Chapter Six

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot and characters.

Summary:

She was a calm and peaceful female kidnapped by him. He was a ruthless killer that didn't care for anyone. No matter how much she tried to run, she'd always be his beauty and he'd be her sadistic beast.

Her gaze was hard and angry as she gazed down at Ally. Personally, Ally felt intimidated by the dirty blonde before her. She had narrowed eyes and a steely glare. Her hands were placed on her hips in a matter that she was in high authority and she could do anything to the unsuspecting brunette. Her lips were raised into a scowl, as if Ally's very presence disgusted her.

Feeling a bit intimidated by the probable other women, Ally moved her gaze to the ground. Why'd she have to be just as intimidating as Austin? Couldn't she have been… nicer, at least? Ally gasped in shock and backed away from her slowly. "Oh no, I killed your father?" she gasped out.

The female's face went from angry to shock in less than a second, just before twisting in confusion. Ally tried to stand up, but she felt weak from passing out late last night. "Our father and mother died back when Austin was kidnapped by those bandits… you look too… young." Now it was Ally's turn to be confused, Austin's parents were killed? He had told her that she had killed his own father, how was that even possible? Seeing the confusion etched onto the younger female's face, she explained further. "I was only five, and Austin was only about three weeks old when it happened. Austin knows who I am, but at the same time, he doesn't, if you understand." Ally nodded, she understood. Austin knew her as a person and they were probably close, but he doesn't know that they're related.

The girl sighed and walked over to her brother, kneeling before his unconscious form. "We can take him back to my place. Boys, let's get going." She stood up again and began walking, only to look back at Ally. "Aren't you coming or are you going to stay there and look stupid all day?"

It didn't take Ally long to realize this girl was pretty ill-mannered. Her posture and tone of voice rang ill-mannered from left to right. Shaking her head slowly, the girl scowled. Ally didn't understand, she had refused to go with her, shouldn't she be happy? Plus, she had enough of being around such an ill-tempered being. The girl's scowled faded and she huffed, walking off.

Ally sighed and lay in the sand, watching the men carry Austin off. She wanted to escape, but she felt the compelling need to stay. But why did she want to stay?

Austin had woken up to the sound of cackling fire. He groaned in pain and slowly opened his eyes. He found himself in an unfamiliar hut with the smell of stew wafting around. He felt like he was in a dream, waiting to be awoken. But then, his stomach growled and he realized he was still living. He looked to the ceiling. I'm alive? Shit, I thought I was a goner. He closed his eyes, but opened them in a split second, sitting up straight. He winced and grabbed his ribs, finally looking down. They were a dark purple and sort of black. The fall had caused some damage to his body.

Ignoring his injuries, Austin tried to stand up to move. He needed to find Ally. He couldn't afford to have her escape again. He grabbed a hold of the wall and tried standing once. Just his luck, he fell on his ass and he began swearing like a sailor. He was too damn weak for this shit. "Austin, you're awake?"

The voice alone was enough to make him glare at the person. She flinched and looked at her feet. She looked unharmed, which made Austin take a breath of relief, and her arm seemed to be healing nicely, since it had no thick cast anymore. She looked up at him and turned to look out into the hall. She yelled for someone, and fast racing footsteps ran towards the room he was in.

In flew a dirty blonde female and she stormed over to him, slapping him hard across the face. Austin gritted his teeth in anger and kindly thanked himself that he was too weak to hit her back. He looked her dead in her pale grey eyes, returning the deadly glare she had being giving him. "Do you know how stupid you are? You could've died, but no, you risked your life to save her?" she hissed at him.

Austin rolled his eyes and leaned his head against the wall. He brought up one knee and rested his arm on it. He glanced at her as if her presence alone was annoying and scowled. "I'm a nice guy, what can I say?" he told her.

Ally almost choked on her spit. Austin was not nice. Rude, she understood; hot-headed and angered easily? Hell yeah, but nice? He was just pushing his limits. The girl snorted with laughter and crossed her arms. "You think you're 'nice', Austin? No, you're not. There's no such thing as a nice bandit. Gosh, sometimes I wonder if you have a brain in that stupid head of yours." The girl's mood darkened quicker than Austin's would. "Or, did being knocked out for three weeks seem to do the trick of diminishing your brain?" she sneered.

Ally didn't even see the movement, but one minute, the girl was standing up straight and the next, she lying on her back in pain. Ally blinked a few times and looked at Austin. He glanced back at her and beckoned for her to come over to him. Slowly, she walked over to him, to see what he had wanted. As she got closer, being an inch away from him, Austin grabbed her hand and pulled her down. She fell between his legs and her face buried in his muscular stomach.

