The Silence That Surrounds

Harry’s POV:

Anger radiated off me like a liquid molten wave. It burned me from the hot glare of my surely dark greens to the uncontrollable shaking I had not experienced for such a long time and the worse part – there wasn’t a bloody damn thing I could do about it.

“LOUIS, ZAYN, NIALL, LIAM! GET IN HERE!” My voice boomed around the cabin early the next morning. In fact – the sun had barely peaked above the trees. It was almost six AM when I had stormed in from picking up a few newspapers.

Louis was the first out – with Christian following a second behind. I didn’t address him but it’s just as well he came – this morning’s paper was quite the fairytale.

“Geez Harry, wake the bloody dead, yeah? What’s got you fagged?” Louis muttered to me, hearing more footsteps from the hall – Sophia coming to join the conversation. Good, it saves the boys a trip to her room and me having to call for her.

“What’s got me fagged, Louis? What’s got ME fa –“I marched to the kitchen table and slammed one of the papers onto it with a harsh shwack, pointing at the bold, capitalized letters up top.

WANTED

In the top of the paper, corner to corner was a cropped picture of Sophia and Dylan Stone.

“Listen to this,” I prompted, my eyes scanning over the words. “In the early morning hours of Sunday, approximately six AM, Stone Mansion Square experienced a loss like no other. A fire, believed to have been set deliberately by Daniel Stone’s eldest daughter, Sophia Stone and younger son, Dylan Stone took the lives of forty-five people, including the life of their mother and Daniel Stone’s beloved wife, Sylvia Stone. The small group was suspected to have been gathering for a weekly religious service in Daniel’s mansion at the time of the explosion. It is assumed that the out of control flames and the gas heat in the basement were the cause of this tragic event. A warrant has been issued for the Stone children’s apprehension in questioning of the recent events. Memorial services are pending,” I shook my head in utter disbelief. “That cunt bastard is trying to get the heat sought on us! He figures if anyone can be framed, it would be his own bloody chi -”

My rant was cut short when I saw Sophia’s eyes roll up into the back of her head while she hit the ground with a dull thump.

Louis’s eyes followed to the fainted girl before he snorted with amusement and headed into the kitchen, grabbing a small brown vile.

Zayn knelt down to pick her up before swiftly setting her down on a chair at the table. While at the same time Louis was back over to her and holding the smelling salts under her nose.

Sophia jerked awake with a start and coughed out the horrid smell.

“You alright there, lass?” Niall asked but made no attempt to approach the broken girl with the wet lashes.

“Fucking dick. Not worth a pence to throw in the bloody fountain.” Sophia glowered but it was with sadness rather than anger.

“Sadly flower, most aren’t worth a spit.” Louis agreed steadying her until she got her bearings in the chair, which she then promptly grabbed the paper from the table and read over it tiredly.

“You’re wanted too, Harry. You’re wanted for –“

I grabbed the paper back from her and crumpled it up.

Louis grabbed the other one that had not been abused and opened it to find what Sophia was going on about. Thankfully there had not been a picture of me to accompany the article.

“Harry? Lad, explain this one to me if you would, I’d love to know what jolly fun went through your head while you were holding an entire vets office hostage in which seven workers ended up in dog cages and others…plastered to chairs? What the bloody hell?”

“They didn’t have anything strong to tie them up with so I took some cast plaster and made sure to fix the problem – the dog cages, well, they didn’t go anywhere did they?” I defended while Louis’s jaw dropped.

“You – bleeding hell Harry! Over a cat?!” Louis yelled and I could faintly see a smirk crossing over Liam’s lips.

“Something to say, Payne?” I challenged but the small smirk didn’t fall away from the oldest one’s lips.

“Well, I might get my ass beat off for it but you give a whole new term to pussy whipped.” Liam hit, a sarcastic smirk crossing over Louis’s face while he gave a heart filled ‘HAAAH!’

“Where is Mr. Tum Tums?” Sophia whispered, her voice only just audible.

