The Silence That Surrounds

Sophia’s POV:

Relief flooded through me as we now pulled up behind a fish and chip cart along the more populated streets of London. It was about 1:30 PM England time and we had just got through dropping Razor off. His teeth pulled and Louis had been feeling particularly spirited because he made sure the fleshy part of his snake like tongue was ripped right where the throat started. Painful didn’t begin to describe it and it was too graphic to process properly. Even Zayn went through the notions of the job he was given and didn’t question it.

“A short break before we finish up for the day.” Harry announced, opening up the heat box.

I swallowed but took Zayn’s hand when he offered it, knowing it was alright to stand around a fish and chip cart, eating – like a normal fucking day. My appetite was nonexistent. I just wanted to get back to Dylan and tell him the horror that was my day.

“Broker, this is our newest member, Sophia. Sophia? This is an old friend of ours, Broker Bank. I’ve known the bloke since I was thirteen.” Harry introduced when I entered out through the back and onto the sidewalk corner/

I gently disengaged my hand from Zayn for the older gentlemen to shake. I didn’t smile but he did, glancing at Harry and the other guys – chuckling.

“So, who was it and how’d it play out?” Broker asked, his salt pepper hair shaking back and forth good humoredly. It wasn’t exactly unnoticeable to see that Harry and Zayn got beat up pretty well – especially the blood stained bandages that adorned their bodies.

“Razor – you heard of him I’m sure.” Harry began but Zayn spoke up.

“Sophia saved our asses. If it weren’t for her, we would be shredded.” Zayn chuckled, not sparing any lack of detail.

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Louis piped up in an almost bitter grunt, clearly a little displeased Zayn would say that in front of company.

Broker smirked, looking at me. I just let my head drop and my body hunch in. I must have looked like an abused dog because next thing I know, his large hand is gently under my chin, lifting it up so we were face to face.

“Hey now, no sad faces around my fish cart. Smile, love – you did a good job. Whatever you did.” He encouraged with a gentle stroke of his thumb against my chin before taking a small cardboard basket and preparing a small platter of fish and chips – or as Americans would call them, French or freedom fries.

Harry smiled a little, opening the back of the Ambulance and sitting down on the edge. HIs demeanor was good natured and he seemed more at ease in the older man’s presence.

“One thing you can’t do around Broker here is frown. So, smile. It’s the only way we get free food.” Harry shrugged.

Zayn laughed at the statement and Louis smirked – although it was pessimistically sardonic.

“To answer you, Harry – I know Razor’s gang quite well. Elliot Dawson and Razor’s brother, Blade. They’ve been coming around here lately and causing trouble. Just the other day, Razor and Blade stopped by. Needless to say they robbed and then vandalized my cart. I also saw that they had a new street slag for higher – her name is Delia. Now, I haven’t seen her around since then but that gang is trouble. Be extra careful with them Harry, especially when Sophia is concerned.” Broker warned, handing me the small basket.

“She is well protected, Broker, I promise you that all of us see to that.” Harry assured the pepper haired man as I stayed silent and bit down on one of the chips in my basket, closing my eyes at the explosion of flavor.

Broker chuckled, watching me.

I didn’t smile but I sat down next to Harry and Zayn beside me on the left. That left Louis standing by Broker.

“So, details? You two gents look like shit that got stepped on. Aside from the pretty little flower and Tommo here. They look fresher than daisies.” Broker encouraged the curly haired leader, he loved hearing about Harry’s adventures in London.

“Razor was a bad dog. He raped and brutally mauled an eleven year old to death. Long story short, her father is high political, Damien got the request and we went to apprehend Razor, who was stored at one of the locations we do pickups. He managed to kill his guard and untie himself by eating his bonds. In addition to that, he thought he was smart by waiting for us. Threatened us with authorities having to identify us by dental records.”

Broker let out a laugh.

“Well, Razor wasn’t known for brains.”

Harry smiled, reaching over to accept his fish and chips, popping one of the small cutlets into his mouth and savoring the taste.

“We fought and it was about the time that Razor went for Harry’s face that Sophia – who did break direct orders when we told her to run to the safety of the ambulance decided to show back up with a metal scrapyard piece and disobey her orders but she clocked him right over the head in one quick hit before stun gunning him. It was brilliant mate, you should have seen –“Zayn went on to explain but Harry was quick to pick up on the detail.

