The Silence That Surrounds

Sophia’s POV:

That night was uneventful. Everything from that time on was dull and repetitive. The sun seemed to go on forever and the nights never got light. I was stuck in a dark circle of mystery – a circle that left me wishing for a release, for some hope that my father cared even just a little. Unfortunately, Harry would not tell me and after a while I had stopped asking. I had stopped talking and the boys didn’t engage much in conversation – Niall included. They reverted back to their own hells and I stayed in mine.

I wore only the anklet now and my hope had long since left me. I didn’t know the days, they blurred from one endless day to the next. A break I was only lucky to have when my eyes needed a quick rest but even that didn’t speed time up. It was all one endless black hole.

Today, though I don’t know why, I had been pacing the floor like a caged animal. I was nervous – anxious. Like something was going to happen.

I had been up all night but I couldn’t be buggered to sleep. Something prevented me most nights but I was still unable to get my head around the idea of the time – how much time had passed? Was it three months? Why did I feel so off put? Why hadn’t they come in to get me for breakfast? Did they forget about me?

Almost when my mind was filling up with crazy notions of something you would technically find someone thinking about in a horror movie – my door opened.

Niall stood there, a worn and sleepless look in his tired and worn eyes. He didn’t say anything to me and for a moment we held one another’s gaze.

“Good morning, Ms. Stone.” Niall responded to my silent eyes, his voice softer than normal…gentle almost but without the emotion to accompany it.

“Morning, Niall.” I whispered, my voice hardly carrying out. I just didn’t see the point. My world had become empty. Even the echoes that screamed in my head had gone quiet and refused to talk to me. I was completely and utterly alone.

“Harry told me to make sure you’re showered and properly fed. He had some business to take care of in town but will be back in about a tick. I would say no less than an hour.” Niall told me, which only made me nod.

He waited to see if I would respond anymore but I just didn’t have it in me. Something was going on, Niall wore an expression of tired weariness – far more poignant than his normal emotionless gaze.

“Shall we?” Niall forced a small bemused smile, gesturing to my anklet.

I nodded in response and he sighed, leading me to my window seal – my dream place where no one could hurt me. They couldn’t hurt me there because I wasn’t there. I was far away in another place, overlooking the cliffs and dreaming about the sunset. Watching it disappear from my view to the opposite sides of the earth.

It was morning but I could think about anything I wanted and often times, though quite late, I drifted to sleep on that window seal in my state of imaginary depictions and found myself back in bed the next morning without fail, the covers tucked over me securely. Warm and safe, just as if I had never been at the window at all.

It was all a false sense of security though. No matter how warm the bed, no matter how soft the pillow. There was a coldness that had surrounded me long ago; that night at the table where Harry issued the exercise was the last time I had saw anything remotely human. The last time I had really even spoken.

Niall unattached the chain from my ankle and guided me into a stand.

I followed him like a toddler would a trusting stranger. That’s all these men were. Despite their stories – despite my understanding of the monsters that resided within – I didn’t know any of them at all.

“Thank you.” I smiled sadly and stepped in, his feet following me, turning on the water of the shower and adjusting it to a comfortable warm.

“No problem, Ms. Stone. Harry asked me to assist you today. Let me go and get your clothes and socks. Go on and strip, get yourself washed. I’ll be right back.” Niall ordered, clearing his throat, watching me strip the pajama top from my body without even flinching as his eyes still strayed without wavering.

“Can I wear something nice today?” I asked, my hands shaking as I dropped the bottoms to step under the cascading water.

Niall didn’t reply. He simply left to go get me the required articles of clothing.

I took that time to grab the citrus body wash and green wash cloth that had been left in there for me and lather it up, the sweet smell intoxicating my nostrils.

The feeling of the soap was invigorating, it moisturized my dry, dead skin and made it glow. I washed thoroughly before getting to my back.

I paused but tried my best, struggling to get it washed. It would have been easier had I actually had one of those sponges on a stick.