“Simply put Sophia? There was a dazzling young lass that worked there. I needed a temporary hostage so when puss was fixed up, I forced her into the van and demanded she drive me to her place. Was going to kill her when we got inside but her four year old came running out and hugged my leg. I gave him the cat and put him in his room before tying his mum and nanny to some kitchen chair – gagged the nanny before the lass and I came to an understanding,” I took a deep breath inward, exhaling slowly. “I let her live. Our agreement was, she keeps breathing as long as she never mentions what she witnessed and as long as Sophia’s cat is taken care of. I told her if I suspect her of saying anything, I will be back to take her son but not before I brutally torture and kill her.”

Louis snorted.

“Sentiments over a cat is really beneath a gang underboss, isn’t it? Even sparing the girl seems a bit pathetic –mum or not, a witness is a witness and we kill witnesses. If daddy Styles gets a hold of this, what do you think he’ll do? Hm? I’ll give you a multiple choice. A: Laugh. B: Kill someone, C: Kill and torture everyone else in the godforsaken cabin or D: All the above.”

“Possibly D.” I smirked, folding my arms across my chest sarcastically.

“You are one cheeky arsehole.” Niall spoke, glaring at me.

I shrugged.

“Oh well.”

“Your father leaves and you forget your place.” Louis snorted, which made me roll my eyes.

“Just like you all are forgetting yours?” I shot back, folding my arms across my chest.

“Please stop…just, please.” Sophia begged, the red eyed tears starting again. That was becoming annoying.

“I don’t believe you are in any position to beg and the tears really need to go. I think we will start with that as your first lesson and work our way up from there. Louis will take care of Dylan’s for today in my place.”

Sophia shook her head and weakly leant against the chair.

“What would you have me do then? My father is spreading rumors to the media! He is falsely accusing me and my brother with acts of murder and terrorism! How do you expect me to react?! Calm? My face is plastered EVERYWHERE! My brother will get picked up if he is spotted and then there leaves you – Harry fucking STYLES, the cat hero.” She spat bitterly, folding her arms across her chest.

My teeth gritted together.

“One would think you would THANK me.” I began but she took it upon herself to shoot unsteadily from the chair – at the moment, she looked about ready to kill someone.

“Thank you? For kidnapping and torturing my cat in front of me to begin with? Oh, well, in THAT CASE, thank you!” She spat sarcastically.

Despite the tiredness she was clearly upset and it wasn’t me saving her cat that got her feminine hygiene product in a bunch.

Louis chuckled and sat down to watch the show. I seriously hated the bastard at times. He was a full raging sociopath.

“Louis? Unless you have anything helpful to add, I need you to call Damien. Tell him there’s been a complication and that terminating Ms. Stone’s position here would be the best ide –“

“What employment? If that’s the case, I fucking QUIT!” She sobbed, her hand slamming down on the wooden surface of the table.

Louis shook his head.

“Damien is not going to kill her, she’s in for life. Besides; what does she have to go back to? Her brother is here, her father disowned her and her mother is dead. The fortune to her future is now ours – she has nothing to escape back to so the point is moot – even she is somewhat aware of this.” Louis gestured freely with his other hand as the one constantly remained in his lap.

“Sophia? Meet me out in the clearing in ten minutes. I have something to teach you that will benefit not only you but everyone else.” I ordered and got up to leave Niall and Zayn to get her calmed back down again. I needed her angry and I needed it to be deep enough to sink in the next phase in our little kink in the chain. The truth was, Daniel Stone was smarter than the credit he was given. He was trying to get his children arrested so they could be back in his company – though, how would arresting them and causing attention to the tycoon billionaire family be anything beneficial to him aside from more eyes and more security? The million dollar question.

I went towards the door, Sophia’s muffled protests sounding at the table. She was fighting us this morning, that’s a good and bad thing. Good because the shock finally broke but not so good that she was fighting the wrong opposition.

