i see it all so clear

Gracie sat with her hands folded on her lap, staring at the carpet, having memorised the pattern by heart. Remaining close to Peyton, Gracie tried to stop her hands from visibly shaking, knowing that she didn't have much choice in the matter, but not wanting to anger the couple sat to her right, who were laughing and talking among themselves as if there was nothing wrong. Toying with her lower lip, Gracie exhaled heavily, too afraid to talk, too afraid to do much of anything, afraid of the consequence. Reaching over to gently offer Peyton her hand, Gracie went back to counting the dots littered across the carpet.

Luke groaned in frustration as they were told their luggage was delayed. "Great." He looked to Michael, Calum and Ashton with annoyance. "It's gonna be another hour or so." He told them. He knew it was beyond his control, but still, they had been on the road for six months and all Luke wanted to do was relax, get home, kick his feet up and spend a few days under the radar. Finding a place to sit, Luke collapsed into the chair, staring at the flight times, despite being safely home and on solid ground.

Calum sat next to Luke, relaxing in his chair as he studied people walking to and from terminals, his eyes scanning the people in the chairs when he came across an unusual family. Nudging Ashton, Calum silently hinted to them, wondering if his bandmate saw what he saw, or if he was over-analysing the situation.

Peyton couldn’t bring herself to lift her gaze, her heart aching nervously each time the couple laughed, always worrying that the laughter would stop and the anger would show. Spotting Gracie’s offered hand, she reached over, taking her hand gently as she tried not to think too much. She shifted uncomfortably, though, realizing she really had to go to the bathroom, but nervous about asking.

Michael frowned with the mention of it, making a face. “Really? Another hour?” he asked with surprise, though he sighed quietly. “So much for getting home early enough to relax for a while before night falls.” Shifting, he leaned back in his seat, his gaze running over the flight schedules for a few moments.

Ashton blinked when he felt Calum nudging him and he peered over before following his friend’s gaze. His brows furrowed as he leaned forward a bit, examining the sight, the two girls being barefoot and wearing clothes that were far too warm for the weather outside. “Guys,” he called quietly to the others.

Luke frowned in annoyance, looking to Ashton. "What, Ash?" He asked, unable to help his irritable state. It had been a long 48 hours of nothing but travelling, and Luke knew that jet lag was bound to catch up to him, sooner rather than later. Scrubbing a hand across his face, Luke raised his eyebrows at his band mate, waiting for him to explain himself.

Gracie squeezed Peyton's hand gently, shifting herself as she realised she hadn't gone to the bathroom in a while, and knowing that she'd have to go before their flights. Still, looking to their captors nervously, Gracie bit her lip. "E - Excuse me." She flinched slightly as the voices beside her stopped, and she swallowed the anxious lump in her throat. "Can Pey and I go to the bathroom?"

Jim, the girls' "father", tutted in annoyance with their question, looking to his wife, Arlene. "Fine." He spat angrily, not wanting the girls to waste their time. "If you try to run, we'll kill you." He warned lowly, knowing they were surrounded by people and anything could go wrong. "If you're not back in five minutes, we'll find you." He warned once more, his voice low, menacing.

Ashton arched a brow, rolling his eyes to Luke’s tone. “You know, as much as it sucks to have our baggage delayed, I’m thinking somebody in this airport has it worse than us,” he said quietly, discreetly motioning to the girls, “Like those two. Looks like something’s up.”

Michael arched a brow to Ashton’s words, curious to what he was talking about. When he looked over to where Ashton was motioning, though, he frowned, wondering what was going on. The girls were dressed in clothes that were far too warm for the weather outside, they weren’t wearing shoes, and they looked terrified. His gaze fell on one in particular, the one who’d been talking, and when he saw her flinch, he felt an unfamiliar surge of protectiveness surge through him, surprised with it, with the fact that he so desperately wanted to protect the gorgeous stranger.