“Speaking of, where did you get that metal piece anyhow, Sophia? I didn’t see it outside and that was made of pure metal. Ya know, something that is usually found strictly at the scrapyard – quite a few blocks away.”

I swallowed my food, eyes wide in unsure fear.

“I –well –um…” I trailed off, scooting back next to Zayn.

Zayn wrapped his arm protectively around me and gave Harry an unsure look. Thankfully the kind man spoke up.

“Harry, lad? Where did you find such a treasure? She is beautiful – a girlfriend for you, perhaps? Eh?” Broker interjected with a smirk trying to clear the awkward air that had gathered around us but if anyone asked me, it just became thicker with unspoken tension.

“No sir, I use to be their hostage.” I spoke quietly, swallowing hard to see if Harry minded if I told his friend. Evidently he didn’t because he finished the remaining question that Broker would have most likely asked next.

“Her father never paid, he gave his daughter and son up into our custody to save his company. You might have heard of him? Daniel Stone – Sophia and Dylan Stone were wanted by police in questioning with his mansion being blown. This is Daniel’s daughter, Sophia Stone.” Harry smiled pleasantly, his hand gently finding my tense shoulder.

“Oh my God, I didn’t recognize her! Oh lass, you’re wanted alright. Why just this morning police were handing out fliers and asking around. Be careful hunny, don’t get yourself caught up in that mess. Stay with Harry, he’ll keep you safe.” Broker frowned.

“Yeah? Who’s going to protect me from Harry?” I muttered back, my good mood no longer there. Everything seemed to be going wrong today and all I wanted to do was get back to my brother.

Harry’s hand squeezed my shoulder in warning, making me close my mouth. Broker only chuckled.

“He’s not as bad as his reputation precedes him to be, lass. Trust me, he’s a teddy bear compared to Damien. Now he’s –“

“A deranged fucking asshole.” I spurted, making them all go quiet and look at me.

“That’d be one word for it, lass. Anyhow! Happier subject, yeah? So, she saved your arses, huh?”

I smiled, Harry’s hand going back to his food. Everything was relaxed again, like we hadn’t been discussing anything else.

“I didn’t follow orders, sir. It’s hardly a matter if I had or not, right?”

Louis snorted but said nothing else.

“I find it funny because, given that you gents normally have guns on you, couldn’t you have taken them and shot the bloody bloke in the knee instead of risking life and limb?

All three of them stopped chewing, their heads glancing at Broker like he just found the cure for cancer.

Broker noticed and let out a sharp, shrill laugh.

“Why didn’t we –“Louis trailed off, glancing at Harry who reached into his pocket and took out his piece.

I don’t know why but I started to laugh. After weeks of fear, pain and depression, the look on each of the gang member’s face was as priceless as gold.

Zayn started to chuckle with me but a sharp look from Harry quieted him. He still had a smirk on his face though and that sent me into hysterics. Whether my reserve was completely cracked or I had lost it long ago, well, the laughter finally reached my eyes.

Harry let a small laugh escape and shake his head.

“Ya know, Broker? We need to stop by for lunch more often, mate – consult you for common sense. I think it’s been a long week for all of us. Sophia? If there’s one person you can rely on for a laugh, he’s it.” Harry smiled, completely and utterly relaxed.

I felt my chest start to settle, my stomach no longer fluttering.

“Thank you Mr. Broker, it has been much appreciated,” I nodded once, handing him back the empty cardboard container. “If time permits, I know I would love to stop by.”

Broker nodded, his eyes kind and his face never falling.

“Where are you lads and lass heading to now? More pickups?”

Harry’s face fell then and he was definitely considering his next words very carefully.

“Um, I sort of was hoping to tell Sophia while she was in the back but I guess now is as good as any.” Harry rubbed his forehead.

I swallowed when he turned and stared into my blue eyes, his greens now going from a playful glint to serious.

“We need the documents from your father and he’s held up at his hunting lodge. We need you to get in there and find the documents, if you can’t then we’ll move onto plan B. We will send you in alone but we’ll close by should anything happen and you will have an earpiece so all communications will be open. We have you, nightshade. Trust me, if you die all this bullocks will have been for nothing.” Harry explained patiently, turning his head when Broker cleared his throat.

