Louis watched as Zayn was led with a tight grip on his arm into Albert's house. He was already there, planning on getting the information from his computer because his whole family was out, but when he saw Zayn shoot an imperceptible glance around for him Louis knew this was it.

He waited long enough for them to be where he needed them to be, trusting Zayn to get them to the right room, before getting out of the car and walking around the back of the house. He used the same path as last time to stay out of the eyes of security cameras. Once he was inside the dark house he made his way upstairs and to the office.

As soon as he reached the top of the stairs he heard it. Meek whimpers that sounded vaguely of a voice he'd come to know better than his own. Zayn was in there. Louis' entire body tensed and his hand clenched around the railing of the balcony. He needed to help him, to save him, but he had a job to do first. He knew he'd be in no condition to finish his part if he went in there now.

The faster he finished his part the faster he could get Zayn out. He walked past the master bedroom with silent steps, cringing against the whines Zayn released. He slipped into the office and quickly got to work. His hands moved efficiently until he was plugged in and downloading all the information he needed.

But then there was nothing to do but wait. And when Louis' head wasn't distracted by the work he had plenty of attention to dedicate to the noises he could hear on the other side of the wall. He put his hands on the edge of desk and glared at the computer, willing it to move faster. Louis clenched his fists and walked over to the other side of the room and put his ear to the wall.

Muffled voices filtered through the wallpaper. "Fucking love it, don't you?" "Please." "Such a bloody whore. You don't deserve me." "Please." Zayn's voice was weak, his words a last effort at rebellion, but they sounded like defeat. Louis saw red. He turned back to the computer, saw it was only half done, and decided.

"Fuck it," he conceded and left the office. He opened the bedroom door and was hit with a wave of nauseous déjà vu. The scene was similar to the first time he ever met Zayn. Only worse.

His hands were tied, but not with leather like last time, but with coarse rope that was creating stinging red burns around his wrists. He was bent over the bed as he'd found him the first time, but there were no whip marks across his back, instead wax seared into his skin from a lit candle Albert was holding.

Louis' entire mind went blank as he surged forward, ripping the hot candle out of Albert's hand. In the scuffle some of the wax sprayed across Zayn's back, making him flinch and whimper again. Louis threw the candle across the room. It hit the wall with a crack and pieces of shattered glass fell to the floor. Albert's face wore shock and confusion until Louis' fist reared back and slammed into his cheek.

He stumbled back a step and put a hand up reflexively to cover the wound, but Louis kept going, hand against face, knuckles to cheek, until Albert fell to the floor. Louis followed him and straddled his wide torso, continuing to land blows to Albert's bleeding face. A hammering sound buzzed in Louis' ears and he couldn't see anything through the tears, but he kept going even after Albert stopped moving.

His arms were numb and his head hurt as his punches slowed down a bit before he heard the faint sounds of desperation. "Lou, Lou, please stop. Help me." Zayn was crying, sobbing now, and it brought Louis abruptly back to reality. He lunged towards Zayn on the bed, going to work on the ropes, and flinging crazed apologies at him.

"Zaynie, I'm so sorry. God forgive me, I'm sorry. I tried. I can't-I'm so sorry." Louis put an arm around Zayn's waist, trying to be cautious of his back, as he loosened the last knot and lowered Zayn gently to the bed. He sat next to him and brushed his hair out of his face. "What do I do?" Louis petted his head and pleaded, "Help me, Zee."

"Warm rag," Zayn mumbled against the sheets. Louis took just a moment to let the similarities to the past hit him before rushing off to find a flannel. He came back and sat next to Zayn again. "Gentle," was all Zayn could get out before he closed his eyes and melted into the bed. Louis dabbed at the drying wax lightly, cooling Zayn's overheated skin. Little huffs of pain left Zayn's mouth whenever Louis got to a sensitive spot, but he stayed still, probably too exhausted to move.

Louis tried to remember what little research he'd had time to find when he'd thought about doing this to Harry. Now the idea repulsed him, reminded him of why it wasn't okay to do this to somebody. No one should be allowed this kind of power over another human being. Louis hated himself for claiming that over Harry. He couldn't believe he'd convinced himself it was what Harry wanted. He was basically holding Harry prisoner, making him wait to come until he'd written Louis a letter every. single. day? Louis didn't even know he was capable of that kind of cruelty.