The door was opened and shut again as Niall came back into view, his eyes lancing over my nude body, the dips in my flesh protruding out the rib bones so delicately as I washed my sides, attempting to cross one arm across to get the back. I could feel the dirt and grime that had accumulated.

“Need help?” Niall asked, unbothered. He wasn’t fazed and I was no longer the shy little twenty-something I had been three months ago. He had saw everything, they all had. It became natural and none of them ever commented or shamed me. They may not have been gentle or kind in undressing me but their words had never been indignant despite the contrary to some of their actions.

“Does it matter?” I murmured, a strong sadness overtaking me.

Niall shrugged.

“I suppose not; t’was just an offer, I meant no offense.” Niall responded, his eyes dropping to the floor. Something was different about him today – he seemed more solemn than normal.

“Sure, my neck and back have not been properly washed since the last time you all forcefully bathed me.” I muttered sarcastically, watching his eyes pick back up to look at me before strolling over to the shower and grabbing the soapy cloth.

Without a word he gently pressed the rag into my flesh and moved it carefully across my back.

“For what it’s worth Ms. Stone, I’m really sorry.” Niall sighed, his outer shell chipping away a little more. He sounded so tired.

“That I’ve been kidnapped? That you have all kept me here against my will for – for –“I turned around to face the blonde haired Irishman.

“Three months today, Ms. Stone.” Niall responded sadly, his eyes picking up to meet mine, the cascading water chilled me; my breath stolen as the familiar freeze of terror rushed through me.

“My father? Has he –“Niall used the back of his hand to massage my cheek.

“I’m afraid Harry will need to touch base with you on that, Ms. Sto –“I stepped back from him, unable to breathe.

“Sophia. My name is Sophia.” I insisted weakly, my hand going over my mouth as a sob escaped my throat, my strength weakened from fighting so long. I felt my legs begin to give out from me.

Niall must have noticed the color drain from my face and my body begin to hit the floor.

He caught me easily and followed me down to the ground to make sure I didn’t hurt myself. This guy –my captor, who had barely spoke to me since I asked that question some time ago was helping me to the tiled floor below to avoid injury.

I reached over and pulled myself to him but he stopped me, pushing me back against the wall gently.

“Don’t make this harder, don’t give me a reason to get Harry.” Niall warned but the look on his face had softened and I knew he wouldn’t. I knew he was protecting himself from being hurt. It just tortured me, it haunted me to know that I could possibly die, feeling along –feeling unloved.

“I just want to feel human again. I want to hear my name, I want someone to hug me back and embrace me. I just want to feel I belong somewhere.” I sobbed, his gentle hand still massaging my back with the soapy rag.

He met my eyes but didn’t offer me any comfort, he couldn’t –not really.

“I’m sorry.” I sobbed, trying to get a hold of my emotions. I wouldn’t know anything until I talked to Harry.

“You’re alright, don’t worry about it –Sophia.” Niall murmured, speaking my name in a barely audible whisper, his focus now on my back.

I was racked with sobs. I hadn’t heard it from anyone other than Harry and it was always spoken in vicious sarcasm. Though, even he has barely addressed me, he speaks only when he is required to.

“Thank you.”

Niall didn’t say anything further, he simply brought the rag to my chest, his lips thinned with concentration.

I sat there, comforted by touch – even if it was just to help wash my back. I was thankful for any kindness they showed, no matter how rare it was. Almost like a dog waiting for their master to pet them I suppose. It felt pathetic and comforting all at the same time.

The quiet stillness of the warm air dissipated when Niall shut the water off; replacing it with general coldness that absorbed into my bones, making me shiver.

Niall stood, picking me up bridal style from the ground and taking me over to the chair.

“I got something you might like, lass. Louis picked it up from your apartment.” Niall said, going to the door and picking the dress up and socks up from where he had discarded them.

I watched it all in stride, my dark blue eyes lighting up when I saw the dress he held. The first designer dress I had worn since my abduction and one that particular one happened to be my favorites. It was valued at nine hundred dollars but the boutique had a twenty-five discount going that weekend and my father did say he needed me to smooze over his investor’s son. Needless to say it was my good luck dress because I was flying high that weekend. My father was very proud of me.

