When I awoke, it was to Zayn telling me that we had arrived back in London. I rubbed my eyes carefully and leaned across his lap to look outside, and sure enough, there was the city. I smiled widely, partly happy to be returning home. I'd missed my friends and family during the time Zayn and I had been away, even Ian's annoying attitude.

I held Zayn's hand tightly in mine as the plane landed, managing to keep my eyes open and locked on our entwined fingers, loving the way his larger hand seemed to completely cover my smaller one. The plane landed at Heathrow, and I was glad to finally be back on the ground. Zayn and I waited patiently as we let the other passengers depart before us.

"Welcome home," he told me, kissing my cheek softly before standing from his seat. I did the same, stretching upwards towards the sky.

"Nearly home," I corrected and he just rolled his eyes before reaching above to retrieve our suitcases and bags. As we left the plane, I inhaled the air, glad to be outside once again. Though, I already missed France.

"We should go for something to eat now," Zayn said, tugging up the handle of his suitcase once we were back on the ground of the runway. I copied his actions and looked around. Back in England.

"Sure," I answered. "Where about?"

Zayn shrugged. "I don't know, just wherever they sell a good sandwich," he said, grinning down at me. He held my free hand tightly in his own, swinging them back and forth between our bodies as we made our way through the many people waiting for their flights. We pushed our way out, through the exit and into the streets of London. I smiled at the familiar scene of red double-deckers before us.

Zayn continued to hold my hand tightly in his as he guided me into the closest cafe, my stomach grumbling as the scent of garlic bread filled my nostrils. We sat down at a table near the counter, and Zayn ordered us our lunch, handing me the camera while we waited. I skipped through the remaining photographs, smiling at one of us at the beach.

"I honestly don't remember you taking half of these," I told him and he only laughed in response.

"I'm quick," he said, a suggestive smirk on his lips. I counldn't help but grin back at him before lowering my eyes to the screen once again.

"I'm happy to be back," I said, looking around the interior of the building.

"I clearly remember you saying you never wanted to leave France," Zayn pointed out as our food arrived. He took a sip from his glass, his eyes looking at me over the rim.

"At the same time, I missed home," I admitted and he nodded.

"I get that sense of missing something dear," he said, nodding. "When I was travelling, I always missed home, and coming back was something so special that I never let the opportunity slip."

I nibbled at the end of my sandwich slowly, trying to lengthen the time Zayn and I would have alone together. I wanted to go home and see my family, but at the same time, I was enjoying being with Zayn too much.

"You have a bad habit for apologizing," I stated and Zayn nodded, seeming to be confused with my sudden comment. "I just realized that I've never apologized for calling you lots of horrible names."

Zayn shrugged. "I deserved it. I was a dick to you - name calling doesn't bother me in the slightest."

"Still," I argued. "I'm sorry for all the shitty things I said to you."

He laughed and I frowned. "I just find it amusing that after my torturous ways, you think nasty names deserve an apology."

"Can't you just accept my apology?"

"I could," he muttered. "But I like seeing you frustrated."

"I've noticed," I laughed. "How are we getting back to Bradford?"

"Taxi," he said, rolling his eyes. "Duh. Haven't we been in enough of them for you to realize it's a regular mode of transport now?"

"Sassy," I told him and he just winked.

When we finished eating, we hauled our things into the taxi and entwined our hands as the driver took off, snaking through the streets of London. I leaned my head against Zayn's shoulder as we watched the city flash past, his fingers tightening around mine.

"I'm ridiculously tired," I groaned and Zayn only laughed.

"It'll be with all the travelling. And the other ... activities we've played part in during the week," Zayn said, his voice lowering to only a whisper, for my ears only. I caught the driver glancing in the mirror at us every now and again.

"I honestly think I'm gonna have a nap when I get home," I continued. "I'm just so knackered."

"Hm," Zayn hummed, his lips pressed against my temple. "Mind if I joined you?"

I closed my eyes, giving up the fight to keep them open. I shook my head slowly, lazily, as I tapped my fingertips against his knuckles. "Zayn, I really need to sleep."

"I was joking," he laughed. "I'll just help you unpack and such, and I'll go home. If you'd like?"

I nodded. "Sorry."