He pushed his self-hatred away and focused on how to help Zayn. He went back to the connected bathroom and soaked the flannel in warm water before ringing it out and coming back to find Zayn motionless, breaths barely lifting his back.

"God, Zaynie," Louis breathed to himself. He set down next to him again and started working the cloth in circles over the dried wax. Slowly pieces melted under the rag and he wiped them away, revealing raised welts underneath. He was about half done when a phone started ringing. Louis jumped in surprise and looked towards the offending noise.

Zayn jeans' pocket was lit up and vibrating. Louis reached to the floor and picked up the phone. The contact was just an "L", but anyone calling Zayn's work phone must have a reason, so Louis answered it with a short, "What."

"Who the fuck is this? Do you have Max?"

The guy on the other side of the phone seemed more worried than actually angry, but either way not someone Louis wanted to fight with. "Who is this?"

"Just tell me Max is okay. Did Albert hurt him?"

"He's not okay, but I've got-Wait, seriously, who the fuck is this?"

"Liam. I room next to Max and I can't believe I let him leave with that fucktwat."

Louis barked a laugh despite himself, "Fucktwat? Albert, you mean? Yeah don't worry about him, mate."

"Is he still at his house? I want to find him but I called a dozen times and he didn't answer."

"Look, Liam right?" Liam made a noise in confirmation so Louis continued, "You're in way over your head, mate, so why don't you let it go."

"Max is under my care and I'll look out for him any way I can. If you've hurt him I swear to God-" Liam was just getting warmed up when Zayn made a disgruntled sound and Louis cut him off.

"Shut up." Louis leaned towards Zayn, "Zee, hey love. What hurts?"

"Meum."

Louis leaned closer, "What?"

"Li," Zayn swallowed, "Liam."

Louis looked back to the phone in his hand, "Yeah, Liam's on the phone. Who is he?"

Zayn shifted towards Louis and nestled his head on Louis' thigh, "Nice Liam. So nice."

Louis cupped his cheek in his hand and rubbed soft circles on his skin, "What do you want me to tell him?"

Zayn looked up at Louis with sadness and regret in his eyes. But then Louis saw something else. Something he hadn't seen in Zayn in a long time.

Hope.

"Hi."

Louis breathed a soft laugh, "Hi?"

"Yeah," Zayn smiled a little.

Louis put the phone back to his ear. "Liam? Max says hi."

"Is he okay?"

Louis looked down at his beaten body and tried not to cry again. "No. He's not. But I'll make sure he will be."

"Please, let me see him. Just tell me where you are and-"

"Not a chance, lad. We've got to cover our asses first."

"I'll help. Whatever happened I wouldn't tell. I know Zayn wouldn't do something he didn't have to."

"Cause you know him so well," Louis scoffed while he worked the now tepid cloth over more of the wax.

"I just know, okay?"

Zayn reached for the phone, taking it from Louis and putting it to his ear. "Liam?"

"Max! Jesus, are you okay? Are you with Albert?"

Zayn face softened at Liam's voice, "No. He's dead, I think." Louis' mouth fell open at that and he mouthed The fuck? to Zayn before continued. "I had to." Now it sounded like Zayn was the one that killed him.

"I know. I'm so sorry I let you leave."

Zayn was shaking his head on Louis' leg, "It was my choice. Please don't hate me."

Louis was dumbfounded. He'd never heard Zayn talk like this to anyone except him, and only a couple times at that.

"Never. I don't hate you. I just want you to be okay. Are you coming back to the building soon?"

Zayn but his lip, "No, actually. I'm not coming back at all."

"You don't have to leave, Max. I can protect you."

It was Zayn's turn to huff a quiet laugh, "I know you can. You have been for weeks. And Liam?"

"Yeah?"

"My name's Zayn, not Max."

"Zayn," Liam repeated, "I like that much better. Suits you."

"Thank you for everything, Liam."

"Please call when you're okay."

"I'll try. Bye Liam."

"Zayn."