She's Not Afraid

"I Just Have To Keep You Safe"

With the child in her arms and the fight moving towards them, Sofia knew that she would never get them out of there alive. Looking around the kitchen, she headed towards a pantry, hoping that there would a place to hide the girl. Pulling it open, Sofia breathed a sigh of relief when she realized how big the walk in pantry was.

With boxes lining the back, Sofia moved towards them. Moving them around, she shuffled behind them. Putting the child beside her, she crouched low – as she listened to the noise get louder. Birdie clung to her, making Sofia turn to her. Birdie had silent tears running
down her face.

"Birdie, no matter what happens, I want you to stay behind these boxes, and keep your head down and your eyes shut, okay?" Sofia whispered, "And you have to stay quiet, okay? Can you do that?"

Birdie nodded quietly, before making herself smaller in the corner, looking up for Sofia's approval. Sofia nodded her head, smiling gently at the girl. Sofia sat behind another box, listening carefully to the chaos that was ensuing outside. She could hear guns and shouts. She held the handgun in her hands, looking down at it, knowing that she could have to use it.

When the wall next to them banged loudly, Sofia knew that the fight had moved it's way near them. Birdie squeaked, but Sofia covered her mouth, and put her other finger to her mouth, showing the girl how quiet she must be.

"Where's the girl?!" Sofia heard someone shout outside, "Check everywhere! There's no way she got out! Check the kitchen!"

Sofia looked at Birdie, "Stay here," Sofia whispered, "Don't move, okay?" Sofia moved towards the boxes to get out, but a small hand wrapped around her wrist.

"Please don't leave me," Birdie whimpered quietly, breaking Sofia's heart.

"I'll be back," Sofia said, "I promise. I just have to keep you safe. Just stay out of sigh, babe." Sofia moved out of the girls grip. Walking towards the doors of the pantry. With her back against the wall she waited. She heard someone in the kitchen, sneaking around. He was looking for her. Sofia kept her back against the wall, and waited. She knew what his next move would be, and she was ready.

When the pantry door opened, Sofia grabbed him, slamming him against the wall. Catching him by surprise, the man dropped his gun, causing it to go off, which surprised Sofia. In her surprise, he got the upper hand, flipping her so she was against the wall. She struggled against the wall, trying to push him off of her, and in the process she dropped her gun.

"You stupid whore," the man hissed at her, as Sofia got her hand out of his grip. She yanked his hair, causing him to hiss in pain.

But soon Sofia let out a small scream of pain, when she felt a sharp pain in her leg. Looking down, she saw a knife, and realized that he was still armed. Sofia tried to move her leg, but he pressed down harder, causing Sofia to hiss loudly in pain.

"I'm going to bleed you like the bitch you are," he growled at her, one hand gripped around his arms, and the other pulling the knife off her leg, and moving it to the side of her neck. Sofia glanced behind him, and saw curls poking up from the boxes. Sofia felt the blood on her neck as he pressed the knife down.

"You know, I never like name calling," Sofia hissed, as she brought her uninjured leg up to the mans groin. In his surprise and pain, Sofia used her weight to slam his head into the wall behind him, causing him to tumble to the ground. When on the ground, Sofia straddled him, covering his mouth with her hand, she stabbed him, right through the neck, causing him to choke on his own blood. Sofia grabbed her gun, and his, and fell to the ground beside him.

With the adrenaline from the fight fading, Sofia could feel the searing pain in her leg. She tried to stand but she collapsed. Covering her leg with her hand, she used her hands to drag herself back across the pantry, towards the boxes where Birdie was. Moving the boxes, Sofia crawled back there, hissing in pain.

Once back there, she grabbed the small child, and backed them both up against the wall.

"You're hurt," the child whispered, looking at her in horror.

"Shhh, it's okay," Sofia said gently, "I'll be okay..." Sofia took the sweater she was wearing off, and tied it around her leg to try and stop some of the blood. Ignoring her bleeding neck, she pulled the child towards her, taking her in her arms. Birdie didn't hesitate immediately curling into Sofia to hide herself, while Sofia prayed it would all be over soon.


