Zayn sat at his desk, tapping his pen against the binder on his desk
From the corner of his eyes, he saw Niall looking at him
But Zayn just ignored him
Zayn saw Niall shake his head and walked past Louis' desk
Louis was leaning against his desk, talking to Harry. They both didn't say anything to Niall
And Niall didn't say anything to them
Zayn shook his head when the phone on his desk rang, he quickly picked it up
"Malik"
~~~~~
Zayn shivered, walking into the building, he looked around and looked at the junior detective
"Why isn't this place boarded up??"
"It was, but people keep breaking in, trying to see if the legend Mr. Payne spoke of"
Zayn's jaw clenched "It shouldn't be this easy to break in"
Zayn looked at the victim and cringed before he looked away
Zayn and Niall were quietly sitting on hospital beds
The loud sobs of Mrs. Payne filled the halls, her husband sitting on the floor with his face in his hands
With the rain and thunder, Zayn's hand was covered in blood, and so were Niall's pants
'Why did you pull out the knife? Who stabbed him? Why were you in there?!'
They were just kids, they didn't know what to do, seeing your friend bleeding and not moving you don't know what to do
The doctor came out of the room and walked towards the Payne's, Zayn and Niall couldn't hear what was being said
But with the relief that set into the Payne's faces quickly turned to sadness
They turned towards Niall and Zayn, Mrs. Payne pointing at them, wanting to run toward them but she was held back by her husband
"Y-YOU. ITS ALL YOUR FAULT. STAY AWAY FROM MY SON."
"Sir"
Zayn blinked and turned to the officer beside him
"They didn't make it"
Zayn looked back at the victim who was now on a stretcher as they were getting covered
Dried blood seemed to have tracks down their face like tears
Zayn turned towards the officer
"Call Horan, Tomlinson, and Styles... Tell them I want to meet them in my office"
~~~~~
It was awkward, Niall in one corner, Harry and Louis in one
And Zayn on the other
"Zayn. What's all this about?"
Zayn stayed quiet and then took a deep breath "I... I think we should go see him"
Niall cringed, Harry frowned and Louis furrowed his brows
"Who?"
Zayn looked at Louis "Liam"
Louis tensed "Why?"
Zayn looked at the table "Today's victim got stabbed in the eyes too"
Louis hissed and Harry bit down on his bottom lip
"Even if we wanted to" Niall started making everyone turn toward him "We aren't on his guest list... They'd never let us in"
Zayn gave Niall a look "Niall. You have a badge right?"
Louis sighed "But I don't think we should bother him. It's been years... We haven't visited him"
They all went quiet and Harry rolled his shoulders "I'll drive"
~~~~~
"It's so nice that someone is coming to see Liam," The nurse said with a smile, but her smile was "Even if it's for an investigation"
Zayn frowned "Does he not get visitors??"
She shook her head "Not really. His sisters visit once a year- On his birthday, his parents visit when they can...." She stood up and dusted herself off when another nurse walked in and gave her a clipboard, the head nurse took it and gave it to the 4
"Just sign these...."
Zayn frowned "What are they?"
The head nurse pursed her lips "Just.... We just want to make sure, that you know what you're going into.... You need to understand that Liam hasn't-" She opened then closed her mouth and took a deep breath "Liam hasn't been seen by anyone but his family in years, 16 years it was just him. He could have a panic attack, he could attack you, he might need to be sedated... If he tells you to get out you have to. Investigation or not, if he asks for something, we'll do it"
The boys stayed quiet and then nodded, the head nurse pulled out a tub and put it down "Everything you have in your pockets...."
~~~~~
Walking across the halls, they looked at all the patients. Some were using wheelchairs, some were being fed and some were using canes
The nurse stopped in front of the room and flexed her fingers before she knocked
She opened the door and there he was. Liam sat there with his back towards them, tense
"Liam"
He seemed to slightly relax "Macey... You aren't alone"
She nodded "I am not... There are 4 people here to see you"
Liam stayed quiet "It's not my family. Who is it?"
"Criminal investigator Zayn Malik, Police Detective Harry Styles, Forensic Detective Louis Tomlinson, and Homicide Detective Niall Horan"
Liam stayed quiet before he stood up, they now just noticed the pain brush in his hand
He put the brush down and put his hand on his cane
Then turned around
"What do I owe the pleasure?"