Austin grunted in pain. It was just too painful to move so much. It made his ribs feel egregious, a feeling he did not like at all. He grunted and pushed Ally off his body. The said girl looked up at him and glared darkly at him. "Warning much?" she hissed.

He ignored her tone of voice, knowing he wouldn't have looked threatening in his current position. "How long have we been here? I want to leave," he told her.

Ally straightened herself up and went to help the girl, ignoring Austin. The said girl pushed her away and glowered angrily at the only male in the room. "Fucking ass, you can't go anywhere. You're injured and those won't heal for another month and three weeks, you're very much stuck here." Austin glowered back at her and she flinched. She bit her lip and grumbled something underneath her breath before turning to leave. "Damnable bandits, they never seem to know when to stop being scary."

Once she had left, Ally glanced at Austin, who had his head bowed and his arm hugging his torso. She grunted and growled under his breath and it didn't long for Ally to realize he was in absolute pain. "You know, if you'd stop acting as if nothing ever hurt you, it'd be easier to help you. They have no antibiotics or painkillers here, but luckily I know my medicinal plants like I know cooking. I'll go and get you some, alright?"

She stood and prepared to leave Austin. He looked up at her retreating form and cracked a weak smile. "Ally" She turned to face him. She almost jumped out of her skin seeing him smile, but she nodded and gulped. "Thank you."

Confusion etched onto her face and she tilted her head to the side. Austin thought she had looked absolutely cute. "For what, Austin?" she asked genuinely confused.

He groaned in pain and leaned his lead back on the wall, rubbing his ribs in a way he'd hope to soothe them. "Thank you for helping me out." She nodded and prepared to leave again, but he called out to her again. "And Ally?" She looked at him, trying not to show her annoyance. He cracked an evil smirk and chuckled darkly. "When you see Macy, tell her to leave me alone."

Ally was confused for a mere second, but then she realized Macy was probably the girl that had claimed to be Austin's sister. She nodded and finally left the room.

Ally quietly cheered herself on as she pulled out an herb from the ground. She placed it in her basket and continued to search for more like it. Once she had gotten over ten, she had sighed to herself in relief and skipped back to the village to prepare the herb properly. When she got back to the front, she was stopped by Macy. Trying her best not to groan with annoyance, she cracked a bright smile. "Macy, what's wrong?" she asked.

Macy looked at the basket, then back at Ally's face. She glowered at her and crossed her arms. "What's that? Poisonous herbs to kill my brother?" she asked her.

Ally resisted the urge to roll her eyes. This girl really didn't like her, and for no reason at that. "No, it isn't. It's called a valerian plant, it's good to use for a pain reliever." Macy snorted and rolled her eyes. Ally gritted her teeth and brushed past her, trying not to lose her temper. "Honestly, if I were you, I wouldn't even be mad that he doesn't want to talk to you. He hates everything and everyone. Not a people's person at all."

Macy clenched her fists and stomped after Ally, grabbing her arm. She jerked the younger girl back and glared down at her. For a few minutes, no one had said anything, but then, Macy's eyes swelled up with tears. Ally blinked at the sudden change in mood as Macy grabbed on tightly to her shirt and sobbed onto her shoulder. Ally raised her injured arm and lightly patted her back.

Macy sobbed louder and Ally gave some people passing by an awkward smile. Macy let her go and looked down at her. "What do I have to do to get him to like me more?" she asked the brunette. Ally's mouth formed an 'o' and she laughed nervously. How would she answer that? Austin didn't even like her. "He likes you, I can tell. He allows you so close to him and refuses to have me so close to him. What do you do?"

Ally seriously didn't know how to answer her question because, in reality, she had no idea. Austin treated her like he treated every other female, like complete and utter crap. Awkwardly, Ally patted Macy's head and gave her a slow, apologetic smile. "If I had the answer, I'd tell you, but I can't. I can't because in Austin's eyes, I am sure about this, treating people with respect isn't something he does. He demands respect, not gives it out," Ally explained to her.

Hearing it slip out of her own mouth made herself think. Just why doesn't anyone talk up to him? So many people have to choice of speaking out to him, yet she had been the only one. It confused her, and Austin needed to learn the meaning of giving and receiving because you can't just expect to be received respect, but don't take the time to give it. Taking in a deep breath, Ally glanced at Macy one last time and turned on her heel, walking off.

