Duplicity

Quattro

        My captor pulled me roughly back inside the large house with a firm grip on my already knotted hair, and the strands tugged at my scalp, sending waves of pain crashing through my skull.  I was used to being hit when my father or brothers were frustrated or angry, but it was only a slap, maybe two, and then they would back off.  Moreover, they were apologetic after, not enough to stop or reassure me it wouldn't happen again, but enough to let me know I was loved and maybe some time on the internet.  



        "Please, I'm sorry, please it hurts," I whimpered, stumbling uselessly after him, as he ignored my cries and dragged me into the house. He stopped short once we reached the stairs and he released his grip on my hair, causing me to meekly raise my eyes.  I was met with stormy green ones that regarded me coolly.  I let out a yelp when I was suddenly seized around the waist and thrown over his shoulder.

        "Stop it, let me down!"  I began to squirm and kick, thinking that falling would be better than letting this man do whatever he wanted to me.  My cheeks flushed pink as I noticed an audience had watched me be dragged through the house – an ashamed Louis, an annoyed blonde man, and two very spent brunette girls.

        "Retract the claws, kitten, you don't want to make me more angry than I already am."  



        He walked up the first flight of stairs, and then pulled out a key to unlock the door that led to the second flight of stairs and the small third floor.  Harry passed the room I woke up in and into a larger room that must have been his.  The dark blue walls, large bed, and personal belongings all around the room fit exactly what I would've of thought his room would look like. 

        I was gently placed on my feet, so I was completely thrown off guard when Harry's large hand slaps me across the face, and I fell at his feet in a heap, my body instinctively curling up to protect itself. He took a small step forward and I looked up to see his body towering over my tiny frame, which was currently lying curled up at his feet. He didn't waste time with more talk, or threats to make me tremble further.  He just sent a forceful kick right into the exposed part of my stomach, before placing another quick jab at my ribs that I knew would painfully bruise. I began to softly cry, my arms crossed lightly over my midsection as an ineffective attempt to further protect myself. 

He put the heel of his boot on my sore rib cage, which caused me to yelp in pain, and used it to roll me over onto my back.

        My top row of teeth was sunk into my bottom lip as I desperately tried to get air through my lungs without pain shooting through my body. He stared down at me with his dark green eyes, not a single ounce of remorse or guilt discernible. 

His blank expression didn't change as he knelt beside me, his hand suddenly coming up to tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear.  I tried to twist away from him, but every small shift made me whimper in pain, so I just gave up. His hand was cold as it brushed against my heated skin, and I squeezed my eyes closed just as a sob tore through my throat.



        "Shhh, baby girl," he cooed, "The more you calm down, the more you'll be able to breathe." His fingers began to run through my hair, soothing the ache in my scalp, and I began to eye him wearily.  What kind of person harms someone and then attempts to take away the pain?  I allow my eyes to softly flutter closed and I my pinched features smoothed out when I was able to breathe without more than a dull ache. 

He chuckled darkly at the sound, "I don't want to have to hurt you, but you have to behave.  The next time you try to run, I can promise you that these few bruises will nothing in comparison."

        "Please, just kill me now.  Don't draw it out, please," I begged pathetically, no longer caring how I looked.   I was so confused at this point; why did he take me out of my siblings?  I honestly knew next to nothing and never participated in any of my father's illegal activities.