She's Not Afraid

"She Made A Deal"

"What do you mean she's not there?" Liam hissed into the phone, as he stood outside the hospital room. He pinched his nose with his fingers as he listened to Zayn explain that when they came home, Sofia was nowhere in site.

"Okay," Liam sighed, "No one panic, she probably just went to the club or to a bar or something, you know my sister. She probably just needed a drink. Just... stay put. I'll be home in a bit."

Liam opened the door to the hospital room, where Harry was laying in the bed, Niall by his side.

"I'm going to head out," Liam said, trying to keep his voice as casual as possible.

"Okay," Harry said, "Hey, can you tell Sofia to ring me tonight? She was upset when I saw her. And I think we just need to talk things through."

"Yeah, I'll do that," Liam agreed, before looking at Niall trying to say something with his eyes. Niall caught on, and stood from his chair.

"I should probably head out to Haz, you good for the night?" Niall asked.

"Yeah, man," Harry said, "I'm good."

They said goodbye to Harry, before Liam and Niall made their way out of the hospital and towards the car.

"What do you mean she wasn't at the house?" Niall asked, as he tried to catch up with Liam who was filling him in on Sofia being missing.

"Apparently when the girls went home, she wasn't there," Liam said, "They thought maybe she had just gone out for a bit. But when Zayn and Louis returned for dinner, she still hadn't shown up. Zayn said her phone is off."

"That's not good," Niall mumbled.

"No," Liam agreed, "It's not. I'm just gonna check the club on the way home, see if anyone's seen her. She's probably just drinking away what happened. Harry getting shot kind of sent her into a tail spin, she's probably just using alcohol to numb her feelings."

"That would be Sofia like," Niall agreed.

Liam and Niall soon arrived at the club, and upon entering were told that Sofia hadn't been around. Liam looked at Niall, looking for some answers. Niall looked around the club, hoping that maybe she had slipped in unnoticed, but that usually didn't happen with Sofia.

"Let's check the bars on the street," Liam said, "She could be in any one of them." As they walked down the street, Niall's phone rang.

"Hello? Still nothing? Has she picked up? Okay, look her GPS isn't going to work, but check and see if she took any of her other devices, they all have GPS." Niall asked into the phone, as he followed Liam into the first bar, "Alright. Look, Liam and I are checking some of the bars. But, after you're done checking them devices out, why don't you two get into the car and drive around town, see if you find her car or something."

"Nothing?" Liam asked, looking around the bar. Niall shook his head.

The two of them went through every bar and club on the street, searching them from top to bottom, hoping to find an intoxicated Sofia that could drag home, but instead they found nothing. When they asked about her, they were told that no one had seen her. It was late and dark, and Sofia still hadn't made any contact. Liam was feeling less angry, and more anxious and worried. As they walked out of the last bar, his phone rang again.

"Hello? You did?" Liam gasped, "What do you mean it was by itself? She wasn't there? Okay, just... just stay there. We'll meet you."

Niall looked at Liam, his face furrowed in confusion. Liam started sprinting towards his car.

"What happened?" Niall asked

"They found Sofia's car, it was parked on a side street," Liam said, "She wasn't with it, and she wasn't in the immediate area."

"Fuck," Niall hissed, wondering if maybe foul play was involved, "Liam, do you think...."

"I don't know what to think at this point," Liam said, as the tires screeched, sending them flying towards the car, and the Louis and Zayn.

On the other side of town, Louis and Zayn were trying to get into Sofia's car.

"Here!" they heard a voice call, looking up to see Emily running over to them, a spare key in her hand. Zayn grabbed it from her, using the key to unlock the car. Louis and Zayn both dove into the car, looking for anything that would give them a clue.

"Do you see any sign of struggle?" Zayn asked, his voice was panicked.

"No, any blood? Any notes?" Louis asked, as he opened up her glove compartment.

"No," Zayn growled, before he opened up the door to the backseat. They heard tires screeching, all three of them looking up to see that Niall and Liam had just pulled up and were getting out of the car.

