II

Disclaimer: I don't own anything in Austin and Ally.


Death. It consumes everyone around us and sucks us all into its dark abyss. It's never pretty, and I sure as hell don't like staring it in its eyes. But I chose this life, so, I guess, in a way, it's my fault.

"Clean it up," Austin demanded, running a hand through his bleach blond hair.

Three men huffed out their responses and began to douse a bloodied body in oil. Austin watched with blank eyes and sniffed, before spitting on the ground. He stuffed his hand into his pocket and wiped the blood off the other one. He peered up at the ceiling as the smell of burning flesh graced his nose.

He almost gagged.

But instead, he sighed, thinking about his boss' daughter. He looked back down at the burning body and chuckled. She was a different one. So cold and stubborn. Hell, instead of being frustrated, Austin was intrigued. She hated everyone living in that house; it was hard to believe Dawson actually wanted her to live with him.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when the sound of sirens wailed loudly. Austin chuckled and looked towards the door as men in black bust through. Their eyes were filled with fear as they looked at them. "Get 'em, boys," Austin whispered almost eerily.


Ally looked at the school that she was standing in with her step-mother. Jessica smiled gently at the teen, only to receive an angry huff as Ally crossed her arms over her chest. In the quietness of the hall, and out of nowhere, some guy began wolf whistling at the fact her breasts were now popping out. She unfolded one arm and flipped him off. Instead of being offended, he made a crude gesture with his hips her way. Ally fisted her hands, wanting to punch him, but then, out of nowhere, he tensed and froze, looking behind her.

Being the generally curious person she is, she looked behind herself, and then, groaned. There, standing in all his annoying grace, was Austin. Her urge to punch him increased and she huffed. "Jackass," he murmured lowly. He turned to face her and Jessica. "Morning, Ladies. Lester couldn't be here, so he requested that I come."

Ally rolled her eyes and Jessica beamed. "Oh, that's just fine, Austin!" She looked him up and down, nodding in approval. "Good, good. You cleaned yourself up. That's fantastic. I heard about your–" She glanced at Ally and the girl snorted.

"I'll leave, if that's what you want. I personally don't care about your 'jobs'," she stated sarcastically.

Jessica nodded quickly and Ally rolled her eyes in disgust, walking away from them. She looked back, feeling intense eyes on her and flipped Austin the bird. He chuckled silently and she rolled her eyes, again, and moved faster. "Stupid gangsters." She paused, standing in the middle of the unfamiliar school. "Or whatever Lester happens to be running again," she stated out loud.

"Lester Dawson? The chief of police and the man that runs the town's mob?" someone questioned.

She looked behind her and gave an exasperated look to a random female. She had caramel skin and dark brown eyes, full with curiosity. "Yes," Ally drawled out sarcastically.

The girl was wearing a short summer dress, her feet adorned in a pair of black and gold sandals. Ally scowled at her and raised a brow. "Oh… cool! Your eyebrow was pierced before?" the girl questioned. "Why'd you take it–?"

Ally smirked, knowing the question already. "I didn't take it out, it got ripped out… hence the scar," she sneered, pointing at the small scar. "Fights, man, they can get so violent."

The girl gulped and a look of fear ran through her eyes before it was replaced by confidence. "Oh… that's… interesting…"

An awkward silence took over them before the bubbly girl began to speak again. "So, how do you know Lester? He's really dangerous, especially his second in command, Austin–"

"You talk too much," a voice hissed dangerously.

The girl tensed and gulped slowly. She turned on her heel slowly and found herself looking into Austin dark and angry eyes. She yelped and scurried away faster than Ally had ever seen someone move. The dangerous look on Austin's face dissipated into a look of complete ease. "You're annoying," Ally stated in boredom. "Where's the peppy bitch?"

Austin's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Jessica went home, Ally." He paused, taking in her look of absolute dislike. "Why do you hate us so much?"

Ally laughed, a cold and sarcastic laugh. "Why, you ask? Because, because, Lester went and fucked my mother, knocked her up and then abandoned her. That's why. You guys are nothing but assholes. And I hate Miami," she snarled. "Show me to the office. The faster we get there, the faster you leave me alone."

"And here you are, Ms. Dawson. I hope you have a fantastic–"

"Shove it up your pie hole," Ally hissed, snatching her schedule and other stuff from the office woman.

The white haired woman's mouth dropped open in shock as she watched the younger female storm off from the office. She looked at Austin, who laughed nervously and shook his head. "She's just a little… prissy. Woke up on the wrong side of the bed," he murmured, following Ally's retreating figure.

The old lady nodded, feeling shocked and numb. "O – Okay," she muttered in disbelief.

