More Than This (Harry Styles) {COMPLETED}

Chapter 3: What Happened? Where Am I?

Hey people (who actually read this)!

I was really discouraged when I first started to write my first two chapters because I only got twenty reads. :( But shortly after vampirejuli (Juli) helped me make a cover, I have received 8 more reads. I want to give a great BIG thanks to vampirejuli for making this awesome cover :) You are the best! I also want to thank all those who have taken their time to read my story. It really means a lot to me :) That's it for now... Depending on how many reads I get this chapter, I may consider continuing into the fourth chapter. I am not sure yet. Leave comments below! :D

Thanks a bunch!

<3 Jenn

Chapter 3: What happened?! Where am I?!

Harry Styles’s P.O.V.

Two years ago (X Factor 2010)

It was a regular Saturday night. We were all resting after rehearsals for the X Factor. Niall was in the kitchen raiding the food supply. I hope he leaves some left for us if we ever get hungry. Zayn was lying upside down on the couch staring at himself in the mirror. Louis was... well.. I wasn’t so sure as to what Louis was doing. I guess he was entertaining himself with a head of lettuce. Whatever, Louis is Louis, and I am not going to change one bit of him. Liam was sitting on the couch sipping on a cup of tea while watching the news. I, on the other hand, was bored out of my mind. Nothing was going on with me in any way. No news back home. No interesting calls from management. No new love interests, although I really wished I had one.

“Do you think I look better from this angle?” Zayn asked while staring intently at himself in the mirror, still lying upside down on the couch.

“Zayn, don’t you care about anything else other than yourself?” Niall asked seeming a bit on edge while talking with an entire mouthful of crisps.

“Of course I do! I care about my babies!” Zayn defensively responded, giving Niall an offended glare. Whenever Zayn refers to “his babies”, he always means his hair products. I don’t know if I am going crazy, but sometimes I hear him talking to them in the bathroom. It is actually quite odd if you ask me.

Louis suddenly interrupts their bickering. “I wonder what it would be like to be a head of lettuce for a day.”

We all looked at each other like Louis was insane, then looked back at him. We just stared at him for no longer than two seconds until we erupted into laughter. Niall was laughing so hard that he knocked over the ice cream sundae he was making in the kitchen. Zayn, lying upside down, began laughing so hard that he fell over. Liam just sat on his corner of the couch chuckling. Poor Louis. I don’t know what goes on his mind, but he stared at us utterly confused as to why we were laughing our hearts out.

When we finally settled down, Louis had a bit of concern on his face. “What is so funny?”

We just laughed all the more. I felt sincerely sorry for Louis. Why would he think such a thing? Well... Louis... You have to love him.

“Never mind, Louis. Oh, guys! Shh! The news is back on!” Liam said, still managing to hold back a laugh.

“This is EBC News with Angela Bleicken! Last night at 3:28 A.M., a girl by the name of Emmarose Fuller called the police department after hearing someone break into her house.” The news reporter said. As I watched the television screen, a picture of the girl appeared. She had brown hair, unique amber eyes, tan skin, and a heart-shaped face. As I stared at the picture, a recording of the phone call that the girl, Emmarose, made with the dispatcher was played.

“‘What is your emergency?” the dispatcher asked into the phone.

‘Someone.... broke... house.... Father..... killed.... Abigail..... killed... Help!’

‘Please, calm down and tell me your situation.’

‘Someone broke into my house and killed my father and sister. Please, come help!’

‘Okay, dear, what is your name and address?’

‘My name is Emmarose. I am fifteen years old-’ (Bang!)

‘Come! Help! Please! I just heard another gunshot!’ (Bang!)

‘Lucas! No!’

‘Hello? I am sending help. Hang in there!’”

“Reports say that at approximately 3 o’clock A.M. someone broke into her house, and killed the father, sister, and brother of Emmarose. Upon the police's arrival, there were scratch marks on the wall and a slipper left in the backyard. However, Emmarose herself was nowhere to be found. Police are assuming that Emmarose was kidnapped by the criminal after hearing the police sirens nearby. There is no evidence as to who the suspect is, and investigators are examining the trails and house. If anyone has any information linked to this murder and kidnapping, please notify the police station. I am Angela Bleicken and this is EBC News.” The new reporter said before the channels changed to a commercial break.

