The Silence That Surrounds

Niall’s POV:

I was back in my room, the door shut. Jonathan sat on the edge of my bed and I was seated next to him, showing him how to tie a knot.

“These knots usually tighten if they struggle. Master Styles is pretty unrelenting, so the less mistakes made, the better. Go on and try to get out of it.” I ordered, watching the boy struggle for what he was worth, letting out a small whimper, the rope cutting painfully into his flesh. He stilled, looking at me silently. I had gagged him with a piece of cloth.

“Tham Hrm.” Jonathan murmured, a small bit of drool seeping from the corners of his mouth. I immediately ungagged him when I noticed his distress.

“This hurts, what is the point of this exercise?” He asked as soon as the cloth fell away. He bent his neck and wiped his mouth, swallowing.

“Master Styles likes his trainees to know how to tie knots and gag properly, something one of the others – Steel, was it? He bruised Colton’s mouth and while hostages need to be controlled, they need to be able to swallow and breathe. It took me months and no matter how Louis or Harry tried to teach me, I kept fucking it up. Trial and error. Now, you will practice on me.” I explained calmly, seeing his hesitation. He needed to know that hesitation gets you hurt.

I untied the knots I had concocted and untied his hands from behind his back before placing mine together.

“Start by tying each wrist separated and then once you have them securely tied, tied them together, when they are tied together, fit the remaining rope between the wrists and tie them underneath the bottom, make sure your dominant knots doesn’t slip otherwise the hostage can get out of them. I can’t really show you how to gag someone as – well, I can’t teach and be the subject at the same time but I will get a volunteer for it later. Now, let’s see how well you paid attention.” I gestured, holding my hands together.

He hesitated again and I reached out and grabbed his wrist, my cold blue eyes turning colder.

“Jonathan, you’re new to this –you don’t seem to be sure about anything other than being unsure. What’s your story? Because I’m going to tell you right now, you make mistakes around Master Styles, you better pray to God for a quick death.” I warned, dropping my wrists down to my lap.

The seventeen year old shrugged. He seemed dead. His demeanor was so uncaring that even though I know that’s how it usually starts, I couldn’t help but pity him. It took me a long time to get to how I am and it’s better this way. It protects the sanity within.

“I don’t really have one. I was taken by Shane coming out of the movie theater. It was dark, around one AM, mum was supposed to pick me up but she never showed and Shane knew her name – said she had an emergency and was at hospital and told me that she had asked for me, I tried calling her but no answer so I hopped in and the next thing I know, he’s shoving a needle into my arm and I’m waking up on a bed with no mattress, tied down to it. My first night meeting Master Styles was quite unnerving and his older trainees, Colton and Steel are less to be desired. They scare me – but Master Styles gives a whole new meaning to the term petrified with fear. Satan himself would beg for his mercy.” He let out an exhale of breath, his eyes glancing into mine. “How do you stop feeling? It’s so hard –like Christian, he makes it hard. I’ve only known him a few days but his presence it’s –“He trailed off at a loss, seeing my frown deepen. He swallowed and shrugged, changing the subject slightly. “Harry’s training him. They look like they could be related.”

“Harry will bleed it out of him, I’m afraid I can’t offer you any advice on that, lad. Something you’re going to have to decide. Do you want to feel things or do you wish it would all go away? I can’t help you shut off what you feel but I can tell you the way I look at it, Jonathan. I view it as a job, nothing but a job. Sadly, Ms. Stone makes it harder, she’s doing something around here – the problem is, none of the gents and I know what she’s doing.” I shook my head and let out a soft chortle.

“I saw how you looked at Harry when he told his father –“

I cut him off.

“Enough about me. My relationship with Mr. Styles is less than desirable but it is one we are joined with by fate. We all have a story and I understand his as he understands ours. Harry might not see us as equals but he has not let harm come to us. As much as he threatens, he hasn’t done much. I respect him but I don’t respect the job and to me, that’s all it will ever be –a job that I can never leave. One that we can’t. It’s best to decide how much your own life means. Don’t make my mistake, Jonathan. It’s not worth the pain.”

