"The biggest coward of a man is to awaken the love of a woman with no intention of loving her."
- Bob Marley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm watching the TV with Mr T.

Adele and Derrick might come back from their night out at any minute so I'm keeping the volume low so that I can listen out for them.

Matthews mother always used to put the TV on, I mean constantly. It never really interested me, I couldn't understand half of what was happening on the screen and I'm still not sure if it's real or not. She would put it on then leave Matthew alone in the room for hours on end. He never really watched it though because as soon as she'd left the room we'd continue playing whatever game we were in the middle of. That's one of the things that's always played on my mind. He was only 4 when he left... I hope at their new house she didn't just leave him alone like that.

It was different then though. There were only 4 channels and they were always so boring. Now though, there seems to be hundreds of choices, I don't know how I'll ever find what I'm looking for.

I stop on a channel called Playful adults. Maybe this will be it.

Suddenly the screen is filled with a woman in her underwear, biting her lip as she gyrates to some loud music.

Crap.

I feel flustered and drop the remote, scrambling to grab it and avoiding looking at the screen.

What is she doing? Why is she dancing round with no clothes on?

I can't understand why anyone would want to watch this.

I quickly load up the channels and scroll through, trying to ignore the tiny screen in the top right hand corner where the woman is now peeling off her bra. Just before she pulls it off entirely I spot what I'm looking for.

Spongebob Squarepants.

The program that Lola-Rose loved so much. I turn it on with relief, just before the lady in the corner becomes entirely indecent.

I watch the screen, confused. It's brightly coloured but it makes no sense. When Patrick, Lola's favourite character, comes on screen I sit shift to sit forward and Mr T meows moodily at my sudden movement.

I can't understand what caught Lolas fascination with all this though. It's so bizarre.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I laugh loudly as Plankton is kicked out of the Krusty Krab again. I'm 7 episodes in and I kind of get it now, it's hilarious. I don't understand many of the things on screen but I can't stop watching.

The front door clicks.

I quickly turn the TV off.

Adele and Derrick make their way into the kitchen and I appear in there, stood a safe distance from both of them.

"Did you enjoy it then?" Derrick sways slightly, obviously a bit drunk. His voice is dripping with saracasm and Adele's hands shake slightly as she pours the coffee.

"Yes, it was lovely. I can't believe Zayn and Perrie are engaged." She smiles wistfully.

"I bet you think it's your turn next." Derrick laughs, as if this seems hilarious to him.

"No, I just-"

"See the thing is Adele," he cuts her off as if she hasn't spoken "Perrie is beautiful, she's funny, self assured, she doesn't say stupid fucking things..." He pauses and Adele hangs her head.

Derrick is grinning with relish at Adele's reaction.

"She's classy." He continues. "It's no wonder he wants to marry her. I mean, she's got the full package, everything a man wants in a woman. She's not some needy little girl who grew up in a care home and desperately needs someone to love her." He smiles maliciously, taking pleasure in the moment. Adele physically cringes from his words and I appear between them, as if that'll stop them reaching her.

Stop it you absolute bastard

"There you are." She places the coffee in front of him with a tremulous smile.

He frowns at it.

"I don't want this." He pushes it away roughly and grabs a bottle of red wine from the side. "What was I saying anyway? Oh yeah... See the difference with Perrie and Zayn and, say... me and you... is that Zayn isn't lumbered with Perrie. She enhances him, she-"

"No one is forcing you to be with me Derrick." Adele says quietly.

Both me and him look at her in surprise. She never answers him back. Usually she just accepts these rants without question.

"I mean, if I'm that bad, if I don't compare to anyone else... There isn't much I can do about it. I can't ever be more than what I am and if that's not good enough for you... Well I can't change it." Her voice is still soft but there's a fire in her eyes.

She's finally had enough.

You tell him Adele

I grin and give Derrick the finger, wishing that he could see me.

Derricks handsome face twists into an ugly scowl.

"Who the hell do you think you're talking to?" He stands up and walks towards her, swaying slightly.

"Just leave Derrick." She sighs, closing her eyes. "It's not working. I just can't take anymore. I'll never be what you want me to be because nothing will ever be good enough for you will it? Just go. Get out."

Panic flashes across his face at the determination in her voice.

I know what it is, I can read him like a book. He's a sad little man who needs someone to vent all of his frustrations at his pathetic life on.

You picked the wrong girl pal

I laugh, winking at him.

His hand moves so quickly that I barely see the action until Adele's laid on the floor clutching her face.

"You need me... Who would ever want you? Look at the state of you!" He hisses.

I'm in shock, I can't move.

Adele's sobbing, barely able to breath with shock. She looks up at him, fear in her blue eyes.

"D-Derrick... P-Please..." She whispers.

"P-Please what?!" He snorts. "You push me to it Adele! I try so GODDAMN hard to patient with you!" He kicks her hard and she whimpers as she shuffles away from him.

In all of my 300 years in this house, watching the pain, loves and losses of all of the inhabitants, I've never seen anything as brutal as this.

How can he?

How can he hurt her like this?

As he lands another hit on her, I flinch away, I wish I could take the pain for her.

I look round frantically, wondering what to do, when I spot a heavy brass ornament on the shelf behind him.

I block out the scene next to me as I make it rise off the shelf. Adele whimpers under another hit and it distracts me.

I can't focus on that... I need to stop him. I'll make it hit the back of his head, knock him out.

The ornament shakes slightly and I focus on it fully. It lifts easily into the air and flies towards Derricks head.

Suddenly it drops in mid air. Derrick jumps, spinning round and looking at the object in confusion.

I feel restrained, as if I'm suddenly wearing a strait jacket, I can't move at all. I fight against it until I realise, I recognise the energy.

I can feel what's holding me back....

It's Harry.

Harry! Why are you doing this?!

I look at where Adele is curled up, bruised and weeping on the floor.

Let me help her! Please! For the love of god Harry!

I struggle against it but it's no use. I can't move. Why is he doing this? How can he let it happen? All I can do is stare down at her with tears pouring down my face.

Please....

My voice sounds feeble. The scene in front of me seems to go in slow motion. It seems to last longer than the entire three centuries that I've lived here.

She needs me.

But I physically can't move, I can't help her.

Suddenly there's a banging at the front door. I can here a commotion of voices and Harry's grip on me loosens. I can move again but Derrick has stopped now:

"This is Officer Payne." A voice booms through the door. "Open the door now.. Otherwise we'll break it down..."

I'm not aware of anything.

Not Derricks panicked, drunken stagger to the window... The sound of the wood splintering on the front door... Voices filling the flat...

I just kneel beside Adele's bruised body.

I'm here baby

Her eyelashes flutter.

I'm so, so sorry. I tried so hard to keep you safe

Two policemen run into the room, one cuffs Derrick and the other kneels beside Adele, speaking gently.

"Ok sweetheart, you're safe now..."

I tried to protect you

"I'm Liam... You're going to be safe now. We've got him...."

I'm so sorry

She opens her eyes and I look right into them, my heart twisting at the fear and pain written in them.

I love you Adele

Tears run down my face as the policeman gently holds her hand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AN- I'm dedicating this chapter too @Nouis_Sugg Thanks to everyone who's reading though, I know updates have been slow recently but they will pick up now.

Please remember to vote/comment and let me know what you think!

Does anyone have any theories or anything as to why Louis is in the house btw? I'm just curious!