A Dance With Death

|| Chapter 34 - Demons ||

                    

I remember every detail of this moment. Perhaps that's why everything seems lifelike in this flashback. I remember that when I stood there, looking at Safaa, my heart pounded against my chest. There were many questions in my mind, but the only thing I thought about was how am I supposed to get Safaa out of this.

Of course, the Zayn before me is going through the same thing, because he is me. He doesn't say anything, just stares at the two of them, petrified and unable to move because of shock.

"If you scream out," Hooper says, a thick accent to his words, "I will pull the trigger."

Zayn stiffens at his threat. "L-let her go," he stutters, raising his hands. "Please."

Safaa continues to cry into Hooper's hand, her cheeks completely wet and her flickering eyes bloodshot. Her body is shaking, partly because of her sobs and partly because of fear.

"Oh please, put your hands down," Hooper says. "I don't want that."

Zayn seems confused for a moment, his trembling hands still in the air.

"Come on, put 'em down." Hooper removes the gun from Safaa's face, which managed to leave an impression on the side of her forehead. He waves it, motioning Zayn to let his hands down. Zayn slowly does as he says. Hooper then brings the gun back to where it was. Zayn and Safaa gasp.

"What do you want?" Zayn asks. From where I stand, I can see his hand discretely moving to his back pocket. "Just take whatever you want and go. I won't tell the cops."

Hooper laughs. "Like hell you're not gonna tell the cops!"

"I won't." Zayn's hand goes into his pocket and he slowly pulls out his phone, careful that the intruder doesn't see his actions. "Look, my sister didn't do anything. She's just a young girl. If you want something, just tell me. Money? Car keys?"

Hooper laughs bitterly. "Money? What am I to do with your filthy money?"

"Then what do you want?" Zayn fumbles with his phone in one hand, not sure what he's supposed to do with it.

Hooper's eyes look intently at Zayn. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Zayn seems taken aback. "D-do what?"

Hooper sighs. He removes his hand from Safaa's mouth, giving her a chance to let out a long breath. Hooper jerks his fingers towards Zayn and in an instant, Zayn's phone flies away from his hand and hits the wall behind us. The phone's screen shatters as it hits the wall and then the floor. Though I knew this would happen, I was still taken by surprise at the sudden movement.

Zayn looks at horror at his phone and then back at Hooper. "W-who are you?" he stutters, gaping at Hooper's seemingly paranormal power.

"Let's just say I'm a huge fan," Hooper says, bringing his arm over Safaa's shoulder, causing her to wince. "And I need something from you."

"Just take it!" Zayn says desperately. "Take it and go! Don't hurt her."

Hooper raises an eyebrow. "It's something very important. It may be dear to you."

"It's fine-wait. What do you mean?"

Hooper takes the gun away from my sister's forehead and pushes her forward, towards Zayn. She lets out a cry and runs towards Zayn. She hides behind him, holding his arm tightly. Zayn lays a protective arm over her.

"Later today, I'm going to collect something from you," Hooper says, rubbing his gun with his sleeve. "You'll know soon enough. The thing is, I need your permission for it."