Disappearace 2

4

He actually went through with it. Zayn did two more shows and then he was out. It tore them apart. Liam and Niall couldn't believe he could just leave them at this point. Harry didn't have the strength to really care.
"Why shouldn't I? Louis left! So can I. We're overworked. We never see our family. This is not what I dreamt about."

"Zayn? Please, can you go to Sydney on your way home and talk to the police to see if they have made any progress?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, okay. I'll call you." Zayn answered.

And with that, he left the band. Simon Cowell flew to the Philippines and waited on them when they arrived for a meeting. Harry had talked to Liam and Niall on the plane informing them that he wouldn't renew his contract. They both agreed.

Harry informed Simon about his decision. He was furious.
"You owe me one last record."

"Fine. I'm not gonna breach my contract. One last album then I'm out." Harry sighed.

"I'm not canceling another show. You will see this through." Simon said.

"Harry should be in a hospital, Simon. Louis' disappearance is devastating to him. Sure you must understand that." Niall said.

Simon just snorted.

When he left they discussed sings. Neither of them was in the right mind to write new songs, especially Harry. Louis had been such a big part of their songwriting and sound.

They ended up finding old songs they had written. Their fifth album would be the worst one. None of the songs were actually good but they couldn't care less. Simon demanded a final album and they would give him that so they finally could be free from his regime.

Since they still had a tour to finish they recorded the songs in between shows. That meant that they didn't get much sleep but Harry wasn't sleeping anyway. The bed felt so empty without Louis by his side.

Zayn called him as promised. The police hadn't found any new leads. He had weekly phone calls with the private detectives as well. They hadn't found anything either. Louis was gone.

Suddenly a month had passed since his disappearance. They had performed in South Africa and Dubai. It felt really weird to just be the three of them on stage and the songs didn't sound right.

They headed back to Europe. Harry's family met up with them in Wales. Harry's mum cried when she saw the state he was in. He knew she worried sick about him but he couldn't help it. Without Louis, he was lost. Having to spend every minute worrying about what had happened to him took a toll on him.

Louis had been by his side for the past five years. They had gone from awkward teens to the persons they were today and Harry knew that he wouldn't be who he was without Louis' love and support. It felt like he was missing a piece of himself without Louis.

Three months had passed. Three excruciating months without a sign of life from Louis. Harry was stuck in a limbo. He couldn't grieve because he didn't know if Louis was dead. He sure as hell hoped not. Time just passed without answers and that uncertainty drove him mad. After their last show in Europe, he was admitted to a hospital again for a few days before he left against the doctor's recommendations to travel to The States and continue their tour.

They got to record a music video at NASA and that was cool. Louis would have really enjoyed that.

They did show after show. Harry had to sit down sometimes because his legs gave in. Liam was constantly drunk and Niall looked stressed and unhappy. They still managed to fake smile and sing their songs somehow.

Harry was panicking. They had reached September and Louis was still missing! He obsessively scrolled through social media and followed their fans' investigations. Whenever someone claimed to have seen Louis he called the police in Sydney but it always turned out to be an Internet troll. The Sydney police were sick of him by now.

They played six shows in London. Louis' whole family showed up and Harry hugged them all when they came backstage to greet them. Jay took him aside.
"Harry, you have to take care of yourself."

"I..." Harry broke down crying.

She hugged him and waited until he had managed to collect himself.
"Louis is my son and I love him endlessly but he left by himself. This may sound harsh, Harry but you have to try and move on."

"How am I supposed to do that?" Harry sobbed.

"One day at a time. Have you thought about seeing a therapist?" Jay suggested.

"I don't have the time for that." Harry mumbled.

"Make time. I hate to see you like this." Jay said.

"I can't believe that he just walked away and what? Hiding somewhere? Without as much as a note. No phone call. Nothing. That doesn't sound like Louis at all!" Harry said upset.

"No, it doesn't but if someone is desperate enough they can do all sorts of things out of character."
Jay answered.

"Well, if it turns out that he's hiding somewhere without giving a rat's ass how his dissapreance affects me and his family I will never forgive him!" Harry fired off.

"No one can blame you for feeling that way. I just hope he's safe." Jay answered.

"Yeah, me too." Harry sighed.

"Focus on your own health now, Harry. Anne and Genna are so worried about you." Jay said.

Harry hated that he did this to them just as Louis did what he did to him and his family. He was starting to get angry but he had a nagging feeling that Louis might not even be alive because that was the only reason he felt could justify his absence. That, or kidnapped but the police were absolutely sure that was out of the question. All three of the private detectives he had hired had come to the same conclusion.

Harry bit his lower lip and hesitated but he had to ask.
"Jay? I hate that I have to ask you this but do you think that he's still alive?"

"Yes. He would have left a note." Jay answered.

Yeah. He would have.