Peyton gave Gracie’s hand a supportive, worried squeeze. She could feel her heart sinking with Jim’s words, though she knew she was too afraid of the couple to really try anything. Nodding slowly, she shifted to stand up, nervously tugging at Gracie’s hand, not wanting to waste time and make the couple angry.

Calum nodded along with Ashton’s words. Ashton was right, here they were, the four of them, complaining about their luggage being delayed when there were a lot more sinister going on. “We should follow, ask if they’re alright. Or at least grab some staff...”

Luke furrowed his eyebrows to Ashton’s words, looking over in the direction to which he hinted to, and a large surge of guilt flooded over Luke. “Shit,” he murmured. Both girls were wearing sweatshirts and sweatpants, baggy and far too warm for the sunshine. They were barefoot, and the look on their faces showed they were terrified, afraid of something that Luke couldn’t put his foot on. His gaze fell to the one who stood up, a beautiful young lady who looked as if she was about to burst into tears any moment, and Luke instantly felt the need to protect her. “Calum, Ashton, go and get a staff member.” He murmured. “We’ll go and follow.”

Gracie flinched as Peyton tugged her up, her ribs bruised, everything sore after the beatings she’d received. Still, she following Peyton as quickly as she could, not wanting to waste time and get told off. Following Peyton down the hall, Gracie tried not to let her panic get the better of her. “I’m so scared, Pey.” She whimpered.

Ashton listened quietly, watching the girls with concern, but he nodded with Luke’s words. “Right, we’ll be right back,” he said quietly, moving to stand up, motioning for Calum to folow before he led the way away, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, to avoid raising suspicion from the couple that were with the girls.

Michael watched for a moment, frowning slightly to himself as he took in the appearance of the girls, but he nodded, his gaze falling on the girl who’d been pulled up. His frown deepened when he saw Gracie flinch and he felt an immediate need to protect her, upset that she looked to be in pain, and he stood up quickly. “C’mon,” he told Luke quietly before he quickly moved to follow the pair, not wanting to approach them until they were out of sight from the couple.

Peyton nodded slowly when she heard Gracie’s words, chewing on her lip, wishing she could do something to help her friend. “I know,” she murmured quietly, reaching to squeeze Gracie’s hand gently. “We’ll get through this together, though.” She hoped so, anyways. They weren’t told any details on where they were going or what would happen - for all they knew, they could be separated, and she could feel her heart ache with the thought, not wanting to part from Gracie.

Calum followed Ashton to the information desk, keeping his voice quiet as he indicated to the couple, raising their cause for concern with the staff, knowing Ashton would back him up on his claims.

Luke watched as the girls disappeared, and he followed Michael's lead, following quickly, making sure that the couple were still distracted. Seeing they were, Luke quickened his pace, knowing that, depending on the action the airport wanted to take, they were on a time limit. "Hey." He called to the girls quietly, knowing he caught their attention. "Are uh, are you two okay?" He asked, looking to Michael for a better idea what to say, but Luke still focused on Peyton, unable to keep his gaze away from the beauty.

Gracie squeezed Peyton's hand reassuringly, but pulled her hand away after a long moment to wrap her arms around her ribs, knowing that was the only way she could ease the pain. Leaning against the wall, Gracie looked up as voices approached them, and she instantly tensed up, afraid that the couple had followed and had heard them, but when she saw two boys, Gracie looked to Peyton, a small spike of hope increasing in her chest.

Ashton nodded along to Calum’s words, confirming his friend’s words while also talking about his own concerns, and sharing the details he’d noticed about the girls and about the couple’s behavior.

Michael watched the girls with concern once they’d approached them, his gaze going more to Gracie before he shifted, stepping closer. “We’re just concerned,” he said gently, “If something’s going on, you can talk to us, I promise. We’ll help.” For a few moments, he examined her before he offered a weak smile, hoping to reassure her. “I’m Michael,” he told her softly, “So, if you’re averse to talking to strangers, there, we’re not strangers.”

