Stockholm Syndrome

Pain

I looked at Ed first, my eyes full of disbelief and despair, and then to Max. Back to Ed, and then Max. I was weighing my options... but I had a feeling that Max already knew which side I was leaning toward. I already knew too if I was being honest with myself.

I wanted to be free of Max and all the baggage that came with him. I didn't want to go back with Max only to be beaten, because I knew he would beat me as soon as we stepped into his awful mansion, and then locked in my room. The boring room with all white walls belonged in a mental ward. Heck, the past few months of living with Max was worse than being locked in a mental ward! I'd be lucky if I wasn't locked up in one by the time Max was done with his head games. I knew that going back with Max would only cause suffering... but then there was Louis to think about.

Max had done some pretty awful things... and I'd thought that kidnapping Lou and I had topped that list, but Max's scared the shit out of me. I could endure whatever tortures Max came up with if it would ensure Lou's safety. That's why Max and I both knew that I didn't really have a choice. When it came to my mates... I'd do absolutely anything for them.

"Ed... You know what I have to do..." I stammered as my blue eyes finally rested on him.

"No, Niall are you mad?" Ed yelled as his eyes flashed with anger.

"Ed-"

"I don't want to hear it! This man," Ed spat venomously as he pointed to Max, "has abused you both physically and mentally, and I'm supposed to allow you to leave with him?"

"Do you think I don't already know this? What will happened to Louis if I don't go back with him?" I hissed darkly as my eyes narrowed with irritation. I knew what would happen if I went back with Max. I knew that Max had threatened Lou if I left... but I didn't know what he planned on doing to him. Whatever Max's actual plans were paled in comparison to the inventions that my mind created. I knew that my mind could worse things to Louis than Max ever could... but there was still the fear of the unknown and of 'the what if'.

"Niall, please don't do this," Ed begged as his voice softened. His eyes pleading and concerned.

"Aw c'mon Ed, you can't tell me you really expected me to just let Niall leave did you?" Max said in a sinisterly cheerful and mocking voice.

"You... you make me sick," the red head growled bitterly.

Max just smirked as he extended his hand and waited for me to take it expectantly.

We all knew that Max had won... that I didn't have a choice and that I would have to go back... and that Max was going to beat the crap out of me for telling Ed.

"I'm sorry Ed," my voice was barely a whisper as I took Max's hand.

Max gripped my hand tightly, like I was a little kid, and pulled me roughly toward the door. We got a few odd stares, but no one dared to say anything.

As we stepped outside John had the car waiting for us. We walked to car and Max shoved me in. He whispered something to John who nodded before walking briskly into Charlie's house. I had a sinking feeling that whatever Max had said had something to do with shutting Ed up...

After a few moments John got back into into the car and drove us back to the mansion. Max didn't speak a single word to me during the entire drive back. The tension between us was thick enough to be cut with a knife.

The silence continued as we pulled into the driveway of Max's house and John parked the car. Max got out, opened my door, and pulled me out. Again not a word was said.

It was John who finally broke the heavy silence.

"Sir, would you like me to take Niall back to his room?"