Kidnapped by the Dead Rose Gang

Chapter Thirteen: Unlucky

Louis heaved a sigh, his body lagging with exhaustion, as he and Niall moved the last dead gang member into the incinerator.

"Thirty-nine dead, thirty injured, most members stable and accounted for," Zayn murmured, gently moving Harry's mum into a flat position on top of a freezer drawer. She had been cleaned up; her head wound stitched closed to make it look like she was merely asleep.

"Copy that," Louis muttered, closing the incinerator. He walked over to the wall by Zayn and stared down at the dead woman.

A moment of emotion crossed over his eyes; his hand gently folding over hers as it laid lifeless at her side. "I'll get Harry back. I'll get them all back," Louis promised, a memory of long ago hitting him. Louis could see Ann's face clearly. It was vibrant and young, soft with edges of empathy and compassion.

He had been much younger then. She was best mates with his mum and father, always visiting or being around.

Even when Ann was upset with Louis, she never let that affect her. She would carry chocolate around, handing him and other kids some when his parents weren't watching. Now all the adults he knew, aside from the doctor and a few self-defense instructors, were dead.

He felt anger bubble up to the surface as he looked down, his stomach flipping violently in realization that he failed to protect his gang. He failed to protect his leader and he failed to preserve life when opportunity presented itself. His blue eyes grew colder, irises hardening like rodded steel. They were dark and impenetrable. His anger alone made them shine; a small pool of tears gave them their vibrant reflection.

"Why aren't we incinerating her?" Zayn asked after a small pause, watching Louis carefully. Niall stood idly by the incinerator, pressing a few buttons to start it up.

"Respect," Louis replied, clearing his throat so it wouldn't crack, finally looking at Zayn. "Harry needs to be able to say goodbye. We have to return Ann to Gemma so she can make arrangements for burial. Beyond preparation, nothing further aside from that is our responsibility. She has family and Gemma deserves to have that peace in saying goodbye. Both of them do," Louis finished, feeling his friend clap his shoulder.

"We should say a few words at least," Zayn gestured to the large incinerator. However, Louis shook his head.

"I'd rather we do that after. Right now, we got to find Andy, Hex, and Harry. Sir is one sadistic asshole. I have no doubt he'll break them. He always knows the person's limit," he disagreed, but Zayn placed his hand across Louis' back and all but dragged him to the incinerator.

"We owe our remaining members a safe place. We're going to have to find another facility or we are going to have to lock this one down so we're not surprised like that again. If it weren't for Luke still having somewhat of a conscience and helping Niall, we'd all still be asleep or dead," Zayn insisted, gesturing toward the machine as it started going. "They were our friends – our brothers and sisters. They deserve your respect," he finished vehemently, taking his hand from Louis' back and crossing his arms over his chest.

Louis stood there for a second, his eyes staring into the huge incinerator while the flames started to catch onto the clothes of their once alive members.

He licked his lower lip, words dancing across his head, but the only ones that truly mattered right now was to get back Hex and the other two.

"We will avenge you all and bring back Hex. Your death will not be in vain. We will do what we always have and take vengeance on your murderers. There will be justice, my brothers and sisters, you have my word. Now, rest forth in peace and rest sound," Louis spoke, his tone cold and emotionless. He wanted justice for his gang and knowing Louis, he would have it.