ZAYN.

After the unexpected visit, I know she's equally as shocked as I am. I'm not sure how it has affected her recovery but from the way she's crying, it's definitely not in the best way.

She walks down the stairs and runs into my arms. Ironically, I'm the one who relaxes once she's in my arms. She sobs softly as I soothe and kiss her hair. Maybe we both needed this embrace.

"Was it really him?" She whispers.

"Yes." I simply reply.

"Does he-?"

"No, he doesn't." I respond. But I honestly am unsure whether he knows about her.

She breaks away from my hold and stares into my eyes teary eyed.

"Thank you Zayn," she cups my cheeks.

"You don't have to thank me. I'll always protect you Allison." I reassure her and plant a long kiss on her forehead.

            <<<<<<<Past>>>>>>>>

I look at myself in the mirror. All the cuts and bruises are healing up pretty well. Harry did a number on me, that coward. Didn't even have the balls to fight me like a man.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the ringing of my house phone. No one calls that number except Liam. Must be him..

"Hello?" I answer.

"Hey babe, you thought I wouldn't find you?" That oddly familiar voice speaks back.

"Greta, how did you get this number?"

No one was supposed to get this line. Liam is the only person that knows it and it's because he helped me get to my safe house. He wasn't supposed to give it to anyone. And I mean anyone for whatever reason.

"Liam.." She answers.

"Fucking Liam!" I mutter under my breath.

"How could you just ghost me like that? I was worried." Greta whines.

"I'm sorry honey, a lot happened. I had to disappear for a while. But when it's safe for me to come back, I will. I promise you. I will explain everything."

"Okay. Can I at least see you?" She asks.

"Not yet. But you'll be the first person I come looking for okay?" I give her a bit of assurance.

"Zayn..." She calls my name. In a tone that I know very well. "I fucked up."

"What did you do?" I rub my forehead in frustration.

"I- I- I just wanted to see you Zayn."

"I mean, what did you do in exchange for a way to contact me. Liam just wouldn't give it to you for free."

"I did something that I'm already regretting Zayn. I think I messed up big time." Her voice cracks.

"Please fûcking tell me what you did!" I demand. I hold my breath hoping that she didn't do anything with Liam.

"Liam. He- He put a bounty on Allie's head-"

"He did what!?"

"I found her.. I just wanted a way to contact you. I didn't even take the money I swear."

"Greta what the fùck are you saying!?" I pull onto my hair in frustration.

"I think he's going to hurt her.." Her voice is full of regret.

"Why would Liam want to hurt her? Harry wouldn't let him."

"I think Harry's in on it. She was running away from them I think. I just didn't think things through. I'm so sorry Zayn."

"Did you hurt her?" I'm not sure I want the answer to that.

"A little..."

"Fùck! I have to go."

"Zayn wait-"

Before she could finish, I hang up on her and immediately dial Liam. It goes straight to voicemail.

I run to my room and turn drawers upside down until I find my cellphone. I haven't used it since I got a new one. I quickly switch it on and call Louis. Who also doesn't answer. Shit! Snatching a jacket from my closet, I run downstairs and grab my car keys.

A few minutes on the road, my cellphone buzzes. Louis' number flashes on the screen.

"Louis Tomlinson." He chirps.

"Lou, it's Zayn." I quickly notify him.

"Zayn! Thank goodness. I need your help. It's- it's Liam-"

"I know, he has Allie, which is why I called you.."

"How do you know? And where the hell are you anyway?" He inquires.

"I'm on my way. I will explain. I can't reach Liam and I don't know what the fùck is going on. Why does he have her?"

"He's with Lacey. They are at the bridge south of Harry's. Lacey is too drunk and they want to hurt Allie for everything that has happened. For Nana.. For you." Louis explains breathlessly.

"That's crazy. And Harry?" Saying his name makes me so angry.

"It's complicated. He doesn't want anything to do with her."

"Typical." I scoff. "I'm twenty five minutes out. You'll probably get there before me. Whatever you do, please don't let them hurt her."

"Alright see you soon." He hangs up and I step on the gas peddle like my life depends on it.

                 
                                ***

A couple of minutes later, I stop at the precinct after calling in a favour. He quickly gets into my car after looking around.

"You can't just show up here!" He shouts.

"You owe me Drake. Nice uniform by the way." I remind him.

"Look Zayn, I love my job. Whatever shady thing you got going on for yourself, I want no part in it." Drake emphasizes keeping strong eye contact.

"Oh c'mon cousin. That's no way to speak to family. Plus I wouldn't reach out if it wasn't important."

"Fùck!" He curses. "What do you need?"

I briefly explain to him everything. From Julian and Nate, to Nana's death being pinned on me, to the Harry and Allison situation.

