The Silence That Surrounds

Sophia’s POV:

It was early in the morning when I felt a shake to my shoulder and the vehicle roll to a stop.

“Nightshade? We’re home.” The gentle voice of Harry protruded through the thicket of sleep surrounding my head.

“Home.” I breathed, slowly opening my eyes to see the familiar trees and brush. It seemed forever since I saw the cabin, I smiled but then I remembered why we were home and it fell from my face again.

The door opened and Zayn was helping me from the passenger side. Instead of carrying me, he guided me by the shoulders inside. Everything was silent and dark when we finally reached the inside. Instead of waiting, I headed back to Dylan and I’s room.

When the door creaked open and the artificial light of the kitchen lit inside, I could tell Dylan was sound asleep, his one bare foot sticking from the covers – the shackle from under the bed attached to it.

I crept in quietly, closing the door so it was dark once more. I didn’t head to the windowsill straight away, instead, I dropped by my brother’s foot and helped to undo the restraint. When that was off I threw it away from me and continued myself to the window, sitting idly on the sill, my foot hanging off the side while the other parks itself at the opposite side. It seemed like forever but the dramatics the past couple of days held I was only too happy for the peace.

“You’re back.” Dylan spoke, his voice hoarse and blanketed with sleep.

I didn’t respond for a tense moment but hearing his sweet voice brought me comfort. I loved Dylan, he was my heaven amongst this hell. He was my rock.

“I missed you too, D.” I turned from the swinging trees outside to meet his shadowed face.

“How did everything go? Did they get the documents signed, is it over?” Dylan pressed, getting out of bed slowly and coming to sit at the edge of the windowsill with me; scooting my body closer to the window while he scooted beside me, slipping a comforting arm around my shoulders.

“Yeah, D. Everything’s fine.” I bit back the urge to pull him into a hug, Daniel’s words still stung me and I felt numb to my actions that ended the monster’s life. Revenge wasn’t the answer but his words forced my hand.

“You don’t sound fine, Soph. Did something happen?” He pressed gently and I shook my head but stopped. I couldn’t lie to Dylan, he would know.

“Do you love me? I know it’s a stupid question but all differences aside, did you ever hate me? Like dad?”

Dylan was taken aback for a few moments but his answer was backed up by his arm bringing me closer to him.

“No. I always loved you Sophia, you’re my sister and despite our differences, you and I are family. If I would have known about the ransom, I’d of handed over everything to Harry just to get you back. You’re worth more to me than all the money in the world. You can’t replace family, you can always get more money – there’s one you and one me. How could you ask that, sis?”

He seemed hurt and that’s when I started to tell him about what happened. He didn’t say a word, he listened intently and by the time I got to the end, I felt the bitter tears of anger falling from my face.

“So after I drug the knife in, I gutted it across his throat, slipping it open. Next thing I know I’m crying into Harry’s shoulder before he started to lead me from the room to help clean me up, Zayn snapped out of his shock and he rushed to me, took my shoulders and told Harry to go and get the ambulance. I blink and I’m in front of the sink with him dousing my bloody hand in antibacterial soap, scrubbing it clean with his calloused hands. From there, Louis takes my shoulders and guides me into the passenger side and I’m watching the lodge go up in flames. I didn’t mean to kill him. I just needed to know if there was ever a time he had ever loved me. He never had, I was simply someone carrying the bloodline. He told me if he could go back in time, he’d shove a hanger to abort me himself. Told me I’d never find love here because the men are all soulless monsters but they’re not. They stood up for me when Daniel started but they don’t know what to do with me. I’m female and they’ve never worked this closely with women. All their female victims they killed.”

I finally took a breath at the end of the explanation. I didn’t think I could feel any lower but a sweet kiss to my temple helped to get rid of some of the doubts that had settled.

“I would have done the same thing. You’re loved, sis. You will always have a soft spot in my heart, you’re no disease and Daniel was never one to win father of the year. I’m not going anywhere, Soph. I promise. You’re never going to get rid of me.” He chuckled, ruffling my short black hair. God, I hated this color. I’m asking Harry to dye it later today.

“That means a lot D, thank you.” I smiled, hugging him back.

“Anything for my sister. Come on, it’s early. After everything you’ve been through I can only imagine how tired you must be. Bedtime, we’ll sort it all later today.” He disengaged his arm and stood, going to his duffle bag and picking out a dark navy fleece top and matching pants, tossing them to me.