"Not at all. Humans are easily tired out more than vampires. If you need to rest, I won't get in the way of that," he promised. His voice also sounded exhausted, a little husky and rough. You really need to feed soon, I thought.

***

When I opened my eyes, it was to Zayn once again telling me we had arrived at our destination. I blinked a couple of times before I shifted to unbuckle my seat belt. Zayn paid the driver and we hopped out, pulling our things from the boot of the vehicle. We thanked the driver before he pulled out of the street and vanished from sight.

I turned to Zayn who picked me up in his arms and spun me around before setting me back on my feet. He leaned forward and kissed me, his mouth gentle on mine. I couldn't help but notice the way his skin seemed a shade paler than usual, the dark circles under his eyes more prominent than they had been since that morning.

"You need to feed," I told him.

He shook his head firmly and looked over at my home, a smile on his face. "You need to rest first, Laura. I'll go find some rabbits in the woods. I'm not feeding from you today. You're exhausted enough as it is."

I lowered my gaze, feeling guilty. He hadn't fed for days, and although I found his restraint incredible, I also found it hard to believe he was still managing to survive. Yes, he'd told me vampires didn't have a strong craving like in the movies, but he still needed it to live.

"Alright," I sighed. Arguing with him wouldn't get me anywhere. I looked over at twenty-four, surprised not to see Harry at the door waiting to welcome us home. "I wonder where Harry is."

"He's probably out shopping. Maybe he's with Marielle?" He raised a brow after his sentence and I just laughed. I tugged up the handle of my suitcase and swung my bag around onto my shoulder as Zayn pulled out his phone.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Calling Harold. Gonna find out where he is and see if he wants to come hunting with me," he answered, grinning at me.

I looked over towards my home, and smiled as I saw Ian's window open, sounds of frustration coming from inside. I'd always found it amusing seeing how losing a video game agitated him to no end. I caught a glimpse of my mother in the kitchen making something to eat and only then did I realize just how much I'd missed my family.

I turned again to face Zayn who looked confused. He looked at the screen of his phone and pressed the call button again.

"What is it?"

"He's not picking up."

"Maybe his phone's switched off? If he's with Marielle, they might be in the cinema or something?"

Zayn shrugged. "Harry never turns his phone off." We waited a few more moments until I heard Zayn let out a sigh of relief. "Harry! Hey, mate. I'm just phoning to let you know that Laura and I are b-"

He stopped talking all of a sudden, and I leaned closer to try and hear what Harry was saying. All I could make out was yelling on the other end of the line. Zayn frowned and turned away from me, holding the phone close to his ear.

"Is he OK?" I asked, worried. The screaming on the other end became louder and I saw Zayn stiffen in front of me. "Zayn?!"

Harry's tone was laced with panic, the way he hurriedly screaming into the phone being evidence enough. All of a sudden, there was a beeping sound signalling that the line was dead. I watched Zayn carefully as he slowly turned to face me, and I took a small step back. He looked positively ill, a frown set between his brow and his bottom lip taken between his teeth.

"Zayn?" I asked quietly. "Please speak to me? What happened?"

He let out a sigh before shaking his head. "Louis has Harry."

My heart sank. Harry had chosen to leave Louis' side, just like Zayn had. Would Louis try and torture him for his choice - make him regret ever considering running from his side? My hand flew to my mouth and I chewed my nails nervously. Harry was one of the kindest people I had ever met, and if anything were to happen to him, I'd never be able to move on from it.

"Oh my God," I managed to say. "What are we going to do? We have to help him!"

"No," Zayn said sternly. "You get home, lock your doors and windows. I'll get Harry."

"No!" I argued. "He's older than you, Zayn! He's tortured you enough in your life, you don't need more of that! If I come, I could cause a distraction or something while you get Harry and-"

"And then what, Laura?" Zayn said. "You expect me to run off with Harry while Louis has you all to himself? Not a fucking chance."

"Zayn-"

"You said he's older than me, Laura. He is. If I don't stand a chance against a four hundred year old vampire, then you won't either. Listen to yourself."

"Zayn," I begged, taking his hand in mine. "Harry is my friend too. I want to help."

