Taken by One Direction

Chapter 17: Promise

I cowered into Louis as I took in Zayn's angry expression. I didn't know what to do; I've only been on the receiving end of his anger. Louis didn't react to me at all, though. He remained stiff and frozen.

Zayn leapt up and spun around. I watched him rip open the door and slam it shut behind him. There were a couple seconds of silence before there was a loud crash from the other room. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried not to hear what was happening; I couldn't deal with more violence. Still, a part of me wanted to know what was going on. I wanted Harry to be hurt after what he did to me. I wanted to see if any of the boys would protect me.

"What the hell, man?" I heard Harry shout.

"What the fuck is wrong with you!" Zayn shouted back.

"Hey, hey, calm down." I heard Liam warn. There was a shuffling sound and then Zayn screamed out.

"LET GO OF ME!" He roared.

"No, not until you tell us what that was about. Why would you come and just jump on Harry like that? Zayn, this isn't like you." Niall said softly, but still loud enough so that I could hear.

"I know, Harry! SHE TOLD US!" Zayn yelled, obviously fighting to break from Niall, who was holding him back.

"W-what do you m-mean?" Harry stuttered. I smiled once I recognized the nervousness in his voice.

"YOU RAPED HER!" Zayn shouted. Then, everything got silent. I let out a shaky breath as I waited to hear what was happening. Then, just as quickly as everything got silent, everyone started shouting.

Louis seemed to snap out of his daze and immediately shifted so that I was still on his lap, but facing him.

"Are y-you ok?" He asked softly. I looked down and tried to distinguish the shouts going on in the other room, but they were all so loud and rushed, that I couldn't tell what was happening. I struggled to listen, but Louis struggled to get my attention. He placed his hand softly under my chin and forced my head up so that I had to look at him.

"Katie, are you ok?" He repeated. I shook my head slowly. His eyes were cautious, caring, sad and slightly resentful. I could tell he wanted nothing more than to pretend like this never happened; oh, if only life were that easy.

"I am so sorry." He breathed out as he reached his thumb up to stroke my cheek. I sighed and shut my eyes, but every time I do I can almost see Harry's black eyes, so I rip my eyes back open. I let a few tears escape, all of which Louis caught with his thumb, before I forced myself to stop. You will NOT let Harry break you.

"Shh, it's ok." Louis whispered. He pulled me into his chest and wrapped his arms tightly around my back. I allowed myself to melt to his touch; I needed this, I needed someone to be my friend and just let me let it out. We sat there quietly for a little bit, just listening to the shouting.

I could almost feel Louis wince every time things got heated; which was all the time.

"I thought that was what she was here for! I thought she was here for when we had urges and management stood in our way from satisfying them!" Harry defended himself. For the most part, things hadn't gotten physical except for when Zayn tackled Harry. Liam and Niall were both pissed off, but tried to keep violence away; a black eye for Harry would mean bad press.

"Well, yes, originally that was our plan, but things changed." Liam spoke, although he wasn't shouting, his voice was raised and there was clear anger and frustration in his voice.

"FUCK YOU STYLES!" Zayn shouted. I could hear the struggle as he fought to get to Harry from Niall's grasp.

"ZAYN! Stop it! Violence isn't the answer. Could you imagine what the makeup artists will do to us when Harry comes in with a broken nose because of you?" Liam tried to calm Zayn down.