Love, Lust, Murder Ella's point of view: Harry and I jumped with the crowd to 'Fire' by Kasabian. Drunken men were shouting the lyrics, sloshing their beer. I smiled, singing with Harry at the top of our lungs, until he stopped. His face moved intensely close to mine; so close I could smell the alcohol in his breath. Before I had chance to move away, his lips pushed into mine clumsily and his drunk, helpless body fell on me. My cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and anger as I struggled from underneath him. As I stood up to brush myself off, I bumped into a tall, muscular man. My boyfriend. Tom! "Tom, listen...please!" I screamed, tears streamed from my pleading eyes. I seized his sleeve firmly and stopped his escape. He whipped his head around and stared sharply at me through gritted teeth. I instantly released him, allowing him to disappear into the raucous crowd, out of sight. I was lost in a crowd of swinging arms and warm, intoxicated bodies. The booming festival speakers blared loudly, drowning out my heavy sobs. Slowly, I made my way through the extreme fans and out into the open air; my breath felt heavy in my hands. If only Tom knew the the truth. Tom's point of view: A small circle of chanting people crowded, clapping yand cheering at the circle's centre. I barged my way passed a group of rowdy, young teenagers to reach the scene. On the ground was a couple lying on each other, their lips locking passionately. Then the woman, blonde and slender, struggled to her feet into me so I could see her green eyes... Ella? "Tom, listen... Please!" She cried Tears of black makeup dribbled down her blushing cheeks. Her little hands gripped my sleeve, pulling me to her. The dainty fingers squeezing my wrist were freezing cold, sending chills up my arm. My eyes fixed on hers angrily, forcing her to let go like a hand in fire. I ripped myself from her gasp and stomped through the hysterical fans, cursing to the wind. A plastic beer cup cracked beneath my foot. I bought one, staring as the bubbles rose to the froth and settled, soon to relieve my stress like bubbles disappearing from my mind. After a few drinks I felt better. There was a beautiful woman sat next to me wearing a revealing top and shorts. Her long brown hair drifted around her eyes and trailed down her golden back. She looked at me, almost eagerly, with big brown eyes. "Two more please" She called in a sexy deep voice, smiling at me. Before I knew it she was behind me, her hands drifted slowly down my shirt. She kissed my neck softly sending tingles through me as her hair brushed my skin. Her lips dipped to my ear and whispered, "Remember me?" My heart froze. I caught the scent of her enchanting raspberry and cherry perfume. My Ex? Melissa? "But Melissa, I thought you'd never come back... I, um..." "Shhh" She placed her finger on my lips. "What dya say we get a hotel room?" My mind screamed Ella at me, but she cheated. Don't get mad, get even, right? Ella's point of view: I walked back to the festival campsite, freezing cold and torn. After unzipping our tent, and sliding my boots off, I crawled into my sleeping bag. The smooth velvety material felt ice cold against my body and my hair felt sticky with alcohol from my fall. My black eye makeup ran, darker than the blackness that pumped through my veins. I wished I could sink into that airbed, like feet in the sand. I wanted quicksand, or anything that could just swallow me up and stop this, this... mess. I bit my thumb, hard, releasing some of my tension. Nothing. Eventually, sleep saved me. Buzzz. My phone vibrated violently in my pocket. Who could be calling at this time? I reached out my phone and took the call. "Hello?" I murmured, half asleep. "Oi, you cheating bitch, having fun with Harry are you?" Spat Tom. My heart sank. "No, I was..." "Don't lie to me! I saw it all." I heard a feminine laugh beam across Tom's room. "Stay away from my man, you, you...err" Said the heavily drunk woman with slurred speech. They both had. "This is payback Ella, I hope you're happy!" Tom screamed into the phone then slammed it down. My #life instantly crumbled into a dark mess again, full of hatred and anger. The pain seared through my body making me feel weaker and more fragile than before. It felt as if a agonising weight had just been thrown on my shoulders. Thrown by Tom. I couldn't bare to hear his name in my broken mind. So I forced it out, begging myself to forget. The worst night if my #life lingered on with never-ending tears. "Erm, excuse me Miss? Is everything alright in there?" Said a low husky voice from outside the tent. I could see from his shadow that he was a