"Ally!" Austin yelled, grabbing her wrist. "Where are you going?"

He pointed to the double doors that had the bright red word EXIT flashing at them. Ally turned around and gave him a blank look. "Not to class, I can give you that much," she told him in an eerie voice.

Austin shivered a bit, but recollected himself and grabbed her schedule in one swift motion. "HEY! Give that back!"

He eyes quickly looked over the piece of paper and then, he grabbed her arm, dragging her away from the doors. "Room 109 is just down this hall." Ally eyed the back of his blond hair weirdly. "Ah, I remember the good ole days here. Want to–"

"Leave? Do you want to leave?" Ally snapped.

Austin halted in the hall and Ally glared at him darkly. "You have issues," he whispered.

Ally raised a brow. "Really? I was not aware. Can you give me the list of issues I have?" she questioned him.

Slowly, he let her go and turned around. As soon as he was facing her, her small fist collided with his nose and he felt his body being swept out from underneath him. Rapid footsteps moved away from him as he tried to regain complete consciousness of his body. Dammit, she is smarter than I give her credit for.


"Gone? As in, you have no idea where she is?" Lester asked Austin, his voice no more than a hushed whisper.

Austin nodded and sighed. "Yes, Sir. She took me completely by surprise and knocked me flat on my ass." Lester's eyes widened in shock. "She is a fighter, as it seems to be, Sir."

Lester rubbed his chin in thought and sighed. Ally… "She… took you down? My best fighter?" he questioned.

Austin smiled sardonically and nodded. "It would appear so." He rubbed his nose gingerly. "And she can throw a punch," he muttered darkly.

Lester eyed the younger man's bruising nose and looked to his exasperated wife. Jessica rubbed her temples and opened her mouth to speak, but was shocked by the sound of the door opening and closing loudly. Lester rose to his feet and marched out of his office to yell at his icicle of a daughter. "Ally Marie–"

She looked up at him, eyes red and goofy smile on her lips. "Daddy?" she slurred. She swayed as she walked towards them. "I hate you."

Austin's eyes widened as the smell of alcohol and weed radiated off her. "A –Ally?" Jessica whispered in shock.

Ally laughed and everyone looked frightened. "I do not like–" She burped loudly and smirked. "–any of you."

She pushed past them and staggered away to her bedroom, bumping in to things in her path. Austin snapped out of his shocked stupor and sighed. "I guess her problems are bigger than we expected."


Penny kissed the top of Ally's head and hugged her tightly as she cried. "Oh Ally, I have no idea…" she trailed off, hugging her tighter to her person.

Ally swept softly into her mother's bosom as she looked upon the caskets of her dead friend and boyfriend. Dear goodness, how it hurt so much. She felt like her chest was being squeezed painfully and breathing was becoming harder. Worst of all, she wanted to die. "T – They didn't deserve this, mom. They were only f – fifteen. Oh, Annie, she was so h – happy."

Her mother hugged her a little more tightly. "Where is Adelaine?" she questioned.

Ally's heart stopped beating for a mere second. The name of her best friend floated all around her and slapped her across the face. She has blamed herself. Adelaine had blamed herself. But, it was not her fault. Ally knew it was not. Adelaine blamed herself and it only made Ally's chest squeeze tighter.


Eyes fluttered open as the sound of someone pounding against the door became too loud to ignore. Ally groggily raised a hand and ran it through her hair, grimacing at the amount of grease in it. She rested her head some more, hoping that the person would just leave. I have a headache the size of a crater, she thought miserably. That weed was laced with something.

The pound continued to proceed and Ally looked to the door, glowering darkly at it. "Go 'way," she said through muddled speech.

The pounding stopped and then, her door was kicked open. She groaned as Lester walked in with Jessica, both looking as furious as ever. "Yes?" Ally muttered.

Lester glared sharply at her. "You, young lady, are grounded. I need your phone and laptop."

She shrugged and waved her hand towards her desk on the other side of the room. "O'er there. Now, leave, I have a splitting headache," she mumbled.

Jessica tapped her foot against the ground as Lester went to collect her electronics. "Weed and vodka, Ally? You are seventeen! You are a minor!" she screeched as Lester left the room.

Ally waved her off and Jessica huffed angrily. "Do you think this is a joke, Ally? We begged and pleaded to have you move up here and the twins had wanted to meet–"

"Fantastic! I do not care! Now get out!" Ally screamed.

Jessica blinked back tears and backed away, looking at the damaged door. "You are hurting and I worry. That is all. Please, let someone–"

"Get out before I make you want to leave," a low, threatening whisper slipped through Ally's mouth.

