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Chapter Eleven

I had disobeyed Sebastian.

I had broken the rules.

I had run away.

I got caught.

When a person passes out, there can be multiple reasons as to why they did. In my case, it was from the utmost amount of sickening fear that my body shut down as a defense mechanism.

Sometimes, one can remain unconscious for seconds, minutes, or even hours. Unfortunately, my escape from reality was cut short.

I was pulled out of my blissful paradise and thrown back into the twisted world after only a few minutes.

A scream left my lips and I violently twisted in the arms of my captor. My sudden movements came as a surprise, and I was dropped onto hard wooden floor.

My eyes were wide and my heart pounded frantically within my chest as I took in my surroundings.

The casual interior of the house made my heart drop and my eyes darted to the still unconscious Harry who was laying spread out over the ground. Instantly, I began crawling towards him, concern etched over my features and worry churning in my stomach.

A shriek left me when I was yanked backwards by my hair. My hands clutched my head in pain and I let out a pained scream when I was hauled to my feet. Stumbling backwards I was turned around, and my vision darkened by my sudden, forced movements.

When my vision cleared, I felt my body still with horror as I found myself face to face with Sebastian King.

His hand was gripping my chin firmly, and my hands helplessly tried to push him away.

"I think," his voice was strained and came out as a hiss, "that it would be in your best interest to do as I say."

I paused, my breathing slowing drastically as I tried to calm myself down and focus on what Sebastian was saying.

"You're going to leave this place without a fight. I will not deal with any more of your shit right now." His jaw was clenched so lightly, and his features were so dark that I found myself whimpering like a wounded animal.

"W-What about H-Harry?" I questioned, my voice small and barely audible.

Sebastian's hands were now holding my shoulders in a brutally tight grip. His dark eyes were masked and he held an impenetrable expression as he leaned down to hover his lips above mine, using a hand to grasp the back of my neck and tilt my head upwards.

"Your fuck buddy? Harry, is it?" His voice sent chills down my spine and my eyelids shut in dread. I wanted nothing more that Sebastian to release me, and for me to be back in the once warm sheets of Harry's bed.

"Answer me!" Sebastian roared, flinging me violently into the wall behind us. I barely had enough time to catch myself before Sebastian slammed into me, his entire body shaking with rage.

I choked on air and once again, found myself trying to push him away. My struggle against London's most feared man was hopeless, but that didn't deter me for even a second.

"I-It's not like that!" I said, annoyance creeping into my tone as I stiffly placed my hands on his chest, attempting to stop him from moving any closer. Sebastian jaw was set and the anger radiating from him scorched my body.

A groan broke through the silence, and to my horror, Harry began waking up. He feet twitched and his arms slowly lifted up to prop himself off the ground.

"How unfortunate." Sebastian turned around and started walking towards the disoriented boy.

Without warning, Sebastian sent a kick straight into Harry's back, and an anguished yell echoed throughout the room. I cringed and shot forwards, sliding between Harry and Sebastian.

Harry was now lying on his back, his eyes shut in pain. I felt absolutely sick, knowing that it was my fault that Harry had been hurt. I cared about him so much, that I didn't care that I was now facing an enraged Sebastian King.

"Get out of my way." Sebastian snarled, his large frame towering over me in a quite intimidating manner.

I faltered but didn't move from my spot, and folded my arms across my chest. His reaction made me stomach twist.

Sebastian grabbed my arm and yanked me behind him, and shoved me into Mason. Without another word, he back around to watch as Harry struggled to his feet.

Trapped in Mason's vice-like grip, my attempts to break free were pitiful and useless. My stomach dropped and I began thrashing violently when Sebastian pulled his gun out, pointing it directly at Harry.

I was screaming, pleading as Harry's eyes widened and focused on the deadly weapon that could take away his life in mere seconds.

My pleas and begs fell on deaf ears.

The sound of the gunshot drowned out my screams, and I went limp in Mason's arms. The thud that followed as Harry collapsed on the ground broke me,

Rivulets of tears streamed down my face and I felt silent sobs shake through my being. My heart ached and I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to process what had happened.

"Look at me." Weak whimpers left my parted lips and I covered my face with my hands, attempting to shield myself from the horrors before me.

The very thought of Harry made my whimpers increase, but also ignited the rage within me.

My eyes flew open and my expression morphed into one of pure hatred.

"You're a monster!" I snarled, lunging towards him with my arms outstretched hoping to inflict some kind of damage.

Profanities tumbled out of my mouth as I tried to attack Sebastian though Mason continued to hold me back.