strong, handsome man. Great, that was the last thing I needed. I tried to stay silent but the more I held in the emotion, the more it wanted to burst out. Until it did, in loud sobs. Shit. "Shhh, it's alright darlin'. I'm Liam from the green tent next door.” The zip whined as it slid up to reveal his beautiful face. He had a chiseled jaw jar line, carved by gods, and black hair that swept across his face. He sat next to me resting his big hand on arm. "I'm sorry, crying is not allowing within this tent” He laughed, wiping away a tear. "You know where I am if you need me love. Night" Tom's point of view: My head spun and pulsed violently. Every noise echoed through my throbbing mind, almost punching my skull aggressively. Covers felt soft and warm beneath me. Wait, covers? I opened my eyes slowly, seeing the empty vodka bottles on the bed side table; the truth came flooding back to me. I reached under the covers and grabbed my phone, squinting at the glow. 3 new messages. From Harry: Mate, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I was drunk! From Harry: It was all my fault, don't blame Ella. Tom, you've gotta believe me. From Harry. Forgive me man. Please, I'm sorry. Reply. I scribbled a letter to Melissa telling her I had 'made and a mistake and I was sorry'. I grabbed my stuff and ran down the hotel hall, slamming the door behind me. I ran as fast as I could, panting and heaving, all the way to the way our tent. I unzipped it, stepped inside quietly and crouched next to Ella. I stroked the hair out of her eyes revealing her puffy, black-smudged face. Her emerald eyes opened slowly then widened in anger. "Get out now!" She screamed, shrill to my throbbing senses. "But baby, wait, please” "I'm not your 'baby' anymore, cheater!" She quickly gathered her things and sped out of the tent, out of my sight. I knew I had lost her. Ella's point of view: It was 7:30pm and getting increasingly dark. Headlining bands were performing and drunken teenagers loitered the campsites. Where was I going to stay? Not with Tom in the tent, never. Maybe Liam? I snook carefully around Toms tent, and creeped up to the entrance of Liam's. I whispered carefully, "Shhh, Liam it's me, from last night. Can I come in?" "Sure" I saw the shadow of his large hands grip around the side of the tent and open the canvas flap. There he was again; strong jaw line, sweeping dark hair. He brushed a handsome flick out of his eyes and looked up at me with a sympathetic smile. I crawled in and took off my boots quietly. Once again, his large muscular hand rested on my leg and he looked straight into my eyes. "So, what's wrong... Erm, sorry I didn't catch your name." "I'm Ella. Sorry, I never introduced myself. To cut a long story short, my boyfriend cheated on me and... I really need a place to stay" "How could he do that to a beautiful girl like yourself. Sure, i'll make you a bed" He winked. My cheeks burned with embarrassment. Hours later, a spare bed was made and we lay down peacefully, listening to the live music in the distance. I let the situation mull in my mind but it only brought back pain. It was over with Tom, forever. I'm a single woman, free, lively. I thought to myself. I came here to have fun, right? The crowd roared with applause louder than ever before. I looked at Liam in amazement. Then we heard a guitar play, followed by a voice I distinctly recognised. It was The Arctic Monkeys singing 'Balaclava'. Our eyes both widened which only meant one thing. At once we leapt up from the beds and rushed to our shoes. "RUN!" I shouted hurling myself throughout the campsite followed by Liam. We grabbed a couple of beers on the way and walked into the mental crowd. People were screaming lyrics at the stage, transfixed. Finally my chance to let myself loose! I gripped Liam's hand and ducked through people, tugging him closer to the stage. The speakers vibrated the ground around us and rattled our ears. Time flew by in a wave of heat, noise and alcohol. Liam flung me up in the air and let me dangle, face to face. His eyes lit up with a smile that exposed cute dimples. When... SMACK! A hand whipped across his cheek forcing him to drop me instantly. It was Tom! He thrust a strong snarl at us with squinted eyes. "You stay away from Ella, she's MINE!" Tom snapped. Liam cushioned his red slap mark in agony, saying, "W-were just friends" The frown on Tom's face grew into a terrorising growl. He hurled himself upon Liam and started to fight. I agonised every single punch he threw, encouraging more blood my Liam's face. "STOP IT NOW" Blurted from my mouth. Nothing. I knocked Tom out with a swift punch to the temple. Liam seized my small hand