He hung on my every word before scratching his head awkwardly.

“See – I wish it were that simple. I don’t care what happens – not really but I when I’m around Chris, I want to protect him and we share a room back at the other cabin. His first night was spent crying and Master Styles beat him. He knocked him almost unconscious but gave up when the boy wouldn’t stop crying. I’m only a year older but he’s more sensitive. He’s looking for guidance – he’s been warned on the rules but forgets. Like I said, he’s really new but it’s his first day where he hasn’t burst into tears. I’ve been telling him stories, he seems to like to hear about other people’s pasts or something funny – I haven’t been able to figure him out, man. I wish I knew what to do but it beats the silence. Before he came, it was always silent. He brings a little light into the darkness but I’m afraid it’s going to get him hurt. I’ve been here less than a year but I know Damien Crow isn’t someone to cross.”

I chucked but it was bemused.

“Lad, the fucking devil would not cross Damien Crow.”

For the first time I saw Jonathan’s lips twitch but he didn’t smile and just like that, there was nothing left to be said.

“Come on, lad. Let’s get you to knot tying status and see what you need help with. I’ll get Sophia to help us on later – if she’s still conscious.”

Jonathan nodded, picking up the rope and beginning to do as I had instructed him early, this time with no hesitation.

*

Sophia’s POV:

Soft hands helped me down the hall, right to Dylan’s door. I was half dragged and half walking. I don’t know how I managed, my stomach was killing and I knew there was a deep bruise forming.

“Harry? Where?” I barely choked out, hearing someone get up from the chair and my own awareness barely shining through was set into it.

“Who the fuck is this, Styles?” A new and unfamiliar voice sneered before I heard someone being punched.

“This is Sophia.” Christian replied for Harry which made the younger Styles growl.

“Ms. Stone. Hostages are to be addressed formally. Her last name is Stone, so, Ms. Stone. Don’t make me gag you, Christian. You need to follow rules or you’re going to be punished. Hell, I think Damien is punishing ME with training you. You’re like a dumb dog who just doesn’t get it.” Harry chastised, his voice an echo through a tunnel in my spinning head.

“Well, little Ms. Stone looks like she’s about to toss her cookies.” The new voice chuckled, which made a hand lift my head up. There were two Harrys looking back at me and I physically cringed. One was bad enough.

“Louis? She needs water, get her a bottle. I’ll go get Liam to check her out. Christian? Stay here with her, I don’t trust Steel as far as I could beat him.”

“Sure, Harry. No problem, mate.” Louis agreed, hurrying out the door but I only heard his footsteps go. I was too busy looking at Harry’s twin – he had pretty green eyes, they looked slightly concerned.

“You’re the nice twin? Aren’t you?” I asked, swallowing the nausea.

Harry’s frown deepened.

“Ms. Stone? Are you having double vision?” Harry guessed, which would make sense because Harry doesn’t have a twin – does he?

“I unno, the one on the left is cute. At least he cares.” I mumbled, my head tilting up to rest on the back of the chair, making Harry growl in anger and he too was gone. Leaving me there was new voice and Christian.

When they left I felt a warm hand chasing away the wisps of lose hair from my hot forehead. Something was wrong because I couldn’t breathe.

“Sophia? Sophie, hi! I need you to stay with me. You can’t nap, nope, no rest for you, come on. Let’s play a game, yeah? It’s a great game, it’s called follow my voice. I need you to concentrate on my voice because you got to stay awake. It’s the stay awake game. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

“No.” I grumbled, making him chuckle, a gentle kiss to my forehead followed after.

“Well, you’re playing with me anyhow. I’m bored. Okay, open your eyes and tell me what you see?”

Hands were guiding my head forward and I opened my eyes tiredly.

“I see you.”

My voice was barely a whisper. He was young and beautiful – if I had to guess, I would say an angel, the edge of him was shining a pure white – but so was everything else.

He chuckled good-naturedly and his eyes were wide with joy. He was light – the purest I had seen since my abduction. If my hands weren’t still tied behind me, I would reach out, just to see if he was real.