I frowned, realizing that this dress could probably never help me out of something like this.

Niall noticed my emotions change.

“Something wrong, dove?” Niall cocked an eyebrow.

I shook my head.

“My dress, the last time I wore this was at my father’s benefit dinner, it scored me a date with a hot musician and one of the best people I had the pleasure of meeting.” I forced a small smile at the memory, my breath still uneven from crying.

Asher Heart. I thought about him often but the falling out over a misunderstanding between our parents was not a kind history I cared to remember.

“Would you like something else?” Niall asked in kind, grabbing a towel and patting my soaking skin dry. I realized what he was doing and reluctantly took the towel from him to do it myself.

“No, I need this. Thank you.” I sniffed.

Niall nodded and cleared his throat.

“Don’t be too long.”

I returned his pervious gesture and dressed, the beautiful black dress with the small fabric belt looped around the large body of material under my chest and slipped easily over my head. The beautiful feather pattern around the breast cups of the dress flowed down and across. It was strapless and unique. One of the very few dresses that hung perfectly on me.

I straightened my dress and pulled on the white pair of socks before walking to the door and opening it.

Walking down the hall I passed Zayn who was heading to his room, when he saw me he stopped in his tracks, his arms enveloping me into a hug.

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Stone.” He whispered, his eyes flashing different emotions but the main one I could pick up was hopelessness.

I was going to ask him what was going on but he shoved past me and headed to the far corner of the hallway and went into a door before slamming it shut. The last one I passed was Liam and he wouldn’t even look at me.

Niall was at the stove, cooking.

“Good morning, Harry, good morning, Louis.” I greeted softly and sat at my normal chair, seeing Harry looking tired and Louis looking like he had barely any sleep himself.

“Good morning, Ms. Stone. You really must stop falling asleep at the window seal.” Harry sighed, his tone undistinguishable. I couldn’t tell if it was nervousness or amusement but he looked dead tired.

“Apologies.” I sighed, glancing at the two men before allowed myself to stare at Niall. His eyes looked down at the stove, his own weariness showing. I can’t say I looked any better.

“No need.” Louis dismissed, clearing his throat and looking nervously to Harry.

“We got the call last night.” Harry rubbed his forehead unsure how to begin. I had a feeling I already knew.

“It’s about my father, isn’t it?” I sighed, getting up and going to the fridge, popping open the drink section and grabbing a water bottle before sitting back down.

The tension was thick and the other two captors left, which meant something was amiss here – something wasn’t quite adding up.

“I’m afraid your father is not part of this discussion. I can tell you, however, that you’re going home.”

Harry announced, his scowl seeming to darken.

I smiled brightly then.

“So my father did come through!? When will I leave?” I asked hopefully, a surge of hope coursing through me but it faltered when the memory of both Zayn and Niall popped into my mind.

“N-not –Ms. Stone, your father failed, alright? You aren’t going back to your old life. You’re…I got the orders last night. I know it doesn’t help or mean a Goddamn thing but I am sor –“

I cut him off.

“Don’t. Don’t even, Harry. If you were sorry, you’d let me go. You’re not, why would you be? I’m just a job. Niall was right, wasn’t he? This is just a last stop for people on their way out, isn’t it?” I held back my tears. I don’t think it truly sunk in, even as it left my lips.

Harry shot Louis a look and he nodded, standing up to come around where I sat and knelt down.

“The only way out of here is death, Ms. Stone. No one has ever escaped us and no one ever will.” Louis said, his dark blues dull.

I bit my lip and fought the tightness in my chest. Niall seemed to notice my paling skin because he cleared his throat to catch their attention.

“Lou? Why not give her something to calm her, she looks like she’s about to piss out.” Niall offers his opinion respectfully.

Harry nodded, getting up and going down the hall before returning with a white pill and handing it to Louis.

“Ativan, two milligrams. It will keep you calm, Ms. Stone.” Harry coaxed, though it seemed forced. He had no interest in indulging me in false hope and I felt no inclination to be lead astray.