***


Harry and Louis climbed the stairs quietly, leaving Liam and some of the boys downstairs. When they heard a crash from a bedroom down the hall, both went running, throwing themselves through the door.

Zayn was on the floor, and someone was above him
aiming a gun right at his head. Harry didn't think twice, raising his gun and shooting – but three guns went off. The man fell to the floor, but it was the loud shout from Zayn that caused Harry alarm. Ignoring the man that they had just shot dead, they ran to Zayn.

"Zayn!" Harry hissed, when he saw blood, Harry ripped at Zayn's shirt, as Zayn hissed again.

"You'll be alright man," Harry said, sighing in relief as he realized the bullet had only grazed his shoulder, the man's aim must've been thrown off by the shots that Louis and Harry shot. Louis helped Zayn into a sitting position, who groaned in pain.

"Shh!" Louis growled, "We don't know who else is up here..."

"No one," Zayn said, "It was just him... I checked all the other rooms..."

"It's just grazed," Harry said, "Probably just a few stitches," as he ripped his shirt, tying the wound off, and covering it. Zayn nodded, though his face grimaced in pain. Suddenly the door behind them opened, causing all three boys to turn, pointing their guns. They sighed in relief as the lights went back on and when they saw it was Danny.

"It's over," Danny said, "Everyone's dead...." He walked forward to help Zayn to his feet, as Harry and Louis high fived each other. The four boys walked downstairs, ignoring the blood that was everywhere. As the stepped downstairs, they noticed the bodies of Sike's men. Liam was there, standing with their men.

Liam turned when he heard them, a look of relief washed over him as he realized that they were all standing and could walk. When he noticed the blood on Zayn's shirt, he stepped forward, but Zayn shook his head.

"Just a scratch, I'm fine," Zayn said, "How's everyone?"

"Not a scratch," Liam said, "Bloody lucky... we caught them off guard, and we had the upper hand"

"Check all the bodies," Harry said to Sean, "Just make sure..." Sean nodded, directing some of the men to follow me.

"I texted Niall," Liam said, just as his phone went off.

"Hello?" Liam answered, before his face contorted
in horror, "What do you mean she never got there?!" Liam didn't say anything, as he hung up the phone, looking around the house in horror.

"What?" Louis asked

"Sofia never showed up to car," Liam said, his voice panicked

"What?" Harry growled, all of the men separated, wondering if in the chaos Sofia had gotten hit.

"Where the fuck could she be?" Zayn growled, "Did anyone hit a girl?" he passed the kitchen.

"In here!" he heard a voice cry out, he turned, but Harry was faster. Harry was slamming through the pantry door. Harry looked at a dead man on the floor, before noticing a trail of blood.

"Oh my God," Harry hissed, as he found Sofia bleeding on the floor, a child in her arms.

Louis went to lift the child out of her arms, but the child began to scream clinging to Sofia.

"Birdie, Birdie," Sofia said to her gently, "These are my friends, you're safe. I promise." Birdie still wouldn't let go. Sofia used all her strength to push herself off the floor, and Harry helped her stand.

"What happened?" he asked, horrified, as he realized how weak she was, and took in all the blood

"Stabbed," Sofia explained, holing the child, "I can't walk." Louis reached for the child again, who still looked unsure, but allowed him to take her.

"What are you going to do with me?! Where are you going to take me?" Birdie cried, the child still terrified.

"Do you trust me?" Sofia said, her teeth gritted together through the pain, she watched as the child nod, though tears were still streaming down her face.

"You're gonna come home with me and my friends, okay?" Sofia whispered, leaning on Harry, as Liam tried to stop the blood from her neck.

"You'll be safe, I promise," Sofia said, wiping the child's tears, "We're the good guys..." Sofia couldn't stand anymore, and she fell backwards, but Harry caught her, lifting her up bridal style.

"She's lost a lot of blood," Harry said, "We got get her home..." Sofia's head fell against Harry's chest, as he followed the rest of the boys out of the house.


***

Sofia hissed as Ella stitched up her leg, holding Birdie on her other.