I didn’t protest, I changed into them and sat at the edge of the bed where Dylan had made some room for me but before I could lower my body, there was a sharp knock at the door with Harry opening it a second later.

“Here’s the stuff you wanted. Remember our agreement, training starts tomorrow. I’ll give everyone today to recuperate.” Harry nods, walking back out and shutting the door behind him.

“What stuff is he talking about?” Dylan asks tiredly, turning back around to face me.

I smiled, getting up to where Harry set the stuff and flipped the light on. Dylan let out a loud exclamation and covering his eyes from the sudden brightness.

“At the lodge, I went into your room to get some clothes because I figure you were getting tired of polo shirts and khakis so I got about ten outfits shoved in your old backpack. I wasn’t going in your boxer drawer, sorry bro but I got everything else I saw and in my search I came across your guitar and a whole slew of music sheets. The car poster I grabbed as an afterthought because I know you love your Ferrari.” I rambled on, half dragging, half carrying the guitar case to his bed with the sheet music.

Dylan stared at me for a few odd some moments and that was plenty of time to spot the purple shiner on his left eye.

“Who did that?” I pointed to his face.

He simply smiled and swung his feet over the side of the bed to pull the guitar case to him, once done I realized why the damn case was so heavy. He had a small amp under the guitar itself.

When he took out the limited edition Paul Gibson cherry red guitar I couldn’t help but notice his dimples and the way it lit up his face the moment he pulled the strap over his shoulder and plucked a few strings.

“I haven’t played in almost a year. Dad got me this guitar for my seventh birthday – do you remember?” He asked offhandedly and started to play a few familiar chords.

“How could I forget? You broke your foot when you fell off the shed roof. The only thing I got that year from him was glow in the dark socks and some expensive perfume. I was eight – what the fuck kinda eight year old needs a ten thousand pound bottle of exotic perfume made from peacock sweat and mandarin?”

He simply laughs and begins to play ‘Simon’ by Lifehouse. He was a major pop culture brat but he loved Lifehouse and Simon was the first song he officially learned to play on the guitar.

“Sort of fitting for our situation don’t you think?” I frown, remembering the lyrics and matching them with the chords of the guitar in my head.

“Very fitting indeed sis.” Dylan hummed, his good mood apparent. He seemed more relaxed and less worried.

“Sing.” I encouraged, desperately trying to shake my uneasy feeling. I was just so happy to be back home with Dylan. I was worried leaving him but now it seemed everything fell back into place now that we were back together. Today I was going to be his shadow, whether he liked it or not. We had a lot of catching up to do.

“Nope, play only.” He teased, his blue eyes sparkling.

“Okay, fine. I’ll sing.” I joked, knowing full well I wouldn’t. Last thing I needed was Harry to come bursting in and asking what was being murdered. I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket and Dylan knew that – which made me laugh when he stopped strumming the strings.

“Soph, what’s gotten into you? You’re not yourself.” He frowned, noticing my good mood. To be honest? I was just glad for it to all be over.

“I’m fine, D. I’ve just been thinking, that’s all.” I replied truthfully, fiddling with the necklace he gave me around my neck.

“About what?” He pressed, getting up and shutting the light off, the early blue glow of night slowly disappearing to morning outside our window.

“That maybe this was a blessing in disguise? Maybe we are better here. The blokes aren’t all bad – “ I started to say but Dylan cut me off with a harsh reminder.

“Did you forget that you were raped by a few of them, Soph? Because I remember quite vividly. I had to bloody fucking watch! Don’t start making the mistake that these guys are your friends or protectors. They are anything but. Take it from me and keep your distance. I mean it, trust no one.” Dylan warned.

I felt the dull ache thump against my chest in realization with remembering the memory and in almost an instant, I felt like I was back at the start of the race, having gone nowhere despite the sweat glistening on my skin and my achy joints.

One step forward and two steps back. I was being played – wasn’t I? If they didn’t give at least a small bit of a damn, Harry wouldn’t have stayed to wake me from that nightmare and if I didn’t care, I wouldn’t of came back to help with Razor…right?

What a confusing situation.

