untied my gag. It took an extra few moments as Harry had knotted it securely. It’s not like I tried to take it out. There was no point. There was no point to anything now really but to pray my father comes through.

The fabric slipped from my mouth with ease and I cleared my throat and looked at Niall, his eyes scanning over me to check for anything out of place. When he saw none he stood back up.

“Thank you.” I whispered, making him pause with a hard look.

“Don’t thank me, Ms. Stone. It’ll be going back in once you say whatever it is you’re going to send. Just remember, no clues to where you are, no names or you will be gagged sooner than later and we will finish the message for you and I can promise you don’t want that.” Niall warned and all I could do was nod.

“I understand, I will keep it short and simple. Niall? I’m sorry about before, I meant no offense to you nor your mates. I was angry and I apologize for saying what I did and being disrespectful the way I was you all. Please let my infractions go and I will be better for it. I promise I will.” I begged Niall as Harry had heard my little speak, shaking his head automatically.

“Until I see more action and less talk, Ms. Stone, you will remain gagged except for when you eat or we require information and you will not be unbound anytime soon. If I see an improvement with your attitude I might consider lifting your punishment to minimal bondage but you will learn to respect us or you will find that life here can be quite unpleasant. Depending how long it takes your father to meet our demands. He isn’t taking your captivity to heart and we’re making the tape to hopefully change that. You might be staying with us for the remainder of the three months’ time limit he has to get us what we need. I don’t want to have to keep you bound and gagged the whole time, none of us want that for you Ms. Stone but we will if we have to.” Harry explained, his voice dead weighted in his throat as he spoke. It was emotionless and uncaring but his eyes detected something – something distant I couldn’t quite read.

I take to nodding in understanding.

“Harry? W-when the tape is made could you tie me back on the bed in my room? I- my arms, I can’t feel them. I just want my hands tied up to the bed above me.” I made the request, seeing him smirk slightly.

“Your room? Nothing you are provided here for use is yours. You were brought here with clothes but you own nothing. To be technical, those clothes and yourself have since become my property, at least temporarily. Now, if you would be so kind as to look straight at the camera and smile big, we’ll get rolling. Just remember, you slip up and my knife will slip right across your throat.” Harry warned as I looked straight ahead at Louis who was fiddling with the buttons on the recorder. Zayn was beside him and Liam was sitting over on the couch.

“Set Ms. Stone straight in her chair, we want to capture her pretty side.” Louis chuckled.

I watched Zayn approach, his honey dew droplets staring at me through a mask of neither malice nor kindness. He was simply following orders.

I felt his hands under my legs, the other grasping me behind my back and picking me up, straightening my body and putting me down so that I was facing directly in front.

“There you are Ms. Stone. Sit back as far as you can and straighten up some – I know you can’t sit back all the way but go as far as you can.” Zayn directed and I followed without any problem.

“Good girl.” Zayn said when he was satisfied, adjusting me the rest of the way before going back to Louis and helping him finish with the camera.

“We’re ready to roll.” Louis said, his eyes glancing at me before going to Harry who now walked up behind me, his face covered with a balaclava, the only thing visible were his green eyes.

“Great, let me just get my knife for dramatic effect and we will be set.” Harry said, taking out a pocketknife and flipping it open.

I gasped quietly and he shushed me, his one hand going across my chest so he bent slightly, his mouth by my ear.

“I’ll only us it on you if you force me to, Ms. Stone.” Harry whispered menacingly before standing up, keeping his one arm across my chest and brandishing a knife at the base of my throat with his other hand.

I felt his breath against my ear and the cool mint of his breathe intruding in my nose. The only thing I could do was stare ahead as the light on the camera came on.

“Okay, we are rolling.” Louis pointed to us like a director directing a scene. It felt so surreal and the numb feeling coursing through my body felt like someone injected me with the coldest water. It didn’t go away and in turn, I fell silent.

When I didn’t speak, Harry guided the video into one of his straight to the point introductions. I welcomed his distraction to gather my thoughts, the tears slipping silent down my face with hopelessness and fear.

