The Dirty Little Secret // h.s au //

Chapter Eleven

"Sophie..."

"Sophie...... Just wait, cause I'm coming..."

I gasped, opening my eyes but immediately regretted it when I felt my eyes start stinging. I then realized I was underwater. I thrashed around, hands gripped my neck, keeping me down under. My lungs felt like they were on fire, lack of oxygen taking it's toll.

I blinked, and soon the grip was gone, but hands were still around my neck, I lifted my head out of the water, gasping for air. I almost shrieked when I realized the hands were mine. My hands were wrapped in a death grip, my knuckles turning white from the freezing cold water and the hold I had around my neck. I immediately let go, shaking out my sore aching hands.

I calmed down my ragged breathing, and glanced around where I was exactly. I was in a barn, the only light was coming from the crack in the door. I put my hands on either side of what appears to be a bathtub I was in, and carefully lifted my aching limps out.

I took cautious steps towards the door, trying to quiet my footsteps. I opened the door some more, and peeked my head out.

"So you decided to join us my dear sweet Sophie?"

I jumped at the voice, their tone full of venom. My eyes met with the demon himself, the one person that made my life a living hell.

He was standing next to a blazing fire, an evil smirk on his face, in his left hand was a knife, the other was gripping fabric, I tried to look around him more, my eyes catching a slumping figure lying behind him. He shifted to the side, letting me see whoever was behind him fully.

My hand clamped over my mouth as tears formed in my eyes. A mop of curly hair rested on the ground, that head leading to the rest of the body clad in jeans and a white t shirt.

He kicked the figure in the side, hard, making them groan and lift their head. One tear fell as my eyes met with green ones, filled with pain and anger.

Harry.... My poor Harry...

His shirt was covered in blood, his eye a swollen black and blue. He moved his gaze away from me and glared up at the man I hate the most.

"You did this to him Sophie." My head snapped back up to him.

"N-No, Sophie don't listen- Please." Harry pleaded, his eyes started to look glossy. All I wanted to do in that moment was run to him, and feel his arms wrap around me protectively.

He kicked Harry again, making him groan twice as loud." You'd shut up if you want me to kill her first." Harry shut up after that, his heated glare still in tact.

"Guess what Soph? He can end up just like his sister." He snickered, roughly grabbing Harry's hair; pulling him up and placing the knife at the base of his neck.

Every fiber in my body told me to run to Harry, but it was like my feet were glued to the ground. Tears dropped rapidly down my face, my vision getting blurry.

"But let's have some fun first."

Next thing I know, Harry's head is bent over the fire, the knife still threateningly up against his neck. My voice seemed to finally find it self as I started yelling, and pleading. He just chuckled, and moved Harry's head dangerously close to the fire.

BANG! My eyes snapped open, and I bolted up from my bed. Beads of sweat glided down my forehead, and tears stained my cheeks at the realization of my horrible nightmare.

At that very moment I didn't feel safe anymore, my once comforting house now a scary, bone chilling place.

BANG! Once again I heard that noise that made me jump up from my place on my bed. I threw my duvet off me, and ran out of my room. I hurried down my stairs, hearing the banging once more.

As I stopped in the front hallway, the banging was coming from the door. Muttered curse words were coming from the other side of my front door, and the door knop jiggled. I grabbed a bat, one that Louis gave me as a joking gift, and held it up incase it was needed.

I unlocked my door, and it swung open as my eyes met green ones once more. This time they had panic and concern in them. Harry stood in my door way, only sweat pants on that hung low on his hips.

"Sophie! You scared the shit out of me! Why- no- what's wrong? I-I heard screaming, a-and-" I shushed Harry, pulling him inside and locked the door again.

I lead him into the living room, and turned the light on. Harry sat on my couch, looking at me in concern again, but relief also shown in his eyes.

"Now talk slowly and calmly." I ordered him, sitting down next to him and taking his hands in my mine. My thumb glided over his hand comfortably.

"I woke up because I heard screaming, and heard it coming from here. I tried opening the door because I thought maybe somebody had broken into your house and was hurting you, but it was locked so I tried busting it open," he explained, making my eyes switch to his shoulder which was all red, probably from trying to open the door.

"I'm sorry," I said guiltily." I had a nightmare, a-and I didn't mean to wake you up or worry you." Instead of replying, arms wrapped around my waist and Harry started rocking us back and forth; whispering reassurances in my ear.

"I think I'm staying here tonight, love." He said chuckling. I nodded, and pulled him off the couch and tugged him by his hand upstairs.

We got to the bedroom where the sheets were still a mess, but Harry didn't question it and just laid down, pulling me into his chest. I almost sighed in content, I was that comfortable and safe in Harry's arms. I ignored my conscious saying oh he must like you! and enjoyed this time with him as something like a friend. I fell asleep to the way his heart pounded, in such a rhythm that almost coincidentally sounded like a lullaby.

Harry's POV~

I stroked her hair as I listened to the soft snores that flew from her mouth, knowing fully well that she was safe. With me at least. Her head pressed against my chest made my heart beat faster, her short breathes tickling my skin.

She had scared me shittless tonight. Hearing screams from next door woke me up immediately, and I knew it was her. At first I thought that she just had the telly up too loud but the words let me go and my name had me up in a heartbeat.

I had never felt so protective over someone, besides my family, in my whole life. And just the sudden panic and vulnerability had me wide eyed.

I look down at her, her face looking content with her lips slightly parted.

I knew now that I'd do anything for this girl.