Twisted Friendship

Chapter 15

"Well then this is gonna get very interesting." Mark growled, grip tightening around my arm.

Zayn grabbed his hair with both hands, tugging anxiously "We don't have the money! Do whatever you want to us, but don't drag Katie into this!"

"Please." Louis pleaded. The single word dripped from his mouth, delicate as a gem. But there was so much meaning behind that one syllable. He said exactly what he meant to say without even having to.

Mark sneered, "Well look at this, the tough Louis Tomlinson is begging. I never thought I'd see the day. It's sad that you've dropped down to this. Pathetic."

And he was right, Louis had dropped his usual tough guy attitude. The wall he had built around himself had come crumbling down, revealing a very scared boy who looked like he'd seen enough trouble for a lifetime.

"You're pathetic." I spat at Mark, trying to fly my elbow back into his stomach. His hand immediatly grabbed my hair into a ponytail, tugging at it painfully.

"Stop it!" I shrieked, as my head was jerked back with a snap. All the boys jumped, shouting in protest. They wanted to run at me, but knew he would only hurt me the closer they got. Caught between two descions. They were all truley and utterly helpless for the first time I'd known them.

"How'd you find us anyway?" Mark asked, releasing my hair. I rubbed my head and glared at him.

Louis looked at me briefly, "Well I track her phone."

"What?!" I exclaimed in surprise. But at that moment I was actually very, very glad they were overprotective freaks who monitored everything I did. Because then I knew they would be there for me when I needed them most. They'd always be able to find me.

Harry bit his lower lip, "Sorry Katie, it was the only way we'd be able to keep an eye on you when we couldn't be with you."

Marks hand drifted down to my waist, "You're all very protective of her aren't you?"

"Very much so." Liam mumbled, a look of murder in his eyes as Mark trailed his hand down my waist. I gasped and tried squirming away from his wandering touch.

"Well isn't that just sweet?" he laughed, running a thumb softly down my cheek. It took all I had not to gag, instead I just smacked his hand away. "Because until you guys get me my money, I might just hold onto this pretty little girl. You always keep her with you, so I've never had a chance."

"THAT'S IT!" Zayn screamed, moving to run at him. There was a jostling of boys, limbs flying as Liam and Harry held Zayn back from attacking Mark.

Mark laughed while Zayn struggled against his friends grip, fist flying as he shouted obscenities at everyone and everything.

"Got quite a temper don't you?" Mark chuckled, "Well I guess I'll be on my way. You know where to find me when you come up with that money."

"Wait, what?" I cried, struggling against Mark and turning to run. His hand was around my wrist firmly, my little hits seemed to bounce right off of him. And suddenly I was crying, body racked with sobs because sometimes enough is enough. This was happening, happening to me and all so fast and it seemed like nobody could help. Curled right over, tears streaming down my face and dripping onto the pavement.

Louis had seen me cry before.

"Sometimes," he told me a long time ago "Everything just becomes too much, so you need to let part of it go before you're drowning in everything." He had rubbed my back as I cried, whispering comforting words in my ear. His breathe smelled like peppermint and felt warm on my cheek.

But now Louis was standing stationary a couple yards away, forced to witness me a blubbery mess, seeming to be fighting an eternal struggle within himself.

"I'm sorry." I choked, trying to wipe my cheeks.

Louis took a step forward, but Mark grabbed the back of my neck threateningly. Louis stepped back. "Babe don't you ever apologize for anything. This is my fault and my fault only. I thought by keeping you close I'd be protecting you."

"Well you were right, until you let her out of your sight." Mark sang teasingly, pulling me back against him. The zipper from his hoodie dug into my back. "I'll see you boys around."

And then everything happened so fast.

Zayn pulled something from his pocket, flipping it open. A switchblade shot out, looking dangerous and sharp as it shined in the sun. He ran at us, a look of murder in his eyes. Zayn was ready to hurt, he was ready to chew someone up and spit them out. Enough waiting, his eyes flooded with a darkness. A monster prowled in the background, finally coming out and showing its real side. Because it was me and only me on their mind at the moment, making sure I was okay and away from Mark.

Mark made a reach towards his pocket, loosening his grip for a second. I slipped away from him, just thinking off running. Feet hitting pavement and heavy breathing and getting as far away as possible.

A hand grabbed at my t-shirt, making me stumble and almost fall. I ripped myself away, hearing Mark swear behind me. And then two arms were around me, hugging me with desperation and hugging me as though if they let go I'd sink beneath the surface and never be seen again.

I only had a moment to relish in, because suddenly Marks friend had risen from their stony silence and were attacking. Twisting around I saw boys fists flying everywhere, shouts and blood and falling bodies. Across the battle zone, I saw a glint of metal.

Mark had a gun.

He had a gun. This wasn't a game anymore, this was real. Life and death, and he raised it slowly, hand cocked on the trigger. No no no no no no no not my boy please dear god no no no.

"GUYS!" I screamed, as a shot echoed through the air. I saw everything happening, but wasn't able to register it fast enough.

I thought: There is a bullet coming straight at me

I thought: I should move out of the way

And I thought all this but all I could was watch as the spinning metal chunk came straight at me. All it takes is one descion to make an impact on many others. The domino affect. Every cause has an effect.

Because suddenly two hands pushed me down to the ground, my head banging against the pavement. Pain coursed through my body, but I clung onto consciousness for a moment longer, fighting back the darkness that threatened to overcome me.

I stayed awake long enough to see Louis, in a blur of color push me over. But he didn't move, he didn't move fast enough. Too brave for his own good.

Louis collapsed on the ground as the bullet impacted his body.

"Louis!" I screamed, reaching a hand out to him. I thought it was scream, but it was more of a whisper.

People were yelling and feet were running and somebody had been shot, somebody had been shot-

Darkness pulled me under and took me away from it all.