"Sorry," Ella said quietly, "I'm doing my best..."

"It's alright," Sofia said, as she looked around the room. Everyone was gathered around, not quite sure of what to make of the four year old on Sofia's lap, who had refused to let go of her once they got into the car. Birdie gripped Sofia's hand, crying silently as she watched Ella stitch her up.

"Hey, don't look," Sofia said quietly, as Birdie turned to look at her.

"Does it hurt?" Birdie asked, innocence in her voice.

"Nah," Sofia said, "It's just a scratch... What are you crying for?" she asked, wiping the child's tears, "You're safe now... I promise..."

"I know," Birdie said quietly, "I'm just sad. That was so scary..."

"I know," Sofia whispered, "But you don't have to be scared anymore..." Birdie didn't say anything, she just lay her head against Sofia's chest, and Sofia wrapped an arm around her.

"Hey, you know what makes me feel better?" Sofia asked, the child looked up at her, shaking her head.

"No, what?"

"Chocolate," Sofia said, with a grin, trying not to hiss too much as Ella did the last stitch, "Like... chocolate cupcakes..."

"You said you would get me chocolate cupcakes for my birthday!" Birdie said, a smile appearing

"Did I say that?" Sofia asked, faking being shocked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Birdie said, nodding her head fast, everyone laughed at the little girls actions.

"Well, I think if you go with my friend Danielle," Sofia said, pointing to Danielle, who grinned at the child, "She'll be able to set you up with that."

Birdie looked at Danielle unsure, as Danielle reached her hand out to the child. Birdie looked at Sofia as if to ask if it was okay.

"Go ahead," Sofia said, softly, "Danielle is great. I bet she'll even get you a glass of milk." Birdie hopped down, taking Danielle's hand as they walked towards the kitchen. Once they disappeared, Sofia turned to Harry, who was next to her the whole time.

"You could've been killed," Harry said, glancing at her leg with tears in his eyes.

"I thought she wasn't supposed to be there," Liam said, looking at his sister for an explanation.

"She wasn't," Sofia said, "By the time I found out, it was too late to call it off. And, there was no way I could've ran with her..."

"Always have to be the hero," Niall said, shaking his head.

"What was I supposed to do?" Sofia said, "Leave her there? She would've been killed..."

"You did the right thing," Niall said, "There's no denying that. But you were stabbed twice, Sofia. And your bloody lucky that it wasn't worse..."

"We have to find her mother," Zayn said, growling at Ella stitched his shoulder.

"She's dead," Sofia said, quietly, causing everyone to look at her in shock.

"What do you mean she's dead?" Liam asked, horrified

"I mean, Sikes killed her," Sofia said, her voice cracking and tears forming in her eyes. The were interrupted by a phone going off. Liam reached into his pocket to pull it out.

"Hello?" Liam answered, "What? What do you mean? That's not possible. I shot him myself... Jesus fucking Christ. Alright man, I'll talk to you soon." Liam hung up, his eyes wide and concern gracing his face.

"What?" Sofia asked

"Sikes wasn't in the body count," Liam said, "And his cars gone..."

"WHAT?" Harry yelled, "HOW?"

"The fucker must've gotten out somehow, and made his escape..." Liam said, "We'll have to get on that immediately... tomorrow."

"Sofia!" a voice called, and they all turned to see Birdie rushing out with a cupcake in her hand.

"Whatcha got there?" Sofia asked, smiling brightly – trying to forget what she had just heard, as the child clamored up onto her lap. She hissed as she hit her hurt leg, causing Harry to tense beside her.

"Danielle said I have to make a wish," Birdie said, "Because it's my birthday..."

"It is your birthday," Sofia said, "And you are four – it's a big year, make it a good one!"

Danielle leaned down, taking the plate from Birdies hand as she lit the candle.

"Go ahead, Birdie," Danielle encouraged softly, "Make a wish..." Birdie closed her eyes and then blew out the candle.

"What'd you wish for?" Niall asked the child, Birdie looked at him and opened her mouth, but Sofia clamped her hand over the child's mouth.