Peyton peered over her shoulder with concern, panic building up within her when she heard the boys questioning them, and she couldn’t help but to peer around for the couple, worried that this was some sort of trick, an elaborate trap to see if they’d talk. Looking back to the boys, she shifted uncomfortably, chewing on her lip with mild uncertainty. “I don’t think we should talk to you,” she murmured eventually, ducking her head.

Calum exhaled with relief when the receptionist began to dial 999, and he turned to look at the couple, just the sight of him making an uncomfortable shiver creep up his spine. "I hope Michael and Luke hurry." He murmured.

Luke studied Peyton for a long moment, and he could see the worry behind her eyes, and he understood how elaborate this whole thing looked. "Listen to me," Luke kept his focus on Peyton, taking a slow step forward. "We saw you with your parents and we're worried about you." Luke kept his voice quiet, in case the couple overheard, or came to check on the girls and sneaked up behind them. "We can help you, but we can't help unless we know what's going on." Toying with his lower lip, Luke offered his hand to Peyton carefully. "I'm Luke. Like Michael said, we're not strangers anymore. "

Gracie blinked with Michael's words, studying him for a long moment for any sign of mistrust. Gracie was torn between spilling her guts or staying silent, and the decision wasn't easy. What if those god awful people had hired these boys to try and see if they would talk? Shifting foot to foot, Gracie took a deep breath. "Gracie. I'm Gracie." She introduced, looking to Peyton for some kind of indication of how much they should reveal. "We're uh," Gracie shrugged. "I don't know how to explain it."

“I’m sure they will,” Ashton assured with a nod, peering over to the couple discreetly, making sure they didn’t seem to catch on to anything.

Peyton listened to them quietly, shifting a bit, unsure, but watching Luke, she felt this overwhelming sense of safety, and she wanted to trust him, but she didn’t know where to start. Hearing Gracie’s words, she shook her head slightly. “I don’t either,” she murmured quietly, dropping her gaze as she chewed on her lip, “But I guess we start with the fact that they’re not our parents.”

Michael watched Gracie, wanting to help her, wanting to protect her, and he was trying to appear as calm and reassuring as possible, wanting Gracie to know that she was safe with them, that he would keep her safe, that he would protect her. “That’s okay, really, just take your time,” he said gently as he watched Gracie, not wanting to rush her in any way, but he blinked with Peyton’s words, his gaze never leaving Gracie. “If they’re not your parents, then who are they?”

"Am I being dramatic," Calum murmured to Ashton, leaning towards his friend to do so, eyes still firmly fixed on the couple that the girls had come with. "Or do they give you the creeps?"

Luke watched Peyton with protective eyes, not wanting to pull his gaze from her, not even for a split second. He needed to ensure that she was safe from whatever danger clearly loomed over her, like a storm cloud ready to burst with thunder at any moment. Listening to Peyton's words, Luke frowned, eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. "Peyton," Luke spoke softly as she dropped her gaze. "What do you mean?" Not their parents? It made sense, Peyton didn't look anything like the older couple she'd been with. "We need to tell someone, get you both out of here." Luke spoke firmly, but softly, not wanting to startle her.

Gracie tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear reluctantly, looking past Michael's shoulder to ensure that no one lingered behind him. Adjusting the sleeves of the sweatshirt she wore, Gracie's eyes met Michael, and she felt - she hoped - that she could trust him, because something within those soft green eyes pulled Gracie in. "Oh god," Gracie squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. "They're going to sell us!"

“No, they’re definitely creepy,” Ashton muttered with a frown.

Peyton chewed hard on her lip, shifting after Gracie explained the problem, but she looked up to Luke, blinking with surprise. “If they realize what’s going on, they’ll kill us,” she whispered, almost desperately, worried, terrified. She knew what they were capable of.

Michael blinked when Gracie explained what was going on, and his heart sank to the depths of his stomach, worried about her, about her safety, about what she had gone through, about the horrors she had experienced - about what she would have experienced if they hadn’t realized something was wrong. “We’re not gonna let that happen,” he promised her quietly, “You’re gonna be safe.”