Twenty-Nine Dolls [H.S. AU]

5. Callie - 2012

Don't you ever tame your demons. 

Keep them on a leash.

2012

"Sometimes you need to run, Callie." She would tell me, "Run and never look back."

My mother's words echoed in my mind as I walked around the room I kept myself hidden in. How could I relate them to what I needed to do? Why were they so significant? Was this why she would tell me to look after myself? They were questions I would often ask myself as I looked out upon the ripped wallpaper and thought. It made me feel horrible knowing that I wouldn't be able to fulfil my aspirations because of one man's sick desires.

Harry. His name was Harry.

I practised it on my tongue a couple of times, trying to prevent him from hearing me and bolting through the door like the hero he thinks he is. Shaking my head at the mental image, I traced my finger against the wood of the table by the bed. Mr. Styles claimed to be looking after me and he's been living up to his expectations. He's fed me, asked me if I wanted a drink, asked me to shower even though I declined repeatedly... He tried. Mr. Styles wanted me safe from the world around me, I was starting to respect that. It was horrible but so true. I knew he wanted the best. If he had ill intentions he would have made them visible by now. I hoped.

He had also told me he was grateful for my company once. I doubt a man like him had no friends, no family, even though he never left the house. He was probably plotting something over the internet, even though the only piece of what you could call technology that I could find was the radio which he broke.

Harry Styles.

I had to get out.

Getting to my feet, I left the room and pushed through the corridor as boxes decided to make the path more treacherous. It wasn't necessary. Peering into one of the rooms, I saw him reading a tattered book, focusing on the words relentlessly. A small smile creased my lips as the sight was stunning. He may be insane and I may be running from him but he was a work of art. Eyebrows thin enough to make an impact, a jawline that could pierce a strand of hair and never forget his eyes. His eyes made his dirty face so pure. The green of his irises could make you get lost, it reminded me of the forest. It was a forest I was willing to never leave. I wasn't in love with the man. Mr. Styles and I could never be, but if he could just take off his mask of insanity, decreased in the years... I'd be willing to try.

I shook the superficial thoughts out of my head and walked away to the kitchen. There must have been a way out from there. Searching the room for a door, an air vent, anything - his footsteps became audible. I froze. I felt his presence. "You were staring at me. What's wrong Callie?"

Turning to face him, I noticed the black attire. He smiled and ran a shaky hand through his hair, fixing his appearance constantly. "Yes. But there's nothing wrong." I mentioned. I looked down to his shoes, silver and blue, wondering where was going. I'd usually see him so rugged and messy but this was new. A chain rested on his chest. He was cleaned up and ready to go.

"Yes, I need to attend to some business." He said.

"But I didn't ask," I responded, raising a knowing eyebrow at him.

"You didn't need to. I know you." He nodded, making sure I understood. There was no point in arguing with him. Mr. Styles had left me in tears earlier when I protested, there was no logical reason for me disagree with his ideas if I'm going to leave as soon as he does. "I'll be back soon. Don't hurt yourself."

"I won't," I assured him. I wasn't going to let him watch me as I suffered in these four walls .

"Okay, I'll be back soon." He nodded, his eyes lingering on the place where I stood before striding towards the door. Once the sound of the lock clicking became audible...