Among the things I screamed at Sebastian, something I said struck a nerve, and as a result, he retaliated by striking the side of my head with the butt of his gun.

Pain seared through my skull and my eyes shut as I crumbled in Mason's arms. I felt warmth spread over my head, and something drip down my head and onto my neck.

I was welcomed by darkness as I slipped out of consciousness.

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When a person is drowning, it's their instinct to keep their mouth shut and to hold their breath. It's human instinct to not let the water in. So, they're underwater, and their head feels like it's going to explode, they're in pain, and their lungs and throat ache, but they keep their mouth shut anyways. The water doesn't actually fill their lungs until they black out, until they don't have a choice but to let the water in.

I was drowning.

I was drowning in a pool of regret, hatred, and guilt.

When I finally awakened, the first thing I felt was pain. Pain seared through my head and a groan left my lips as I tried to fully open my eyes. A sticky, drying substance matted my hair down, and I could only conjecture that it was blood.

The pain worsened as my senses came back to life and my eyes were forced to adjust to the darkness that surrounded me. I reached up in an attempt to lessen the ache spreading throughout my head, only to realize that thick rope was restraining my limps against a hard wooden chair.

Now fully conscious, I was aware of my surroundings. My wrists were tied tightly down and my ankles felt numb due to the lack of movement. Just sitting there, I was able to absorb the sore ache that was weighing down on my body.

My throat felt scratchy, and my mouth was dry. The foreign feeling of my puffy eyelids brought back everything, and a weak cry left my lips.

Harry was dead.

The sound of footsteps nearing made a gurgling noise leave my lips as I choked on air. The thought of having to face Sebastian paralyzed me. I was downright horrified and trapped.

I was suffocating.

I focused on listening to the footsteps, when the door flew open with a bang, and light filled the room. My pounding head screamed in protest and I shut my eyes as my face contorted in discomfort.

"You look awful."

Mason's bland statement lacked the playful joke he normally held behind it. His blue, green eyes were dark and intimidating.

This wasn't the Mason I was used to.

"I would imagine so." I croaked out as a reply, hoping to crack his cold exterior.

Mason took a few steps towards me, so that he stood directly in front of the chair, his body blocking most of the light. His expression hardened while his eyes bore deep into mine.

A shriek of surprise and pain left my lips when his hand came in contact with my cheek. My head snapped to the side and the chair tipped, but Mason easily held it back in place.

My eyes were wide as I stared up at him in shock, the pain in my head now reaching an all time high. I felt as though someone was yanking on my hair while another person was hitting me with a hammer.

His expression was void of emotion, and that scared me. I longed for the childlike Mason, the one I could joke with and get along with oh so well.

"You will not speak unless you are told to." His sharp tone whipped me emotionally, and I bit my lip nervously.

Mason watched me closely, as if waiting for me to retaliate. When I remained silent, he nodded slightly and pulled away from my chair, taking a few steps back.

"Bloody idiot, you are." Though that was something Mason would have normally said to me, the situation I was in made it seem much different. "You properly fucked up and it's like you have a death wish."

"Mason, pl-" I was cut off by another slap to my opposite cheek. I knew Mason was restraining himself, but the force of the blow was enough to bring tears to my eyes. My head ached horribly and I wanted to just pull it off in order to escape the pain.

"What did I say?" Mason hissed, his eyes narrowing dramatically.

"Y-You will not s-sp-speak unless you are told t-to." I repeated, stuttering as I did so.

"That's right. Now did I tell you to speak?" He asked, he face directly above mine.

I blinked back the tears and shook my head, hoping that would be enough.

It wasn't.

This time, Mason wasn't too keen on restraining himself as he did before. The chair rocked backwards, and Mason caught it, but let me teeter on the edge. My neck was painfully bent as my head hung over the back of the chair, and I felt blood ooze into my mouth from where I had bit my cheeks in attempt to not cry out.

Mason slowly eased the chair back on all four legs, the angered look gone and replaced by a blank expression.

"You fucked up and you know it. Not only did you break Sebastian's rules, you humiliated him."

I squeezed my eyes shut at that, realizing that not once had I considered what my public actions might cause. I had done this all at his club, where everyone knew his name and his status.

Mason was right.

"And now you have to face the consequences."

Mason's low whisper made my body shake with silent, trapped sobs that were fighting to break free.

"I trusted you."

The door slammed shut and once again I was left alone in the room.

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Fear is consuming.

Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It sends us into a state of panic. Fear itself can be more painful than death. Death, in some cases, can be quick and painless while fear, fear can drown a person in agony.

