Capture

The Monster Reigns

"LIAM PAYNE!" The voice boomed across the snow-covered stillness like a bomb. "COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE!"

Liam froze. "Trey," he muttered, eyes narrowing. Out beyond the treeline, Trey was stalking in circles, waving a pistol like a toy, drunk on power and chaos.

"We need to get out of here," Danielle said shakily, clinging to Louis, who leaned heavily against her.

"What about Zayn?" Niall said, stepping forward, raising his gun for the first time.

Louis turned his head, disbelief on his face. "Now you care?"

"I'm not leaving him again!" Niall snapped.

"If we go for him now, we're all dead," Danielle pleaded. "Trey has the advantage. We've barely survived as it is."

"He saved Louis!" Liam shouted. "We owe him!"

"And I'm grateful—God, I am—but risking everything right now won't save him. It'll just kill all of us!"

"Then go," Liam growled. "No one's stopping you."

"GET OUT HERE, PAYNE, OR HE DIES!" Trey's voice rang again—louder this time, sharper.

All eyes turned toward the window.

There was Zayn—barely conscious, being held up by Harrison like a broken trophy. Blood caked his face. His legs buckled in the snow. Trey stood inches from him, the barrel of a pistol pressed against Zayn's temple.

"Shit," Harry muttered. He was already crouched at the window, gun drawn, calculating. "Niall," Harry barked, steel in his voice. "Take Louis and Danielle. Out the back. Now."

Niall didn't move. "Niall," Harry said again, sharper this time. "That's a direct order."

"But Zayn—" Niall's voice cracked, torn between duty and loyalty.

"I said move." Harry stood now, posture commanding. "Your job is to get them to my jeep. It's one click east of here, behind the ridge. Take them to the safe house and wait for further instructions."

"You're not in charge anymore," Niall said quietly.

Harry stepped in close, voice low but lethal. "I am until this op is over. You forget your rank again, and I'll have you pulled off the team."

Niall's jaw tightened. His eyes burned. But finally, he gave a small nod. "Copy that," he muttered.

"Good. Move."

Niall turned, seething, but didn't argue again. He hoisted Louis under one arm as Danielle took the other, and together they moved toward the back exit, the tension following them like smoke.

I stayed frozen, watching Harry and Liam fall into place—two ghosts at the window, both locked on Zayn's barely-standing form outside.

"Okay, what's the plan?" I whispered, crouching beside Liam behind the couch, both of us pressed low, eyes fixed on the nightmare unfolding outside.

Zayn was on his knees in the snow, barely conscious, blood streaking down his face, swaying like a dying flame. Trey and his men circled him like vultures.

"I'm still working on it," Liam muttered, breath fogging in the cold air leaking through the windowpane.

I blinked. "Well, what do you have so far?"

He hesitated. Then: "Nothing."

"Well, that's helpful," I snapped, bitterness laced with fear.

His jaw clenched. "I have something... but you're not going to like it."