tightly and dragged me back through the cheering crowd and past the stalls. We picked up the pace a little and eventually sprinted back to Liam's tent. Liam's poor face was drenched sweat, blood and cuts. I stroked him carefully with a wipe. He creased his face up in pain, letting out a hissing noise. He did this... For me? Ella's point of view: I slipped into my sleeping bag, brushing the silky material. Liam rustled beside me, shirtless, struggling into his. "I'm so sorry" I whimpered through tears. "Shhh, Ella. I'll be fine" He stroked down my neck gently, causing shivers. After that, I fell into a deep, intense sleep... -Melissa yanked my hair and dragged me to the hard ground. Many long, blonde strands were held tightly in her fisted hand. Tom loomed above me and slammed my head down hard in the mud; my head spun in pain. They sniggered to themselves, pointing and howling at me, their fingers large and threatening. Tom raised his foot above my neck and held it poised, building terrifying tension. "NO, NO, please!" I begged, "Ahhh!" I screamed as he crushed me in one swift stomp- I woke up, still screaming and panting. I felt a strong muscular body around me: Liam. He squeezed me into him tighter and delicately kissed the top of my head. I leaned back into his firm chest and pushed my eyelids closed, trying to stop the tears that inevitably burst. The dream consolidated my hatred for them and their taunting sniggers. It all felt so real to me, so traumatising. Liam rocked soothingly and relaxed me with a low, hypnotic hum. "Thank you..." "It's nothing" he denied, kissing my forehead again with soft, plump lips. It felt strangely passionate. I tilted my head back and caught the gaze of his chocolate-brown eyes. His lips edged slowly closer to mine and his eyelids closed. Our lips collided in a perfect explosion. I felt him smile as we pulled away. I think, I love him. Liam's point of view: She was so beautiful and it crushed me to see her in such a state. I empathised ever tear that rolled down her soft cheeks as if it were my own. We lay together for hours, with her head nestling into my chest. I felt the need to protect her from this 'Tom' who beat me. My body was still intensely sore, but no pain could ever feel worse than Ella's. I had to help her, I had to. I think, I love her. She got up from me and wiggled out of her sleeping bag. She got changed in a separate compartment then came back, brushing her long blonde waves. Her back arched and her head rose to sweep her hair into a loose bun. She looked at me with those gorgeous green eyes and waved her hand in front of my face. "What are you starin' at Lee?" "You" I whispered. She laughed and turned away from me, smiling. I put my hands around her waist and pulled her into me backwards. I moved the hair away from her neck and brushed my nose against the rim of her ear. I kissed her neck softly until she collapsed in fits of giggles into me. "Liam that tickles!" "Good" I replied lifting her off her feet and into my arms. She dangled there with her tiny hands around the back of my neck. It was perfect. Her eyes closed and I felt her push towards me. Our lips were only inches apart, when... "GET OFF HER NOW!" Tom yelled as he ripped through the tent with a pocket knife. Ella screamed and dropped from my arms. He edged closer to me, with every step increasing my heart rate. His knife gleamed at my throat. "Tom stop it!" Ella bawled through her hands. Tom took no notice and continued to poise the knife, threatening me. His head loomed close over mine. So close I could feel his breath against my sweating face. Ella was rustling about in my bag but I couldn't see. I couldn't move. "Stop or I'll do it" She shouted at Tom, brandishing my barbecue knife to her own chest. The horror struck Tom and he released me from the blade. "No, baby, don't" Tom said sternly. "Then get out!" Ella yelled pointing the knife at him. Tom aimed at another fearsome snarl at me, burst back through the canvas and stomped away. Ella instantly ran and flung her arms around me, crying pools of tears on my jumper. Her head pulled away and she put her hand on the left side of my chest. "Your heart is pounding Liam" "I just don't wanna lose you" I whispered. A tear escaped me. Ella's point of view: "Your heart is pounding Liam" I said, placing my hand on his chest. "I just don't wanna lose you" He replied calmly as he stroked my back. I could smell his strong cologne and It relaxed me. It was the way he held my waist tightly that made me feel safe and comfortable, almost like I'd known him for years. We stayed firmly against each other for minutes just soaking up the realisation