Stockholm Syndrome

Eight

Harry's POV

I fall weakly on my knees, as I agonisingly watch the love of my life leave me again. This time I don't know if she will even wake up. Doctors said she's lucky that she was in a hospital, anywhere else and she could have died from blood loss. The police arrested Bret and Brad. I guess every cloud has a silver lining Huh.

"Sir, im DI Jones, is it ok is we ask a few questions? Regarding the Jackson brothers?" A Police officer politely asks, offering a hand to pull me up.

I quickly wipe my face with my shirt and start walking over to the seating area of the hospital.

"Um, yeah I guess."

"Okay so, can you tell me the timeline of events, from the beginning?" The officer asks, a recording devise in his hand.

"Yeah, um, well, on Monday I went out to get coffee. When I came back Ava, my girlfriend, was nowhere to be seen, I called for her until Bret Jackson interrupted me, saying he and his twin, Brad, had kidnapped her. The next thing I remember was that I was in a van and Bret tells Brad to do something to Ava." I sigh, pulling at my roots with my hands.

"Okay, so Bret and Brad kidnapped Ava, your girlfriend, and then kidnapped you too?" He replies, writing some notes in his little book.

"Yes. Bret got one of his accomplices to knock me out. I woke up tied to a chair. Brad was in the same room as me, trying to get a reaction out of me. He turned on a screen showing Ava. He left me to watch as he joined her and then took her out of the room, against her own will. I managed to escape shortly after." I sighed, pulling at the roots of my hair.

"When I found out where they had taken her, my friends, Liam, Niall and Louis and their girlfriends were being taking into the same room. I couldn't help them straight away because Brad and Bret were talking outside. Then I received a text message from Liam-"

"So your saying you still had your phone?" he raises his eyebrows. The frustration growing inside me.

"Yes, they obviously as smart as they think." I snapped "Liam's text said that Ava was injured. I managed to get into the room after the brothers had left. But when I tried to leave and take her to the hospital they wouldn't let me. So Bret took her instead. It was the worst sight in the world. Her wrists and ankles had deep wounds and her head was cut open. She was unconscious." I stopped myself from saying anything else, the tears brimming at my eyes, threatening to spill.

"Okay, thank you Mr...?"

"Styles."

"Mr Styles, We will make sure you and your girlfriend get justice. My college will be here if you need anything, I am going to interview the brothers." Officer Jones points in the direction of his college, a burly man, who nods, before walking over towards the other officers and police cars.

I stand up, rubbing my face with my hands before making my way over towards the officer. My feet scuff across the floor, my tiredness showing. Just before I reach him a doctor comes over to me. He wears a white overcoat with a stethoscope around his neck and a clipboard is held in his left hand.

"Mr Styles?" He asks, giving my hand a firm shake.

"Yes." I reply.

"If you could follow me please. Im Doctor Thornes, Orthopaedic specialist. Me and my team have been treating your girlfriend, Avangeline Valentine." He explains as we walk down the maze of corridors that all look the same and smell like antiseptic and disinfectant. The police officer follows us.

"She has severe injuries as you probably know. She originally came in from a head injury and was treated by Doctor Patel. From that injury she received 12 stitches and her wrist and ankle wounds were treated." I cringe, wishing I could take her place for her.

"I will show you her X-rays we took as procedure for the bullet wound." Doctor Thornes calmly says as he leads us into a dark room, switching on the lights. "Please take a seat." I sit down behind the large white desk, the police officer sits on a chair at the back, next to the door.

"Okay," He pauses before clicking on the X-Rays and bringing them up on the screen. "This is the front view of Miss Valentines rib cage where the bullet hit." He points to the wound on the image.

The image in front of me is horrific. The bullet is clearly visible, just below her left rib.

"Luckily the bullet missed the main artery which would have killed her instantly, and no bones are damaged, however, her left kidney has received damage from it, meaning it may not function properly. Due to the angle of the bullet entering her body, it was a difficult procedure to remove the bullet." My foot bounces up and down, panic setting in.

"Fortunately, it has been removed without any complications and the CT scan we have done shows the damage to the kidney. Luckily removal of the kidney is not necessary but we will need to monitor Miss Valentine closely. But still, the next 24 to 48 hours are critical. But we are positive she will make a full recovery." I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Thank you Doctor. What happens now?" I ask relieved that she will be okay, wanting to see her again.

"Well, there will be a scar, it will be very painful to move for a few days but we will provide the necessary anti-biotics and painkillers. Scar tissue will form on the internal injuries, but the body tends to mend itself quickly. Long term, the most common effects are anxiety, nightmares of the incident and not having much energy. She could suffer from panic attacks and depression. But im sure you will be able to help her through it." Thornes answers, pressing his fingertips together on the desk.

"Thanks. Can I see her?" My voice shakes.

"Yes, of course. She will still be under general anaesthetic. Also prepare yourself for her appearance." He states. I know im never going to be prepared but who would be?

Myself and the officer follow Thornes as he takes us to Ava's room. As we approach the door, my whole body is shaking.

"Sir." A voice causes my head to look up.

"Im officer Floyd, sorry I couldn't introduce myself earlier. I will wait here while you go inside."

"Okay, thanks." I mumble as I place my shaking hand on the door. I push it open and see Ava's beautiful body lying on the bed. An IV attached to her hand. She has a breathing mask over her mouth and nose, a few tubes attached to her and a pulse monitor beside her beeping rhythmically.

I cautiously walk over and sit down in the chair beside her. I grasp her hand in mine, lacing her fingers with mine. I rest my chin on our hands, my elbow on her bed. I place a delicate kiss on her hand, feeling like if I press to hard she will break, like a china doll.

Her usually rosy cheeks are pale. Her wrists have white bandages wrapped securely around them. A few bruises litter her neck, arms and face. It pains me to see her like this. Only a few days ago we were laughing and joking about stupid things, watching comedies and rom-coms 'till the early hours. It's amazing how fast life can change.

"I love you Avangeline Rosemary Valentine, more than anything in this world." I whisper and kiss her forehead. Just as I do so, the machine beeps, I look up at the monitor to see a flat line.

"NO! HELP! SOMEONE HELP!" I shout as multiple doctors and nurses rush into the room.

"Sir, if you could please wait outside." One man says to me.

"No, im not leaving her" I respond, only to be dragged out by Officer Floyd.

"Stop! Why won't they let me in!" I shout, tears soaking my face.

"Mr Styles, please try and stay calm, the doctors are doing their best." Floyd tells me. What bullshit.

"Their best's not good enough! She can't leave me!" I shout, pacing up and down the corridor. Fists clenched, breathing ragged.

As I turn around, a doctor leaves the room.

"Sir, Im very sorry...." My heart stopped.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sorry for the cliffhanger ;)

Please keep voting!! xx