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Chapter 11

Harry's pov

Louis and I walked to Rosie's car after my talk with Richard. I am still upset with myself. I don't know what came over me, but I just wanted to hit him with that bull hook, I wanted to beat him to death for hurting Rosie. But I didn't even understand myself because Louis was right, that's not me. I've never intentionally hurt anybody, I've been angry before but I've never wanted to hurt someone more than I wanted to hurt Richard. I want to hurt him so much that it scares me. I'm afraid that if I let my anger take over it will control me and I'll never be the same again. Worst of all, I'm afraid of losing Louis. I'm afraid I will get so angry that I'll take it out on him, I never want to hurt him. But today when I walked in Richard's car with that bull hook, I wasn't myself, I didn't feel like myself. My brain kept yelling at me, "HIT HIM! HIT HIM! HIT HIM! IT'S WHAT YOU WANT SO DO IT!" But, is that really what I wanted? Yes, it was what I wanted, I still want it.

"Hey, you ok?" Louis asked as he slid his hand into mine. Since it had gotten dark we were a little closer and no one could see us. I was hoping he wouldn't notice I was upset but lately he's been able to read me like a book.

"S'just, this whole Richard thing is still bothering me. I-I..I actually wanted to hit him. Why?" He squeezed my hand tighter.

"Harry, I've only seen you mad at Richard and that tells me you only get really mad for good reasons." I huffed in frustration, I was just so irritated with myself. "Can we stop by my car so I can change? I-I need to show you something." I looked at him and noticed he was still in his silver tights from the show.

"Sure." I was sure those tights weren't the most comfortable to be in. But I wasn't really sure what he wanted to show me. I guess I'll find out.

~*~

I sat on the velvety couch in Louis's car while he changed behind the curtains of his bedroom. "Harry?" Louis's voiced from behind the curtain.

"Yeah?"

"You know how I said...that I needed to show you something?" He asked quiet and slow. I started getting curious and a little concerned by the scared tone in his voice.

"Yeah." I replied slowly. I watched as he drew the curtain back enough for him to step out. He was topless and what I saw on his skin made me extremely sad and even more furious.

"I'm sorry I kept it from you." His eyes started to well up with tears. I stood up and made my way across the room to him. I observed the green and purple blotches across his chest and torso and then the fainter one on his cheek. I ran my fingers across his chest and I felt like crying myself.

"Baby....what? I-I...Oh my God." I whimpered out. "Angel..." I was at a loss for words. My Louis, my beautiful Louis had bruises littered across his perfect skin. After a tear fell from my eye, rage inflamed throughout me. "Richard did this, didn't he?" I already knew the answer but I guess I needed confirmation. He squeezed his eyes shut and nodded. "I'll kill him." I growled, finding this unknown anger deep within me.

"Harry, no." Louis gasped, "Maybe I shouldn't have shown you." He whispered to himself.

"No, no! Baby, I-I needed to know."

"I-I just...I felt so sick keeping this from you and I also felt like you needed to know so you wouldn't feel like getting angry at him was f-for no reason." Tears slipped down his cheeks, I quickly cupped his face and kissed each one only making him sob more. "This is bullshit! I'm twenty two and I c-can't even protect myself....I'm so weak it's pathetic." He cried.

"Louis...Baby, no." I kissed him softly, "No, you're not weak. Do you know how strong you are? Not many people can deal with something like this." I placed my hand on his chest. "You are so strong, baby," I gently kissed his lips, "so strong." He finally kissed me back, sobs still wracking his body. I scooped him up in my arms and sat on his bed with him in my lap, clutching to my shirt.