"Laura," Zayn said, his voice a whisper. He pulled me close, into his embrace and I hugged him tightly, burying my head into the crook of his neck. "I've lost so many people in my life. I can't lose you too."

I allowed the tears to roll down my cheeks at his words. I didn't want to lose him either. Or Harry. But I wanted to help, in any way that I could, even if it did mean Louis targeting me instead of Harry.

"I need to be there," I whispered, my voice hoarse. Zayn pulled away from me, his hands cupping my cheeks. He wiped away my tears with his thumbs and kissed me deeply, a longing kiss that I never wanted to end.

"Please," he begged. "I can't lose you."

"You won't," I promised. "I'll find a way to get out."

"Bull shit." His voice was rough. "He's faster and stronger than you. I don't want you in his hands. I need you here, where you're safe and where no harm can come to you. I'm fast, I'll grab Harry and get out of there."

"But-"

"No." He cut me off before I could protest, and his mouth was set in a firm line. "If you don't stay here, Laura, I swear to God, I'll Persuade you. Whether you like it or not."

My lips parted, shocked that he'd even considered that option. Either way, he'd make me stay home if I wanted to or not. I glared at him and nodded reluctantly. "Fine," I snapped.

"That's my girl," he said, giving me a small smile. All of a sudden, he was gone, and so were his belongings. I looked towards his house, and saw him throwing his things in through the doorway. He closed the door behind him and was at my side once again.

"I don't like this," I complained, hugging my arms around myself.

"Neither do I, but there's no other way to go." He pulled a set of keys out from within his jacket pocket, and I watched as he unlocked his car and opened the driver's side door. He nodded slowly to me before lowering himself into the vehicle. I watched him carefully, my heart racing.

"Zayn!" I shrieked before he could drive off. He was instantly out of the car, his eyes on my face as I ran towards him. I jumped into his arms, and he supported me by holding me close to his body. I kissed him, hard, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck to keep him close to me. "Please," I said shakily. "Be careful."

"I will," he promised, kissing me once again. "If you hear someone creeping in through your window in the middle of the night, it'll be me."

I laughed. "It better be you."

He winked before pulling away from me and sliding back into the car. I watched sadly as he started the car and drove off, the only thing remaining being his promising words. I looked down at my bags, shaking my head as I did. My parents couldn't see me crying, they'd think something happened between Zayn and I. Quickly, I wiped the remaining tears from my face and took a moment to calm down, standing by myself on the pavement outside Zayn's home. Reluctantly, I reached for my things and crossed the road.

The house looked exactly the same as usual, though for some reason I noticed the dull stains across the left side of the house. I'd never seen those before. The sorrow I felt when watching Zayn leave was clawing at me like an animal inside a cage, forcing me to notice all the negative things around me. I felt slightly ill as I climbed the stairs to the door.

I slowly reached out and turned the knob, glad to find the door unlocked. I shuffled inside, inhaling the scent of familiarity: home. I closed the door behind me and smiled as my parents appeared in the doorway, wide smiles on their faces.

"Laura!" my mother shrieked, moving towards me, her arms spread out wide. "Oh, you look shattered!"

"I am," I said as I hugged her back, smiling at my dad over her shoulder. "Hey, Dad."

"Did you have a good time?" he asked, smiling, but I couldn't help but notice the wary look in his eye. The look every father tried to conceal when their daughter arrived home after spending a quality amount of time with a boy. I nodded. "That's great," he said, giving a genuine smile.

"It was incredible," I said, smiling as best I could.

Zayn, Harry, a little voice kept echoing in the back of my head. My mother saw my frown and pouted ever so slightly at me.

"You look like you could use some time to rest," she said, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and guiding me into the living room. My dad hauled my bags in after us, complaining about the weight.

"Yeah," I muttered, yawning. "I'm tired."

"We can tell," Dad said. "What the hell have you got in these bags?"

I smiled widely. "Presents."

"Aw, sweetie, you shouldn't have," Mum said, scanning me over as if trying to find a bump or graze.

"Well, I did," I said, hugging her once more before looking down at my luggage. "Would it be awful if I went for a sleep?"

"Not at all," Dad said, rubbing my back gently. He reached down to pick up my suitcase but I told him to leave it. "I can still carry a few things up the stairs."

