The Silence That Surrounds

Sophia’s POV:

After Zayn and Louis took me off the chains a few days later, I was showered and clothed before being strapped back to the bed. So many questions had plagued me about the boys but I didn’t speak. Since Niall’s admittance, I remained quiet and did as they said. I spoke only when they asked me a direct question, which was limited to asking if I was thirsty to if I needed to use the bathroom. It became a standard routine and after a few days, Harry returned my pillow and a few days after that my blankets. I was thankful for small comforts and thanked him with gratitude. I realized after two days of hanging by my wrists naked, wearing heels, and unable to bend my knees or do anything for myself that cooperation to earn those privileges back was my only request.

I was thankful for today, Niall had come in and removed my gag, putting it behind in his pocket and going around to the other side to unstrap me from the bed.

“Harry said you won’t be requiring these anymore as long as you behave, which, judging be your current change in temperament – I can assume you’re good now?” Niall asked, his eyes scanning my face.

I nodded, watching my freedom come undone by each strap he unbuckled.

“It’s been three weeks, I’m okay,” I promised quietly, glancing back at Niall before he reached over and unlocked my cuffs, allowing me the freedom to sit up. “Thank you, Niall.”

Niall’s lips twitched but went back into its normal frown.

“The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Stone and not to be technical but you’ve been here a month.” He held his hand up for me to take. I glanced at it, taking it hesitantly.

Niall helped me up and made sure I was steady on my feet.

“Oh? Any word on my father? Is he –is he at least trying?” I asked Niall, his eyes contracting to an unreadable emotion before guiding me from the room and down the hall to the kitchen table, the smell of bacon, sausage, eggs and other types of things currently on the stove.

He pulled the chair out for me, gesturing to it. I sat down and moved it inward, seeing Harry with his morning paper.

“Good morning, Ms. Stone.” Harry greeted with a nod, taking a sip of his coffee.

“Good morning Harry. Thank you, for allowing me some more freedom back.” I responded back to him kindly.

Harry smirked and I grew uneasy but he simply chuckled and went back to his paper and left me to my own thoughts. I turned back to a barely awake Louis who sat beside him, staring down at the table in sparse thought.

“Good morning, Louis.” I murmured, figuring it would be rude to ignore the others. Everyone seemed to be at the table and waiting for Niall to finish cooking.

Louis looked up at me and narrowed his eyes.

“Really, Ms. Stone? What’s good about it?” Louis challenged with a glare.

I swallowed and went quiet.

“I –I apologize.”

Louis scoffed but he didn’t bother with anything else.

Niall came to set a cup of coffee in front of me, which made me look up and smile. I never knew something so small could mean so much. I haven’t had coffee in a month except those few sips I was teased with before everything got out of hand.

I grasped it and pulled it to my lips, inhaling the scent slowly.

“Thank you.” I whispered which made the other men glance at me and Niall. They gave him odd looks but nothing was vocalized.

“Just doing my job, Ms. Stone.” Niall told me in a flat tone, which was a complete 360 from how he had acted before we left the bedroom.

“Harry? Is there anything from my dad yet?” I asked timidly, my eyes dropping to the table.

Harry looked in my direction but I wouldn’t meet his stare.

“My boss hasn’t mentioned anything. Your guess is as good as mine. Now, just because I removed your gag and set those pretty little fingers free doesn’t mean you get to be a gabbing hen. Do see to it that your vocalization is limited to as few words as possible. It’s only seven AM, quietness during this time is appreciated.” Harry responded but at least let me know what was going on so I replied with a thanks and did as he requested by staying quiet.

Breakfast was finally finished and served, the conversations picking up as each gang member got their caffeine buzz.

“Ms. Stone? What pray tell is your job when employed at your father’s high rise?” Louis asked, his arms folded, watching me pick at my food. I wasn’t really hungry but I wasn’t stupid enough to refuse to eat either.

Seeing this as a chance to get my stomach to settle, I sat my fork down with a small clank.

“My job was organizing. I would assist my father when his appointments would be arriving, if they were already there. I would also keep private information of investors, stocks –I know the system inside and out. I was his assistant, he trusted me with everything and I did most of the confidential work as my father knew I was reliable with sensitive information then let’s say, Marissa. She was in charge of accessing the system to take appointments but she did not have access into the mains servers like I did.” I explained, looking Louis in the eyes as I spoke. My voice never wavering.

“Interesting. Would you still have access into the main system?” Harry asked, his eyes on me now.

I knew my father wouldn’t be stupid. He knew what I knew could destroy the company. He would have changed the access codes as soon as he learned I was kidnapped.

“My father is a smart man, he knows the information I’m privileged with could destroy the company if his investor’s information got into the wrong hands. He would have changed codes and denied my login.” I explained, looking at Harry. “If you are looking for a way to get money –“I started but my fork was picked up and handed to me, Niall’s eyes a stern color of blue. I didn’t argue and stabbed a piece of egg, shoving it into my mouth.