I felt myself smile, my double vision was becoming one again and my heart was slowing.

“Yup and I see a beautiful woman. You’re beautiful Ms. Stone, please don’t forget that.” His smile fading into a smaller one as Louis entered back into the room.

“Oh someone gag me with a Goddamn spoon. You two make me want to hurl a lung out.” New voice huffed, making Louis respond.

“That can be arranged, muffins. Trust me, we’ve gagged hostages with some pretty interesting objects, I’d happily shove a spoon down your pipe just to hear you shut up.” He said, his voice light with sarcasm.

I heard a cap popping and the sound of light swishing, a second later a bottle was on my lips.

“I got you, Ms. Stone. Come on, lass, drink something for me.” He kept his voice neutral but encouraging.

“Master Styles kicked her pretty hard in the stomach – I’m afraid that was my fault, Harry stabbed me for it.”

Louis laughed.

“He could have done more than that, lad. You got off lucky. Just use your brain and don’t get yourself or her into any more trouble, yeah? Harry’s rather protective of this one, he needs her unscathed so she can help us with a job.” He explained and I groaned, jerking away from the water, letting some of it land down my chest.

“All I’m bloody good for, eh? Fuck Harry, fuck Master Styles – fuck this darkness.” I growled, which made one of them grab my mouth and hold it firm but I had a feeling it all came too late because I could vaguely hear someone clear their throat.

“I don’t know about all you’re good for, Ms. Stone but I will certainly take you up on your offer of a good fuck – after all, it’s been ages since I’ve had a good lay and you’re exactly the type of woman I fancy – feisty. Crying gals’ maybe all the rage around here but I like them strong and you Ms. Stone, well, Harry was right about you. You have exceeded expectations and depending how well of a fight you put up, I may just have to change my mind about you being a waste of time. So little Sophia, let’s see how good of a fuck you are, I bet coming from a privileged family they never let you get your cunt wet, did they? Daddy keep you under lock and key?”

His voice was taunting and vulgar, I shuttered at the predatory tone but what happened next I did not expect. Louis was in front of me, Christian at his side – my vision focusing in and out but they can now see everything happening.

“You’re not to harm Ms. Stone, there’s a no rape policy around here, Master Styles and that rule extends to even you. I will put you down if you take one step closer!” Louis warned with a low growl, taking his gun out and uncocking the safety. Mr. Styles only chuckled – that soon giving way to mad bouts of laughter.

“Oh lad, you have no idea who you’re fucking with.” He growled, a mad smirk on his face before a loud and shrill whistle sounded.

Steel was quick to incapacitate Christian with a simple pressure point to the back of his head and as Louis turned to fend him off he too was caught in Steel’s rock hard embrace. All throughout the cabin, the men pounced – with the exception of Niall and Jonathan; who came out to check out the commotion.

Recognition hit Jonathan’s eyes and he gulped.

“Niall, please forgive me for this – God, please forgive me.” He begged the older Brit before Niall’s body his the floor with force, a punch to the temple rendering him unconscious.

I could barely understand what was going on, I gave up to the darkness, I wanted to let it take me but it wasn’t My vision swam, my stomach felt like it was bleeding out and I saw small specs of red in front of my eyes, my hearing no longer an echo but it was scary enough to see the men that held me hostage falling to their knees, being hauled into the room, dropped on their knees like mere slaves.

“Tie them up, gag them. Christian included, he was warned – now he’s going to face the consequences for his defiance. Put them in the basement – make my son extra comfortable, hang him on the shackles I saw earlier, leave him there – as for Ms. Stone –“

I never got to hear the rest because as he was issuing orders, his dark luring figure hovered over me like a giant and the last thing I saw was his fist flying at my face. From there the mercy of darkness gave way to heavenly light and I slipped into its warmth with ease, a brief feeling of happiness before I knew nothing at all.

*

Louis’s POV

I struggled violently against Steel’s grasp, a piece of cloth slipping into my mouth with ease, the taste of Sunnyday detergent made me gag. I choked when Shane pulled the fabric back and tied it. It was tight and I had a hard time swallowing, he was an amateur – the corners of my lips were going to be gashed, if I didn’t suffocate first.