"You sure?" Mum said, frowning.

I nodded. "Yep." I tugged the handle of my suitcase up once again and pulled it over the the stairs before slowly making my way up, desperate to be alone and to think. Zayn would be alright. He had to be. He was strong, and knew what to do ninety-nine percent of the time.

"We'll wake you up for tea around six or seven, OK?" my Mum called up the stairs and I turned to look down at her.

"That's fine. I promise to tell you everything then," I said, smiling at my parents once more before turning and making my way along the corridor to Ian's room. I knocked twice before carefully pushing the door open. "Hey, Ian."

He looked up briefly to flash me a grin before looking back at the screen. Zombies were racing towards Ian's character, and he furiously pressed away at the buttons on the controller, shooting all of the enemies as they advanced.

"How was France?" he asked without looking up at me.

"Good," I told him before pulling out the box of chocolate I bought for him. "I've got you something, by the way."

Ian paused the game and swivelled around in his chair to face me, his curious gaze lowering to the box in my hands. "Chocolates! Thank God. Mum said I'd been eating nothing but crap for the last week and hid everything sweet. Bless you, dear sister, for you have saved me."

"Well, if Mum thinks that, then I should probably take them back-"

"No!" Ian gasped, reaching for them. He took them from me and ran back over to his chair, smiling sweetly at me. "I love you, Laura," he said and I just rolled my eyes.

"You creep," I laughed as I closed his door and turned to make my way towards my own room. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, looking around. Nothing had changed apart from the fact that my mum had placed some clean clothes across my bed to be put away. I dragged my suitcase and bag over to the end of my bed and dropped them before quickly and messily hanging my clothes away. All I wanted to do was sleep and wake up with Zayn beside me, safe and sound with Harry across the road reading a book by the crackling fire.

I considered calling him, but if he were comforting Louis and trying to get Harry out of there in one piece, a phone call wouldn't help in the matter. I ran my hands across my face a few times, frustrated that there was nothing I could do to help. I wanted to help, not sit at home and hope for the best. There may be two against one, but Louis was the strongest.

I checked my phone for any messages but was disappointed when I saw none.

"Please be OK," I muttered to myself before sitting on the edge of my bed, carefully placing the phone on the bedside table. I stared at it for a few moments, hoping for some sort of reassurance. Harry had to be OK. Zayn had to be OK. I felt my eyes watering once again and I let out a deep breath, trying to calm down. Everything was going to be alright. The idea of that being the last time I ever saw Zayn was too unbearable. The last time I'd ever hear Harry's voice. I shuddered.

I walked over to the drawers beside the bookcase and tugged out a jumper and bed socks before tugging them on. I didn't bother changing out of my dress, I'd be awake again soon. I made my way back over to the bed and flopped down, face-first, enjoying the familiar feeling of my bed. It didn't even begin to compare to the comfort of the hotel bed back in France, but I didn't care. I was home.

"Did you enjoy France?"

I jumped up from where I was lying and looked around my room. There was no one there. Was I now imagining things? Just as I was about to get back into bed, I heard the bathroom door creaking open and I flattened myself against the wall, my eyes locked on the figure standing in the en suite room. My eyes widened as Louis lounged against the doorway, an almost cocky grin on his face.

Without hesitation, I turned and ran for the door. Just as my fingers closed around around the handle, I felt his hands on my shoulders, pushing me against the wood. I groaned as I was roughly spun around and forced up against it. I avoided his gaze, looking to the side as he  gazed at me, his piercing eyes scanning my expression. For a few moments, none of us spoke a word, the only sounds being our breathing.

"What the hell did you do to Harry?!" I surprised myself by saying. Louis' grip on my shoulders tightened ever so slightly and I winced. "Where have you put him?"

Louis chuckled quietly, a hand moving up to grasp my chin, forcing me to look at him. "He's perfectly alright. For now."

I squirmed in his grasp, trying to remove his hands from me, but he held me firmly in place against the door. "Where is he?"

"Don't worry, love. He's safe and sound for the time being. And as much as I'd like to stay here and chat with you, I'm afraid you're going to have to come with me."

I gaped at him, not quite believing what he'd just said. "I don't think so."

"You refuse?" he questioned, a brow raised as if challenging me to say 'no' once again.