“Good afternoon Mrs and Mr. Stone. As you are aware by now, we have your beautiful daughter within our possession and if you ever want to see her alive again, you will do as I have to say. For example, a detailed list of instructions have been left for each of you to follow. You and your son Dylan seems to be the most hesitant to follow those instructions. That’s bad for your daughter’s health and to show that we have left Sophia no worse for wear, she’s going to leave you a lovely little message before we put her back in her room and place her down for a well-deserved nap – this will be the one and only video you will receive, so cherish it and think of what we will do if our demands are not met. Without further ado, our star of this little show, your daughter, Sophia. Go on, lass.” Harry prompted, his hand pushing the sharp blade ever so slightly into my flesh, warning me that saying nothing wasn’t an option.

I swallowed but did as requested.

“Mum, dad, Dylan; what they are saying is true. I am being treated accordingly to my behavior, which at times has been appalling; so the punishments I have and am receiving fall squarely on no fault of my captors but of my own actions. I love you all with my heart and my soul but I’m afraid my actions have been speaking differently. I have acted weaker and am ashamed of myself for such desperations but I’m scared. They won’t tell me anything and I just want to come home to you all. Please, dad, pay them what they want and I will work it off – do whatever they need you to do. If my life means anything at all –if my worth means more than your pride of not heeding to blackmail then I beg of you – as I am begging my captors for your mercy and their forgiveness of my past actions, if they shall grant me it. I don’t want to die – I want to get home quickly so that I may wrap my arms around you, kiss my mum and punch my brother. I miss you all so very much and may peace, love and comfort be with you in your darkest of hours. With all my love.”

By the time I finished my voice was cracking and the sobs radiated from me like a painful stab in my chest. I couldn’t catch my breath.

Harry took out a different bandana and forced it into my mouth, tying it tightly to the back.

“Your daughter speaks beautifully in words but if she is anything like you, Mr. Stone, then her words mean little. You have three months to get us our money and follow the instructions. If you have not, then I’m afraid we will have to move to more drastic measures, starting with your daughter’s death. Don’t disappoint her Mr. Stone, her life hangs in your hands.”

I screamed into the gag in surprise as Harry’s hand suddenly swiped across my neck, drawling a little blood to the surface before the video camera cut off.

“Wonderfully done!” Louis smiled, coming to stand to the side of me while Harry pulled his mask off.

I simply let my head drop and sob for everything I was worth – which at the moment didn’t feel like much.

Harry ignored me and walked off but not before issuing an order.

“Lou? Chain Ms. Stone back to her bed, get her comfortable and settle her in for a nap. We’ll deliver the tape tomorrow once it’s been edited.”

Louis nodded and picked me up bridal style, quickly taking me back down the hall and to my room, relief washing over me.

He places me a tad more gently on the bed before taking out his own pocketknife. I flinch back and shake my head.

He chuckles.

“Relax Ms. Stone, I have no intentions on cutting you, you’ve been through a lot today. No sense in breaking you in the first week after all.”

I watch him carefully as he leans behind me and cuts the tie holding my wrists together.

I whimper slightly as the pain shoots up my arms from the effort of moving them to the front. When I managed to accomplish that I went to lay down but Louis stopped me.

“Not just yet, Ms. Stone.” Louis said, cutting the tie on my ankles and grabbing the shackle. I watched him close and fit it so I couldn’t slip out.

When he was finished he examined my neck, his eyes carefully looking at the depth of the cut while his fingers prodded gently beside it.

“It’s superficial – barely a scratch, just a lot of small veins. That’s the reason for the excess blood flow. No damage, no harm done.” Louis said before whistling twice.

Niall came in a moment later.

“Get me a washcloth with a little antibacterial soap on it and two bottles of water, one warm and one cold.” Louis requested as Niall left to retrieve the items.

I mumbled slightly, making sure he looked me in the eyes before I gestured to the bed.

He rolled his eyes and pulled the gag down from my mouth.

“No one likes a smartass Ms. Stone. Now, what is it?” Louis asked patiently, which made me flinch.

“Can I lay down?” I asked, my eyes dropping to my lap.

“Not yet, we’re going to give you something to help you sleep and make sure you drink adequately before to avoid dehydration. I also need to get that cut clean, superficial or not I don’t know what Harry uses that knife for – seen him cut apples with it a few times but…” He trailed off when Niall came back with the soap filled washcloth and two water bottles.

Louis took the items with a nod.

“Thanks mate.” Louis smiled and set them down beside us.