“Harry? You know, mate, you’re not Damien Crow. Try to be a little bit more open, yeah?”

Louis smirked.

“Broker, mate? We’re criminals, not Casanovas. We have a mission to complete – stop relying so much on daytime telly to stroke your fantasies.”

Broker let out a snicker.

“You are the true definition of a horse’s ass, Tomlinson but you got my respect. Now, with your permission Harry – I’d like to give your little nightshade there something. It might help – it might be the worst idea in history but you got to start a trusting point somewhere, am I wrong?”

Harry gestured to me, knowing already what the man was going to do and in turn the green eyed gang member pushed me off the back of the ambulance while Broker looped his arm around mine, walking me out of sight before we stopped.

“You, lass? I’ve not seen him –Louis included this relaxed for a long time. Whatever it is that you’re doing, keep doing it.” He smiled, digging into his back pocket while using his other hand to turn my palm flat.

“The only thing I’ve managed to do is annoy them. I disobey orders and I put people in danger. I’m not going to last long and strangely, I’m okay with that. To be honest –“My quiet words were cut off by an object being placed into my hand. I looked down and found it was a switchblade. It was small but given the length of the blade, it could do some serious damage. I said nothing.

“A woman always needs to be prepared for anything. I see you lasting longer than you think. Be yourself and keep doing whatever it is you’re doing. Harry, it’s the first time in years that I’ve seen him truly smile and lass? I’ve known that lad since he was a tyke – well, a thirteen year old mouthy as all get out tyke but he certainly wasn’t the lad I knew today. His eyes haven’t lit up since Evelynn. Oh that little one had that kid’s heart wrapped around her little fingers. It was a shame when she passed. Damien Crow is a monster and I saw Harry repeating his dad’s mistakes – now I’m not so sure. I gave him his switchblade when he was sixteen and now, I’m passing on the tradition. Take it, keep it and let it bring you safety.” Broker smiled, kissing the top of my head and grabbing my hand to lead me back to Harry but I stopped him.

“I don’t see myself lasting long because I don’t know how much longer I can keep it together. I feel so dead inside. I’m not strong –not in the least, not anymore. Damien and his gang they –they.” I covered my mouth, letting the events of the past finally shine through to my brain, uncovering the images that I had trapped in the dark. I couldn’t cry about it now because it seemed almost useless but I knew I was hurting, deeply and emotionally. I knew that I wanted to die – that I needed to.

“You’re stronger than you think, Ms. Sophia. Harry believes it and now, you need to as well. It’s the only way you’re going to survive this hellhole and come out on top. Finding inner strength is the hardest. You have to lose everything and everyone that’s close to you to know what true loss is. I’ve seen miracles, the same as I have witnessed tragedies. Don’t start doubting your self-worth. You will be one of the few that carry on and rise above. I only just met you and I see the impact you have over those group of boys. Even Zayn. His smile is finally reaching his eyes. I knew him as a teen too, Harry introduced me when he was made part of the group – seems a tradition. Kidnap hostages, keep them, break them and then bring them here for a good joke and free meal. Maybe Harry’s trying to hold onto something too but he’s bled out, he’s been that way since he was sixteen and that was a long while ago.”

I nodded, reaching gingerly to hug the stranger in front of me. His words touched true to my troubled heart but they were kept at a distance. I needed to figure out what I wanted – what I truly needed.

“Thank you Mr. Broker.” I whispered, letting him guide me back to Harry and the gang.

We made short work of our departure and headed in the very familiar direction of my father’s hunting lodge. I recognized the roads but we had a few hours until we were there. At least this time I got to sit up next to Harry – the air a comfortable quiet.

“Zayn activated your tracker and Louis activated the communication tracer, we can keep eyes and ears peeled if there’s any trouble. I don’t think there will be but I also need you to appeal to your father, I need you to think up a plausible reason as to why you’re back and how you got here. We will be outside the property and out of sight.”

I nodded but still somewhat concerned.

“What if he threatens to call the police? He made it clear that he wasn’t below this.” I pointed out, glancing at Harry.

“This is true. Well, you got your switchblade Broker gave you, do you know how to use one?” Harry asked, a small smirk grazing his lips.

I looked at him wide eyed but felt a small smile pull at the corners of my own mouth.

