LOUIS.

"What happened?" Harry asks as both him and Allie move towards me.

"They took her!" I says while choking back visible tears. I admit that I am really shaken up.

"Calm down. Tell me what happened, slowly and precisely." Harry speaks in a lower tone while looking around to make sure that we haven't attracted attention.

"We -we were out having a cigarette right across here. So this navy blue van pulls up and-and-and three guys get out. They just grabbed Lacey and I tried to fight them but two of them ganged up on me. One hit me while the other held me down." I swallow bitterly knowing that it was an unfair fight. But either way I should have protected the girl I love. It's all my fault.

"Oh God," Allie cries while putting her hand over her mouth.

"They're coming for the people we love." Harry states with a distant look on his face. Like he is thinking and happened to think out loud.

"Who? Fùck!! Who!?" I yell, unable to control my anger right now. Not knowing who is responsible for it or even having the least bit of a clue is killing me.

I can hardly notice Zayn's presence beside me given how worked up I am. I hate that this has happened during his exhibition. His art means a lot to him.

"Take it easy Lou, we're going to find her." Harry assures me but I know deep down that he is panicking as much as I am.

Harry explains to Zayn what happened and after that we move to a small room in the back. We quickly start going over the people we suspect and what motive they'd have.

"You need to take care of that," Allie meekly says while pointing at my busted lip, still in the middle of her sobs.

ALLIE.

"You need to take care of that," I point at Louis' bleeding lip. He really doesn't seem to know that he's bleeding.

"No, what I need to do is find my girl!" He snaps at me but immediately looks sorry even though he doesn't say anything.

I still can't believe that Lacey has been taken. Who would want to hurt her? It's not like she has any enemies here. It's barely a year since she got here and mostly spends time with her grandmother. But maybe Harry is right. Maybe it's his enemies that came after Lacey. Could it be Julian? Maybe him. He's a ruthless man that didn't have a problem eliminating an innocent person as myself.

There is also Nate. A sick, twisted psycho that has been unusually quiet. I don't know what to think of him in this moment but I wish I could bring him up as one of the people to look into.

"I'm not just gonna stand here and wait. I need to go find Lacey!" Louis now directs it to Harry and Zayn while heading for the door.

"I'll come with you," Harry stops Louis before he could leave on his own. "Stay here with Zayn." He then tells me, which actually surprises both Zayn and I.

"Do not leave her alone." Harry firmly tells Zayn who simply nods in agreement.

With one little stare at the both of us, Harry walks away. I'm still crying just imagining what my friend must be going through. How much danger she's in and what she must be going through.

Zayn has already moved closer to me and holds my hand gently while looking into my eyes.

"I promise you they will find her. She is going to be okay." He assures me. I lay my head on his chest when he gets close enough. It gives me a sense of security and safety.

With my eyes closed, just listening to his breathing, I feel relaxed. When his hand moves up to touch my face, I don't flinch. He softly caresses my cheek then goes lower to my chin. Slowly tilting my head, he ghosts his lips over mine, not allowing them to make a connection. The air around us is getting thicker with every passing moment. A great force is pulling us together even when my whole being knows that it's wrong.

Before our lips could barely touch, I force myself to turn the other way, immediately killing whatever was pulling us closer to each other.

"I- I can't," I mumble and release myself from his grip.

It's like my senses just got activated and a huge wave of guilt has washed over me. How could this be happening especially now? Why did I just want to kiss him?

"I'm sorry-" he starts but I cut him off.

"It's okay. Just don't touch me again please." My voice comes out weak and I can't even look at him.

"Yeah okay." He replies. The awkwardness in the room is enough to make me want to shrink.

"I- uh- I should go wrap up the exhibition. Please stay here okay?" Zayn asks me in a soft tone but his voice kinda sounds like he's hurt.

"Yeah sure," I reply without looking at him.

I feel confused by what just happened. With everything going on I feel like my feelings are all over the place. I can't stop crying quietly. I can't stop feeling scared. But I still don't understand what this moment I had with Zayn meant. Should I tell Harry about it? No.. I can't. I should but I can't do this.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the buzzing of my phone. When I see the name flashing, I answer without any hesitation.

"Lacey?"

Silence..

"Lacey talk to me! Where are you? Are you alright?"

"Blondie blondie blondie. You never learn do you?"

That familiar sadistic sick voice speaks.

"I promised you that I'd get to everyone you love. One by one. You just never listen."

"I told you that I'm done! You have already hurt Harry enough what else do you want? You went too far with my mom and now this? Don't you have any conscience? What have I ever done to you?" I yell and cry uncontrollably.

"Oh honey. It's not over until I say so. We both know that you are not going to tell Harry. Well, if you do then I will have to hurt poor Lacey. We don't want that do we?"

"Please stop! I'm begging you. You don't have to hurt anyone else. Take me instead but leave her alone please. Let her go please!"

"But that won't be any fun you know?"

"Nate please," I beg. I'm desperate. I have no words for him. "Let me speak to her."

"I am not that stupid Blondie. Why would I put her on the phone? Here's the thing, until I get what I want, I will never stop hurting the people you love. Also, if you dare say anything to anyone, whatever happens is on you! Keep that in mind!"

"Nate. Please wait-"

The line goes dead. He has Lacey's phone which means he has her. He is not bluffing. I know he will hurt her. But I can't not do anything. I need to tell someone. Anyone!

I rush out of the room to go find Zayn. I know that he will listen to me for sure. He will help me find a solution to this without involving everyone else.