I went out in the clearing to wait and clear the fog from my mind. To be perfectly honest, I found this all a waste because Sophia was more willing to fight us then help us and in a gang that functions as a machine as a whole, you got one cog not doing its job, the whole mechanism needs realigned and that is exactly the problem we are having right now.

In the end of those ten minutes, when the door opened; I saw Dylan guiding a distraught Sophia, his frown a deep look of confusion and anger.

“What’s going on Mr. Styles? What’s Sophia on about being wanted?” He asked, tightening his arm around his sister protectively.

“Your father has one of two things up his sleeve. He is either trying to get you back and doing it by creating a distraction so you are being sought after for a crime that you did not commit or because he knows Damien is after him, he wants to create some media attention to make sure that no one can get close. Your guess is as good as mine, Dylan.”

He nodded, kissing the top of Sophia’s head and releasing his arm from around her.

“If we’re caught and convicted –“Sophia started but I grasped her arm and pulled her forward, wiping the tears from her face quickly.

“That isn’t going to happen. You’re both under house arrest until I talk to Damien or Louis talks to him to find out what he’d like us to do. For now, we’re going to concentrate on the task at hand, starting with a refresher of the rules. Sophia, because you are now permanently apart of the gang, we are going to conduct you into the whistle system. If you should need to call one of us and can’t conduct your voice out, the walls will carry shriller sounds. For example –“I paused and whistled twice, which brought Niall out of the cabin and straight to us. I followed it up by whistling three times before pausing and seeing Liam come to meet us down at the clearing. I called for each of them by their whistle numbers. Louis was already out here and standing next to Dylan by the time I had bothered whistling his number.

“If someone is whistling, you are to listen to the number of times. If someone whistles your number, I don’t care if you’re taking a piss, you will drop whatever it is and go to where you are being summoned. Am I understood?” She nodded weakly and backed up into Dylan, his arms going around her protectively. It was almost cute how those two have bonded.

Louis joined in the conversation.

“It is also important to recognize the pitch of who is calling you. Since you’re the odd one out, your whistle number will be six. For example, we will all whistle six times and it is up to you to correctly diagnose who is calling you, alright?”

“I don’t want –“Sophia began but I quickly shushed her.

“It doesn’t matter what you want and what you do not want. Shut up and pay attention because this could be a life or death situation one of these days and you will need to know who to go to in case there is ever any unforeseen danger.” I quickly elaborated on Louis’s words before I whistled six times by her ear.

Sophia flinched but I could tell she was listening to the pitch. For good measure I did it again, nodding to Louis. He did the same, repeating it. Even Dylan and Christian were made to participate in the exercise.

Afterward my hand slid gently over her eyes, my mouth by her ear.

“Now, let’s try it without sight and see if you were paying attention.” I said, nodding at Niall who whistled her number.

“Who was it?”

I felt her body lean against my hard chest for strength and support. She was tired and everything had become a struggle.

“Niall.” She paused and let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding.

“Good lass, very good.” I praised sardonically, nodding at Louis.

Louis whistled, using different tones to purposely throw her off.

Sophia began to fall to the ground, her reserve was breaking again. I made sure to grab her and hold her to me tightly.

“Sophia, you have your orders, answer me – who was it?” I demanded, following her body to the ground.

“Louis.” She breathed out breathlessly.

Louis clapped impressed, slapping Zayn on the back to indicate it was his turn.

Zayn followed up with a soft, smooth whistle.

It was no contest, his pitch usually held a distinct tone I was always able to pick up.

“Z-Zayn.” Sophia croaked, turning over on her knees and bringing her arms around my neck, hugging me close to her and letting out a sob.

“What the fu – Sophia, get the fuck off me!” I snapped, trying to force her hands from my neck but she held on tighter. What the hell?

Dylan swallowed and approached his sister, prying her arms away from my neck and lifting her up from the ground effortlessly.