“I think it’s all changed, D. I really do. I saved them from Razor, when we did a job. Harry stayed and woke me up from a nightmare I had when we were at the hunting lodge. People can change, can’t they?” I swallowed but Dylan began to strum the guitar again.

“Not for these blokes, sis. They’re too far gone and bled out. There’s no changing men like them. Now lay down, get comfortable.”

I sigh but lay against the edge of the small bed and lay away from my brother, closing my eyes as the few tears I had leftover came slipping out. I really wanted to believe there was some good still left in them but Dylan was a guy – he knew what other guys were about. Was I wrong to hold out that last bit of hope?

“Catch your breath, hit the wall, scream out loud as you start to crawl –“

Dylan’s voice interrupted my thoughts with his soft, gently wisp. It was sung so smoothly that if I closed my eyes, it took me back to when we were teenagers, sitting in his room or him in mine after a traumatic event. It was a song that brought us together, something that bonded our two unwanted souls and though I couldn’t understand why, it comforted me.

I laid there listening, his voice lulling me in and out of consciousness. To hear it was familiar and touched me. I was with my brother – my family, the only one I had left and even in my sparse thought process, I knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to me. I could trust him, he would be with me and be there for me. I didn’t have anything to worry about. Dylan was strong, he wasn’t weak like I seemed to get. I trust too easy – I let me guard down too easy. I have to stop.

“Goodnight, Soph. Sleep well.” Dylan whispered, the music and his words blurring together. When I felt his fingers running up and down my arm to my wrist I could only smile. He would do that all the time when I was suffering from a nightmare. “Never forget.” He murmured, a slight kiss to my temple following.

“Never forget.” I repeated, whispering it back.

He laid down and got comfortable, throwing the blankets on us and facing away, his back resting up against mine.

*

When my eyes opened again it was around ten AM, judging by the small bustle outside the door everyone was getting ready for today. I groaned but sat up and turned, seeing Dylan was still asleep. I took my hand, using my two fingers to repeat the arm to wrist massage that we had used since we were young. It always worked and it was a lot more pleasant to wake up to then screaming.

He grumbled out a few swear words but opened his eyes and glanced around, groaning in realization.

“What time is it?” He asked, his voice thick with sleep.

“Half past a monkey’s arse and quarter to his balls.” I smirked sarcastically, he was fun to annoy in the mornings, mostly because he wasn’t a morning person.

As predicted he grumbled and threw his face back into the pillow we shared – this time grabbing it and hogged the whole thing. I pounded his back with my open hand in a less than gentle manner.

“Wake up, D. Beautiful day, sun is shining and you’re not wasting it in bed. We are going out for a walk after breakfast.” I announced, making him lift his head slightly.

“Your cheerful Mary Poppins disposition is annoying, it was a lot quieter when you were gone.” He continued to complain.

“Maybe so but you love me anyhow and you missed me, so up and at em.”

Dylan swore again before throwing the covers off and headed for the bathroom. Once he’s had a shower and a chance to wake up he’ll be better for it. As he opened the door a sudden thought came to him and he stopped, turning to me.

“You wouldn’t have by chance taken Esmeralda with you when you took my blue Ferrari poster, would you?”

By luck happened to be passing by.

“Who’s Esmeralda?” I asked with confusion.

“The naked chick with the big jugs and flaming red hair. She was hanging on my door.” Dylan responded, making Louis snort.

“I was actually going to bring her back, had her rolled up in my back pocket but Harry, the damn Puritan, threw her in the fire as we were leaving. Her crime was being naked, evidently that was enough to execute her at the flame. So now, she’s extra crispy with a side of char. Your imagination and hand will have to do around here buddy, it’s not easy sneaking porn in under Harry’s watch. Not that it hasn’t been done.” Louis grumbled but smirked before walking past the door to the kitchen.

Dylan just followed Louis with his eyes before slowly glancing back toward me. I could only shrug.

“Don’t ask me. He’s Louis, he’s not supposed to make sense.”

Dylan snorted but made his way to the bathroom while I made my way to the breakfast table, seeing everyone already there. I sat down next to Harry in my normal spot before glancing at Niall who was busy pocking about the kitchen. The bloke looked like he hadn’t gotten an ounce of sleep in weeks.

“Morning everyone.” I murmured, glancing at the discarded paper.

