Gracie

Chapter 6 - Left With Niall

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Niall's POV:

Gracie was so small, but beautiful just like you would imagine a princess. She had long wavy jet black cascading locks; her skin was as pale as Snow White. The shade of her deep blue melancholic eyes reminded me of a stagnant forgotten pool.

When she opened up and disclosed some of her past with us my heart sank. I couldn't hold my emotions; I fell apart right in front of the broken soul. I remember thinking

"How can anybody be so cruel to someone, especially a child".

I had never thought someone could believe a hug was a hurtful thing. I couldn't believe it. A hug is supposed to comfort and make someone feel safe. Yet Gracie thought hugs were purposely made to hurt. I felt the urge to show her this was not the case.

I held her tightly but gently and she snuggled to me hiding her head in my neck. I felt a surge of affection coming both from me to her and from her to me. Her revelations made me realise what kind of a past she suffered. In my mind it was unconceivable. It was impossible for me to imagine, to even contemplate, that such misery could exist. I knew the knowledge of her torment would haunt me forever.

Harry's POV:

When I was made aware of Gracie's past and the vicious cruelties she had endured I was not sure if it made me sad or furious. Rage came upon me. I don't think I am this type of person but for once I was thinking in a revengeful manner. The sadness I could read in her eyes made me so angry I wished her tormentors were tortured too. I have to admit there were heinous thoughts in my soul, the same heinous thoughts they had forced upon her ever since she had been born. She was just a little girl. What did she ever do so wrong for them to believe she deserved to be punished like that? My heart ached for Gracie.

Louis's POV:

Despite her youth Gracie's was a beautiful but fading flower. In the spring of her life she should have been blossoming, shining with buoyant colours. Instead she looked like a rose in autumn, resigned to submission

Zayn's POV:

I have a reputation for keeping my feelings for myself, which, I have to say, is usually true but in this case I would gladly make an exception. Of course revenge is not seen by everyone as a noble sentiment but I secretly think an eye for an eye is sometimes the only just punishment. One may forgive sins of some inconsequential nature, but the sins we heard of today were the type I could not convince myself to absolve. The girl Liam had adopted was gorgeous, but her beauty was visibly tarnished by pain. I could not remain insensitive. Somehow I had to help her. I stupidly thought maybe God would transfer her pain onto me. It would be fairer would it not? Unfortunately life does not work this way, it would be too easy. Nonetheless I was determined to do something about it. What? I did not know yet, but I would.

Liam's POV:

So far I had learned bits about Gracie and the abuse she had suffered. Little did I know the extent of such abuse! What I knew was bad enough but I was later to discover a lot more sinister details. For now I had planned to visit a do-it-yourself store in order to buy a few things to redecorate Gracie's room. It was open late. As it was only 7 pm I had plenty of time. There was a small hitch though; Gracie was fast asleep in Niall's arms. I thought about waking her up but it wasn't necessary and just cruel. She had a busy and upsetting day, she didn't need more hassle. From the kitchen I glanced into the lounge where Niall was. He was still sitting on the sofa where he had lulled Gracie to sleep. I walked across and sat next to them.