Protection

Chapter 2

Zayn

She fell to the ground and for a moment I stood confused, what had just happened?

I scooped her up and placed her on the sofa, throwing a blanket across her.

I headed into the kitchen and poured a glass of water, taking it back out for her for when she woke up.

To my surprise, she was sitting bolt upright, her eyes wide, her body shaking.

"Who are you?" She asked, jumped off the couch as soon as her eyes rested on me.

"Love, calm down, okay, come sit down." I said, patting the space next to me on the couch.

"Who are you?" She repeated, her voice trembling.

"I'm Zayn. Zayn Malik. Who are you?" I asked her gently.

"Lilac. I think. He never really used my name." She replied in a voice so small, some might of thought of it as a whisper.

"That's a beautiful name." I said and she looked directly into my eyes, the terror fading slightly. Who was the 'he' she was talking about?

"You think so?"

"I know so."

Her lips curved up a bit, but she remained where she was, standing across the room.

"Would you like some water?" I asked, holding up the glass to show her.

She cautiously came over and gently took it, sipping a bit before guzzling the rest down.

"Are you okay?" I asked after a few moments of silence. She nodded slightly and sat down.

"Thanks. For the water." She whispered.

I nodded. "Not that I'd want it otherwise, but why are you here?" I asked her and she sighed deeply.

"It's a long story."

"I have time."

She gave me a pained expression before beginning.

"Um, my boyfriend, Mark, he, he used to be this... amazing guy who seemed like the dream man and after he asked me to move in with him, I agreed in a heartbeat, but a few months ago he, I don't know, he changed and got abusive. After the alcohol got into his system, he was, evil. He would get worked up over the simplest things, and when he started to... hit me, I was terrified. He threatened to kill me if I tried to escape, and I couldn't leave. He would leave me sedated and tied to the bed and sometimes I um, wouldnt get fed at all during the day, and it all got to much so here I am." She smiled despite her pain what explaining her life, and it wasnt a fake smile to just make me think everything was okay, it was a genuine smile.

"Wow." I replied quietly, I didn't know what to say.

She yawned quietly and for a moment I thought she was going to fall asleep again.

"Are you tired love?" I asked, and when she nodded, I helped her up and guided her to the spare room.

She crawled into the bed and almost immediately fell asleep. It was then that I had realised what time it was.

I too yawned, and crossed the hallway into my room and dove under the covers. What an eventful morning.

***

The sun peered in through any space it could find in my curtains, waking me up. I looked across for the time. It was displayed in red numbers splashed onto an alarm clock that read '10:45'am.

I stretched upwards, yawning loudly as I did so, but quickly clamped my mouth shut when I realised that girl was here. What was her name again? Lily, Lila. No, um, Lilac.

Snapping me from my thoughts, a quiet padding sound came from down the hallway.

I leapt out of bed and hurried down the hallway to a confused Lilac.

"Morning." I chirped, stopping when I noticed her confused look. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just getting used to this place you know. Have you sealed any doors or windows from the inside?"

This was my cue to look confused. "Of course not. Try them all." I replied and she shook her head.

"It's okay, I believe you." She said and I nodded, making my way into the kitchen.

"Would you like some coffee or something?" I called from the kitchen.

"Water please." She called back.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I hurriedly grabbed it, checking the ID before answering.

"Hey baby, you still coming today?" I asked Perrie.

''Yeah, see you in 5."

"Okay, bye love, love you."

"Love you." By the end of our conversation I was smiling like an idiot.

I yucky took our beverages out and set them on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

"Today my girlfriend is coming over so you too can meet. She's so nice and I think you'll get along very well." I told Lilac once we were seated.

"What's her name?" She asked, sipping at her water.

"Perrie. Perrie Edwards." I smiled.

***

A knock at the door disrupted our TV watching, and I jumped up to answer it.

"Perrie!" I said happily, kissing her before she could reply.

"Hey Z. Oh, who's this?" She asked, walking over to the sofa.

"Perrie, Lilac, Lilac, Perrie." I introduced them, and Perrie engulfed Lilac into a big hug, sitting on my spot.

"Ill grab you a coffee?" I asked Perrie, and after a simple nod, I hurried into the kitchen.