Her action had left the blonde bewildered but she ran up to catch up with the younger girl. She quickly walked by her side, watching Ally's left hand clench tightly onto the basket handle, as if she were angry. She looked at the brunette and her tense form, realizing she was mad. "Ally, why are you so mad? What are you planning on doing?" Macy asked curiously.

Ally took a deep breath of air and gritted her teeth. What was she going to do? Knock some sense into the egoistical man named Austin. He needed to learn respect of others, and even if it killed her, Austin was going to learn. Maybe not today, but she'd stay around him until he does. She had told Macy exactly what she had been thinking and Macy nodded, looking starry eyed ahead. She wondered, did Ally actually think she could change Austin's mind around? She furrowed her brows; no one could ever, not even Kira. Austin just developed respect during the times Kira was around because she frowned upon it, and even then so, most times he wasn't.

Ally stormed right into the room Austin was in and Macy followed her. Curiously, Macy looked at Austin, and then at Ally. She was waiting to see what would happen. Ally placed the basket down and Austin raised a brow. He tilted his head and his entire face darkened when Ally spoke those five little words, "You need to learn respect." He narrowed his eyes and looked back at Macy. He did not look happy with her words; in fact, hearing them only pissed him off further. "No, no, don't look at her! I was talking about the way you treat everyone. You don't demand respect but not give it out, Austin. It's what makes people not like you. I don't like you, and that's because the amount of respect you show for other human beings disgust me."

Austin locked his jaw and glowered at Ally. The glower, it was scary, but she wasn't going to back down, not now. Austin was going to learn respect. When she returned his oh so dark glower, his face softened back into his neutral expression. "I know respect," he answered her in a monotonous voice.

Ally shook her head furiously and Macy was surprised at the amount of courage this girl had bottled up in her. Many would have pissed themselves before even getting out the first sentence. But Ally, she showed him that she had no fear, that he didn't scare her. "Dammit, Austin, you don't! You only know how it feels to be respected, not knowing how to give it. Your definition, and everyone else's, does not match up! Austin, you walk around thinking that your all high and mighty, that you're some God, but in reality, you're like all of us. You're a human being! I will continue to treat you like you're some type of beast unless you learn that we're here to be your friends, not your enemy. I'm sure there's a different side in you, you're just too stupid to realize that soon, you'll lose everything you worked so hard for over respect."

Austin rubbed his aching ribs and glared heatedly at Ally. She would treat him like he was a beast? Did he have any attributes of one? He did not think so. "I am not a beast; therefore, I will not be treated as such. I dare you to treat me like such," he lowly said, his voice sounding promising.

Ally walked over to him and stood in front of him. She flicked his forehead and took a step back, placing her hands on her hips. Austin blinked confusedly; why in the hells did she just flick him? "Like that, hear how you sounded, Mr. High-and-Mighty?" she hissed. "I will treat you the way you treat everyone else until you get fed up with being treated like that. As a matter of a fact, Macy will too." Macy jumped and shook her head, there was no way she was going to treat Austin the way he treated her. She didn't care if she were older; Austin intimidated everyone, older or younger.

Ally rolled her eyes. Personally, she didn't have time for someone to show how scared they were of Austin. She gave Macy a sharp stare and it made the older girl's skin crawl. "Macy, you'd allow him to treat you like he's a king and you're a peasant? What ever happened to the sacred rule of respecting your elders?" Ally questioned her.

Austin gritted his teeth. It angered him to even have to learn about his values. He valued respect and gave it out, in his own way of course. "I do respect people," Austin cut in, before Macy could say anything.

Ally looked at him with an incredulous expression. "Oh, so you do? I apologize, what do you do to show it? I'm certain you'd probably say intimidating people is your way of showing it. Austin, in case you haven't noticed, I'd be more than happy to enlighten you that you, alone, are incapable of showing respect. You don't hold those sappy human emotions, unless, they were around when this Kira girl was alive." Austin's widened and he clenched his fists so tightly, his nails dug into his skin and he bled. She was doing it again, striking a chord. "Maybe she died because of how you acted; you act as if you don't care about anything. You walk around like you're the shit or some cold hearted bastard. Maybe she was fed up and killed herself because of that. Was that the reason Austin, huh? Did she kill herself because of you a-"

"You don't know anything! She was fucking murdered!" Austin bellowed out angrily. He was tired of people criticizing him and saying that Kira's death was his fault because it wasn't. He didn't do a damn thing, he loved her and she loved him. Ally stumbled back in surprise and Austin hung his head down, trying to suppress any arising feelings. "You don't know anything, no one does. It's not of your damn business, so fuck outta it, dammit. Leave it alone."