Louis put the pill into my mouth and I hurriedly swallowed it with my cold water.

“When? W-when are you –“I didn’t know how to phase the question and my throat went hoarse. I was numb all throughout my body and didn’t know what to do but sit there and try not to lose it. I was failing miserably.

“Late tonight. We usually do them in the early hours of the morning to cut down on being conspicuous, there’s always that chance of someone stumbling upon the cabin.” Louis tried to calm me but I was shaking.

“I can get you your money, what else do you need? I will do anything!” I begged, making Niall drop one of the hard plastic plates.

“Ms. Stone –“Harry started but I banged my hand on the table. I just needed to hear my name.

“SOPHIA!” I screamed, my hands going to my eyes and I finally let myself go. The tension in the air rising.

“Leave yourself with some dignity, there’s nothing to be done. Now, we’re going to need to take some precautions today. You will be eating in your room today and I’m afraid until tonight we will have to bind your hands behind you. You won’t be blindfolded or gagged until the actual execution. It’s our protection for all of the hostages.” Harry explained calmly, which caused me to press my hand into my mouth harder.

“Harry, whatever I’ve done, I’m sorry. I promise, I can be more use alive. I – I don’t want to die.” I mumbled coherently as I could into my hand, squeezing my eyes shut.

“I know you don’t.” Harry sighed and stood up.

“Come on, let’s get you secured and back in your room. That pill should help keep you calm, it might even put you to sleep. When Niall is finished with your breakfast, he’ll bring it in. I have some stuff to do and I know that if I let you out here, Louis nor I will get it done.”

I stood up unsteadily allowing Harry to take my arm.

His eyes scanned the dress I wore – my beautiful dress, the one I would be executed in.

“It suites you, Ms. Stone.” Harry said, pulling at the material in the back so it fell flat against me.

I sobbed, shaking my head. Everything hitting me all at once.

Harry glanced at Louis, thinking better of it.

“Lou? Assist her to her room, yeah? I need to go get some of that rope you wear long term, there’s some in the basement. She’ll wear that today to prevent injury to herself or to us.”

“I won’t hurt you, I won’t.” I promised them, looking from one captor to the next.

“Can’t take the risk.” Harry dismissed, his demeanor distracted and clouded with other problems.

“I – “A dizzy spell hit me then, the Ativan spilling its poison into my bloodstream.

“Come on, Sophia. Let’s get you into your room to lay down because I think getting this upset is giving the medication an adverse effect and making you sick. Just breathe. Deep breaths.” Louis coached softly, breathing in and out, guiding me from the room by my arm and down the hall, walking me back to my prison.

“I want to go home.” I sobbed once he assisted me to the bed and chained my anklet back on.

Louis looked at the door with caution before reaching over to hug me – I don’t know if this was a normal payment of final respect to the damned around here but it didn’t comfort me, especially since the touch was so brief and uncaring.

“I know and I’m sorry.” Louis apologized, his eyes sincere.

“I’ve been hearing that a lot today but I don’t feel you or anyone around here is all that sorry.” I argued, picking my knee up on the bed and dropping my forehead into it, holding it steady and curling myself into a ball, my headache worsening.

Louis sighed, reaching his hands under me, forcing my body to lay flat, pushing my knee down and placing the other one beside it.

“Niall will be in shortly with breakfast for you, everyone’s already eaten. I’m sorry about the precautions but some hostages get a little –irrational. Sorta speak.” Louis gestured with a shrug.

“Why are you guys bothering to be pleasant? You all barely spoke a word since that night at dinner and now you – now you’re…”

“We’re trying to make sure your last day with us isn’t traumatic. Feel lucky that the effort was made at all. Harry doesn’t normally give a fuck. We usually bind, gag and blindfold them the last day and pay them little mind until we dispose of the bodies. You have more freedoms than most do in their final hours, be thankful.” Louis warned.

I glanced up as the door opened and both Harry and Niall walked in.

Niall with a tray and Harry with rope.

