The Silence That Surrounds

Harry’s POV:

Sophia ran quickly from the danger in front of us. I don’t blame her – I was almost a step behind to following her but that wouldn’t help matters and we needed to get the parcel tied back down and semi – sedated.

I picked up my pace and was the first to slam into Razor, my arm blocking up so it hit into his chest and knocked him back with a grunt.

I stared into his eyeless eyes – he had dyed his irises completed black, in fact – there were no circles, it was all completely dark where the normal part of the orb would be visible.

He bared his teeth into a sinister smirk noticing my unnerved stare.

“Like what you see pretty boy? Here, I’ll give you a closer look!” He laughed thickly, his teeth coming at my face as quick as a desert viper’s strike. I backed away, bringing my leg up to try to trip him but he expected the move. Instead of tripping him, he counteracted the move with his foot coming down on my foot while blocking a punch from Zayn.

Almost at an unnatural speed he turned his head and struck again – this time getting Zayn in the arm.

Zayn yelped, the blood dripping from the razor like bites embedded deep into his skin.

“Gonna need a rabies shot, mate.” Louis grunted, trying his luck with code 9 – which was a punch to the stomach via elbow. He hit his mark and Razor stumbled.

I recovered quickly, jerking my foot from his and balling my hand into a fist. I swung it at his cheek – finally hitting my mark. Unfortunately, he turned his head and his teeth yet again found a target.

I growled out in pain, jerking my hand away.

“Louis, come on! Combat! Quick pussy fucking around, mate!” Zayn yelled desperately, still holding his wounded arm.

Razor laughed, making a grab at Zayn.

Zayn let out a surprised but clearly frightened yell and backing away from the psychopath with the very sharp shark teeth.

“What is your deal?” I yelled at Razor, his attention back to me once again. His smile got wider – if that was even possible.

“My deal, pretty boy? My bloody deal is, I was manhandled off the streets and put in a van. Tied up, blindfolded and muzzled like some animal – brought HERE and learned that I was going to be tortured right before Pattley pulled the trigger himself. Learned all that from my lovely midmorning snack as you referred to him.” Razor explained, effortlessly blocking our moves while keeping his voice completely silent. This gent had no fear.

“So why stick around?” I asked, trying to bring my foot to his knees but again he pushed it away with an arm block before spinning around and punching Louis in the stomach. I winced from the way he fell back on his arse. Bloody hell, was he an original street fighter?

“Because I’m going to send Pattley a message. I’m going to ensure that he never sends little lads to do a grown up’s job, ever again – and do you want to know what I’m going to do to you all?” Razor hissed, snapping his neck forward and trying to bite my face – this time with intent to do harm. I yelped in surprise like Zayn had earlier and backed away.

Louis had recovered from the hit to the stomach and now stood, Zayn was still somewhat defenseless with the blood drenching down his arm and staining his clothes. Shit, my hand wasn’t fairing any better but I was better at pushing through the pain.

All three of us backed away then and he stopped where he was, breathing heavily from the short sequence fight.

I pulled precious oxygen from the stale, dimly lit room.

“Do enlighten us, mate. How do you plan to teach us a lesson? If you didn’t rape and EAT that eleven year old girl, chances are you would still be in the same cist pool of London you have your whole life. Going nowhere, being nobody – but you violently murdered an innocent girl. A girl who happened to have someone high up in the political parties. You hurt him, he feels this need for revenge. How is this our fault?!” I demanded, stepping forward. He did the same, a manic laugh sounding heartily from his throat, echoing in the dead air.

“And what about your reputation, Styles? Everybody in my little cist pool as you call it knows that daddy Styles has a worse reputation then you ever will. Don’t talk to ME about murder when you do far worse. Kidnapping and murdering innocents for the sake of the almighty pound. Quite sickening really and you call me a monster? You’re no better. At least I don’t kill for blood money!” Razor yelled, his black orbs lighting with fire, radiating like volcanoes from the deepest depths of hell. He was terrifying. I have saw plenty in my short life but never anything as dark as Razor. He truly was what bloody nightmares are made from.

“I don’t kill because I want to, I kill because I have to. Stop stalling and keeping us in suspense, tell us what you think you’re going to do to us. You’ve already mentioned ripping us to shreds – though with all due respect –“

“Harry, stop poking the bear with a figurative stick!” Zayn cut me off with a loud hiss.

