Darkness

Carter spat out her tea and her eyes widened. Liam didn’t just say that… She refused to believe it.

“I’m 16 Liam! I DON’T NEED A BABYSITTER!” she roared.

“It’s not a babysitter! He’s just here to keep you company while I’m away!” Liam protested.

Carter’s blood boiled inside her. Its official, she had blown her top. She was furious that Liam would do this to her.

“I don’t need any company Liam! I’ll be fine on my own!” she screamed. “No you won’t Carter!” Liam objected. “And why is that Liam?!” she questioned, crossing her arms.

“Because you a wreck Carter! That’s why! Every day you come home with a new injury and puffy red eyes! You’ve tried to kill yourself on numerous occasions and you can’t take care of yourself!” Liam’s words stung Carter directly in her heart.

Even her brother, the person she cared about the most, has lost faith in her.

Tears brewed in Carter’s eyes as she made her way through the hallway. “Carter, wait!” Liam tried to call Carter back but she ignored him and walked on.

She sprinted up the stairs and was met by Zayn halfway. “Carter, what’s wrong?” he asked, pulling her towards him. She shook her head and wriggled from his grasp, strolling away from him and into her bedroom before slamming the door loudly and locking it. She slumped down onto the floor and buckled her knees to her chest, sobbing quietly.

“Liam, what happened Carter?” Zayn questioned. “I told her about Harry minding her and she freaked out.” He responded. A short silence passed by between the two. “What are you going to do?” Zayn asked. “I don’t think I can go to Ibiza. I can’t leave her, especially like this.” He sighed. “But, Liam, you’ve been looking forward to this trip all year!” Zayn protested. “I know…” Liam gazed at his feet.

He never meant to say that to Carter, it just slipped out, and he regretted it ever since the words left his mouth.

* * * * *

“Carter…. Please come out.” Niall pleaded from outside Carter’s bedroom. She didn’t respond. The only sounds coming from her bedroom were the almost silent sobs that she cried. “Please Carter, for me?” he begged. “Go away.” She whispered harshly through her tears. Niall did as he was told and went downstairs.

“She won’t come out.” He told them. “Let her cool down. She’ll be fine in the morning.” Louis chimed. The boys agreed and turned on the TV.

Carter hated speaking to Niall or any of the boys like that. She knew he was just trying to help and didn’t cause any of this. But then again, Liam had just said what everyone else was thinking, and she knew it. She sat down on her bed and threw her head back, slowly drifting into a deep sleep.

She was constantly tossing and turning that night. Her dreams were filled with deep, darks secrets that she couldn’t understand the meaning of. Harry was in her dreams, and it seemed to be taking place when he was babysitter her.


“Carter, get over here.” He spoke through gritted teeth. Carter slowly edged over to Harry in fear.

She knew what was coming. Ever since the boys left fir Ibiza, the bullying became worse. Her daily beatings turned into hourly ones. His words became sharper and more painful towards her. The torment she usually received for 7 hours a day was now 24 hours. Things were getting worse and worse for Carter by the day. He wouldn’t let her eat or drink. She was surprised she was still alive.

She pulled her weak body closer to him and gazed up. His evil eyes pierced through her as she trembled in fear. A tear trickled down her cheek and she waited in anticipation for what he was going to do to her.

He picked up and knife and neared towards her, taking tiny steps. “P-P-Please don’t do this to me Harry. I-I-I love you.” She spoke in a shaky tone. “I’m no one’s second choice Carter.” Harry shook his head, breathing heavily on her. “You were n-never my second choice Harry, I promise.” She meant every word she said. Her breath baited as he held the knife up against her throat, back her against the wall.

“You should have thought of that before you chose him over me.” He spat as he sliced the knife through her and she fell to the ground. She was cold, pale and dead. A river of blood surrounded her and Harry strolled out of the house and slammed the door.


Carter Louise Payne. 16th March 1995 – 23 November 2011.

A beloved daughter, sister and friend to all.

She will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.





A figure came towards her grave. She didn’t recognise it at first but soon saw that it was Harry.

What was he doing at her grave? He was the one who caused this in the first place! He had killed her…

He had a bouquet of flowers in his hand and he placed them carefully beside her headstone. He bent down beside the grave and whispered:

“I only did this to you to stop the constant pain in my heart,
But now that you’re gone, I just want you to be here with me.”