“We were simply curious, Ms. Stone. It’s not about money, not completely. We are looking for a specific name in there. Thomas Hayes, you heard of him?” Harry smiled, though it seemed a bit uneasy. It seemed to be killing him not to make a snarky comment. Though, I was giving him no reason and didn’t plan to.

I nodded.

“Yes, he is an associate of ours and has been with us since I was little. He’s practically my uncle.” I replied honestly, which earned me a chuckle.

“You have his home address? I would assume you do since he is like family, so says your pretty little lips. Although I do have a hard time believing what comes out of your mouth.” He sneered, his eyes scanning me to search for some sort of truth to my statement.

“Y-you won’t kill him, will you? He has a toddler and –“Harry waved his hand dismissively.

“Not in my jurisdiction of control to say but I would like the address. I need to make sure what you are saying is true. If it is the right place of residence you will be rewarded and in return you will be allowed to ask three questions and make one request. I can be fair when cooperation to help us is given. Which means a slight more adjustment to your arrangements here, Ms. Stone.” Harry gestured and I nodded.

“Alright, just –just don’t hurt Emily.” I stuttered, reaching for the memo pad and pen that Harry handed to me over the table and wrote down his address, along with a few other places he might be at. I circled his main address.

“Sometimes he leaves on business but I gave you all the possible places he might be staying.” I gave into Harry’s request, handing the pad back and hurrying to finish my breakfast. I just wanted a few hours of peace in the sanctuary of my bedroom.

“Thank you Ms. Stone, you have been most helpful. I will get Louis on this within the next hour or so.” Harry nodded and all I could do was return his nod.

“I didn’t have a choice and I don’t want punished anymore. Like you said, I needed to adapt and I’m willing to do what it takes to earn your trust. I have nothing more to lose –I don’t want to fight, Harry. I truly just want this to be over,” I sighed and dropped my eyes again, this time in defeat. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know. I just don’t want my cat to get hurt.”

Harry and Louis both seemed to laugh at that.

“Though it doesn’t matter if we hurt you?” Louis gests, his eyes now sparkled in amusement but it was a façade because his true emotions were hide deep under his mask.

“I don’t want punished, I don’t want to give you any more reasons to punish me. I don’t want to make extra work for you. I’m willing to tell you anything. I’m willing to do anything that pertains to you getting whatever you require so that I may get out of here. I’m at your mercy, you guys have all the power. I have nothing but your word. I’ll take that on blind faith, what choice do I have otherwise?” I pointed out, looking around at all of them.

“Well put Ms. Stone. The first thing that’s come out of your pretty little mouth I actually agree with.” Harry smiled.

“Can I spend some time with my cat? Whenever you validate the information I gave?” I requested, if I only had one request I needed friendly company and you couldn’t get as friendly as my cat.

“When Louis validates the information, we’ll see,” Harry smirked, glancing over at my now empty plate. “You’re impressing me Ms. Stone, that will be rewarding you for the coming two months ahead – unless your father comes through with our demands then we will let you go sooner.”

I nodded.

“Thank you,” I murmured softly, looking up at Niall. “Can you take me to the bathroom? I need to go.” I asked, no longer embarrassed of their prying eyes. They saw everything, they touched everything and as violating and humiliating as it had been, it made me less modest in the blushing sense. I no longer cared. I was only glad these men had a sense of pride and had not raped or molested me. It’s what you would expect from being kidnapped but these men were different and now I knew part of the reason.

Niall nodded, wiping his mouth with a napkin and standing up.

“Actually, Niall? Sit. I’m giving her a test. Ms. Stone? You are allowed to use the facilities by yourself but you have seven minutes. If you have not come back in that time to the table, I will have Niall come and get you. I believe that should be plenty of time. We are in the process of fixing and barring the window, once it has been barred you will have the freedom to use it as freely as you please. Because you cooperated today, tonight your hands will not be chained and the only bondage you will have is the ankle chain attached to the bed. You may have free run of your room.” He told me, which made my stomach flip in excitement. I would have freedom to stand, to walk around? To sit at the window?

I smiled excitedly but no one returned it and the familiar sense of solemnness seemed to return.

“Thank you. Thank you so much, Harry. Whatever you want to know. I –is my father even home?” I managed, hoping I wasn’t asking my three questions.

“Last I heard, he was on another hunting trip with your brother.” Harry shrugged.

I felt my heartstrings ache a little but nodded.

“He’ll come through, he has to.” I said but it was unsure.

“Go to the bathroom Ms. Stone, come back here when you’re done.” Harry nodded to the hallway.

I didn’t argue and stood up, walking down the hall and into the bathroom. As soon as the door was shut, I pressed my back up against it and let the tears I had been holding in slip down my cheeks.

“What is going on? Why isn’t anyone helping me?” I murmured, covering my mouth to muffle a small sob before shutting my eyes to gather back my emotions.

Notes