Ally became incredibly furious at this certain point in time. Just who did he think he was, telling her to stay out of his business? "That's another thing," she began. Austin looked up at her, his expression dark. "Don't tell me to stay out of your business, Austin! You took my family away from me! You killed all my friends. My son, adopted son, I took him in, and I promised him a better life with me. You took so much from me and I want you to feel the same way. Bewildered with that fact, don't be! I know you don't care! You take away the people I love and I want for the same thing to happen to you! I hate how you carry yourself, you're not a king; you're an idiot!

"So what, huh, I take her family away and feel nothing. You just feel nothing and expect me to want to marry you? I don't want to! Holy crap, Austin, I hate everything about you! You don't have a good side! You want me to let you in? Hell no, you do it first, let everyone else in! I'm not in with your shit, I don't want it! I lost my father to your fucking raid! I don't have someone to hold my first child and kiss their forehead, saying they love them and you want to know why? You took him away from me! I had to send away my mother and adopted son because of you!" Ally yelled, tears streaming down her face. Macy and Austin went silent, none speaking up. "Gosh, Austin, I don't like you. Don't act like you've been through so much, because I have. All you did was lose your father and ex-lover. You made me lose everything; I'm alone in this world. I don't trust your group and you have a psychotic chick trying to kill me.

"I seriously want nothing to do with you, but I have to make the way you live my problem because I can't leave. I hope you're happy with yourself. You have no self morals and no respect. Your loyalty levels are probably as low as crap. You make me mad alone. I feel sorry for any female who actually falls in love with you again, save Brooke." She wiped her tears and looked into Austin's cold brown eyes. "I hope you're with life, Austin." She turned on her heel to leave but the basket full of the valerian plants caught her eyes. She picked it up and dropped it in front of Austin. "I cared enough to get you these. It's called the valerian plant, it helps with pain. When it dries, boil it and drink it. And for antibiotics, use honey. It's good to strengthen the immune system so you don't get an infection."

She folded her arms and walked out of the room, not looking back.

Three weeks later

Macy ran up behind Austin, holding the reins of her horse. She had gladly accepted Austin's request for her to accompany him as he went to find his group, but she was more worried about Ally. She didn't know why Austin was so reluctant to bring her with him again. Obviously he didn't go through so much trouble trying to kidnap her to not want her to come along with him again. Plus, anyone with eyes (save Austin and Ally, they were much too stupid to realize) could see that Austin was starting to fall for Ally and Ally was slowly climbing her way to his level.

Macy knew Austin liked the way Ally carried herself and she had watched him watch Ally interact with the children. She was natural child magnet. Kids loved her and she loved them equally. What even surprised Macy even more was when Austin whispered to himself, 'How does she do it? How does allow people to get to know her so well without worrying about getting hurt again? What do I have to do… to get her to like me?'

Macy had been so lost in her thoughts, that she hadn't realized Austin had stopped. She bumped right into him and rubbed her injured forehead. Man, he was all muscle and no fat. "Austin, why'd you –"

"You're leaving?" she heard Ally's voice.

She peeked from behind Austin, with interest built up in her. Ally was standing there, holding a bucket of water. She looked cold and distant. Macy wished she could see Austin's face, but she really couldn't. "Yes, I'm leaving. I'm feeling much better." Ally nodded and bid them a farewell before walking off. Austin clenched his fists and Macy noticed that it was all bothering him. "What are you doing?" he asked her angrily.

Ally stopped but didn't look back at them. She looked tense and her entire posture radiated anger. "Someone has got into labour; I am going to help them out. I'm sure you have better things to do, so go and do them, Austin. It was nice knowing you," Ally told him, her voice empty.

Macy saw Austin's body shaking with anger. She felt herself slump forward a bit. How could one person turn all their feelings into anger? Was it even possible? "You have – I need –" Macy's mouth dropped open. He wanted her to come along with them. "Fuck it, I'll see you around," he growled.

He began to walk off, but Ally's voice stopped him. "If you never know what you want, then you'll never get it. Finish what you were trying to say, Austin," she told him in a firm voice.

Austin's body stopped shaking with the anger he had been feeling moments ago and it amazed Macy that one person's words could make Austin feel like he had to respect someone. "I think he wants you –"

"Macy, please, Austin has his own voice. He's able to voice his own thoughts," Ally told her.

Macy clamped her mouth shut and nodded mutely. Austin's body was tense and he still hadn't turned around. Actually, Ally hadn't either. They were talking to each other, back-to-back. After moments of silence, Austin had spoken. "You're coming with me," he told her.

