Mute // hs.

Chapter 8

Rebecca's POV

I watched fearfully, cowered in the corner of the apartment building as I watched Harry go at Jake, with such force it scared me. Although Jake was throwing back several punches and kicks as well, Harry looked to be the advantaged one.  

I could still feel the stinging burn of the slap I'd recieved first. That's when Harry had kicked in, his eyes raging with firing fury. I'd never seen him so angry, as he started to pound Jake's face in. 

I was mentally scolding myself for hiding like this. Even though I wasn't the one getting beaten up now, fear still pulsed through me uncontrollably. Hell, I could barely hold Harry's cellphone. He'd managed to slide it over the concrete towards me, and I could only manage to call Louis before Jake swung the first hit. 

I heard the howl that escaped Harry's lips. It made me flinch with terror. I wanted so bad for Louis to get here, I prayed and prayed that he'd come to save Harry. 

"Jake! Jake, p-p-please!" I screamed, cupping my shaking hands over my mouth. But he wouldn't listen, he was on top of Harry now, delivering sharp blows to his face. Screaming, I hid my face, letting out whimpers and cries. 

Standing up, I knew I couldn't sit here and do nothing. So I did only what I could do. 

I ran.

I had nowhere to go, no one that cared, so I did the only thing I knew how. My legs pumped beneath me, faster and faster as ragged and sharp breaths hitched through my lungs.   

My mind was spinning, with more than the pain that was hammering at my skull. 

Tears blurred my vision, but I had to keep going. I couldn't stop. Nobody would miss me, I'd be fine. Vaguely, I heard a car squeal and shortly after the sound of angry voices perked my attention. My eyes growing wide, I bolted forward in determination.  

I felt my legs start to give out from underneath me, pleading for mercy, but I kept running.

That is, until a strong arm slipped into place around my waist, jerking me backward before I could do anything. 

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Louis' POV

"Hey, hey, shh!" I hissed, tightening my grip on the thrashing girl in my arms. It was Rebecca, her squabbling fingers plucking at his hands desperately. But I didn't let up my grip, despite the pain that now shot out through my fingers from her long nails. 

Rebecca whimpered, desperately, as she strained against my grasp like she was about to lurch herself from my arms and down the sidewalk again. It was growing even worse than before, her fingers scratching at my own as she sobbed. 

“No, no, no,” Rebecca gasped, great sobs ripping out of her chest and leaving me breathless. My eyes widened as I dragged her backwards, aiming for the car I had sloppily parked on the curb. Thank god I had caught a glimpse of her as I was squealing down the road, otherwise she'd be long gone.

“No, please, please.” She was begging now, openly bawling as tears splashed out of her eyes and my insides snapped into an unbearably tight knot, nearly making me throw up as her body rebelled against the inevitable.  

"Baby, hush it's Louis, it's Louis," I whispered, holding her tightly against me as she squirmed frantically. Suddenly, her sobs loudened and she fell slack into my arms, leaning all her weight against me. Surprisingly, she was all skin and bones, terribly light.