I can’t imagine such a horrible person would do such a thing. Even though I have seen reports like this many times, this one felt different, like I should have done something about it. I began to have sympathy for this Emmarose girl, even though I have never even met her. It wasn’t just her outward appearance that drew me to wanting to help her, but it was just her. I can’t pinpoint why I am so attracted to her as to help someone that I don’t even know, but she just seems... different? No... that can’t be the word.

I must’ve been thinking for a long time because someone’s hand began waving in my face.

“Earth to Harry! Earth to Harry!” I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up to see four faces staring intently at me. I jumped back a bit noticing how close they were to me.

“Personal space, please!” I said, still thinking about Emmarose.

“What were you thinking about? You were just sitting there mouthing your thoughts!” Niall said, curiosity evidently showing on his face.

“Err... nothing... yeah... why are you guys so curious?” I nervously replied.

“We were just wondering! Why are you so jumpy all of a sudden?” Zayn asked, rolling his eyes.

“Seriously, Harry, what is on your mind?” Liam asked with a concerned look on his face, but I could tell that he was trying to hide his curiosity.

“Umm.... erhh... well... I just felt bad for that Emmarose girl. That’s it.”

“That’s it?! You got us all piped up for THAT?!” Niall said with a snarl on his face.

I didn’t tell them that I wished that I could do something to help her. I mean, there really is no way that I could help her. Just hearing her voice trembling over the phone makes me feel like it was my fault, and I was supposed to be there to help her. I don’t know why I am making such a big fuss over this. I barely even know the girl! Why am I so concerned anyway? For all I know, the person who murdered her family and kidnapped her could have possibly killed her by now.

“Well, I am going to bed. I am quite exhausted after rehearsals.” Niall yawned as he walked to the room that we shared.

“Me too!” Zayn shortly followed.

“Me three!” Liam jumped off the couch and followed the other two like a brood of ducklings following their mother.

I looked at Lou to see if he was going to follow after them, but to my astonishment, he just came and sat on the couch next to me.

“I haven’t known you that long, but by your face, it looks like you are hiding something.”

“Eh... I just wish that I could help Emmarose out or something. Don’t worry about me. Just waddle on up to bed now.”

“Oh... well... umm... okay. But, I bet we could maybe hold some fundraisers for her investigations or something. Maybe you should talk with Simon tomorrow.” With that, Louis left me in silence.

I just sat there and pondered for a bit. Maybe I will talk to Simon tomorrow. Well, I’ll see. I need to get some rest. I slowly marched up the stairs in the X Factor house. I slowly opened the door to my room, too lazy to bother to brush my teeth. I climbed onto my bed, since we had bunk beds and plopped down. Just as I was dozing off, I heard Louis say something from beneath me.

“That Emmarose is something.” I fell asleep with a picture of her in my mind. I just wish I was there to help her before she was kidnapped.



Emmarose’s P.O.V.

My eyes slowly fluttered opened, and my body felt extremely sore, especially my arms. I awoke against a wall and reacted by feeling the floor under me. It felt like cement. Woah,where am I? How long have I been out? I slowly tried to observe the room and take in every detail, but it was cold and dark. The only source of lighting was from a little crevice at the top of the stairs. I began to fumble around looking for a light switch. As I slowly made my way around the room, using the wall as a guide, I touched something that seemed to be a light switch. I flicked the switch up and down, but nothing happened. THERE MUST BE SOME SORT OF LIGHTING IN HERE!

I continued along the walls looking for a light switch feeling hopeless. My hands felt another light switch. I doubtfully flicked the switch on, and to my surprise, a light bulb began to flicker towards the center of the room. After two minutes of flickering, the light bulb was finally stable.

With the light now on, I slumped against the wall and began examining my body. As I slowly began checking my body for any bruises or cuts, I touched the top of my head and felt a huge bump. When my fingers scrolled over it, my body winced at the pain. I don’t remember getting a head injury.

