Stockholm Syndrome

Chapter 17

(Emma's POV)

I am utterly baffled when they decide to let us out, But Niall seems very much in control of the situation. He even has the nerve to kiss me on the cheek. Twice! I try to tell myself that I didn't like his sudden affection.

I'm not even surprised when they knock us out again. Is it bad when the smell of chloroform is familiar? But this time they wake us up in a car, just outside a familiar hotel. Niall once again seems to know exactly what's going on and pulls a hat over his head. He doesn't bother giving me one as he steps out of the car and walks towards the hotel. I hesitantly follow. When he gets to the door, he holds it open and I fake a smile as I walk through, though for what reason I'm not sure. After the that. Niall takes the lead again, dragging me up endless flights of stairs. Finally he stops at a door and Knocks gently. Zayn is the one to open the door, but the rest of them quickly follow. Most of them head strait to Niall, but Louis gives me a grin and wraps me in a hug. He leaves his arm around my shoulder as we walk inside and I feel sorry for Harry until I see that Niall is wrapped in Harry's arms. All things considered, Niall is probably a bigger threat to their relationship than I am.

"Emma how about you go take a shower. We''ll find you something to wear." Liam suggests. I nod, and Louis removes his arm from my shoulder, leading me to the bathroom before walking away. The bathroom is large and extravagant, the antithesis of the small closet like one Niall had taken me to the other day. I laugh as I walk in and shut the door. You never really know what To expect with this group, now Do you?

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(Zayn POV)

When the doorbell rings, I am the first to get to the door. I envelope Niall in a hug, figuring he needs it, unintentionally ignoring the girl. Luckily, Louis knows to take care of her. He's never been great friends wit Niall anyways. I think Niall is a bit intimidated by him. I'm not really one to talk, since he was scared of me foe a long time.

We pull Niall inside without letting go of him, and Louis leads Emma to the bathroom after Liam suggests that she takes a shower. I hate to say it, but these two definitely need one. When Louis comes back, we've seated ourselves at the table and Niall trys to pull away. I grip his shoulder a bit tighter.

"Its alright mate, just tell us what's wrong." I try to get him to talk.

"Gosh Zayn, I'm only trying to get comfortable." Niall stops struggling, and I realize that there are three of us holding him pinned and he doesn't appear that upset. Liam and Harry step away, but I leave a hand on his shoulder in case he tries to run.

"Do you want some liquor?" Louis offers Niall a bottle of vodka. I glare over at him. Why dies Niall get to drink when I don't. But Louis only shrugs at me.

"I'm not a huge drinker." Niall pushes the bottle away. We all stare at him in a bit of shock. He isn't lying: when he's in a good mood He prefers to stay sober. Appreciate the mood while it lasts or something like that. But when he's depressed, he'll take whatever alcohol he can get his hands on.

I am the only one able to take it in stride. "Some water then?" I suggest. Niall nods.

"That would be great. But I font want to get up and your not about to let go of my shoulder, so I'll wait." He decides. What is he so...cheery? Where is the Niall we have seen more and more if lately, the Niall who won't speak and leaves the room the second you let him go? But I need to show Niall that we trust him, so I move my hand from his shoulder, standing up.

"I'm gonna go get him some water. Don't let him leave." Liam and Harry nod, Louis doesn't do anything. Louis and I aren't as big and muscley as Harry and Liam and we might have trouble holding down Niall even though he's smaller than us.

I can hear their conversations from the kitchens as I fill a glass with cold tap water.

"So what us Emma gonna wear?" Niall is the one to bring up the topic

"Well give her one of Louis' shirts." Liam suggests. All is silent for severable seconds before Niall speaks again.

"Louis' clothes will be too big." He argues. "I'm smallest, she can wear my clothes."

"Louis clothes are more girly,"I almost don't recognize Harry's voice, but his giggle gives it away.

"Don't push him mates. Let him give Emma his clothes." Liam suggests. I know he's right. Don't push Niall over the edge.

"I don't know, Maybe he's right." I walk in as Niall comments. I hand him His water and he thanks me with a bright smile. What had gotten into him? If I didn't know better, I'd say he was acting... no, never mind. Niall was just sent to the basement, he should be depressed.

"No way. There is no way I'm gonna let you make fun of me like that. Give her Nialls clothes." Louis whines. Niall laughs.

"Alright mate, but then I get to bring her the clothes." Niall decides. Louis nods.

"Hoping to see the girl in the shower?" He jibes. I grit my teeth, ready for the explosion.

But Nialls response is bot what I expect. "Maybe I am mate." He replies and walks out of the room. As he leaves, I know one thing for certain. Despite all odds, Niall has somehow emerged from the basement unscathed. And not only that. He is manic. And that is just one thing I wouldn't have bet any money on, not even a penny.

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(Nialls POV )

I find it almost cute how they're all so worried I'm gonna run off and slice my wrists or something, But after a while, I get tired of it. So I offer to take Emma some clothes, cheerily responding to Louis' jibe. Its not like I'm actually about to walk in on her while she's showering.

Once I've gathered my most girly outfit (Harry was probably right about Louis' clothes being better suited for a boy, But I don't really care.), I carry it to one of the many bathrooms in this place. I swear, presidential suites at nice hotels may as well be houses.

I knock gently on the door. "Emma?" There is no response, but I don't hear the shower running, so I take a chance and pull the door open. Emma is sitting on the ground, her body shaking as she leans over the toilet. Is she sick?  I rush over and pull her hair away from her face.

"Are you okay Emma?" I ask, my free hand rubbing small circles on her back as she continues to convulse.

"I'm so sorry," She stuttered as she threw up. I rub circles on her back more, hoping she'll just calm down.

"Shh. There's nothing to be sorry for Emma." I assure her.

"I'm ruining this perfect bathroom." Now I can't tel if she's still trying to throw up or just crying. Either way, I wrap her up in my arms.

"Sh, Emma, It isn't even ours. Were at a hotel." I remind her. She continues sobbing.

"Niall I hate it here. I don't even know any of you! I don't even like you! Why am I here?" She shuts her eyes as she concludes her speech, much calmer now.

"I know Emma. I'm sorry, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have taken you to management. I should have just let you go and dealt with the consequences." I apologize. I wish I would have done that. So what if I would have gotten myself killed the second I left that stupid basement. At least Emma would be happy.

"And you know what the worst thing is Niall?" She whispers into my shoulder. "I was just starting to like you. And now you probably hate me."

I hug her tighter. "I could never hate you Emma." I assure her. And for just that moment, everything was perfect. I didn't have to lie to myself and say I didn't like Emma. I didn't have to put on a show. I just existed, and in Emma's arms it felt like nothing could be better.

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So what do you think? Too fast? Should I just end it there? I mean there wasn't really any romance, But still. And it turns out that I have no clue how to dedicate chapters, and I only got a couple of answers anyways, so we'll wait till someone explains it to me. I am so so sick right now, but I still have to ho to school . So what do you think Emma has that made her sick?