of what happened. The thought of the knife gleaming at Liam, as if to tell him, "Get ready" caused more tears to pour from my eyes. The thought of Liam being hurt terrified me; obviously to the extent of sacrifice. "What are we going to do today?" I asked, trying to keep emotionally stable. "Anything you want sweet heart" "A beer would be nice." "Course, drinks on me" he smiled and cupped his large hand into mine perfectly. We slipped on our shoes and trudged through the campsite. The clouds loomed over in a dull white sky; it matched my mood exactly. Liam's point of view: Her hand felt so small inside mine. So soft, so delicate. Just like the way she looked in my view; like a drowning petal. Her fragile soul needed to be protected somehow, by me. We finally reached the beer stall. "Two please" I asked the server, a woman, who had long brown hair and smelt like raspberry and cherry perfume. My mind wandered to Ella, who was holding her head in her hands. I wondered.., What really happened with this, Tom? "Ella" I moved away her dangling hair "You know, you've never really told me what happened to you. The full story." I asked calmly. With a sigh she told me everything. About the night with Harry and the spiteful phone call with Melissa. Every word explained more horror, pain and Ella's distress. To the extent that she broke down crying into crossed arms. "Ella, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to" I hopped off my stool and hugged her body that was in a heap on the stand. Who could ever do something like that to her? We finished the drinks and I payed. Snow Patrol were playing but we just weren't in the mood, so we headed back up to the tent. On a closer look, I noticed dark bags had formed under her eyes and her shoulders hunched wearily, bouncing with ever heavy footstep. I lowered my self in front of her and offered her my back. I felt two hands grip my shoulders than her legs whip around my hips. I held her thighs onto of my arms and walked up the hill to our tent. As we were reaching the end, her chest pressed against my back and side of her head rested in the back of my neck. Her slow rolling tears trickled down my cotton t-shirt. It was under unfortunate circumstances but it was the level of intimacy I had craved with her. As I lay in my sleeping bag my body felt extremely heavy. So heavy that I wanted to sink into the warm depths of my bed. Was the beer drugged? Oh well, i was too exhausted to think straight. Soon enough my weary eyelids closed in a black sleepy blur. Ella's point of view: "LIAM! LIAM!" I screamed as two strong hands gripped my waist and dragged me out of the tent, kicking. Liam was oblivious; not once did he even batter an eyelid! I resisted against the powerful hands but they clenched, scratching hard nails deep into my skin. I yelled a sound soon trapped by a hand, tight across my mouth. "Shut it!" I heard, freezing abruptly, for that was the sound of... Tom. "Do what I say or he gets it. Got that?" He said, pointing at a motionless Liam. I nodded out of sheer terror. I was defenceless, just a mere ant under his feet. The cold whipped my face out in the open and coarse gravel crunched between my bare toes. Toms hands released my waist then found my thin wrist to squeeze. The grip tightened every time I pulled away until I felt numb. "Where are you taking me?" I cried quietly. "I told you to shut it!" He growled before slapping my red cheek violently. After then my vision seemed hazy. I woke up sat in a solid wooden chair surrounded by the darkness of a rotten blindfold. My raw, aching wrists were once again bound, this time by a thin rope behind the chair. As I remembered the incident I felt my heart thud faster against my rib cage. There was no escape. "Tom? Where are you?" I screeched impatiently. Footsteps grew louder towards me and stopped as I felt the air brush past. Without a word I felt Tom lower to my level and rest a hand in my thigh. I struggled away from him but the more I did, the more restricted I felt. He ran his finger slowly across my collar bone and forced his lips against mine. My mouth shut tightly and resisted his: bad idea. He dug two sharp nails into my right arms and pressed deeply. My eyes winced tightly under the blindfold due to the searing pain. I began to kiss him back and the nipping stopped. His kiss was rough and strong, unlike Liam who's lips felt like silk. I missed him. How could he have not woken up to my screams? That beer must have drugged. Tom distinctively smelt of raspberry and cherry perfume like the women who served our beer. There must be a link, somehow. Liam's point of view: As I woke, the sun rays beamed into