My lungs were burning and my throat ached, but I refused to succumb under the torment.

Fear proved to be the worst form of torture.

There I was, helpless and vulnerable while fear penetrated my amour and sunk its razor sharp teeth into my soul.

The pounding in my head reduced to a dull ache, and I found myself constantly avoiding any head movements in order to keep it that way. The dread was pooling in the pit of my stomach, and my hands had been clammy ever since Mason had left.

He was furious with me- so I could only guess that Sebastian was going to rip my throat out the second he saw me.

Time passed, though I was unaware of how much. Stuck in a dark room, tied to a chair, I was forced to reflect on my actions, and the consequences that were to come. I had yet to fully understand what had happened to Harry, for I was in a state of shock.

The panic that froze my being drew me away from thoughts of Harry, and back to Sebastian.

I winced at the thought of him. I could practically feel his venomous words poison me, yet they had not been spoken. There was little to no sound coming from downstairs, but even if there was, I doubt I would have noticed. I was in my own little world, disoriented, hurt, and scared.

I was weak.

Sebastian truly was a genius. He had brilliant tactics and always seemed to know how to break someone down- no matter how tough they were.

He knew that the fear of what might happen to me would devour me. He knew just what to do to make my defiance wash away and leave me bare-

Vulnerable.

A small trail of light appeared in the room, and it continued to grow larger and larger, until the entire room was filled with light. I couldn't bring myself to look up, knowing perfectly well that the presence that had entered the room was something to dread.

My eyes were trained to the ground, and my body gave a small jolt when the door slammed shut. A blinding light soon replaced the temporary darkness, and I quickly shut my eyes. My nails dug into the palms of my hands, and I shifted my arms uncomfortably against the wood.

The footsteps neared, and my stomach tightened drastically. I felt bile rise up my throat, but I remained unmoving. Though my eyes were closed, I knew that he was standing in front of me, taking in my pathetic state.

I held my breath in anticipation, a light sweat beginning to form over my body. I flinched dramatically as the back of a large hand stroked the side of my face, and a low chuckle rang out through the room.

I tried to think about the room- it's white walls, spotless floor, and empty interior. I tried to busy myself by not thinking about the death that was surely awaiting me.

The hand trailed down to my chin, and held it lightly. The air changed and I felt him place his hand against the chair, just by shoulder. He was leaning down, I could only guess, hovering over me like a snake poised to attack.

"I could kill you, you know that?" His husky, low tone sent shivers down my body, and I squeezed my eyes so tightly that my whole face scrunched up. It was a sad little belief that somehow, by not seeing him, nothing bad would happen. As if catching on to my thoughts, he spoke again.

"Open your fucking eyes, or I will rip off your eyelids." I suppressed a frightful whimper and slower opened my eyes, blinking rapidly as I absorbed the bright light.

An audible gasp left my lips and my stomach lurched.

Sebastian's face was mere inches from mine, his hard features expressionless. He looked as through Mason had, but I knew the power he held was much greater than Mason's.

With Mason, I had emotionally hurt him, and for that he acted out physically. As for Sebastian, I hurt him physically, and now he was going to kill me as a punishment.

"You stupid bitch." His words meant nothing to me as he stuck my face. The chair tilted to the side before returning to its normal position. I refused to let any noise out, despite the hiss of pain that pushed against my sealed lips. Sebastian seemed displeased by my reaction, or lack there of.

Something about Sebastian made me want to fight back even more, though it would be so much easier to submit, and accept responsibility for my actions.

"You were embarrassed," I bit out, "get over it."

Sebastian's eyes darkened intensely, and looked almost black. A growl reverberated through his chest and I flinched at the animalistic sound.

His fist flew out and connected with my cheek, causing pain to explode over my face.

I inwardly released a scream as the chair flew backwards onto the ground, my head slamming painfully against the wooden floor. The sound of splintering wood echoed around the room, but I remained secured to the chair. Sebastian stood above me, his fists clenched and chest rapidly rising and falling.

"Sorry my Lordship, it wasn't my intention to upset you." My bitter, sarcastic response made Sebastian snarl with fury.

He unleashed he wrath upon me, and not long after, numbness overtook me. My vision had darkened severely and the black spots refused to leave. My breathing was heavy and labored, and I felt light headed and sick.

The excruciating pain was numbing me, and my body was trying to shut down.

Unfortunately, that would just not do with Sebastian King.

"You humiliated me," he spat out, yanking the chair up with unnatural strength. "In front of my fucking gang, you decided to fucking humiliate me."