“Yeah, no problem. I thought Harry was just using that knife for a scare, didn’t think he’d actually cut her. How deep is it?” Niall asked, not with concern but with passiveness that sounded more curious than anything.

“Superficial. A cat scratch at best. Harry was simply sending her father a message – which, there will be more blood spilled by the end of all of this if the man doesn’t start taking this serious.” Louis said with a dark glare but took the washcloth and started to clean the two inch scratch from my neck, the blood washing away with it. I flinched at the slight burning but said nothing as I picked my head up and took a chance at looking to the two men.

“Thank you.” I murmured softly having no energy to process what Louis just said. I honestly didn’t want to know.

“You’re welcome but we’re not doing this for your benefit, love. Harry ordered me to get you comfortable and I intend to do just that, princess. Now –“Louis paused to take out a small white packet, grabbing the warm water and opening the cap, handing it to me. “Drink some of this, would you lass?”

I grabbed it and drank down to about a quarter before Louis pulled it back from me, dumping the white powder in and replacing the cap.

He shook it thoroughly and handed it back, which made me hesitate.

“Drink it or I will have to get Niall to hold you down and force you to. I really don’t want to have to do that. Like I said before, it’s something to help you sleep and it will make you tired for the next day or so but that will make you easier to handle. So win-win for everyone.”

I looked at the drugged water, uncapping the bottle and putting it to my lips to chug down the rest, knowing I didn’t have a choice. I didn’t want to make things worse for me and I knew they would force me to drink it if I didn’t.

“Good girl.” Louis patted my back patronizingly.

“Can I go to sleep now?” I asked, desperate for the silence to surround me again.

“Of course, love. You will find the powder is slow acting so you might be up for a good twenty or so minutes before it starts taking effect. Since I know that powder tastes like shit, would you like something to wash the taste out?” He offered, holding out the cold bottle. I nodded and took it thankfully.

“Thank you.” I nodded and uncapped it, taking a long drag of it till it was about half way gone. It was about that time that I got my thirst quenched. Without another word I handed him the bottle and laid down on the bed, tucking the covers over my body.

Louis set the untouched water on the nightstand, nodding to Niall once.

Niall nodded back and left the room.

“Can I have your wrists?” Louis asked as I gladly placed them on either side of my head.

Louis smirked, not unkind but it was more of a triumphant smile.

“You’re learning Ms. Stone. The more compliant you are, the more freedoms you will have. That’s been my experience at least. Anyhow, sleep and one of us will check back on you in a few hours.” Louis said, going to put the gag back in my mouth.

I moved my head.

“Wait, please? I have a question. Is my family okay? When you went to check on them. Why did you kidnap me? I-I just want to understand.”

Louis sighed but put his hands back in his lap for a moment.

“That’s two questions but to answer them, your family is fine – bright as rain actually. Your brother and father are currently on a hunting trip for a few days to relieve stress and your mum is hosting a party for the neighbors. As for why we took you; I am not allowed to give you specifics – it just all came down to being the easier target. It is unfortunate but is the truth.” Louis answered honestly, though I did see a frustrated look cross his face.

“My dad and brother go on hunting trips often, his job is stressful and mum loves being the envy of the neighborhood, I can’t expect them to drop what they’re doing.” I said, making an excuse for their odd behavior.

Louis chuckled with disbelief, clicking my left hand in the cuff before attaching my right. I pulled gingerly, finding them secure but not painful. I would be able to sleep without worrying about them pinching.

“My parents certainly–“ He stopped himself and I looked at him expectantly to continue but he glowered and took hold of my gag, slipping it back into my mouth before reaching behind me and tightening the ends taunt.

I moaned and closed my eyes for a moment.

“If you believe that is acceptable behavior Ms. Stone, I pity you. Their behavior is appalling but I dare say your passiveness is even more so. Go to sleep.” Louis commanded before I felt his weight leave the bed. A moment later, the door slammed and I was now alone with my thoughts, the peaceful silence surrounding my sanctuary.

I turned to look out the top of the window, my eyes focusing on the tree tops outside swaying softly in the wind and waited to fall into oblivion.

I didn’t have to wait too long. It was just as Louis said, it took no more than twenty minutes before the tree tops began to blur out of focus. I didn’t bother fighting the drug and closed my eyes, waiting for the darkness to envelop me.

Notes

a lot of thinking on my part but I hope you guys are enjoying it!