Give Me Hope (h.s)

5

"Do you have any fucking clue what the damn time is?! My fucking God, I'm pissed," Sacho yells, my arms crossed over my chest as I stand in his office.

"Sacho," I try, but he cuts me off.

"No! You know Bone Thrashers are out at this fucking hour! Bernard more than likely sent Zayn out to find you. Shit, Harry, you could have gotten her killed! My daughter is the only fucking thing I need you protecting and you put her in the most dangerous fucking position, you shithead! Fucking think, Harry!"

I sigh and he sits at his desk, my arms extending to lean against his desk.

"I took her to McDonalds, Sacho. She wanted to go out. And yes, we ran into Zayn. But I shot him in the leg and ran off with Arabella, ensuring she wouldn't get hurt. I know what I'm doing, Sacho. And I did what I did to see your daughter happy. She can't live her damn life in these walls. I took her out to experience the world. So call it bullshit, but that's the truth," I state, his eyes sending daggers my way.

"You know what?" he says, my eyebrow lifting.

"I don't respect people who criticize the way I'm raising my daughter. Get the fuck out of my office and I will give you your punishment tomorrow," he grits, my eyes rolling. I've been punished before, and the scars prove it. It's two long slashes on my back, and I'm going to be adding new ones tomorrow.

I get to my room and strip down, walking to the bathroom. My body steps into the shower and I walk out after washing up, my hands grabbing boxers. That's all I put on before I get into bed, exhausted but awaiting punishment.

It's still dark out when I'm woken up, my hand running through my hair. I get up and I put on my pants, the knock on my door signalling the punishment. I put my shoes on and I walk out, my wrists grabbed and pushed behind my back. We walk down the halls and down to the basement, my humbleness when receiving punishment the only honorable thing I can do.

"You watch what happens when you make my men go out," I hear Sacho, my head turning to see his hand tight around Arabella's forearm. Her eyes widen when I'm forced to my knees, her hand covering her mouth.

"Dad, no. He didn't do anything wrong," she says, but he shakes his head.

"Wyatt, get the rope," Sacho says, Wyatt grabbing it. I close my eyes, waiting for the pain. I hear the rope being passed to the one guard no one ever dares to confront, my heart stopping. All I hear is my own breathing, but then I hear her.

"Harry," she cries, then I feel the pain enter my body.

"Two more!" Sacho yells, my jaw clenching. Another strike on my back is felt and I hear a cry, Arabella being forced to watch what happens when I want her to be happy.

"Last one, dumbass," the guard says, whipping the rope at my back. I fall onto the ground, pain infiltrating my body. I'm extremely weak right now and I can barely focus on anything.

"Arabella, no!" I hear Sacho, but my vision starts to fade.

Two hands grab my cheeks and I barely look, seeing bright eyes looking down at me. Arabella helps me sit up, her hands holding my shoulders. Another set of hands holds me up and I can only assume it's Wyatt.

"Arabella, get over here now."

Sacho's words don't seem to emulate for my eyes haven't looked away from her, her eyes only watching me.

"Arabella!" Sacho yells, my eyes closing.

"No, dad. I'm going to take care of the person you hurt just for letting me go outside," she says, her hand felt on my cheek again. Nothing else seems to process in the time of Wyatt managing to help me walk to my room to my body laying on the bed.

"Can I be alone with him?" I hear Arabella, my eyes remaining closed as I lay on my stomach.

"Do you need help moving him?" he asks, but I don't hear an answer. But I do feel two hands grab my shoulders, my jaw clenching at the pain.

"Come into the bathroom with me," I hear her soft voice, my eyes squeezing shut before I open them. I push myself up and languidly make it into the bathroom, her hands on my waist behind me.

Quickly, I lean against the counter and she maneuvers in front of me. I look down at her, her big blue eyes filled with concern.

"I'm so sorry he's done this to you," she whispers, her voice cracking. Tears form and I shake my head, her head dropping. My hand lifts and I grab her chin, getting her to look at me.

"I took it so you wouldn't have to. He doesn't know the truth, but it's pure shit that he won't let you live."

She shyly smiles, but seeing it makes me know she trusts me. I'm on her side, above all, and I will keep her safe.

"The least I can do is clean you up," she says, my head nodding. I let her go and she moves behind me, looking at my back. She then wets a cloth and starts to clean the wounds, my eyes squeezing shut at the pain it brings.

"I'm sorry," she whispers, but I shake it off.

"Do you have a shirt you could wear that you don't mind potentially getting bloody?" she asks, my head nodding.

"Top drawer. Choose any of them," I tell her, taking a deep breath after. She comes back shortly and I turn to face her, her hands holding the shirt out for me. I put it on and I look down at her when it's on.

"Harry," she says, my eyes looking into hers. "Can I...can I hug you?"

I don't know what to say, but the look in her eyes says it all. She wants to hug me, and wants to make sure I'm okay. So I open my arms and lean down, letting her arms wrap around my neck.

I move my arms around her waist and hold her close, holding her as she breaks down again. It's weird to have someone react to pain this way, especially because it wasn't hers directly. No one has cared about me like this before, and it's weird.

"No more tears, Arabella. Everything is okay," I say, her hand moving into my hair and gripping it. She stays in my arms for a few more minutes, and I let her go. I do something I've never done and I take her face in my hands and wipe away her tears, her eyes looking into mine.

"Now, go find your dad before you get in trouble," I say, her head nodding.

"I owe you, Harry," she whispers, but I shake my head.

"You owe me nothing, Arabella. You're safe, that's all that matters," I say, her smile forming. She leans up and kisses my cheek, looking up at me after.

"Thank you," she beams, walking out of the bathroom. My mind moves a mile a minute, feeling her kiss resonate on my cheek. She may not know it, but protecting this girl is way easier now that I know what it's like to be under her care.

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