A tear fell from his eye and onto the soil of the grave. He sniffed before turning away and leaving the cemetery where Carter was buried.

* * * * *

Carter suddenly woke up from her dream and screamed. She opened her eyes to find herself in her bedroom, along.

It was just a dream Carter…

What had her dream meant? Was it some sort of vision into the future? Was Harry really going to kill her? And would he regret it afterwards? When did she ever put Harry in ‘second place’?

Carter’s mind was bombarded with questions like these. She couldn’t understand it.

But what Carter didn’t know, was that her dream had a much deeper meaning to it. It meant a lot more than she though. And she would soon find out why…

She lied back down and put in her earphones in hope of getting a small bit of sleep.

You think that you know me, know me.
That’s why I’m leaving you lonely, lonely.
Baby you don’t know a thing about me…
You don’t know a thing about me…

She eventually fell back to sleep as she laid in her bed.

* * * * *

The next morning, Carter got up and ventured downstairs, into the kitchen where the boys were.

“Carter!” they exclaimed in unison. “Hi guys.” She smiled. “Hi Carter.” Liam remarked. Carter ignored him and strolled past him, sitting beside Zayn and grinning. “Would you like a drink Carter?” Louis asked as he stood up. “Yes please Louis, seen as I can’t fend for myself.” She aimed her comment directly at Liam and glared at him. “Ooh Liam just got burned!” Niall jeered, earning a slap off the older boy.

Carter laughed quietly. “I’ve got to go boys. See you later.” She beamed, kissing each of the boys except Liam and waltzing out the door.

She got to school and dashed to her locker. She sorted out her books just as Harry burst through the door, glaring. She hoped and prayed that it wasn’t her he was angry with, and luckily, it wasn’t. To Carter’s surprise, he stormed past her and headed straight towards Tom, the guy who Lucy had cheated on him with.

“IT’S BAD ENOUGH TO FUCK AROUND WITH MY GIRLFRIEND, BUT MY SISTER?!” Harry shouted, causing everyone to jump.

“Aw, I guess Gemma told you about our little night then, eh?” tom chuckled, less than intimidated by Harry. “You’re a fucking man whore Tom.” Harry spat. “Aw is lickle Harry upset?” Tom teased.

“YOU’LL BE A LOT MORE THAN UPSET WHEN I’M DONE WITH YOU!” Harry roared, lunging at Tom and pouncing on him.

“FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!” Everyone chanted in the hallways.

Carter tried to see what was going on, but she was grabbed by the wrist and turned around. She looked up and was met by a smiley Jake. “Hiya.” Jake displayed a toothy grin on his face. “Jake!” Carter beamed as she pecked him on the lips. “What’s your first class?” he quizzed Carter, holding her hand tightly. “Free period, you?” she replied. “Maths.” Jake sulked. The bell rang so he kissed Carter and strolled away.

Jake sat down in class and took out his phone. Lucy stormed in and slammed her hand on the table, scowling at Jake as he looked up at her.

“What the fuck are you playing at Jake?!” she shrieked. “What’s wrong Lucy?” he inquired. “What the hell are you thinking?! Who gave you the right to date that whore Carter?!” Lucy shrieked.

The teacher entered the room and tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for Lucy to leave. “Relax Luce, we’ll talk later.” Jake whispered. Lucy stomped out of the room and slammed the door behind her. Jake rolled his eyes at his over-dramatic sister and sighed.

* * * * *

Carter came home later that day and took off her coat. She grabbed a packet of taytos from the cupboard and jolted up the stairs. The boys wouldn’t be home for another while, so she had the house to herself.

She was in a very good mood, considering the events of last night. I guess she was still going through the honeymoon-phase with Jake. She switched on her stereo and music blared out of it.

We found love in a hopeless place!
We found love in a hopeless place!
We found love in a hopeless place!
We found love in a hopeless place!

Carter danced around the room like an idiot. No one was watching her, so she went crazy around the room. See, the thing is, Carter was not a very good dancer. AT ALL. She had two left feet as people would say. She was shocked that she made it through the night of the prom with falling over!