I really should learn that instigating a psycho is not the best of ideas but when you get mad enough, you focus on your rage and not the movements of the other fighter. I needed to get him royally pissed because I was beginning to realize that we’re shredded if we do or shredded if we don’t. So I decided to try something that couldn’t hurt our chances any more than they already were.

“I’m going to chew your faces apart so they need dental records to identify you! From there, I’ll fuck your corpses and leave them right here for Pattley to find. Then last, I’m going to find that beautiful little fawn and eat her from the inside out.”

I flinched. Okay, we can’t lose. Sophia’s life, my life – my gang’s life. It depends on this.

“You’re a coward, you know?” I antagonized again, giving him my best smile.

“And they tell me I don’t know when to shut up. You’re snogging the cake, mate. Give it a rest and let the others have a go.” Louis interjected.

“Step in at any time.” I offered, my tone clearly sarcastic.

“No thanks. Bald heads usually mean thick skulls. Thick skulls usually mean there’s not much upstairs. So, big, bald and scary is all yours.” Louis breathed, stepping back to further prove he wasn’t going to stand in my way. Zayn just had his hand over top his head and cradled his wounded one to his chest, a look of panic while he watched the exchange. I give Zayn credit for not having the words to speak – sadly for him, I was not done with Razor.

“You know? I bet you were a bed wetter until you were well into your teens,” I chuckled, gesturing out. “After all, only someone who has to file their teeth sharp, dye their eyes, shave their head until no hair can grow from it at all is doing it all for a reason to be noticed – a scary nightmare that when people get a look at you, they cross the road. A fucking FREAK.” I laughed, making even Zayn step back.

Louis swallowed.

“That escalated quickly. Tea break, Zayn? Harry? We’ll come back to get whatever is left of your body later, mate. Stop saying stupid shit! You’re going to get us mauled” Louis growled lowly so only Zayn and myself could hear. I looked over, Razor stood there with molten lava now pouring from his eyes, his sharp teeth bared and glinting in the dark. He was definitely looking like Satan’s son incarnate right about this moment.

“And you must have a fetish for women’s clothing, right, pretty boy? Is it Harry or Harlene?” Razor shot back.

“Okay, this is just getting childish now.” Zayn spoke, catching Razor’s attention once more.

“Really, quiffy? Alright, enough talk then. Let’s just fight!” Razor barked, matching his pace with his words

Well, we certainly got his tutu in a knot. I think running away would have been a much better plan.

I took a fighting stance and went at him again as we both collided and blocked one another’s blow. Zayn ran forward next, right before Louis taking up the rear, looking a little pale. What I didn’t expect however, was a flash of black hair and the speed.

Before any of us could blink, Sophia had ran back through the door and straight at Razor with a sharp metal plank raised above her head.

“Sophia!” I screamed, pausing in my attack.

I felt a sharp pain in my arm, right below the shoulder. Fucking Razor just took a bloody bite out of me! Oh my God, oh God it hurts!

I screamed in pain, landing a punch to his face. At the same time Sophia quickly brought the metal plank down over Razor’s head, her other hand taking out a small metal box and pulling the trigger.

A string of wires shot out, embedding themselves into the monster’s chest.

Razor convulsed on the floor momentarily – finally knocked out cold on the ground.

“Sweet baby Jesus on a Popsicle.” Zayn breathed, his hand going to his chest, inhaling and exhaling softly.

I breathed a sigh of relief but I was angry Sophia didn’t listen. She was told to fucking run! I turned to chastise her but Louis beat me to it.

“YOU WERE TOLD TO RUN!” His voice boomed in the air, walking over to her and grabbing the stun gun from her possession and gripping her arm tightly, shaking it a little. “YOU DON’T DISOBEY DIRECT ORDERS! YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN YOURSELF KILLED!”

I cringed at the volume of his tone but Sophia only swallowed.

“I did run but it didn’t feel right. I had to come back. I ran but I couldn’t –“She fell to the concrete onto her knees, swallowing nervously. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen. I’m sorry.” Her voice cracked.

I rubbed my head, more relieved than I could express that the standoff was over but still angry Sophia deliberately but herself in danger.

“I don’t care if you thought you were doing the right thing. If we tell you to run, you run. If we tell you to hide – you hide. Are we clear?” I spoke, this time taking control of the situation.

“Yes, Harry. I’m sorry.” Sophia whispered, looking down towards the ground.

I nodded, relief now flashing in my eyes.