"Jesus! Do you ever involve yourself in anything that is fûcking legal? Because all I've heard is a bunch of illegal things. Look, I am a cop for fucks sake. I could lose my job or worse, go to jail!" He objects in full-on frustration.

"I wouldn't ask you if I had another option. I know I promised to stay out of your way but I need you to help me get her. She means a lot to me Drake. She is in real danger. Isn't that your job? Helping the people in trouble?" I argue.

He takes his head in his hands for a few seconds then opens the door. He climbs out of my car and stands there for a while.

"I hate you. Lead the way. I'm gonna get my car. Still on duty anyway." He concludes as he walks away.

"Great job with the accent by the way!" I call him out. He's working an almost perfect American accent. Hard to tell he grew up in London.

                               ***

Having tried Liam and Louis to no avail, I put my phone down and focus on the road. Drake is following me close behind in his cop car. Suddenly a single gunshot blasts and I immediately get a bad feeling. I step harder on the gas peddle and Drake blares up his siren.

From a distance, I notice two cars leaving the site of the bridge. I recognize Louis' car.

"What the?" I mutter to myself.

I stop at the bridge and quickly get out of the car. This is the direction the gunshot came from.

My phone rings once and I answer it without wasting time.

"Did you get her?" I ask Louis.

The sound of someone crying in the background makes my heart drop to my stomach.

"I fucked up Zayn..." Louis sniffles.

Drake looks around while I try to get something useful from Louis.

"Louis what the fùck happened? Where is Allie?" I demand.

"She's- she's in the water." He weeps more audibly.

"What do you mean in the water!?" I turn to find Drake holding a bullet shell casing.

"I- I shot her Zayn.. I- I-"

"No no no no no Noooooo!" I scream and run to the edge of the bridge.

Drake holds me tightly stopping me from doing something stupid.

"Let go off me! She's in there. I need to find her. I need to find a way!"

"Relax Zayn. You can't just jump in there. Remember your history with water, not so good. So keep it together!" He shakes some sense into me and let's me go.

Is this the world's way of telling me that I'm in over my head when it comes to Allie? My biggest fear of water is in the way of me jumping in there and looking for her. Maybe it's too late.

Drake takes off his uniform and grabs his flashlight and gun. He sprints a few meters then goes around the bridge railing. After a few seconds, I hear a loud splash in the water.

I run after him and follow the path he took. I get to the edge of the water and stop immediately. There's no sign of Drake.

"Dear God-" I whisper. I know it's not a prayer but I can't lose my cousin in the process.

"Drake!" I shriek.

I hear a loud gasp for air as his head pops up from under the water.

"I can't find her!" He exclaims as he tries so hard to catch his breath.

"Please just-"

Before I could finish, he dives right back in. I really need him to get out of the water. It's dangerous. Maybe we could use some help finding her.

A few seconds later, I hear another loud gasp and frantic splashes further away.

"I think I found her!" He yells and starts swimming towards the shore. He coughs as he continues to drag her with him.

"Fùck fùck fùck.." I look around for something that could help. Luckily there's a long stick so I grab it and stick it in the water for him to grab on.

"Grab this!"

He gets closer and grabs it. I pull him closer to the bank and grab onto his arm. Once he gets a hold of the ground, I pull Allie off of him and carefully place her on my laps.

"Please wake up," I shake her.

"She needs CPR." Drake shakes me out of my frozen state.

He takes her from me and places her gently on the ground. I notice she's only wearing one shoe.

He starts giving her mouth to mouth with frequent compression on the chest. She doesn't respond.

"She's not breathing." He notifies me as he continues compressing her chest.

"Let me do it!" I push him away and assume his position.

I repeat everything he has been doing but still there's no response.

"I have to call it in Zayn. It's the only way. She's not responding so we have to call it in."

"No just wait!" I shout.

I compress her chest frantically as my eyes get blinded by tears.

"C'mon Allie! C'mon!" I continue trying.

"Please don't give up on me. Please don't go." I cry.

"You have to wake up! I have to tell you that I love you. Please come back!"

"Zayn! Zayn! She's not-"

"No! I have to keep trying!" I breathe into her and continue pumping her chest.

Drake pulls me away from her and I break down into his arms. I should have been here to protect her. He holds me tightly while I let myself sob entirely.

Just then a cough erupts from beside us. And another. And another.

I push Drake away and turn Allie to the side. She coughs out so much water and wheezes. This goes on for a few minutes then stops. Drake examines her with his flashlight and that's when we discover that she had actually been shot.

"It's a through and through on the shoulder. Zayn we have to take her to hospital." Drake informs me.

"No hospitals. I have an idea."

"Oh bloody hell!" Drake shouts with an echo coming back in the silent night.

Drake ~ Alfred Enoch.

So, this is a filler chapter. I'll go back and forth between the past and present.

Also, New Character who dis?

How do you feel about Zayn?

And Drake?