My eyes were shutting and slowly re-opening, and I fought to remain conscious. His words were overbearingly loud, though he barely spoke above a hiss. I could tell that within a few moments, he would be raging angrily, doing everything in his power to crack me.

"You deserve to be dead." He said, his voice rising. "You're just an emotional, pathetic little girl who isn't worth the frustration!"

Worthless.

I felt my insides churn at that, and a flicker on anguish crossed my face, something that did not go unnoticed by Sebastian.

"Aw, did I hurt your feelings, Evie?" His lethal tone made me shake, but not a sound left my lips. My face remained void of emotion, and I continued to listen to him.

"Did you not know you were replaceable?" He asked, now walking circles around me. My breath caught and I stared straight ahead, tensed and ready for another attack.

"You didn't actually think you were important? Did you?" His taunting tone made a wave of nausea wash over me and I tried to block out his voice.

"Don't you see why Danny had no problem with giving you up?" That question struck a nerve, and I let out a strangled sob.

"You weren't worth it."

A cry left my lips and thus began the never-ending tears that cascaded down my bruised cheeks.  Sebastian took a step back, as if he were observing the damage he had caused. My cries intensified when a smirk danced across his lips, my eyes shutting from my pain.

A sickening twist in my abdomen made me let out a gurgling noise, and I began to choke. His movements were quick, and he pulled out his switchblade, easily cutting the ropes that bound me to the chair. My eyes bulged and my nails scratched desperately at my throat, attempting to dislodge whatever was stuck.

Once he stood me up, I hunched over, and made the familiar retching sound one would make after having one too many.

Only this time, crimson red blood splattered over the floor, joining the blood that had been shed during Sebastian's attack.

Wheezing sounds emitted from my mouth as blood trickled up my throat, causing me to gag painfully. A sharp jab in my back made me whimper and cry out. Sebastian reached out for me, his brows furrowed in concern. Even in the midst of all my agony, I bared my teeth against him and pushed him away.

His look of concern dropped and he narrowed his eyes at my actions. Taking another step closer, I stumbled away and into the wall behind myself. Earth shattering pain erupted around my back and my head, and my scream was blood curdling.

All around me, blood stained every surface. The once white room had been tainted-

Like me.

Despite his brutal beatings, it was never Sebastian's intention to break me down physically. His knew my weakness and used knifelike words to shatter my walls and break me emotionally and mentally.

Sebastian had won the battle; but the war had barely just begun.

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(Third Person)

Sebastian's footsteps echoed down the hallway as he walked towards the door. There was an avalanche of thoughts that buried his mind, and he was struggling to remain focused and concentrated.

Letting out a sigh, he pulled open the door.

A pale, sickly looking boy occupied the bed. His dark hair stuck to his forehead due to the sweat, and his face was twisted in misery.

"How do you feel?" Sebastian surprised even himself with his question. When the boy's eyes landed on him, Sebastian found himself staring down at his hands, his bruised fists reminding him of what he had just done.

Images of Evie, bloody and broken, flooded his mind.

Sebastian King wasn't one to regret his actions, but he had wished Evie hadn't run away in the first place. He was still yet to find out why she had, and it bothered him more that anything.

Sebastian couldn't figure Evelyn out.

It was why he was now standing before a complete stranger. This boy held secrets and knowledge that Sebastian wished to obtain.

"Why am I alive?" The boy croaked out, tearing Sebastian away from his thoughts.

Sebastian stared down at him, unsure of how to respond, or even if he should.

"You're Sebastian King. You take no prisoners." The boy continued, as if trying to further his point.

"I couldn't do that to Evie." Sebastian muttered. "Because for some god forsaken reason, she cares about you."

Harry chuckled before squeezing his eyes shut and letting out a groan of pain.

"She's really something, isn't she?" He stated knowingly. Harry's green eyes had clouded as he recounted the memories he shared with Evelyn Summers.

Sebastian nodded in agreement, he eyes analyzing Harry. Harry Edwards was nothing special- nothing that would explain why Evie cared so much for him, why she seemed to open up to him unlike anyone else.

"Evelyn Summers was my first."

Harry's words sent Sebastian into a state of temporary shock, because once he got over that, rage ignited within him.

"We were in love." Harry recalled, his eyes trained on the ceiling. "But it wasn't going to work out."

Sebastian stilled, waiting to hear more.

"See, Evie has this side to herself. It's rare and fleeting, and in the time I've known her, I've seen it few times." Harry spoke, now turning to face Sebastian.

"You came to me to try to understand her a little more, to hear about her from a different perspective."

