Contentions(A Liam Payne AU)

Chapter 17 - Abandoned

Shaky fingers moved the curtain aside slightly as I checked the lock of the window for what seemed like the hundredth time. I couldn’t get over the bone chilling warning I had gotten earlier. What did I do? Why would that man want to scare me?

I was so devastatingly exhausted, unable to sleep, unable to think, and unable to feel anything besides terror. I had felt it a million times before and I had promised myself that I would never experience again once I escaped, but here I was, curled up on the couch in a shaking mess, just wishing that someone could hold me. I wanted to be protected, loved, cherished…something I had never before been provided with even from my own family.

My lip quivered and I struggled to hold back the tears but ultimately gave up, sobs escaping my lips as I slumped into the cushions, pulling my knees to my chest. I wanted it to stop, I wanted it all to just stop! For a split second, my mind flicked over to the scissors on the counter, debating. I had been clean for so long…did I really want to break that?

There was suddenly a click and the door swung open making me scream, cowering away. There were heavy footsteps as I shrieked and hands suddenly grabbed my wrists, tugging them away from my face.

“Brin,” Liam cooed. “It’s alright, love. It’s just me. It’s just Liam.”

“W-what are you…”

“There are some, complications,” he breathed. “I got a hold of your sister-“

“Where is she!” I instantly perked up at the idea, looking around him to see if my big sis was there, but fingers cupped my shoulder, stopping me from any further investigation.

“She’s not here,” he said softly. “Actually, you probably won’t be seeing much of her for a little while, love.” Another wave of tears stung my eyes and I bit my lip, trying to push them away.

“W-why?” I whispered. “Why is she leaving me?”

“She’s stubborn,” he sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “She wants to stay with a guy she’s been with for a while-“

“Instead of me,” I whispered, looking away. There goes the last of my family, the last of my hope, the last of my future.

“She’s not thinking straight, Brin,” he murmured, hesitating a second before tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Your…your sister struggles with meth. She was pretty high when I found her.” My eyes widened and I let out a whimper, covering my ears and shaking my head.

“No no no no no…” I muttered, rocking back and forth. I felt like a lost child, terrified of the world around and just wanting to be cloaked, hidden from the scary truth.

“C’mere, cutie,” Liam sighed, gently encircling his arms around me and pulling me to his chest. “It’s okay…you’re okay.”

“I’m all alone,” I cried into his shirt, clutching at him desperately. “She’s all I had and I’m all alone again.”

“You’re not alone,” he reassured. “Even though your sister isn’t all there right now, she did say that she’d like you to come stay with me and I think she’s right.”

“W-why you?” I asked, looking up at him with wide eyes.

“I’m a boxer, love,” he smiled slightly, rubbing his knuckles over my cheek. “If anyone could keep you safe it would be me.” He shifted slightly so he could peer down at me, eyes filled with concern.

“Now, I know you’re tired and scared, but we need to get your stuff together and take you back to mine,” he said softly. “I have…responsibilities at home I can’t leave.”

“Okay,” I mumbled, standing out of his hold and wordlessly gathering a bag of clothes and toiletries. I bit my lip as I glanced towards the door, hesitant but quickly grabbing my razor and tossing it into my bag. Who knew if I’d need it?

“I’m ready,” I said quietly, walking out with the duffel bag on my shoulder. He offered me a reassuring smile and took my bag to carry for himself, his hand going to rest at the small of my back and guide me outside. I couldn’t help but let my weariness show, my whole person fatigued with a sense of worthlessness. I knew I wasn’t worth the time. I knew I wasn’t worth the effort it took to have people that cared about you.

“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours, Brin?” he asked as soon as we sat in his car. “You’re worrying me.”

“I’m fine...”

“I didn’t ask if you were fine,” he sighed. “I want to know what you’re thinking; how you’re feeling right now. It’s not good to keep it bottled up.”

“I said I’m fine!” I spat, turning my body away and leaning my head against the window. There was a heavy sigh beside me and we pulled out of the parking lot, silence permeating the car. It was going to be one long drive.