I continued to inspect my body, and luckily, the only injuries I had was a couple of bruises and cuts from thrashing around last night, a bump on my head, and a little scab on my arm, no bigger than the size of a grain of sand. I began to poke the area on my arm with the scab. It felt sore like someone hit my in the arm or like I had a good workout. I picked off the scab and a little blood oozed out. Hmm... that is odd. I don’t know anything that small that could give me a scab. My mind immediately flashed back to last night when I felt a sharp pain in my arm. I went through my options... Did someone stab me? No. Did a bee sting me? Nope. Was I scratched by a weed? Of course not. Was I pricked by a needle?... EXACTLY! I immediately remember feeling woozy and limp after the sharp pain on my arm. I am assuming that this loon shot some anesthetics into me or used some sort of tranqulizer to make me fall asleep so that I could not scream for help or remember the path she took me to get to wherever I was. I guess watching all these criminal and detective shows have finally paid off.

Now, the next thing to figure out is where I was. I slowly scanned the room looking for any sign of where on earth this loon dragged me. It was pretty obvious that I was being stored in a basement. It was rather cold. I spotted a few cobwebs here and there. There was a bucket filled with some mysterious brown liquid that I did not want to bother trying to figure out what it was. There were a couple of side tables and a metal chair that was falling apart. I heard a creaking noise coming from somewhere, and it startled me. I nearly jumped out of my clothes. There was a leak from a faucet on the other end of the room. It dripped ever so slowly, but when I tried to twist the handle, it wouldn’t even budge. I noticed a flight of stairs on the side of the wall leading up to a door. There was a blood stain on the cold cement ground and that was about it in the small basement.

Under the crevice of the door, I saw a beam of light, most likely coming from whatever was beyond the basement. I heard some crashes and arguing. Fear struck me. I heard some more smashing and yelling. I made out the voices to be from a man and a woman. Curiosity eventually got to me, and I slowly made my way up the flight of stairs, counting 15 steps. I gently placed my ear against the door, eavesdropping on their conversation.

“Why did you bring another one home?!” the masculine voice yelled angrily.

“You don’t understand, do you?!” the more feminine voice screamed, and I heard another crash, sounding like glass shattering on the floor.

“No! No, I don’t!” The masculine voice screamed back, and again, I heard more glass shattering.

“Don’t you remember what that girl’s father did to us?!” The feminine voice hollered back at the man. She continued to holler at him, but I couldn’t understand what she was saying due to the constant sound of shattering glass. Were they talking about me? Let me rephrase that. Were they arguing about me? I don’t recall my father killing anybody, but I do remember him mentioning some murder case that happened over a decade ago. Everything is so blurry after I got that anesthetic shot.

“You can’t just go off like that without telling me!” Again, I heard another crash. “That crime was over ten years ago! You can’t just go back wandering into the streets! People spotted you! The cops are searching for you again, Carla!” The name... It sounds too familiar. Where did I hear it before? My mind flashes back to last night when I was watching One Direction recaps from their performance on the X Factor when a news alert interrupted the program.

“‘This is EBC News! My name is Angela Bleicken. According to police reports, Carla Hersch, one of the FBI’s most wanted, has been seen roaming the streets today in England. Her criminal records say that she killed a total of seven people before disappearing for ten years.   Witnesses say they last saw her break into a red Cooper and drive away. No one knows where she went. Be on the look out for Carla Hersch.  If you have any information, please contact the police department.’”

Her name haunted my mind. Carla... what was her last name? Hesh? Hershey? Hersch! Yes! I remember Father telling me about how he was involved in her case a decade ago. How could that be possible? Was she really after Father and my family? How did I survive? All these questions popped into my head as I thought more deeply as to why Carla Hersch would allow me to live, why she would break into my house, and most importantly, why she was tracking down my family.

“I don’t understand this, Carla! I thought we moved on and gave up on tracking people down! This matter is out of my hands! I am leaving. I do not want to be involved with the kidnapping of that girl of yours! If you want me to stay, you better do something about that girl!” This time, the man, I am assuming, screamed at her and stormed out of the room. I heard huge, angry footsteps, and a loud bang after; he apparently slammed the door. About ten seconds later, I heard more hollering, except, it sounded more distant. I was assuming that Carla left to go after the man. They were arguing outside. I heard another door slam, and a car ignition start up and drive away. Everything went silent.

I heard footsteps approaching the door. I scrambled away as fast as I could, but being a klutz, I tripped on one of the steps and stubbed my toe letting out a shriek. The footsteps got louder and more rapid. The door swung open, and light flashed into my eyes, temporarily blinding me. A dark figure stepped into view while I was still blinded by the sudden transition of brightness. The person, whom I was assuming to be Carla Hersch, reached her hand out and grabbed me. Oh, dear Lord!