The place is empty clearly indicating that the exhibition is already over. I look around trying to find Zayn.

As I'm looking around, he come through the door literally panting.

"Zayn? Are you ok?" I ask.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he answers almost out of breath. He looks confused and almost like he'd seen a ghost. I would ask him about what's going on with him but there is no time.

"I need to talk to you." I start.

"Look, if it's about earlier, I'm sorry. It won't happen again." He states strongly still trying to catch his breath. It won't happen again.

"It's not about that-" before I could finish, the door bell jingles when someone pushes the door in.

"Did you find her?" I ask as soon as Harry comes into view. Louis is right behind him with his head hanging low. Niall and Liam come in soon after.

"No. We couldn't find anything. No sign of the said van around. There isn't any call for ransom or anything. They don't want money. They want to hurt us." Harry answers in a defeated tone.

"Fùck!" Louis kicks a chair in frustration.

"It's alright mate. We are all doing all we can. Nana is getting in touch with her contacts and I know they will come through." Harry assures him.

"Take Allison and go straight home. Being out here is not helping the situation. Try to calm down Louis please. Niall please drive them home," Harry instructs and continues, "Zayn, Liam and I will go to the club and check on things."

Harry pulls me into his arms for a hug. He strokes my hair briefly then brings his lips to mine. I find myself crying even more at this moment but he holds me tighter without asking a thing.

"Go. Be careful out there." He hands me over to Niall, who holds my hand as we leave.

LOUIS.

Who would want to hurt Lacey? For what reason? I can't stop asking myself these questions. I hate that I feel fûcking useless right now! I have failed her. I have failed the love of my life and I don't know if I deserve her anyway. I swear that I want to jump out of this car and just die. I can't live with myself if I don't get her back safe and sound. I can't ever forgive myself. How will I even face Nana? How will I explain to her that I couldn't protect her grandbaby?

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I take my phone out so fast hoping that some number, just any number is calling to say that they have her.

"Oh God," Things couldn't get any worse.

"What's wrong?" Niall asks, shifting his gaze between the road and my phone.

"It's a security breach alert from the new security system at the house. Something is not right." I scroll through my phone as I try to figure out if it's false or true. This can't be happening!

"Is there anyone home?" Allie speaks from the back.

"Fùck! Nana!" Realising that she's home makes me panic. I can't even figure out how to dial her number. I finally do and it keeps ringing and ringing but there is no answer.

"You need to fûcking step on it Niall!" I almost scream at Niall who doesn't seem to be driving at his level best.

"I'm trying man!" He steps more on the gas pedal in frustration.

Within no time, we are at the gate. My stomach knots seeing that it is wide open. It should automatically swing back and close whenever anyone has accessed it. Something is completely wrong. I get out of the car and open up the system. The person who accessed it tried to corrupt it but only ended up jamming it. I fix it and the gates swing and close.

My heart is racing so hard as we make careful steps into the house. This shouldn't have happened! None of this should have happened! I swear I want to scream my fùcking lungs out and just cry. But I need to keep it together even when I'm literally falling apart. We are greeted by the flickering lights all through the living room and the hallways. Besides the sound of my own heart, I can hear the loud breathing from Niall and the shaky breaths leaving Allison. She has involuntarily grabbed a fist full of my shirt as we walk slowly through the mess that has been made. Broken vases, tables upside down. There was definitely a struggle.

I'll check the back, you take Allison and go to the kitchen." Niall whispers while signalling the direction he's moving with his gun.

I nod and take Allison's hand in mine. We move quietly and carefully, except for the occasional sobs coming from her.

"I can't believe this is happening," she cries louder.

"You have to be strong Doll, you have to be." I tighten my grip on her hand trying to assure her that things will be okay. Even though deep down I am uncertain.

How did I let this happen? How do I not know what to do at this point? I feel defeated.

Looking through the kitchen and finding nothing, we decide to leave and look elsewhere. The intruder has to be around here somewhere.

"Hey guys over here!" Niall calls from outside and we rush through the hallway to the back door. We push it open and literally run towards where Niall's voice came from. Allison has her dress in a bunch in one hand while the other sweats in mine. I still don't understand how she can run in those heels.

A loud splash is heard as Niall jumps into the pool. From where we are standing, a figure inside the water is visible. He grabs a hold of the person and swims towards the shallow end. The closer he gets, the more we can really see who it is.

A scream erupts from Allie and in that moment my heart drops to my stomach. She cries so painfully while grabbing onto me. Niall is already out of the water and pulls her out of the water to the poolside. I can't bring myself to move even when he clearly needs my help.

I hold on to Allison when my knees start to give out. Everything is starting to blur out. Niall is trying to resuscitate her but it doesn't seem to be working. He looks at me and shakes his head. He keeps applying pressure to her chest but nothing seems to be happening.

"Nooo!" Allison screams in between her cries. My eyes are already welling up. My sight is blinded,my throat is tight and my legs are weak.

"She's dead." Niall's voice cracks as he also bursts into tears.

The gun in my hand falls from my loose grip as I also fall on my knees. The pain inside is unbearable. Every single feeling going through me is burning. I feel like a knife has been plunged and twisted inside my chest. I've lost her.

"Nana!!" Allison screams falling beside me. "This can't be right. No no no! Try again! Niall please!"

Niall just shakes his head with one hand through his hair.

In the dead of night, the wind carries nothing else but our painful cries.

AN:
So much has happened.. Lacey's kidnapping, Zayn and Allie moment.. Then this death.
My heart 💔
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What happens next? Stay tuned.