Louis stood from beside me on the bed and glanced down at me.

“See you in a while, Ms. Stone.” Louis nodded and left.

I shook my head, pleading with them but in the end, Harry rolled me onto my side and pulled my hands behind me, much to the promise of not fighting him – even as he forcefully wretched my hands together, I remained true to my promise and allowed him.

Niall stood quietly and waiting for Harry to finish. When he was done, talking over my crying he instructed Niall to feed me. It honestly felt I was back at square one of the punishment.

When Niall and I were alone, he began to feed. It was the standard breakfast he made – only this time aside from the eggs and bacon, he had made a small personal omelet with the same vegetables and meats.

I tried to catch my breath but everything was spinning.

“Niall, I’m scared. I’ve been willing to do anything from the start of this – why don’t they trust me enough to get them their money?” I cried, my body already sitting up.

“I don’t know, I truly don’t.” Niall sighed, his bright blues meeting my dark ones once again. “Tonight for dinner, we’re doing a special request, you can have anything you want to eat. Cooked or brought back, it doesn’t matter.”

I snorted in disgust.

“Oh great, a last meal. Lucky bloody me.” I sniffed sarcastically.

Niall used one of the cloth napkins to soak up the falling tears.

“No one wants this, Sophia. No one wants to die or to kill but we do not call the shots and neither does Harry. He gets his orders by phone and works out details. I’m sorry, there’s nothing we can do.” Niall said gently, dapping around by my nose.

“My brother, run it by Harry. Have him run it by his old man. My brother has a login password that connects him to the main system and the other associate – you could make leeway with them both. I’m already going to hell, might as well take my brother down with me. He’s just as guilty – just as much to blame as I am.” I spat, looking at Niall who was avoiding my contact.

“Your brother is more of a risk factor. Retribution would not be too far off if we took him…Harry was even weary of kidnapping you. He was going to go straight to the source. Which would have been your father.”

“My brother knows things that even I myself do not. Tell Harry to look into it – whether it saves me or not. I want my brother to feel the pain of having everything stripped from him as I did. Dignity, money, family – freedom. Everything.” I glowered as a forkful of the omelet was pushed into my mouth.

“Ssshhhh. That Ativan is supposed to relax you.” Niall calmed.

“The only thing that bloody fucking pill is doing is making me tired and giving me a headache.” I snapped but closed my eyes as Niall’s hand rested on my back.

“Come on let’s finish eating, you can rest after.” Niall said, continuing on with the plate until it was empty.

When it was finished he placed it on the nightstand and stood up.

My eyes were drooping by then and I was barely able to stay awake let alone think of a coherent sentence structure.

“I want to rest on the window.” I murmured, forcing my orbs to his.

“Go to sleep, dove. We’ll wake you later for dinner.” Niall reassured, turning to leave.

“Italian.” I murmured half out.

By the time Niall had shut the door I was out like a light.

*

The hours flew by. They normally do when one is forced into sleep but it was better than the hell I had been living. My dreams were warm, peaceful, alluring and beautiful. They were everything I had been missing with reality. I was free soaring off every alternate universe you could think of.

When I was shook awake though, my dreams went away with it and were replaced with the cold truth I had come to loathe.

“Come on Ms. Stone, it’s time to go. We got a late start.” Harry ushered me to wake up but I laid there and tried to escape again. Unfortunately, you can’t ignore your future and at that moment, when I became fully conscious; the shadow of the reaper casted its shadow over the dark room I had called home for three long months – its hollow skull with the empty eye sockets gazing hungrily at my soul. Pulling it from my nearly dead corpse.

That’s when it sunk in – that’s when I realized there was truly no hope left.

“I don’t want to die. Harry, please – I want to live.” I begged to the open room, my voice screaming in the silence, echoing off the walls. I don’t remember much about what happened after that until I was pulled out of the cabin, blindfolded.

Notes

Chapter 20, officially back into real time, starting with Harry's POV, lol wish me luck on doing a good Harry pov...anyhow let me know what you thought, thanks for reading!