Ravaged // h.s. au

19.

Harry

And the world seemed to come to a sudden halt. Time didn't seem to pass. People had turned into statues. Voices seemed to get lost into empty space. But I could hear him, loud and clear, as bitter, as ruthless, as he had echoed in my ears, over and over again, ever since he took her away.

" Joshua," The name seemed to slip past my lips, whispered, shaky, laced with all that had been devouring me from the inside, out.

" Good. You remember. It seems like our paths are bound to cross." He laughed, sending an electrifying, shiver down my spine.

" She's got nothing to do with this, Joshua. She's just a kid."

" I don't know what you're talking about, Styles. I was only calling to say hello, send my congratulations, for getting your position back."

" I didn't get it back. I'm just here informally, trying to help."

" Didn't know I was such a tough case to crack."

" You're not."

" Do you honestly think, underestimating me, is the most strategic move you can make right now?"

" No, no. No moves. Just bring her back. You can settle whatever it is with me, just, not her, Joshua."

" She's a bit more of a crier than her sister though. But it's okay, we know how to shut her up." My eyes squeezed shut, as I willed the graphic images in my head away.

" Don't get yourself into any more shit, Joshua. We already have you for the hijack, murdering all those people, physically attacking and injuring a cop, and disturbing the national peace. Don't add kidnap and another murder to the list."

" Alright, lets make this clear. You don't have me for any of that. In fact, you don't have me at all. According to your records, I don't exist. So, I get to decide how this goes. And I have the girl. I know you're keeping your wifey at the station, but I promise you, I can get her too. Just like I got Rodriguez, and his wife. You spent the last few months drinking me away, but I spent them watching you, learning every bloody weak point you have, and boy, there are plenty."

I felt weak. Weak, helpless, useless. My own goddamn body was giving out on me, and if I hadn't leaned onto the nearby desk, I would have collapsed. A part of me told me that I wouldn't have risen again, not this time. I forced myself to breathe, to maintain my composure, and not lose myself to him again.

" What do you want, Joshua?"

" You. Your wife. Your friends. Your wife's sister. Your fucking pet if you have one. I want to strip you of everything you have, everything you care for. I want to take away your life, bit by bit, until you're left with nothing, like the scumbag you are."

And then the line went dead. I pulled the phone away, staring down upon it, struggling to find that thin line between sanity, and complete madness. My heart was pounding, I could hear it in my own ears. My hands were sweating, giving the phone an odd touch. I began regaining attachment to my surroundings, when I heard my name being called, and a hand shaking me rather aggressively.

My eyesight began to lose its blur, and refocus, to meet Zayn's concerned eyes. It then registered in my mind, that I was still there, and so were they, and that Gypsy was sleeping in the office, unknowing of the danger closing in on us. I released a breath, that felt like the first gasp of air you take in, after drowning, for so, so long.

" Are you okay?" Zayn asked.

Okay? That concept felt so farfetched, so unfamiliar. I honestly couldn't remember the last time I had felt okay. I nodded nevertheless. Ignoring the stubborn ache in my heart.

" Did you trace the call?"

" It was a burn phone. He probably got rid of it by now."

" Alright. I need a guard on Gypsy at all times, even if she's here, Zayn, at all times. I need you to replay me that call, maybe I'll hear something that would indicate his whereabouts. I need to get Hazel back."

" Okay, we will, but what did he tell you? Did he ask for a ransom?"

" No. Nothing like that." I walked around the place, searching for my phone, heading towards the technician who'd replay the call for me. I couldn't bring myself to focus on Zayn. I couldn't bring myself to focus on anything. I even couldn't bring myself to go into that office and check on Gypsy, in fear of her breaking again, and this time, I didn't have it in me to hold her. I didn't have it in me to be strong for her, simply because I couldn't.