Forbidden Desires {Ziall AU}

Chapter 35: baby let the games begin

chapter title from Ready For It? by Taylor Swift

TRIGGER WARNING:
Violence (in the form of hand-to-hand), blood, and sedation.

Hello lovely people!
I know I've been saying this in every chapter lately but I can't believe this story is almost over :(. I've gotten so attached to these characters it's going to be so sad to let them go. The total amount of chapters has been updated, (yes we only have two more chapters left). I can't wait for you all to see how the ending comes about!
Enjoy!

My hands hold steady on the steering wheel, travelling fashionably over the speed limit. A set of sunglasses rests on my nose, blocking the early morning sun from my eyes. The radio has been turned down, the tense silence taking prideful place between us.

"So we're basically sneaking in, finding Harry, and getting out?" Louis pipes up from the backseat.

I look at his face through the rear vision mirror, noting the dark circles that have formed under his eyes. He's managed to pull himself together long enough to get out of the house, his red-rimmed eyes now dimmed. "It's a little more complicated than that but, yeah," I reply.

Niall hasn't spoken much since we started the long drive. He stared at the flowing countryside as night transformed into day. His knees are tucked to his chest, his arms curling around them. I know he's been lost inside his head, but it still kills me that I can't help him more. There's not much I can do behind the wheel. I place a hand on his thigh, making him look at me. I smile as if to say I'm here. He gives me a weak turn of his lips in return. I want to make him laugh and bring that light back into his eyes. But for now, I'll have to settle for this.

***

Liam emerges from the back door, looking around before approaching us. I take one last drag before stubbing my cigarette, dragging my shoe over the ash. He pulls me into a hug, holding tight around my shoulders. "It's been hell without you here, man." He says over my shoulder, pulling back. "Your dad's been on a warpath."

"Predictable," I roll my eyes, "as soon as I'm out of the way, he loses his shit." I gesture to Louis, "Liam, this is Louis. Louis, Liam."

They nod at each other, "Nice to meet you man," Liam smiles.

"You too," Louis replies, rolling on the balls of his feet.

"Your boy's alright," Liam smirks, "they're trying, but it's like wringing water out of a brick."

Louis nods, but he doesn't look any more certain than when we left the house last night.

We make our way through the door, snaking through the dim hallways. I could run through them with my eyes closed. One room catches my eye, the familiar suspended handcuffs hanging from the ceiling. I shift my eyes to Niall, who smirks back at me, following my train of thought. I bring his hand to mine, squeezing his palm. He squeezes back.

We walk into the doorway of one of the larger backrooms. A muffled noise reaches our ears. We tip-toe further into the room, ducking behind a stack of boxes. Another noise echoes through the room, a low groan coming after it.

I peek over the boxes, catching a glimpse of Harry. He's in a chair, arms tied behind his back. Standing in front of him is none other than Shawn. Who else would they have chosen?

"Where are they?" He demands.

Harry hangs his head, shaking it from side to side. His hair shields his face, but it's mangled. It's sitting in chunks, revealing fleeting glances of his pale skin. Shawn punches his cheekbone, Harry whimpering while he slumps to the side.

Louis makes a noise, biting down on his clenched fist. Tears slip down his face fast, but he wipes them away quickly.

Shawn steps away, wiping his bloody fist with a cloth, "How about now?"

Harry spits blood out beside the chair, "I'll never tell you," He seethes, glaring up at him.

Shawn scoffs, throwing down the cloth, "fucking bitch."

"Right back at you."

Shawn looks Harry up and down for a moment, before admitting defeat. He slips out the door we came in minutes before, a calm silence washing over the room. We wait a minute, but when it seems there's no one hiding in any corners, we slip out from behind the boxes. Harry doesn't look up.

I walk around him, untying the rope binding his wrists. He looks around, blood on his skin and tangled in his hair. A bruise is forming around his eye, swelling the area. "What are you doing here?" he asks, his voice frantic.

Niall smiles, "Saving you, of course."

Harry shakes his head, looking between us. His eyes are wide, darting rapidly from one place to the next.

"My god, what did they do it you?" Louis walks up, holding Harry's face in both of his hands. He rubs his thumb along his cheekbones. Tension leaves Harry's shoulders, a single tear sliding down his cheek. Louis wipes it away, placing a gentle kiss on Harry's temple.

"I'm fine," he smiles, wrapping long arms around Louis' middle. Louis still has worry lines set in his face, but I see him wrap his arms around Harry's neck. The darkness following him finally lifts, his eyes shining bright once again.

Niall and Louis help Harry under each arm, supporting him. Liam and I navigate through the winding hallways. Louis mumbles to Harry every time he makes a pained sound, words of encouragement hushed in his ear.

"Only a little more, love." And "we're almost there, darling."

We open the door, stepping out into the daylight. I lift my gaze, horror flooding my body instantly. A circle of stony-faced gang members surround us, my father directly in front of me. He has a sinister smirk on his face, his hands clasped in front of him. The circle closes in around us, the door slamming shut.

"I expected better from you, my son." He murmurs, shaking his head.

A sharp sting hits my neck, a hand stopping me from jerking away. A cool liquid enters my body, making my eyes droop. I hear a shout in the distance, orders being barked from every direction. My feet give way under me, my face hitting the rough gravel. My father kneels down in front of me before the world slips away.