Sebastian nodded his head, trying to not look so desperate as he did so.

"She does that to people." Harry spoke softly. "Evie has a way of drawing people in. She's a mystery. She is like a drug, and you're a deprived addict. The thought of her consumes your mind even when you don't want to think about her."

"She holds that power over anyone she meets- though she doesn't realize it."

Sebastian was now standing over Harry's bed, listening to all he had to say.

"You came to me for answers, when in fact, you may be the only person to ever get them from Evelyn Summers herself."

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A large piece of wood was embedded into my back.

When the chair had crashed into the ground, I vaguely remember hearing the splintering of wood, and unfortunately, my body paid the price.

After heaving up a considerable amount of blood, I collapsed. Sebastian had Callum call the gang doctor, and once he finished examining me, he concluded that I had internal damage, a concussion, and major bruising and swelling.

It wasn't the physical pain that had bothered me.

Once I woke up, I had decided that everything Sebastian had said was utter bullshit, and that I shouldn't care. But doubt, doubt is a manipulative bitch. It wasn't long before I found myself thinking about Danny, searching for my self-worth, and hating myself for every second that went by.

"Did you take your medication?" Mason's voice made tears spring to my eyes, and my shoulders shook pitifully as I held in my cries.

"Evie?" His voice was empty as he called out for my attention.

The pill had been pressed into the palm of my hand ever since Callum had come in to change my bandages. The glass of water lay untouched, the ice now melted and small beads of water trickling over the glass.

Mason sighed and walked over to me.

I was tangled in a thin sheet, curled up on the freezing wooden floor. I hadn't left the room once, maybe when I was unconscious, but as far as I knew, I been here for hours on end.

I flinched and shut my eyes when he crouched down to eye level. I held my breath in anticipation while silence surrounded the both of us.

My eyes remained shut as Mason pried open my hand and retrieved the pill. My lips formed a tight line when I felt him press the pill to my lips.

"Open," he urged.

I clenched my jaw in response, refusing to part my lips and accept the medication. For all I knew, it could be some drug that would end up slowly killing me.

"Evie, are you okay?" The smallest bit of worry leaked into his tone, and my lips began to tremble.

Mason easily pushed the pill into my mouth, tilting my head back and he poured some water into my mouth. I swallowed weakly, my eyes still shut. A whimper left my lips and I felt tears build up, my eyelids now working as dams.

I was overcome with a tsunami of emotions, and all I wanted to do was cry.

"Hey, hey," Mason whispered, his hands cupping my face, "You're okay."

How ignorant.

It's funny, really, how people can just tell you that you're okay, when in fact you are from it. My chest was aching painfully and I wanted tell release the storm that was brewing within me.

"You're okay."

No I'm not.

No I'm not.

No I'm not.

"No I'm not!" My shrill scream echoed throughout the room. I was breathing heavily while my heart took off, pounding against my ribcage. My eyes were now wide open, tears soaking my face.

My body shot upwards. Despite the mind blowing pain that came as a cost, I remained upright.

There was a crazed look in my eyes, my hair was tangled and my entire body bruised.

"I hate you! I hate you all!" I screamed, tripping over the blanket. Mason reached out for me, but I jerked away from him and collapsed onto the ground. Pain flared up over my body and my tears increased.

I was in hysterics.

Mason called out to someone, but I hadn't heard what he said. The sobs racked my small frame and I couldn't help but press myself up against the wall in hopes to disappear.

To escape from everything.

The second Sebastian entered the room; I let out a petrified scream.

I was no longer crying at this point.

Not crying, sobbing. A heart-wrenching sob that could make other's cry from just hearing something so heartbreaking.

Sebastian approached me, and once again, I found myself poised to attack.

"Stay away from me!" I screamed, slapping away his outstretched hands.

Sebastian sighed and glanced up at Mason and also Callum, who had just entered the room.

"Just give up Evie," Sebastian said, standing up.

The look he gave me made me feel inferior to him, and I despised that. Pushing my broken body off the floor, I stood in front of him.

"You son of a bitch." I snapped, "You're nothing but a piece of shit and I- I hate you. Did you think you could break me? Did you think you could actually make me crack?"

Bystanders would easily say judging from my state, Sebastian had already done just that.

But I refused to let him win.

Sebastian shook his head almost regretfully.

"No I didn't." He admitted to me, standing mere inches away. "That's why you should know that what happened to you wasn't your punishment."

That threw me off guard and I stared at him in confusion.

He took a step forwards, pressing me between his body and the wall.

"It was only just the beginning."

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