"No! Don't tell him!" Sofia whispered, "He's being nosy and everyone knows a wish won't come true if you say it aloud..." Birdies eyes widened, before she looked over a Niall, who gave her an innocent shrug.

"Does anyone else want a cupcake?" Danielle asked, standing up. No one really said anything, it had been a long night and everyone was exhausted. Finally, Emily spoke.

"We'll all take one, after all we're celebrating..." Emily said, causing everyone to look at her like she was crazy, "Happy 4th birthday, Birdie..." Birdie giggled at her, before biting into her own cupcake.


***


"She's out," Sofia whispered, as she limped out of her bedroom and towards the kitchen, where Harry was making them sandwiches.

"How's she doing?" Harry asked, as he glanced toward the door, "She must be terrified..."

"She seemed okay, actually," Sofia said, collapsing onto a stool, "Just held her and whispered until she fell asleep. Promised her that I would sleep with her, I hope you don't mind..."

"No," Harry said, shaking his head, "Least I can do is share my bed with her..."

"She likes Bing, I think he makes her feel safe too," Sofia said, as she bit into the sandwich.

"I think you make her feel safe," Harry said, "Then, you should, since you saved her life..." Sofia heard the annoyance in his voice.

"Are you really upset with me?" Sofia asked, glancing up at me.

"No," Harry said, "How could I be? It's just ... you could have been killed Sofia, and I just .. the idea of losing you..."

"Nothing happened," Sofia said, reaching up to touch his face

"The two stab wounds tell me differently," Harry whispered, shaking his head at her.

"I couldn't save our baby," Sofia whispered, tears in her eyes, "I couldn't save something that was so much apart of me. And, I could save her... and I just..."

"Didn't have a choice," Harry said, as he walked around the table, pulling her into his arms.

"I didn't even think about leaving her there," Sofia said, "Just the idea of another child dying on my watch..."

"It was an accident," Harry said, trying to comfort her.

"But, this wouldn't have been," Sofia said, pulling away from him, "I didn't think about me, I just thought about her. And getting her out of there."

"Well, you did," Harry said, quietly, "You're that child's hero..."

"Well someone had to be," Sofia said, tears falling down her face, "Someone had to protect her..."

"And you did," Harry said, "You did good, Sof..."

"I can't believe he escaped," Sofia said, shaking her head.

"Don't you worry about that," Harry said, "He's got no support system now, it won't take us long to figure out where he went. We'll get him, Sofia..."

"I know, it's just... after all that, and he's still out there somewhere... probably plotting his revenge..." Sofia said, as she put her head in her hands.

"We're getting on it tomorrow," Harry said, "We'll track him down, it'll be fine..."

"I know," Sofia said, "I just ... it has to be okay..."

"Yeah," Harry said, standing up, "So, we're gonna get on that. Go back to the sight, and see what we can find there..."

But Sofia wasn't listening to him as he rattled on about what the plain was tomorrow. Sofia was thinking about the sleeping child in her bed. The child that had lost everything. The child that had no one. The child that Sofia could not imagine something happening to. Sofia could not take her brain off of Birdie – and her face was swimming in Sofia's face. Sofia didn't know it was possible to fall so in love with someone in such a short time period. But, that was the only way Sofia could explain how she was feeling. She was completely and totally in love with her. Sofia snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Harry speak.

"And, I think Liam's going to look into some of the homes around here, for Birdie..." Harry said, "So, we should probably start to do research on that... good homes for kids like her..."

"Harry," Sofia said

"We'll want her to go somewhere that will care for her right," Harry said, ignoring Sofia

"Harry," Sofia tried again.

"And, I don't know, maybe London will have some places..." Harry continued.

"Harry!" Sofia barked, catching his attention. He looked up at her, his eyes raised in expectation.

"Harry, I want to keep her..." Sofia said, as she watched Harry's eyes widen in surprise. He didn't say anything, he just stared at her. Sofia continued to look at him, waiting for him to speak.

"What?" Harry finally said, convinced he hadn't heard her right.

"I want to keep her..." Sofia repeated, her voice calm and collected, causing Harry's heart to stop because he realized she was being serious.