The only ones conscious and who hadn’t been knocked out were Harry and myself and Harry wasn’t going down without a fight. His eyes a deep dark hatred of green as he started up at his father defiantly, Colton keeping him still while Jonathan tied Harry’s hand behind him, Harry already having been gagged first, we could only stare silently on but we weren’t going to do it without giving them a little bit of a rough time.

When they made sure Harry was no threat –which consisted of Colton punching him in the throat, they came at me and each of them grabbed me by one of my wrists and forced them behind me.

Jonathan was the one to tie me up – a trick he learned from Niall, I recognized the way he tied me and knew I wasn’t getting out of it anytime soon, although I was surprised when I was forced against the window seal and my feet met the same fate – Harry was still on the ground wheezing but still defiant. His orbs still murderous green rage.

Damien Crow approached me, a smirk on his face as he brought his hand up to the cloth and trailed his finger just below it.

“You need to watch your strength, Shane. Louis can’t breathe, do you hear him struggling to take in air? While I don’t much care if you kill him, I do need him as he is such a good little foot solider and I like him slightly more than I do my son, so let’s get him gagged proper; then you can finish with the unconscious ones.” Damien smirked before sneezing, it hadn’t been as bad considering Tum Tum’s hadn’t been let into this room to roam.

Damien forced my head down as he loosened the cloth, retying it much gentler than expected but it was still good and secure, leaving me still speechless. I coughed, pushing it back from my throat.

“Now, Louis, what do you say? I just did you a favor.” Master Damien asked condescendingly once he was done.

“Fum yuh!” I growled, the words getting lost in translation.

“You’re welcome.” He responded sarcastically, patting my cheek in sharp, painful slaps, his attention then going to Harry.

“Oh, son, a no rape policy, really? Did you not learn anything after Evelynn? And rules? Harry, who the FUCK do you think you are talking to? Your policies and rules mean nothing to me, darling boy. In fact – you just gave me a new goal, how many ways can I piss my ungrateful son off and I am going to enjoy it. In fact, Ms. Stone is no longer your property, consider her mine. I will do with her as I please and guess what?? You get to watch. You get to watch as I break every single rule you have and I’m doing this to serve as a lesson that you are not in control. I am. I am fucking GOD. I decide who lives, who dies and who suffers and I promise you my boy, it sure as fuck isn’t you! You will have to take the title of MASTER from my cold dead corpse. You won’t ever get the chance because I am stronger then you, I am everything you will never be.”

He walked to Harry and knelt down to his level, grasping Harry’s chin so his eyes met his own olive greens.

“I am your nightmare Harry and you have not known misery but by the time this week is through, you will. You all will because I am going to give you all a taste in lessons you will not soon forget” His face turned to Dylan, he was still strained and under sound deprivation so he had no idea what was going on – other than probably feeling extremely violated but thank God for small favors. I watched with horror as he reached down and gently kissed either side of Harry’s cheeks before rubbing his hand up Harry’s leg, stopping at his inner thigh.

“You have a choice Harry. Either I have fun with little Ms. Stone or I have fun with you, make you know what a father’s love truly means –I’ll give you tonight to think on it.”

I shuttered, pushing back against the window seal in fear when he turned back to me.

“Steel? Knock Louis out, we’ll move them to the basement after. Harry will remain conscious. I want him to think on the actions of his men because they are to blame. He will take responsibility for their actions and his own.”

I looked over at Harry as Steel put his hand to the back of my skull and pressed in with his fingers.

That was the last thing I saw, eyes blurred and I felt my body involuntarily give in, flopping to the side and from there it all faded out completely.

******
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi lovely readers! Okay, I know bad writer, I left it off on a cliffhanger and I'm going away on vacation from the 13th (tomorrow) to the 20th - so slow/little/maybe no updates till I get back but I will be writing at night! So there maybe an update, so enjoy! and I will see you guys when I get back. I will miss you all terribly!

Notes