“No but I’d like to, will you show me?”

It was the first time I had willingly asked Harry how to do anything and to be honest, when he glanced at me in surprise, I knew I had transitioned into something that seemed normal – something routine. I felt like I was slowly slipping into the gang and becoming a connected chain rather than a useless link.

“You’re still on suicide watch, Soph, technically you’re not allowed to have any sort of weapon – but if you promise me that you won’t try to take your life while I entrust you with this job then yes, I will show you how to defend yourself. Do we have an accord?” Harry asked, taking his hand off the wheel and extending it toward me.

I shook it without hesitation, a silent but temporary promise.

“We have an agreement, Mr. Styles, write up the papers.” I smiled, which made Harry make a face in a small wave of confusion.

“Huh?”

“When my father would come to a business agreement with a certain party he’d smile and shake the investor’s hand and say ‘write up the papers and I’ll sign.”

Harry chuckled.

“A handshake is sufficient enough.”

I nod, glancing at the side of Harry’s face. For some reason he looked like he wanted to say more. Since he didn’t I continued on with the conversation.

“Harry? I want to be honest with you, if I may?”

Harry chuckled, obviously not stopping me. It’d be stupid to say I wanted to be honest with him and then lie.

“I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier with Razor – for not listening to you and going against direct orders. When you told me to run, I did. I ran but I knew if Razor trapped me in the ambulance that I’d be as good as dead. So I ran a few blocks and came across a scrapyard. The metal piece I hit Razor with lying against the fence, completely discarded. That’s when something in my head told me to come back to you but I knew I couldn’t hope for the best; so I ransacked the ambulance, saw the stun gun and that’s all she wrote for Razor but I need to apologize for jeopardizing my safety and causing you and Zayn to become injured. I want to eventually be something more than just a girl who was a hostage. I have no one who cares and it means a lot that you guys do. Obligated or not, thank you Harry. For everything. Now I finally feel like I have a chance at being good at something –knowing that I don’t have to be afraid of failure. Broker put some things in perspective for me and –I – well, thanks.” I finished, stumbling over my words with a gulp.

Harry didn’t take his eyes off the road but I saw his grin widen.

“For what it’s worth, nightshade, thank you. We would be a lot worse off if you hadn’t shown back up. Just, next time we tell you to do something, please do it and don’t try to be a hero. There are no heroes amongst villains and I don’t want to lose you or any of the other men over something that could have been prevented. Besides, let’s not bring up Razor, I’m already kicking my head at the utter stupidity. We had guns – GUNS! I could have shot him in the leg and avoided all this.”

His tone was less amused at the last part but I understood why.

“You’re welcome Harry.” I smiled, though my insides were steel reeling from my nerves. Everything was happening so quick that it made my head spin.

I ran my fingers through my hair, frowning at the sudden stop. I was so use to having long hair. Hell, I spent the better half of six years growing it. Although Harry’s straight hair was a sort of comical relief through the whole thing but at least he didn’t have to change or alter himself like I was made to.

“Harry? After this is over, will you let me dye my hair red again? If not red, maybe your shade? I want to feel I’m still attached to somewhere normal. Like, I want to feel at least I belong someplace.”

He glanced at me but shrugged.

“If you want to dye your hair red or brown, sure whatever; but right now let’s focus on Daniel and the documents for his company we will need. If he does not have them, you know we will need to take more extreme measures. I need you to be ready for that.” Harry warned, his hand going over the air conditioning button, flipping it on so the air was blowing directly on us.

“I won’t disappoint you. At least, not intentionally.” I promised.

Harry seemed satisfied and the hours drug on from the end of our conversation but eventually the London streets turned to unpaved dirt roads and the houses disappeared until only a wooden lodge overshadowed by deserted green hills was all the eye could see. Of course the forest behind it gave off an even eerier feel.

Harry parked in some hidden brush off to the side, about a half mile from the lodge itself, cutting the ambulance and getting out.

I followed his lead as he met me over by the passenger side, holding out his hand and guiding me toward him. I took his hand and let him pull my left hand to his throat.