“Good morning, flower.” Louis responded, getting up from the table and grabbing two mugs by the cabinets.

Without another word he went to the coffee pot and poured the steaming hot liquid evenly into the mugs before walking back, sliding one my way.

“Thanks.”

He smirked, sitting down and sipping his with care without a response. I downed mine, getting up to get another one but Louis stopped me.

“You might not want to do that, flower. I shot your cup up with about sixteen shots of espresso. You’re going to be wired.” Louis chuckled, making Harry look at him in disbelief.

“Seriously? Why the hell would you do that?” Harry demanded.

“Because, the three of us are going to train today. I know you gave us the break but the sooner we get started, the sooner it’s over with. Besides, an hour isn’t going to kill her.”

“No but she might kill you,” Harry laughed, seeing the disbelief on my face but he shrugged. “Alright, after breakfast – if she isn’t flying to Ireland from the caffeine overdose we’ll start. You’re right, we need to get this started and I think she’ll benefit from it the most. It’s just figuring out her strong and weak points.”

I felt my heart beat start to pick up in rhythm from the sudden jolt.

Note to self – never take anything Louis offers ever again.

“You’re not funny, Louis.” I look at him deadpanned. Which only made Niall chuckle – considering he’s been serious, that gave me some hope.

“You’re right, flower. I’m not funny. I’m absolutely hysterical.”

I shake my head and pick up the morning paper to look It over. One thing’s for sure, there’s a definite change in this cabin but Harry also mentioned about keeping with the rules. I wonder if there were any rules on laughing? Or trying to overdose your fellow gang member with espresso. I’m sure the code of conduct had a thing about murder.

“Harry? Can you go over the rules with me? If I’m here indefinitely, I want to make sure – I know the first rule, do not look for comfort in others but that’s all I know.”

Zayn looked up from the table clearing his throat from sleep.

“Listen to directions when they are given, do not stray from the original plan when out on a mission.”

Harry looked at Zayn and then to Liam.

Liam shrugged.

“Do what you say, when you say it, even if it sounds like a bloody stupid –“

Harry cut him off.

“I’ll walk with you after defense practice and we’ll go over the rules, it’s clear these guys are being a bunch of smartarses today.”

“Not me, I’m a smartass.” Louis chided but when Harry just gave him a look, he rolled his eyes.

“Puritan.” Louis muttered which I had to laugh at because Harry just didn’t get the inside joke – considering he was the butt of it and Louis didn’t let him in on it.

Niall finished with breakfast not soon after and Dylan came out dressed and ready, sitting beside me at the table.

“We’re doing some self-defense, D. After breakfast.” I smiled but he groaned, looking at Liam.

Liam shook his head and scratched his scalp nervously.

“About that, Harry. Dylan’s training hasn’t gone that well. Between Niall and myself we’ve tried to teach him basics and yesterday we worked on blocks but he caught more fists then he did blocking them. Maybe under a more skilled hand he will improve but we did everything we could.” Lam explained and I felt my worry spike, considering the possibility that if he is taken to Damien’s cabin and not able to defend himself…I didn’t want to even think about it.

“He’ll get it, don’t worry about it.” Harry dismissed with a wave of his hand.

“That’s not all though. Damien said he’s picking up the lad tomorrow – along with the documents if you didn’t fuck up the job.” Liam repeated Damien’s exact words.

Harry’s hand tightened into a slight fist and all good mood around the table dropped like that. In fact, when I looked at Dylan, he had gone completely pale.

“Dylan?” I gulped, reaching my hand to him but he slammed his hand on the table with enough force to shake the cutlery already placed on it. I paused, feeling a cold dread pass through my body, looking to Harry. “ Harry, please, if he isn’t ready –“ I trailed off but Dylan was up from the chair and going out the front door before anyone could stop him.

I threw my chair back and turned to run after him but Harry stopped me, an unreadable expression on his face.

“Let him go, nightshade. Just let him cool off, it’s alright.” Harry murmured softly, his eyes a darker green from what they were moments ago.

I sighed, sitting back down uneasily. I just got back – there was supposed to be time, we were supposed to have time before Damien showed up again, now what? I wasn’t ready to face him again.

In that knowledge I felt the tears but I refused to let them fall. Damien would love that and I’m not about to give him an excuse. The one I’m truly worried about now is Dylan.

Notes