“Come on Soph, this isn’t making it any easier, we’re not getting out of this – I told you last night. I told you dad wouldn’t give up so easily.” He murmured into her ear.

Sophia wrapped her arms around Dylan securely and just let herself cry. Everything was falling apart around her and she didn’t even have a clue how to start fixing it.

“He’s a fucking left balled git. I hope h-he, I hope –“Sophia growled out in a rasp before being gently shushed by Dylan.

“Come on, you need to pull yourself together, don’t give these assholes the satisfaction.” He whispered but with how silent the group was, we all heard him with absolutely no problem at all.

“Call us assholes again pretty boy and I will give you a lesson in how to remove your foot from your ass.” Louis growled while I just chuckled. The lad had spunk and his words seemed to calm the broken girl.

“Louis, I have an idea – come here.” I smirked, putting my arm around his shoulder and leading him away from the group.

“Idea? I’m all ears.” He chuckled.

I dropped my smirk to a small smile.

“I think I know how to get Daniel Stone out of his pretty little hiding spot. Use Sophia against him, if she’s alone – he’ll most likely open the door to her. Maybe…temporarily, we let her go home – get her to convince him to hand over the property to the corporation. Dylan would stay here with us as insurance. I’m sure Damien wouldn’t completely veto the idea and Dylan would get a reprieve from having to go to the cabin. It would work for everyone. For Sophia, we would install a tracer so we can keep up with everything that is said and done.” I suggested with a hint of hope, watching Louis pop his eyebrow up questioningly.

“Did you forget that they’re wanted? Daniel Stone is a fucking ass crack, he put his own children on the fugitive list, what happens if he’s trying to keep them – I mean Christ, he practically handed us Sophia and said here, down payment…what’s stopping him from keeping her quiet by framing her? I wouldn’t put it past him to murder her with his own two hands to save that company of his. Think this through Harry – she has very little training.” Louis warned but also pointed out the obvious.

“Then I’ll have to change that. Call Damien, now, tell him I have a plan to get Daniel and will wrap and hand deliver the son of a bitch with my own two hands.” I glowered and turned back to the group that hadn’t moved. I marched forward and headed straight for Sophia.

Before anyone could blink, I ripped her from Dylan’s grasp and brought my leg to the back of her knees, knocking her quickly to the compacted earth.

She let out an exclamation the same time as Dylan.

Dylan tried to come to Sophia’s aid but was grabbed and held to his spot by Zayn and Niall, their eyes mirroring the two former hostages.

Sophia tried to punch me in the nuts but I was quick to grab her wrists and jerk them behind her back, holding them securely.

“First lesson my deadly little nightshade – don’t try to punch, kick or bite a man there because after the first time, he’s well aware of that little trick and will then proceed to hurt you. Second lesson, get ready, you’re going home to reunite with daddy.” I growled, holding her body securely to me.

“No! I don’t want –“She started to plead but I secured both her wrists with one hand and used my free one to lock her jaw shut.

“Oh, don’t you worry, you’re coming back to us when you’ve done what you’re supposed to do. Your goal is to bring him out of hiding. Think of this as your first mission. If you are successful, there are rewards. If you’re not, then I can almost say for certain that you won’t like the consequences.” I smiled, although I did feel almost bad considering her body was now shaking in petrified fear – well, until she stilled and her eyes rolled into the back of her head.

I let Sophia fall to the floor with a soft thud as Dylan was let go from his spot, rushing over and cradling his sister’s head on his chest while trying to wake her. Luckily, Louis still had the smelling salts, which he proceeded to throw at Dylan from the few feet away that he stood – listening to Damien’s furious tone raise from the cellphone.

“You’re bloody crazy, mate.” Liam said with a shake of his head.

I shrugged but the smile didn’t disappear.

“Crazy is as crazy does. Come – I got things to discuss with you as well. Zayn, Niall? Get Sophia and Dylan to their room – we all have a lot to discuss.” I ordered before facing away and going back in the cabin.

Notes