I Promise // l.p.

Chapter 15

Everything is dark. Only a single dim light is hanging from the ceiling, kind of like that freaky movie we watched weeks ago.

I need to get out of here. I try to move but ropes restrict my arms and legs. I try to scream but a gag prevents me from doing so.

"Struggling is pointless, darling." A shadow emerges from the darkness. I have no idea who it is, this person is wearing all black and I can't see the face.

"Did you miss me?" He brushes the hood from his head and the first thing I see is Riley's familiar smirk. He comes closer to me and removes my gag. The first thing I do is spit in his face.

He takes a deep breath and wipes his hand down his face. Riley glares at me before slapping me across the face. My head turns from the forceful impact. "I'm sick of you always disrespecting me!"

I scoff. You should be used to it by now.

"Why am I here!" I shout.

"So I can have some fun with you before you die."

"Die?" I gasp.

"Shocked? You thought that not even Riley Black would stoop to a level this low? Hate to break it to ya, but you're surely mistaken." He pulls out a knife before continuing, "You never told Liam that I was here, so I saw a perfect opportunity. No one can save you now. Not even your pissed boyfriend."

"How did you know that?" I mumble.

"Haven't you figured it out? I've been watching your every move since junior year." Riley slowly drags the knife across my cheek, making a deep cut. I cry out in pain. "This is what you get when you don't say yes the first time." He jabs the blade into my stomach, keeping it there and twisting it.

Blood starts pouring from my mouth and I feel a hand cupped around my cheek. It isn't Riley's. It's warm and gentle. It feels a lot like-

My eyes snap open. It was just a freaking nightmare. It felt so real, too real.

Laying across from me is Liam. His eyes are full of worry and his hand is around my cheek, wiping a few tears away.

It was him. It was Liam's hand.

He saved me.

Wait, how did I get in the same bed as him and why is Liam acting like nothing happened earlier today?

"Are you okay?" Liam asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I sniffle then prop myself up with one arm. I start to remove myself from the bed, "I swear I fell asleep on the couch, I guess I wasn't thinking strait-"

"I carried you in here." He grabs my arm, gently pulling me back to the bed.

"You did?" He did? "But I thought you were upset with me..."

"You know I can't stay mad at you." Liam smiles and rubs his thumb over the back of my hand.

"So.. we're okay now? Back to normal?" I sit down on the edge of the bed.

He nods, "I know you wouldn't do anything to purposely hurt me. I completely overreacted."

"I wouldn't, I promise you that. And you didn't overreact! I would have been upset too if I were in that position." I tell him.

He nods again, "Okay. I'm tired, come here." Liam lifts the covers for me to climb into his arms. He pulls me close and moves my hair out of my face to place a kiss on my forehead. "I love you, Katie. Please remember that."

Liam's words take me by surprise. He's never said that to me before. And I've never said it to him.

"I love you too."

--------

"Liam!" Louis calls, breaking our kiss.

"Yeah?" Liam coughs, caught off-guard by the interruption.

"Modest wants to meet with you before the show."

"Okay." Liam nods and looks to me before walking away.

"You two are back on?" Louis sounds shocked.

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"Yeah. Um, yeah I'm happy for you." He sighs.

"Are you okay?" I put one of my hands on his arm.

"I'm fine," he reassures me, "I should go get ready anyways." Louis looks down then forces a smile before turning away.

I walk around backstage for awhile and talk to Niall while I wait for Liam to be done with his meeting.

"Don't make me do this, please." Liam walks out of the back room with one of their managers. I can't help but eavesdrop.

"Do you like your job?"

Liam nods.

"Then end of conversation." The man says before answering one of those cellphones attached to your ear.

"What was that about?" I ask Liam once he walks over to me. He has the weirdest look on his face. I can't tell if it's worry or sadness.

"Just a... management being management." He laughs nervously.

"Okay... After the show, can I talk to you about something?" I should tell him, I've waited too long. So long that it's invaded my dreams.

"Anything." Liam smiles.

"Thanks," I pull him into a hug, "Have a good show, yeah?"

Throughout the whole concert, Liam isn't acting like himself. I don't know... he just doesn't seem into it.

What did Modest say to him?

I try to make him laugh from the crowd, but I fail miserably. I can only get him to smile a couple times, even then those smiles fade within 30 seconds.

I rush back up to the stage when it ends. After Liam gives his microphone to some guy from the crew, I stop him. "What did management say to you?"

"Nothing, they just told me to work a little harder."

"Liam." I press. I know he's not telling the truth.

"Katie."

"Please talk to me." I beg.

He sighs before speaking, "I can't tell you. I really, really want to, but I can't."

I give him a look that says 'why?'

"If I don't do what they say, I'll be cut."

"From One Direction? They're threatening you?" I gasp.

"Everything will be fine. Just remember what I told you the other day." Liam grabs my hand.

He told me so much and so little that day. How am I supposed to know what he means?

"Anyways, what did you want to tell me?" He changes the subject.

I second guess if I should actually tell him. Can he handle one more thing on his mind? Liam's already thinking about so much already.

"Riley's in Australia." I say before I can stop myself.

"What?"