Jessica pursed her lips and nodded, quickly making her way out of the room. Ally sighed and relaxed, looking toward the bathroom. I have more. It would not hurt to– "You really are damaging yourself. Not even I have touched a lick of drugs in my life," Austin's voice floated through her room.

She groaned. He was just the last person she wanted to hear from. "Is that so? I think it is safe to say weed never hurt no one. And it is not like I am shooting heroin and snorting cocaine anymore," she said.

Austin shook his head and walked toward the window, sitting on the couch where she was. "You did heroin and cocaine? Why?" he asked.

Ally looked at him and huffed. Why was he so curious about her? She did not even want to be here. "That does not concern you."

"Who is Adelaine?"

Her head snapped at him and she paled considerably. Austin's mouth dropped open. "What the fuck?" she whispered, panic taking over her face. "Where did –"

"You whispered her name in your sleep and said that it was your fault and not hers! I swear!" he said, raising his hands in defense.

Ally pursed her lips tightly and glared at him. Austin chuckled lowly, before it turned into loud laughs. Ally dropped her glare and gave him a weird look. She watched him clutch his stomach and wipe away tears that were falling from his eyes. "Oh, that was awesome. When you purse your lips and glare, you look like a child." Ally huffed and flipped him off. He quickly walked over to her and grabbed her finger, giving it a small kiss. "It was cute, nonetheless."

He winked at her and Ally felt something rising within her, and she had no idea if it were anger or something else.

She had blushed and Austin's eyes widen with shock. One hand reached out and squeezed her cheeks, looking at them in amazement. He ended up laughing once again. Tears swelled up in his eyes and he fell back on his butt. Ally sneered at his laughing form on the ground. "What is your problem?" she growled.

Austin stood up in mid-laughter and began walking to her front door. "You look so sexy when you blush," he said in between laughter.

Ally scowled and watched him leave through her damaged bedroom door. What an idiot, she thought.


"Ally, your mom is on the phone!" she heard Lester yell.

Her snapped up from her pillow and groaned. Great, more people yelling at me, she thought miserably.

She slowly dragged her body off her bed and downstairs into the kitchen, where Lester was waving the phone impatiently. She gave him a dark look and swiped the phone from his hands, leaving him in a spluttering mess. "Yes?" she drawled sarcastically, "No, wait. I know how this conversation is going to go." She cleared her throat and smirked. "'Ally, how could you? You had alcohol and weed taken together? I sent you to Miami to get better and to –"

"How could you?" she mom whispered, voice thick with sadness. Ally's heart stopped and guilt filled her heart within seconds. "I do not care about you being disrespectful to Lester or his wife and friends, but your siblings, half or not, I do care about. And then, you drink vodka and smoke weed, right after we agreed that you would stay sober. It hurts me, especially when you ditch school to do all of this." Her mom sniffled and Ally casted her gaze to the ground. "All I ask is that you go to school, for you to respect your siblings and not do any form of drugs. It breaks my heart when you–"

More sniffles were heard and Ally felt her heart break even more. "But mom, I do not–"

"Please, Ally. Please do it for me, your mother." More protests tried to slip out of Ally's mouth. "No. I refuse to hear your protests. If you do what you did today any other day, I swear I will only call for updates on you from Lester and Jessica and refuse to talk to you."

Ally sighed and nodded. "Okay, I will. Just ... do not do that, I need to hear your voice, mom. I promise. I swear."

Penny sighed and thanked Ally before saying her goodbyes and hanging up. Ally sighed and dropped the phone back into Lester's awaiting palm. "What did she say for you to do?" he asked.

Ally gave him a dark glare and stormed back into her room. She would listen to her mom. That was guaranteed. However, respecting others might not come as easy as her mom would like.


Whoa. Okay, I apologise. I went through a phase of depression throughout the current year so far and lost interest in writing, reading and basically everything, except for cooking. I should have notified you guys, but I was way too upset to do anything.

Instead of updating, I would sit at home (I skipped school quite often, probably one to three weeks per month), and watch animes (mostly Fairy Tail). Of course, that hardly curbed my depression, but eventually, I started to realise how much I was letting the depression take over my life and decided to try to curb it by slowing getting back into reading and going outside more.

It worked; however, I still got no inspiration for writing. So, one day, I opened my email up (after several weeks of not doing so) and got a review that made me feel really bad (if they are reading this, I did explain how it made feel), but it also encouraged me to open the stories.

I wrote one thing and damn. I could not stop writing the rest of this chapter. I apologise deeply.

Anyways, if anyone is still reading, stay tuned. Dez and Trish make an appearance next chapter.

HollowedLover1379