Worth Fighting For

Chapter Two

Harry can't breathe. It feels like an elephant is sitting on his chest, like he's being crushed from every side. It's been hours and no one could find Louis! He had been given two hours off earlier in the day, but when Harry returned to their room the boy was nowhere to be seen. Same for the rest of the house. He just wasn't there. And now it's been over six hours. Eight since Louis was given the break. Six since Harry went to check on him at lunch and found the room empty. Five since Harry convinced everyone to cancel the rest of rehearsal. Three since the boys tried to make Harry eat something because he never had lunch. He didn't. One since Simon disappeared into his office for a phone call and still hasn't come out. Harry's tried calling Louis a million times, Johannah at least a dozen times, Mark not quite as much. He's done everything he can.

So here Harry is, pacing outside the door, unshed tears stinging his eyes and his hand carding through his hair. He pulls out his phone, checking again for messages. Same as two seconds ago- nothing. He wants to throw the phone into the wall. He wants to punch something. He wants to cry.

"Hazza!" Liam calls as he rounds the corner. He sighs, looking at Harry sadly. "Harry, there you are mate! C'mon you need to come eat something, Zayn and Niall are already at dinner." But Harry's shaking his head.

"No, no, Liam, I need to be here when Simon's done I need to-"

"Eat, Harry. You need to eat something. You know Louis would kill us if we let you skip lunch and dinner-" Liam cuts himself off at the pained look in Harry's eyes at Louis' name. He sighs quietly. "Haz, please come eat something?"

"I can't-" The door to Simon's office opens and the man steps out, his face unreadable. "Simon! Where is he? Is he ok? Did you talk to the police? Did you find him?" Simon raises a hand, cutting off the barrage of questions from the curly-headed boy.

"Harry." Harry's heart plummets to his stomach.

"N-no. Y-you- you have to find him Simon! H-he could be hurt or kidnapped for gods' sake! It's Louis we have to find him! You said you'd handle it!" Liam's eyes widen at Harry's outburst- he's never like this. He's always soft-spoken and careful and respectful with his words. But now here's Harry yelling at Simon. Over Louis.

"Harry," Simon interrupts. "Louis is 18. He's a legal adult now, there's nothing we can do until he's been missing 24 hours."

"No!" Tears have escaped down Harry's cheeks now, his eyes glistening and his cheeks ruddy. "No, we have to find him!" Simon sighs heavily and looks to Liam for help in calming the hysterical boy. Liam sets a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"How about twelve?" he proposes. "At midnight we can call in the police. Harry?"

"No, no we need to find him now!" Harry insists, whirling on Liam. His eyes are wide and frantic, tears spilling down his cheeks. He looks broken.

"Haz, there's nothing we can do," Liam says softly, apologetically. He can see the fire leaving Harry, worry taking over. "Come eat something, yeah?" There's no fight left in Harry, so instead of arguing, he just nods and starts to let Liam pull him away. Then he stops and turns to Simon.

"Midnight," he repeats. "Not a minute later."

"I'll do what I can," Simon replies. Harry frowns, his brows furrowing.

"No. Midnight, Simon," he orders. Liam's mouth drops open at the young boy's boldness. Simon says nothing as Harry is pulled away by Liam but a frown grows on his face. This could be a problem.

-

"Haz," Zayn says softly, nudging his ankle under the table. "Y'gotta eat something mate." Harry doesn't even look up from his untouched food. "Harry. Please, Simon will take care of it."