"Anything?" Liam said, as he approached them. Both Zayn and Louis shook their head.

"She hasn't been seen around town," Louis said, "And there doesn't look to be a struggle."

"No one has gotten in contact at home," Emily said quietly, all four boys looking at her.

"Let's just head home, see if we can find anything," Niall said, "Maybe... I don't know..."

"I think we should check the local bus and train stations," Louis said, "See if she got on one."

"Are you saying my sister ran away?" Liam barked

"I'm saying anything is possible, and we should find out," Louis said.

They all returned home, and began to call around. They called Katie and Sean, they called local friends. They called the hospital to see if Sofia had shown up there. Liam and Zayn went to the train station, while Niall and Louis headed to the bus station. No one had seen or heard anything. They searched the town, before deciding that they needed to head into other towns.

"We have to tell Harry," Danielle said quietly, when morning had arrived and there was still no sign of her.

"He was just shot, this will stress him out," Louis said, "Besides we don't know anything yet."

"We know that Sofia is missing," Danny said, "And Harry would want to know that."

"He's gonna want to leave the hospital and start looking," Liam said, his voice nervous.

"We have to tell him, we can't keep this from him," Danielle said, her voice firm.

"She's right, man," Danny insisted, "Harry would want to know. This is his fiancé, he deserves to know."

They agreed that Liam and Louis would tell Harry that Sofia had been missing for almost 24 hours. Neither of the boys was looking forward to it, but they agreed that Harry had to know. Maybe he would know something, maybe he was involved somehow. When the boys showed up at the hospital, Harry had his eyes closed, resting against the bed. They opened when he heard the door open. He looked excited, before he looked disappointed.

"I was hoping you'd be Sof," Harry said, "Is she here? She never called me last night."

"Harry, that's what we came to talk to you about," Louis said quietly, sitting in the chair next to him. Harry looked at him.

"Is she still upset?" Harry asked, "I'll talk to her."

"Harry," Liam said, his voice quiet and unsure, "Sofia left the house yesterday, and she hasn't returned. We found her car, she wasn't anywhere near it. There was no sign of struggle and no one has seen her. Her phone is off."

"What?" Harry barked, sitting up straight, "What the fuck are you talking about? How long has it been?"

"Almost 24 hours," Louis said.

"AND I'M JUST FINDING OUT?" Harry yelled, "GET ME DISCHARGE PAPERS. I WANT OUT OF HERE."

"This is why we didn't tell you," Liam said, "We don't know anything yet, and you aren't healthy enough leave."

"Fuck that," Harry snapped, "I want out of this hospital, and I want to find her. And if any of you try and stop me, I'll kill you."

Liam and Louis stood there, sighing with frustration, but Harry had made up his mind and there was no changing it. Louis moved towards the door to go get the doctor, as Liam tried to stop Harry from removing his IV himself.


***


Last time, Harry was the last to find out that Sofia was gone, but this time he was the first to realize that something was wrong. When she didn't return in a few hours, he called her, only to find that she had left her phone at the house. So, he got into the car and went to the park, but he didn't find anything. It wasn't long before he was calling Liam, insisting that something was wrong.

Soon, Liam, Harry, and Niall were searching the town, and by 6 the next morning, they realized that she wasn't in town and she hadn't returned home. They did exactly what they did last time, returned home to call all the local bus and train stations. With everyone at home, except for Emily, who insisted that Niall and Ella go to the hospital with her, they were all scrambling for answers.

"I think it's Sikes," Liam said, "He must've gotten to her. He must have her, it has to be him."

"No," Harry disagreed, "No. This is classic Sofia. If it were Sikes, we
would've heard. If he took her, he would've made it obvious. He would be bragging about this. No, she went to him."

"Harry –" Louis said, his eyes furrowed, "I don't know if she would –"

"SHE WOULD!" Harry boomed.