Ally snorted and continued her walk. "Well, I hope you and Macy have a great adventure. Do me a favour and bring Cassidy here, she doesn't need to be corrupted by the likes of you."

Austin gritted his teeth and locked his jaw. She was frustrating him. Why the hell did he need to say things that made him sound polite? Couldn't she have just agreed to come along with him without the trouble? "Fine," he growled. "Ally, will you please accompany Macy and I?"

Ally shook her head and chuckled a bit. She had never heard please ever sound so threatening before. It actually amazed her that he could bottle up so much anger. "Sure." He relaxed and prepared to walk off again but Ally stopped him. "If you could wait a bit, though, I need to make sure this baby is delivered properly and not breached."

She continued to walk off and Austin turned around, giving her back a bewildered expression. Macy snickered but silenced herself at the sight of Austin's glare. She continued to smile brightly and winked at him. His coloured a bit and she smiled even wider. Oh Austin, it's going to be so obvious to you soon, I'm with you guys now.

Macy had fallen asleep on the horse and Austin held the reins, making sure they got to a safe place to sleep. Ally walked beside him, quietly humming a soft tune. Austin felt himself becoming drawn to her presence day by day. The weeks she wouldn't talk to him, make him feel like there was nothing to talk to or live for. He looked down at her hand and for some odd reason; he felt the compelling need to hold it.

He gulped and looked ahead. Why did he feel like he was walking with Kira all over again, except this feeling was tenfold for him? Ally's melodious humming became louder and sweeter and he felt like kissing her, but he knew he couldn't. She didn't like him, not now at least. Slowly, he brushed his hand against hers and he heard her laugh through her humming. It sounded beautiful and he felt himself drowning in it.

The sound of an owl brought him of out his reverie and he cleared his throat, brushing his hand accidentally against hers. She smiled at the night sky and laughed quietly. "I love the stars. I love nighttime in general," she quietly said.

Austin looked at her with his cold brown eyes and looked to the sky. It was beautiful, although Austin wasn't sappy enough to admit that. "Don't you wish that you could just touch them? Those burning balls of energy?" she asked him.

She grabbed his hand and Austin's cheeks coloured. He was quite thankful that it was too dark for anyone to see. They stopped and Austin nodded. "This is a good place to set up camp for the night."

Ally sighed and let his hand go, walking to prepare herself a makeshift bed. Austin sat against a tree and watched her fluidly move to get a bed ready herself and Macy. Since she had changed from her regular dress into a pair of trousers and a shirt, when she bent down, Austin could see her smooth backside in the moonlight. Once she was done and had two makeshift beds ready, she woke up Macy and guided her to her own bed.

Once Macy had settled in, Ally went to go and tie the horse to the tree so it wouldn't run away at night. She hopped over to the bag and pulled out three carrots, rubbing the horse's nose. Austin licked his lips as she stood on her tippy toes to pet it's mane, her shirt, once again, riding up. As she fed and petted the horse, Austin stood up and walked behind her.

As she was feeding it the last carrot, Austin placed his big hands on her waist and she jumped, alarmed. She laughed a bit and turned around. "Austin, go away, I'm trying to feed Dazzy," she told him.

She turned back around, but his hands tightened on her waist. She felt some unfamiliar feeling bubble in the pit of her stomach and she ignored it, admiring the horse's mane. "You're quite adorable, Dazzy," she told the horse.

Austin licked his lips and wrapped his arms around her waist tightly. "Ally, turn around."

Slowly, Ally turned around to face him, but she had regretted it instantly. Before she could say a thing, Austin's lips were on hers. And Macy's eyes were wide open with happiness.

Sorry, guys. I was going to update on Sunday, but then I realized I still needed to finish my project and it had to be delayed. My apologies, but I am happy so many of you like the book.

Now, as for some reviews, I could've updated yesterday, but honestly, some of your reviews fucking piss me off. I don't want to be rude, and I know you like the story, but you're reviews, telling me to update the next day or even demanding a review (mainly anonymous ones), pisses me off. Guys, tell me things you liked about the chapter and why it was so good, don't demand me to update. Honestly, my updates are going to be random, sometimes it'll be a day after another and sometimes a week or two. It isn't because I'm lazy, but mainly based around the fact I'm being demanded things or I have too much school work.

I seriously love you all equally, although I may not know you. I cherish my reviewers and I want your reviews to be more… not demanding. Please guys, don't demand and if I'm not updating too early, PM me or even ask me politely to update soon.

Now, moving on, I love you guys and your reviews. And the fact the last chapter got over forty reviewers astounds me. I love you guys so much. Hope you guys like and/or love this chapter.

HollowedLover1379