Stay: The sequel to Lost

Part 34

Louis led her out of the closet and through the bedroom. It was a disaster. The door was broken in half, the top swinging free and the bottom still closed, being held back by the furniture. He boosted her up and over the dresser and she climbed into the hallway. Louis followed. "What did he do?" Penny asked, staring at the mess. Every door was open, lamps and pictures were broken, and the walls were missing huge chunks.

"Niall said he was smashing everything with a fireplace poker? They stopped him as he was smashing the door. He was nearly in. The bodyguard? Jake? Broke it the rest of the way so I could get you. Everyone is upstairs." Louis led her up the stairs. Niall and his bodyguard were sitting on the couch. Tony was on the phone, pacing in front of a window.

"Hey." Niall said. "I should have given you my number. Sorry." He looked exhausted, beyond tired, and almost ashamed. "But, honestly? I've never seen him be like this? This was beyond strange, Penny. Like, super human shit. It took two bodyguards to drag him out of here. We called for an ambulance? They gave him a shot of something to knock him out."

Lou nodded. "Ya. I've never seen this from him before, mate. It was not at all like Payno. I really thought you might be overacting? But, you weren't. This was more than blow, Penny."

Penny just waved the comment away. It didn't matter anymore. "What time is it? My phone died."

"It's 6." Niall answered.

Penny nodded and dropped into a chair. "Can someone take me home? I want to go home?"

Louis and Niall glanced at each other, then back at Penny. "Uh, aren't you home?" Louis asked.

"No. Home, home. I'm going to call my brother. Please? Take me to the airport?"

"I mean, are you sure?" Lou asked.

Penny shrugged. "I tried, Louis. I tried. I tried being happy, it just being the two of us, rattling around that big house? But then he wanted to go to LA, so I tried to be the LA housewife, shop, talk to the help, but then he wanted to come back here. So, I tried being a painter at Harrison House and you know what? I found a gallery! They wanted to show my work! They wanted me to work there! But then Liam wanted to move here, so I tried! I tried! I went to museums, I shopped. I tried to be happy, but the light is terrible for painting and I was drawing, but it's not the same. And all he wants to do is drink and get high! And I even tried that. I tried to be a party girl, but I just got hangovers and my feet hurt. This isn't who I am! This isn't where I belong! I swear to god, I tried, but I just can't. After this? Tonight? I'm just....done. I want to go home."

Nobody said anything. Penny just laid her head on the chair and closed her eyes.

Someone woke her by gently shaking her arm. "Pen? Liam's parents are here? They want to talk to you and then I'll take you to the airport, ok? Do you want to pack? Shower? No offense, but you kinda smell like puke?"

Penny looked down at herself. She was a mess. She must have gotten some puke on her when she threw up on Liam. She needed to get her phone and charge it. She needed to call Sam. Lou helped her up and led her into the kitchen.

Mrs. Payne was waiting, wringing her hands. "They took him away, Penny. They put him in a treatment program for two weeks. We should have done this a long time ago, but he seemed so much better? Can you tell us what happened?"

"Uh, what he took? I'm not sure?" Penny answered.

"No," Mrs. Payne said. "They are doing a drug screen for that. I mean, what did he do to you? To the house?"

Penny looked down. "I'd really rather not talk about it, okay? He scared me and he was really angry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Penny ran out of the room and back down the stairs. There were people working, fixing and cleaning. How did rich people get things done so quickly? Her phone was even laying on the bed, charging. She grabbed it and dialed Sam. He picked up on the first ring.

"Cricket?" he said.

"Come get me. Please. I need you. I will be on a fight soon. Please."

"I'm coming." he said. "I'm coming." He didn't even ask why. He didn't care. He was going to be there. Penny sighed, feeling safe for the first time in days.