my sore eyes and the ground seemed to circle. It was now 30. Never had I slept in for that long before. My hand reached out for Ella but... She wasn't there! I conjured my only strength and lifted myself to stand. Her converses still lay be the entrance, untouched. Where would she go without shoes? Tom. The intense curiosity led me to his tent, stepping warily. Silence. Only a single sheet of paper flickered under a heavy, leather bag. My fingers trembled as I straightened it and read. [-I knew you'd come here to look for me. Well, guess what, she's mine! Come to room 24 in the Ram's head hotel. Sacrifice yourself to me or... Well, you'll have to guess the rest. See you in hell-] Ella's point of view: I heard the screech of Tom slicing knives together to sharpen them. What was he planning? He pulled my blindfold off, exposing a dark, plain hotel room. "I want you to see this" He laughed to himself, still sharpening. The blindfold, now across my forehead, soaked up the salty sweat that rapidly escaped my body. The rise and fall of my chest with breathing was uneven and rushed. "I'm just waiting for your 'precious boy'." He mimicked with a snarl. Footsteps pounding the hall outside the room. Tom instantly ran behind the door and brandished the gleaming knife. "Ella! Ella?" Liam shouted as he burst through. "Liam. Noo..." I screamed but it was too late. The knife had already pierced Liam's skin and sunken deep into the flesh. His hands cupped his left side where the injury spewed blood and drained into the carpet. Liam's expression turned to a powerful frustration. He thrust his hand in the air and blood splattered into Tom's eyes. "Ahh!" He hissed, dropping the knife to rub his eye. Liam instantly kneed Tom in the nose, sending him to the floor, and took the dripping knife. He dragged him to the bathroom and dropped the body into the shower, with a painful struggle. He tied Tom's wrist behind his back with the shower rope, so tightly escape with impossible. He came to me. "Are you ok?" He asked, leaning on my chair in agony. I nodded, for words would not come easily. My wrists were untied and I instantly fell into Liam's arms. "Ow!" He screamed as my blood-soaked jacket brushed the cut. "Police...quick!" Several agonising minutes passed, just waiting and waiting, anxiously. I lightly kissed around his deep slash mark. He didn't say a word, just sat, tears rolled slowly. I rested my head in his lap and shut my weary eyes. Until, BANG. The door flew open and a swarm of police rushed in. Liam's POV: A constant beep echoed through my head; it turned my limp heart beat into a throbbing siren. Ella's precious little hands caressed one of mine that was laid helplessly on the crisp white sheets. My head quietly rustled the pillow. "Liam, Liam?" She questioned with fear as she shook my arm softly. "Liam, baby, are you awake?" Light rushed through my open eyelids and I saw her above me. "Ella. What happened?" I said, lifting myself to sit. A nurse rushed over and lay me back down. "I'm afraid you were in a coma after suffering severe cut wounds, sir" My sore body felt restricted by rough bandages. The injury threatened my every movement with the consequence of an intense pain; comparable to the stab itself. She leant into me, but not too hard, and rested. I could feel her lungs jittering with short gasps as she sobbed into the covers. I placed my hand at the crook of her neck and squeezed gently. Her grip on the sheets loosed and she looked into my eyes, that were watering at the sight. "I was petrified to lose you. Tom is in prison Liam, we won the court case!" She smiled through tears. Ella's POV: I stared into his open eyes for the first time since the stabbing, when blue and yellow pulsing lights reflected in glossy tears. I immediately kissed his lips and ran my fingers gently through his fluffy hair. The moment brought tears of immense happiness that flooded any thoughts of pain. Months passed and mine and Liam's bond became tighter. We were dining at our favourite restaurant 'dine dans rouge' when his large muscular hands reached for mine. I noticed, under his dark sweeping hair, his creasing eyes expressed a smile. Out of his jacket pocket, he took something small into his fist and stared at it as if it were made of gold. Slowly, he placed it in the centre of my palm, a cold, hard object. I anticipated as his hand moved to reveal it. A key, gleaming under bright chandelier lights. "Liam!" I screamed, throwing my arms around his back and rubbing the soft jacket material. "Cheers to the new apartment. New #life, new us" Liam toasted. Our champagne glassed chimed together, marking the beautiful beginning.