"Harry, listen to yourself," Eleanor said, "There's no way in hell Sofia would take Birdie with her to Sikes. Think about this, I mean really think about it."

Harry stopped, and even though his instinct was telling him that Sofia made some sort of deal, he wanted to believe Eleanor when she insisted that Sofia wouldn't do that.

"Harry, I think she's right," Danielle said, "Sofia wouldn't do anything to put her in danger."

"You're right," he sighed, "No, you're right. It must've been Sikes. He must've taken them."

"Has anyone gotten ahold of Andy yet?" Louis said.

"No, still not picking up," Liam said, "His phone is off."

"Something isn't right," Harry said.

"Well no shit," Eleanor said, ignoring Louis glare.

"No, I mean, we're missing something," Harry said, "And I know you think it's Sikes, but... I don't know. I think we're missing something, big."

"You still think she made a deal..." Liam said, glaring at Harry, "Look, my sister –"

"You're sister is impulsive, Liam!" Harry yelled, "And I can't shake this feeling, that this is all Sofia."

"Harry, I just don't think –" Eleanor tried to argue.

"I don't care what you think, Eleanor!" Harry spat, "I married her, I know her. She has been off over the last week, like she's been hiding something. And I ignored it because I thought it was just Danny and Daisy, but now..."

"Now you think she's just handed herself over to Sikes?" Louis cried, "Harry, are you insane?! This is Sofia were talking about, she's the most stubborn, hardheaded person I've ever met. She wouldn't just give into him..."

"Plus, when would she have even made a deal, Haz?" Liam questioned, trying to get Harry to see the reality of the situation.

"Why wouldn't she take her phone?" Harry asked, "She always has her phone."

"Harry, you can't go crazy over a phone!" Danielle snapped, "I know that you know her, but I know her too. She's a mom, now, Harry. And that little girl means the world to her!"

"Harry, you're right, something isn't right... but I don't think it's what you think," Liam said, "We just need to find Sikes. Or wait for him to make contact."

"MY DAUGHTER IS WITH HER!" Harry cried out, "YOU WANT ME TO WAIT?!"

"HARRY!" Liam cried out, "I KNOW WHAT'S AT STAKE HERE! BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY LEADS. AND IF HE FIGURES OUT THAT WE'RE ON TO HIM, HE COULD GET MORE DANGEROUS!"

"I think we need to start with Andy," Louis said, "Let's go to his flat, and see if he's there. Or... look for his body. Because, that would've been the first thing Sikes would do."

"So we're just go hunting for clues?" Harry hissed, "And hope for the fucking best? If they were kidnapped, like you think, they're in serious danger!"

"And if it's a deal, like you think," Eleanor snapped, "Then they're safe, for now."

"She wouldn't make a deal without telling me," Liam growled, "She wouldn't. She would want us involved if she was trying to trick him. She knows it'd be suicide to go up against him by herself."

"Let's just fucking find Andy!" Harry snapped, grabbing his jacket before storming out of the house.


***


Harry almost broke the door down at Andy's flat, beating it again and again until he finally opened the door slowly, wiping his tired eyes. He looked at Liam, Louis, and Harry confused, before glancing behind him at his clock.

"Everything alright boys?" Andy asked, "Little early for a house call, ain't it?"

"Where's Sofia?" Harry barked, pushing his way in the apartment, looking around for any clues.

"I wouldn't know," Andy said, his eyes furrowed in confusion, "Why would you think I would know where Sofia was?"

"Because you were going to the park with her yesterday," Liam said, his voice now laced with concern as he realized that Andy was just as clueless as the rest of them, "And she never came home."

"I wasn't supposed to go anywhere with them," Andy said, his eyes furrowed further as he tried to think back to see if he had forgotten something.

"Sofia was going to the park with Birdie, and she said you were going with her," Harry snapped, "Now you're telling me that you didn't go with them? Are you kidding me?!"