“Good girl. Come on, up you get.” I coached, watching her nod.

Zayn helped her stand when she had trouble. Louis just looked her over before assessing Zayn and I’s wounds. We were both pretty bloody.

“Sophia? Do you by chance know how to clean a wound? Bandage it properly, perhaps?” Louis asked her, his body language still livid and his tone now a complete void of emotion.

Sophia hesitated, shaking her head.

“No, Louis. I don’t.” She swallowed, seeing him smile and grab her arm, jerking her to Zayn.

“Well, you can follow my example by Harry but first, we need to chain this rabid animal to the bloody chair before he gets his wind back and wants a second go round.” Louis noted, looking around.

“Chains are in the back of the ambulance – underneath the sedatives.” Sophia spoke quietly.

“Then what are you doing standing here? Go get them, pronto! Zayn? Go with her and get the first aid kit. I’ll stay here with Harry and make sure he doesn’t pass out.”

I forced out a chuckle.

“You’re too kind.” I commented dryly.

Louis rolled his eyes.

“Don’t even get me started on you! What was your bloody deal? What the fuck were you trying to get accomplished?!” Louis yelled in exasperation, watching Sophia run from the room with Zayn straight at her heel.

“You make your opponent enraged and they focus more on their anger than the movement of their opponent – according to what I’ve seen.”

Louis’s eyebrow popped.

“So – you tried something you thought would work? Calling him a bed wetter was…a tad childish, with all due respect. You could have gotten us mauled!” Louis huffed.

“We were gonna get mauled anyhow! I didn’t think it would hurt our chances any worse than they already were!” I defended my actions – slightly pissed Louis was questioning my decision – though, I saw his point. It was pretty damn stupid.

A weak chuckle sounded from the ground, Razor’s eyes opened and looked up at the two of us.

“Your Lass sure got some fight in her. I like a woman who can struggle. That’s going to come into handy for when I –“

Razor didn’t get a chance.

Louis was instantly on the ground and a straight, quick punch to the temple sent Razor into the land he was originally from – the land of nightmares.

“Nice right hook.” I commented.

Five minutes had gone by and Sophia – Zayn too, were still not back.

“I think they want me to bleed to death.” I muttered, sitting down next to Razor and holding my shoulder, my hand now feeling the effects from his earlier bite.

“I’ll go and check –“Louis offered but I shook my head.

“Zayn is probably showing her how to properly bandage. We’re a little behind schedule now, so we need to get his teeth pulled.” I said, taking out the pliers and mild sedative. The shot would keep him out for twenty minutes max. Louis’s punch however – I wouldn’t be surprised if he had punched Razor back into primary school again. If he had even finished that sort of schooling to begin with.

*

ZAYN’S POV:

I took after Sophia as she ran down the hall, never once stopping until she got outside.

From there she collapsed on the ground again but I caught her before her legs could give out completely.

“Not here, love. Come on, ambulance.” I helped guide her toward the back of our ambulance. I was surprised to say the least that she had found anything at all to help. I know the only place she got that metal slab was in the scrap field five blocks over – which means she didn’t go straight to the vehicle like what was instructed.

I cradled my arm, groaning. It hurt like a bitch.

Sophia let me guide her to the back and once the doors were securely shut, she broke down.

I sat and put my good arm around her.

“I know you don’t think they appreciated the gesture of helping them but Sophia, they did. Truly. I saw the relief flood through to their faces when Razor went down. They yelled at you because you disobeyed a direct order. I was fucking worried too because our job is to protect one another when out on assignments and you didn’t have anyone to cover you. That will leave you vulnerable and that means that we are not doing OUR job with making sure that you are safe. You understand what I’m saying?” I tried the less forceful approach and smiled when she nodded in understanding.

“I think they would be even more pissed if they knew I didn’t come straight here.” Sophia murmured, swallowing.

“You ran at least five blocks but that’s between us, yeah? I won’t say anything if you won’t and those two will be busy with Razor, so I think we’re good. Sound fair?”

I saw her lip curl slightly in a small, very microscopic smile.

“Yeah but why are you –why are you so different now?”

I shrugged, taking my hand from around her and standing to get the deluxe first aid kit.

“I was never different, just distant. I didn’t want to get close to someone if they were going to die. You’re part of the group and you’re a good person, Soph. Whether you believe that or not.”

Her demeanor changed.

“A daughter of a vile monster is anything but good.” She spat but I chuckled. I couldn’t help it. Her analogy was just preposterous.