“Right here, do you feel how my heartbeat thumps against your fingers? That’s my main lifeline. It controls the blood to my brain, neck and face. It’s called the carotid artery,” He explained simply, moving my hand to the other side and let my fingers graze the other lifeline. “There are exactly two positioned in the neck. One on the left and one on the right. If you take a knife and hit right where your fingers are, I will bleed out within twenty seconds. It’s a relatively quick death but not painless. I would feel every stab and every cut. It’s even quicker if you were to slit my throat from ear to ear but if you want them to suffer for a few extra seconds, you stab here or where I first showed you. Got it?”

I nodded.

“Yes, sir.”

He confirmed my statement with a curt one of his own before his eyes looked to the back of the opening door of the ambulance. Louis and Zayn stepping out a second after.

I watched them meet us at the front, a cellphone in each of their hands.

Louis didn’t say anything but walked beside me, gently preening my lose hair behind my ear and a moment later I felt something being tucked into the outer ridge of my ear.

“This is your communication window. We can hear you and if needed, you will be able to hear us. It’s clear so Stone won’t detect it unless he knows what to spot. If your ear piece is no longer functioning, I have you on the voice tracer. Zayn has you on the main tracker in case you need to run. We’ll know what direction you go. Be careful, Sophia, yeah?” Louis patiently explained, his cold vibrant blues once again meeting my dark, lifeless ones.

“Yeah, I’ll be careful Louis. You guys do the same.” I nod, turning to walk off but gentle arms wrapped themselves around me, trapping me against their hard chest.

“Good luck, Sophia – thank you for today.” Zayn whispered by my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

I turned my head towards his mouth, his soft pink lips found their way to my temple, giving it a quick kiss before I was released.

I stopped and looked at Harry as he merely encouraged me with a nod, though he looked less than pleased with Zayn and his actions but I didn’t mind the hug. It reminded me of Dylan, every action of Zayn’s screamed ‘brother’ and I just didn’t have the energy to focus anymore on it than necessary.

“Good luck, nightshade, we’ll be here if you need us.” Harry smiled a little unsure but gave me another gesture to continue.

No other words were spoken and I found myself standing at my father’s lodge door in no time flat, knocking briskly.

When the door happened open, a shocked look ran across my father’s features. I took a step forward, wrapping my arms around the man I had longed to see in the beginning. Now, all I could do was swallow down the vomit that threaten to spill from my mouth.

“Dad, they let me go. They, they said they didn’t need me anymore. Dylan –“ I trailed off in distress before I fell silently into his arms but what I didn’t expect was for him to push me off and slam the door shut.

“Dinner will be ready in an hour, I expect you to be showered, dressed and presentable for once. I don’t care about Dylan but you should know that I am less than pleased with being locked out of my company. You’re lucky I haven’t changed my will yet. Go, I will see you in an hour sharp. If I have to come get you, you will wish you had never been let go at all!” My dad hollered.

I felt the familiar pang of tears well in my eyes but I swallowed them down and ran towards the bathroom to shower and get dressed as he commanded. I knew by now, fighting him would only make my situation worse.

When I was in the bathroom and the water was running I hunched into the furthest corner, my arms around my knees.

“Harry? Harry I can’t –“I started but his strong voice came through clearly into my earpiece.

“Yes you can, Sophia. If you can survive Damien Crow, you can survive your asshole of a father. I believe in you, nightshade. Go on and shower up. If he does anything, we’ll be there in a tick. You’re safe, nothing’s going to happen to you not on our watch. I promise, alright?”

Harry seemed so sure of himself that I believed him.

“A-alright. I love you guys.”

I don’t know why I said it, I didn’t really love them but I did care – I had to of at least a little if I went back and saved them/ Right now I am just so scared that the words spilled out. Maybe I had told them that so that they wouldn’t abandon me if they had planned to without telling me. After all, they were my only lifeline.

“We love you too, Sophia.” Zayn came through the ear piece when a long brief radio silence followed.

“Speak for yourself, Malik.” Louis growled but didn’t deny my words so I would take that as a semi positive thing.

“We’re here, nightshade, and we aren’t going anywhere.” Harry reassured me again but neither of the others returned my earlier sentiment.

“I know, Harry. Thank you. Thank you guys.” I murmured thankfully, letting out a small sob before jumping in the shower so that I may get ready to meet my father for supper. I was beyond terrified. The dark look in Daniel’s eyes was enough to send convulsions down a corpse’s spine. Which, if I wasn’t careful – I might just be regretting that comparison.

Notes