"Harry, Sofia called and gave me the day off yesterday," Andy said, his eyes wide, "She told me that she didn't need me and that she was spending the day at home. I went out with my girl all day yesterday, and then I was at the bars last night. I just woke up. If Sofia told you that, she was lying."

"Sofia gave you the day off?" Louis asked, his voice barely there, as he glanced at Liam, all of a sudden reality hitting him hard.

"Yeah," Andy said, "What's going on? What do you mean she never came home?"

"Exactly what we said!" Harry barked, his chest rising and falling with rage.

"Holy fuck," Liam mumbled, his head in his hands, "She made a deal."

"I FUCKING TOLD YOU!" Harry boomed, slamming his hand into Andy's wall, making all 3 men jump.

Louis was already on the phone, calling everyone they knew, to start a search party for Sikes. Liam was calling home, trying to get one of the girls on the computer to see if any of the open fields were being used for flights, and to call local airports about any planes being used. And Harry was pacing back and forth trying to decide whom he wanted to kill more when he got his hands on them, Sofia or Sikes.

"Harry, you have got to calm down," Louis said, when he hung up the phone, sending out an SOS via text to every connection they had in town, "If Sofia did this, she must've had a good reason..."

"I don't give a shit what her reasoning was," Harry hissed, "She should've never made a deal with that fucker, she should've told me, and she sure as hell shouldn't have dragged our four year old into it. Don't fucking make excuses for her, Louis."

"Harry, he's just trying to say –" Liam started

"DON'T JUST SAY!" Harry screamed, his veins popping out of his neck, "IF THIS WERE DAVID OR LEO, HOW FUCKING CRAZY WOULD YOU BE GOING?"

Neither Liam nor Louis said anything; they had never seen Harry this hysterical or angry. And if they were right, Sikes may have played a part in it, but at the end of the day it was Sofia who made the final move. And the end of the day, she was the one who was putting Harry through this kind of misery.

"We have to find them," Louis said quietly, as he watched Harry clench and unclench his fists.

"Now," Liam agreed, "We have to find them now."


***


"Are you sure?" Eleanor hissed, as her and Danielle looked up at Louis.

"Look, it makes sense," Louis said, quietly, watching as Harry sat on the couch, rocking himself. Liam and some of the other boys were in the office, trying to use their connections to try and find out where Sikes had been hiding out. But, he was just as invisible as ever, and if he had made a deal, he was probably already out of the country.

"Her erotic behavior, even for Sofia, she was being nuts," Louis said, "Lying about Andy, the car she took is nowhere in sight. And Sikes hasn't been heard from in days, from anyone. He either approached her, and threatened something. Or, Daisy and Danny pushed her right over the edge and she went to him..."

Eleanor looked at Harry who was holding his head in his hands; she could see his shoulders shaking from the silent sobs. Though, she didn't know if it was from anger, anxiety, or sadness. She realized it was probably from all of the above.

"Poor Harry," Eleanor whispered.

"Has anyone gotten ahold of Niall?" Liam called.

"No, but they have to turn the phones off when they're there," Louis answered, before following him back into the office.

"I'm going to make tea, and sandwiches," Danielle said quietly. Eleanor sighed, before approaching Harry quietly.

"Harry," she said, putting her hand on his knee. He looked up at her, his eyes were bloodshot, "They're going to be okay."

"How could she do this to me?" Harry whispered, wiping his eyes desperately, "How could she do this to me, again?"

"Harry, she probably didn't have any choice," Eleanor tried to reason.

"She always has a choice!" Harry spat, standing up, "She just always goes with the wrong one! I'm her husband! She should've told me! She should've done something else! This isn't what she should've done!"

"Harry –" Eleanor tried to sooth him, standing up and taking his hand.

"They're my entire world, El!" he yelled, not at her, but because he couldn't help himself, "I have no idea where my child is right now. I have no idea is she's safe or happy or hurt or okay. I have no idea, and I can't do anything. And if anything happens to her –"

"Birdie is going to be okay," Eleanor reasoned quietly.

"YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!" Harry yelled, tears pouring from his eyes, "You can't promise that! And if anything happens to her! It's Sofia's fault. This is Sofia's fault."

Eleanor felt her own tears, as she looked at how broken Harry was, standing before her. He was helpless, and there was nothing he could do. The one person he loved and trusted more then anyone in the world had just betrayed him in the worst way she could think of.

"I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive her for this," Harry whispered, "And if anything happens to my little girl, I'll hate her."

"Don't say that –" Eleanor gasped.

"That's my little girl," Harry said, his voice soft and desperate, falling back onto the couch, hands covering his face again, "That's my little girl..."


***


"Okay, he hasn't been heard from in about a week," Liam said, "But he supposedly had warehouses in these three areas..."

Louis looked at the map; there were warehouses spread out, each hours away from each other. Louis sighed deeply, shaking his head in disappear.

"Even if we hit all these, we're at least 24 hours behind them," Louis said, "He could everything packed and out by now..."

"I know, but we have to start somewhere," Liam growled, "Maybe somewhere around the area will know something. Even if he isn't still there, he couldn't have cleaned up everything. We have to find something."

"So what do you want to do? Split up? Try and hit all 3?" Louis said, as Harry walked into the room. He looked more composed then he had all day, but his was jaw was locked and his eyes were black with rage. He may have fooled anyone else, but he wasn't fooling Liam and Louis.

"What's the plan?" he asked

"Harry, we're trying to figure it out," Liam said cautiously, "But I think that whatever it is we do, you should stay here."

"Are you out of your fucking mind?!" Harry growled, "There's no way in hell!"

"Harry, he's right!" Louis said, standing up and walking towards his friend, "You're seriously emotionally charged right now and you're not thinking straight, and I get it... but we can't take any risks right now."

"I'M GOING!" Harry boomed, "There's no way I'm staying here! Besides, you're going to need me. We're already down Zayn, and someone needs to stay here with the girls."

"Maybe that should be you!" Liam barked, "Are you going to disobey a direct order?"

"Liam, if this was Danielle and David... would you stay here?" Harry asked, his eyes narrowed

"That's not the poin –"

"WOULD YOU STAY HERE?!" Harry yelled, his hands flying, as he knocked everything off the side table, breaking a lamp and clock in the process. Liam and Louis both stared at him in shock, as Harry tried to control his breathing.

"No," Liam said, quietly, still staring at Harry as though he couldn't believe his eyes.

"I'm going," Harry said. And just like all those months before, Harry Styles had made his decision and nothing Louis or Liam said or did was going to change his mind.

"Okay, let's take this map to the kitchen," Liam said, "There's more table room, and we can figure out a game plan."

The 3 moved out of the office, as Eleanor came running into towards them.

"That was the hospital on the phone," Eleanor said, her eyes wide and teary, "It's about Zayn."

"Wait, I thought Ella, Niall, and Emily were at the hospital?" Liam asked.

"They must've left a bit ago, they must be on their way home," Eleanor said, her voice shaky.

"What did the hospital say?" Louis asked, but before Eleanor could respond, there was a slam of the back door, and Danielle was shrieking.

Running towards the kitchen, Liam, Louis, and Harry came to a halt as they saw Sikes and two of his men standing there, with guns against the heads of Niall, Emily, and Ella. Everyone in the kitchen was frozen. Sikes standing there with a smile, as Danielle clutched Leo to her chest. On instinct, Harry moved to stand in front of David, who was in his high chair, ignoring that Sikes had moved his gun to point at him.

"What the hell is this?" Liam asked, his voice stern and cold, as he reached out to grab Danielle and pull him behind him.

"Relax," Sikes said, his voice smooth and charming, as always, "I only want to talk I only have guns to their heads because I need to make sure that you don't shoot."

"And why shouldn't we?" Louis hissed

"Because I have information you would want," Sikes said, "It seems that our dear Sofia has tricked us all..."