Taken by One Direction

Chapter 35: Epilogue

Four years. Four years ago, One Direction plucked me off of the streets of New York. Four years ago, I managed to escape the oppressive life I had been thrust into. Four years ago, I abandoned the one I may have loved.

Since then, the One Direction fanbase and fame had calmed down a bit. It actually happened right after I left. The boys took a break for a few months. Then, with the release of their third album, the crazy fame, fortune and fandom returned. Now, it was calming down once more. I suspect this pattern will continue forever, probably. With each album released, the boys will be pedestalled and then forgotten.

These past four years of my life I have spent trying to forget them, but the constant in and out of fame keeps tearing open new scars that will never heal completely.

*Flashback*

4 years earlier

The train pulled away from the station, leaving me alone on the platform, with nothing but the duffel bag Louis had given to me. I wandered over to the street and stood there. It must have been a long time, because the sun had gone from its place in the sky towards the horizon.

I lifted my hand slowly and whistled for a cab, the only thing New York had ever taught me; how to hail a cab, even in the taxi-less suburbs. I slid into the dirty back seat and gave the man my address. Before I knew it, we pulled up in front of a classic brick colonial that just seethed suburbia. I used to be disgusted by the stereotypical life my parents led, but at that moment, it was what I craved.

"That will be $23.67." The taxi driver turned to me. I froze for a second, wondering how to pay off the man. As if on a whim, I quickly opened the duffel bag, just in case. Inside sat wads and wads of hundred dollar bills as well as a change of clothes. My heart almost stopped at the sight; I had never seen so much money in my life.

The little note the lay with the money read:

Katie-

Take the money and do something with your life. Move on, even if I can't.

-Louis

The note brought fresh tears in my eyes, which had to be quickly wiped away. I threw one of the bills at the driver.

"Keep the change." I called behind me as I slammed the door shut. I didn't turn to see his reaction before heading up the path to the door.

The knock I left on the wooden door was soft and weak, I was surprised it could be heard at all in the house, but sure enough, a few seconds later my mother answered the door.

"Katie?" she gasped. Suddenly, I was yanked inside and pulled into a tight embrace.

"Honey, I've been so worried. I should have never let you move to New York at such a young age." She cried into my shoulder. I patted her back, but didn't answer; I too was overcome with tears.

"Jane, who's at the door?" My father called as he entered the foyer.

"Katie? We haven't heard from you in weeks!" The same relieved gasp slipped through his lips and his body was added to our hug.

*Present*

My parents had, surprisingly, believed my story about being kidnapped. They kept on asking me if I could identify the criminals, if I could tell them who did it. Every time, I said no, I couldn't remember. Something inside me wanted to get One Direction in trouble for what they did to me, but the other part thought of Louis. I just couldn't do that to him.

I begged my parents not to go to the police. I guess they were so afraid that I would leave again, that they obeyed my wishes. Although, that didn't mean they hadn't tried on convincing me otherwise.