“Oh love, if only you could see what’s going on around you. You don’t give yourself enough credit.” I shook my head, sitting back down and opening the large white kit, setting it beside me.

“I’m all ears if you want to explain.” She gestured.

“Alright but help me get this cleaned and bandaged first.” I reasoned, handing her a plain cotton towel strip, opening a bottle of peroxide.

I flinched, even before the liquid started to sizzle. The bite wound looked like a wild animal got a hold of my arm. The indents were deep and would scar – I knew that from experience but what was one more scar?

I got lost in my thoughts briefly, feeling the towel being gently dabbed over Razor’s bite.

I flinched, hissing in a breath but she was gentle. It seemed so natural for her to interfere and I had a hunch, later on – that she would become something important. She proved she had courage – abet misplaced but she came back to help – after everything, she still came back. How could she not see what was so plainly in front of her face?

“Sorry.” She whispered.

I shrugged, grabbing the alcohol and pouring it in after, making sure to kill any lingering germs inside. Although a let out a muffled growl. Shit, that stuff stings.

“If you don’t see your actions already to prove that you’re no monster – then I don’t know what else to say to convince you otherwise. You even have Louis acting weird – well, weirder for Louis. Harry, he –well, he hasn’t…never mind, the lad’s still an arsehat. Just not as much as normal. If you couldn’t tell we don’t have much in the way of female companionship. We never had a female catch Damien’s attention – let alone Harry’s to want to risk a female gang member. Especially at such a high risk. You’re loyalty in the world of business, not a common street hussy.” I went on to explain, glancing at her long drawn face. It hung down so it was looking at the floor. I picked it up so she was looking back at me again.

“I don’t have a home anymore. I don’t have a cat, I don’t have a father or a mother. I have Dylan, Christian, you, Louis, Harry – Niall – although he’s been a real fuckhead lately to me for no reason and Liam – who is just a plain asshole. He still hasn’t called me Sophia and I’m now supposedly part of this very merry little gang of thieves and murderers.” She grumbled.

I laughed heartedly before wincing.

“If it helps, he called Harry ‘Mr. Styles’ for years. It was only last year I believe, that he started calling him Harry. He’s old fashioned and Niall has seen and experienced great loss. He used to be very attentive to the hostages but it got too hard to watch them go. Caroline, she was different. She broke through his barrier. He fell in love with her and she for him. It was perfect. He begged Harry to make her part of the gang, begged him not to kill her. Harry was still young and he still had that sadness lingering with Evelyn. So he told his father the deal and of course Damien came by the cabin. He saw the happiness in Niall’s eyes, he saw the beauty in hers and –he took it,” I breathed out, recalling the story quite vividly. “He shot her right then and there but not before brutally raping her. Niall and the rest of us were held back so we couldn’t interfere and after, Master Styles felt the need to further punish us by locking us in that basement for a few days with Caroline. She didn’t die right away. He shot her in the stomach and it was a very slow and painful death. We couldn’t even get to her and Niall’s sobs were excruciating to listen to. We all felt that loss, we still do. She was our sunlight in the darkness. She was quiet but she smiled, no matter what we told her to do. She never fought and even forgave us. That’s why Harry doesn’t spare his feelings, he’s afraid it will get the ones he does truly care for killed. He still blames himself for Caroline. Niall has been distant but he’s come around with you but he’s worried. We all are. Because Damien is unpredictable and can take your life without so much as blinking an eye.”

She quietly reached for some antiseptic cream, dabbing it to my arm, her eyes still red from crying but there was another sadness there. One that seemed to run much deeper.

“I’m sorry.” She said again, not elaborating on her thoughts anymore.

“I am too, Sophia. I’m sorry we ever let it get this far. We should have –we should have ended it.” I sighed, grabbing the tape and wrap. “Make sure to make it tight love, we need to get back inside before Louis decides to come out here and scream at both of us. I dunno about you but I for one don’t want to hear his munchkin on helium rant. “I smirked, hearing her laugh a little. It was short but it made the situation not feel as tense.

“Thank you, for telling me. I understand now and I won’t make the same mistake. I’ll prove my worth.” She promised, her voice still as soft as ever.

“Lass? I think you already have.” I assured, standing up and getting the chains from their respective spots. “Come on, we’re missed inside.”

She nodded and followed behind me quietly.

Notes

Such an awe moment I thought. Anyhow, hope you enjoyed!