* * * * *

Niall turned the key in the lock and opened the door. He could hear music coming from upstairs so he ran up and pressed his ear against the door of Carter’s bedroom.

“We found love in a hopeless place!”

The second Niall heard the song; he burst into the room and joined Carter, but decided to change the lyrics.

“WE FOUND CARTER IN A HOMELESS PLACE!”

He roared. Carter screamed the newly-written lyrics at the top of her voice.

“WE FOUND CARTER IN A HOMELESS PLACE!”

They both jumped around and continued to sing and dance. That is, until Carter realised what the lyrics actually said.

“We found Carter in a homeless pl- HEY!” she pouted, only recognising Niall’s little joke now.

Niall stifled with laughter and slapped Carter slapped Niall on the head. She scooted over to her stereo and changed the song to avoid Niall’s cruel joke. And you’ll never get what she picked…

“I’M SEXY AND I KNOW IT!”

She winked at Niall. “Yes, you’re very sexy babe.” Niall flirted, wriggling his eyebrows at her. “Remember Niall… I’ve got a boyfriend now!” she told him. “Boo.” He sulked. She kissed his cheek and he began to sing once more.

“AHHH! GIRL LOOK AT THAT BODY!”

Niall pulled up his shirt, revealing his toned torso. Carter giggled and pretended to swoon.

* * * * *

The door opened and Liam stood in the doorway. Carter didn’t want to talk to him right now. She ran to the door and tried to close it on him but he blocked her from doing so with his foot.

“I’m just gonna go….” Niall said awkwardly and left the room.

Carter turned away from Liam and sat on her bed, refusing to look at him. He sighed and stepped over to the bed, sitting down beside her. She moved away from him and scowled slightly.

“Carter… I’m sorry.” He whispered.

“Carter didn’t murmur a word. “Please Carter…” he pleaded, resting his arm on her lap. She looked down with no emotion whatsoever on her face.

Meanwhile, Louis, Zayn and Niall were leaning against Carter’s bedroom door, listening to her and Liam’s conversation. “Louis…. You’re squishing me….” Niall whined. “SHH NIALL!” Louis and Zayn hissed. Niall pouted as he tried to wriggle out from under Louis. He banged into the door and it swung open. “NIALL YOU IDIOT!” Zayn and Louis roared in unison. “I’m sorry!” Niall whimpered and ran downstairs. Louis and Zayn mouthed a quick ‘sorry’ to Liam and Carter and followed Niall.

“Carter, look at me.” Liam turned Carter around to face him. She wouldn’t even look him in the eye. “Why even bother Liam? After all, I’m a wreck.” Carter’s bitter words sliced through Liam like a knife. “Carter, I didn’t mean to call you a wreck…” Liam promised her. “Then why did you? Something must have led you to say it!” Carter raised her voice a little as she stared at her brother intensely.

“I don’t know…. I was just angry and it slipped out. You’re not a wreck Carter, you’re perfect. You’re the most amazing girl in the world and I’m proud to call you my sister.” He whispered, pulling Carter into his embrace and hugging her tightly. She kissed his cheek which made him instantly smile. He knew he was forgiven.

“AWWWW!!!” several voices mused from the doorway.

“Way to ruin the moment guys!” Liam hissed. Louis, Niall and Zayn chuckled and ran into the room. They pounced on Carter and engulfed her in a bear hug. “Guys I can’t breathe!” Carter screamed. They ignored her cry for help and continued to smother her. Zayn sprang away from them and perked up.

“LETS PLAY WRESTLING!!!” he yelled.

Everyone jumped to their feet in excitement.

“I’M BEING JOHN CENA!”

“I’M RANDY ORTON!”

“BEGS BEING REY MYSETRIO!”

“I’M CM PUNK!”

“AND I’M KELLY-KELLY!”

Everyone turned and froze and the last comment. Niall’s cheeks turned bright red as he received strange looks off the boys and Carter.

“Did you just say you were being Kelly-Kelly? But she’s a girl Niall….” Louis chimed.

“Yeah buddie!” Niall exclaimed and ran downstairs, leaving the others to follow.

Carter still wasn’t one bit happy about the whole Harry-Babysitter-Her business, but she was going to make the most of having the boys around until they left.

* * * * *

Notes