"Yes, I damn well refuse!" I snapped. "I'm not going anywhere with you!"

He grinned wickedly at me. "Well, I'm afraid you don't really have a choice, Laura."

Before I could question what he meant, I felt the sudden tug of his Persuasion as he prepared to use his power of mind control on me. I tried to look away but his grip on my chin tightened, refusing my actions and I whimpered when his nails bit through the fabric of my jumper and pricked my skin.

"No!" I protested, squeezing my eyes shut. "Please don't!"

For a second, he said nothing, but I didn't dare open my eyes. "Do you want me to hurt Harry, Zayn and your family, Laura?"

"No," I whispered before slowly opening my eyes. He looked at me almost like a lioness would look at its prey; determined and fierce. No matter how much I tried to look away, the Persuasion held my focus.

"Good girl," he mused, blinking at me twice. "Sleep, princess. I want you to fall asleep."

My eyes instantly began to droop, and not just because of my previous feeling of exhaustion, but because of Louis' Persuasion. I tried my best to fight it, but no matter how hard I fought, my eyelids drooped further.

"No..." I mumbled as my knees started to wobble. Louis' grip on me loosened and finally retracted when I fell forward into his embrace, arms encircling me. 

"Don't fight it, love." Louis' voice was a faint mumble in my ears, but I didn't listen to him. I tried hard to stay awake. But I couldn't.

***

I was lying on something rough and uncomfortable. I rolled onto my side and opened my eyes to find that I was lying on a hay bale. I quickly looked around to find that I was alone, so I took the opportunity to stand from where I was.

By the looks of my surroundings, I was inside a barn. Several planks of woods were missing from the roof and walls, there were cobwebs hanging in strands from the ceiling and there was a pigeon sitting on a broken crate in front of me.

I looked around, searching for a way out, but only when I saw the ladder leading down to the bottom ground of the barn did I realize I was on the upper level. Just as I was about to start making my way down, a voice sounded from behind me.

"I wouldn't go down there. Some of the rungs are rotten - you'd probably fall."

I jumped to the side as I turned to face Louis, my heart hammering in my chest. Louis was sitting on the crate where the pigeon had been, twiddling his thumbs as he looked at me.

"You bastard," I spat at him, looking over my shoulder for another way down. There wasn't. "You fucking dick!"

"What did I do?!" Louis asked, sounding genuinely confused. He laughed quietly before standing up and gesturing over to the hay bale I'd been lying on before. "Please - take a seat."

I glanced over to where he was pointing and reluctantly moved over to sit down. Once I was seated, Louis stood and slowly walked over to me, his movements confident and bold.

"Why am I here?" I asked when Louis didn't speak. He nodded, as if confirming something to himself.

"I thought you'd ask that. You're here because I need you for part of my plan."

I remained silent, remembering Zayn saying something very similar when he'd revealed his nice guy act was just that - an act. I didn't look away from Louis as he stepped even closer to me. I glared at him instead.

"How the hell did you get into my house?" I asked. "You can't get in without an invitation."

"Don't you think I know that?" he said, rolling his eyes. "I was invited inside - by your mother. Lovely woman she is."

"You stay away from my family," I warned him, my voice firm.

"Is that what you told Zayn when you found out about him?"

I remained silent because he was right. I'd said the exact same thing, and told him to use me for anything he wanted, as long as my friends and family were left unharmed.

"How did you get her to invite you in?" I asked, knowing that he wouldn't have been able to Persuade her without being invited in first. Had he followed her out shopping like he had done with me several times?

Louis let out an agitated sigh and his eyes darted to the space just behind me. "Enough chit-chat for now," he said, looking back at me. "We can do more of that a little bit later."

Just as I was about to demand where we were, I heard footsteps from behind me and I froze. What was that? Louis looked over my shoulder, a cocky grin plastered on his face. I slowly stood from where I was sitting and spun around to look where he was. Relief washed through me when I saw the familiar face.

Only, he didn't look relieved at all.

"Harry?"

____________________________________________________________

 Ooh, what's Louis done to Harold? :'O

Sorry for the late update, but I was too tired for the last few days to write. Let me know what you think in the comments below? :)

Cazza