Chapter 4:

Ally's POV:

The door flings open, it must be dinner time. He brings in the tray and sets it down at the end of the bed again. I look it over and realize it's not a sandwich. It looks like some sort of steak, and mashed potatoes. He looks down at me and smiles, before turning around and leaving. He leaves the lamp on and hanging, which seems unusual. He hasn't done it any other time, but I don't mind. I hate the darkness.

Austin's POV:

When I walk into my front door, I'm instantly overwhelmed with the smell on pancakes. Any other day, I'd be jumping for joy at this. I mean, I love pancakes. And pancakes for dinner was always a rare occasion that I loved, but I haven't been able to eat much of anything lately.

I walk into the kitchen, and my mom is flipping pancakes over the stove as my father is sitting at the bar, and drinking a cup of coffee. My mom notices me and motions for me to take a seat. I want to object, but I don't want to be rude. I take my seat and play with my napkin. My father looks at me for a moment before speaking, "What's up?"

"There was a witness. She has a description of the man's car." I tell him.

"That's great news!" My mom says excitedly, my father nods.

I shrug, "I hope so."

"How many pancakes do you want?" She asks.

I sigh, "I'm really not hungry mom, I'm really sorry.'

I get up before she can insist that I eat some, or before I see the hurt in her eyes. I jog up the stairs and go into my room. I pick up my phone off of my bed and notice I have a missed call from Kira. I'm actually really surprised that she called me. I hit my voicemail button and listen, "Hey Austin, I've been thinking and I forgive you for what you said yesterday, call me when you can!" You've got to be kidding me. Did she really just say that she forgives me? Funny, I don't remember apologizing.

I turn my phone on silent and set it down on my desk. I sit down on my bed and look at the time. It's only eight, and I don't think I could sleep right now. I walk over to my acoustic guitar that's sitting on its stand in front of my window. I pick it up and study it. I have no urge to play; it'd be wrong without Ally. She's the only thing that keeps my music career going. I'm completely lost without her. I miss her voice, her sweet smile, her beautiful brown eyes and hair. The way she always smelt like strawberries and the way she could always make me happy no matter how down I was.

I take off my shirt and change into comfortable sweatpants. I look over our pictures one more time before I go and lie down on my bed. I cuddle with her sweatshirt until I fall asleep.

Ally's POV:

I'm going crazy in here. He took the light away and the darkness is over powering me. I feel like I'm in a casket or something. I can't stand it for much longer. I'm so hungry, but I just can't eat the things he gives me. I'm too afraid of what could happen. Would he drug me? If he is trying to he would have noticed that I haven't eaten it by now. But I don't want to chance it.

When it's breakfast time, he walks in and sets the tray down. When he's about to leave like he always does, I can't help myself, "What do you want from me?" I ask in a raspy whisper.

He turns to me and tilts his head to the side, "What do you mean Caroline?"

I shake my head, "I'm not… Caroline."

"Don't be foolish." He says.

"I'm Ally!" I practically cry.

"Shut up!" He says, and smacks me right across the face.

I bring my hand up to my cheek and tears start to stream. His face turns into panic and he starts freaking out, "I'm sorry Caroline! I didn't mean it! I told my father I'd never hit my kids and I meant it!"

He takes the tray of food away and leaves the room, but I don't hear the usually lock. I rub my face and get myself together. He thinks I'm his daughter, but why? Has he done this before? I stand up and tip toe to the door. I'm about to try the doorknob when the lock clicks; my freedom once again taken from me.

Austin's POV:

I have to go to school today. I know that Ally would want me to go. School is important to her and she wouldn't want all her hard work helping me with homework to go to waste. The only thing I dreaded about going was seeing Kira. I haven't called her back, and I haven't really planned on talking to her. But I don't that there won't be any avoiding her today.

I walk into the front doors of the school. The hallways were the usual; packed and fast paced. Everyone was either scrambling to their classes, or talking to their friends, or the boyfriends or girlfriends. Everyone's just going on with their day and then there's me; Austin Moon, who seems to be walking in slow motion. Everyone seems to stop what they are doing to get a look at me, but I put my eyes back to the floor. When I finally get to my locker, I open it up and grab my history book. It feels heavy than I remember, but maybe I'm just weaker than usual.

I hear footsteps behind me, and I fear that I know whose they are. They stop right behind me and clear their throat. I take a deep breath and turn around, but I'm surprised when I see Trish standing in front of me, "Did you hear about the witness?" She asks. I just nod in response.

"It's a good start. I just hate not being able to do anything to help. Just sitting there and waiting is complete torture." She says, shaking her head.

"I completely agree." I tell her as I shut my locker.

We walk together to our next classes talking about Ally. I walk Trish to hers first and then head over to mine. I'm surprised I've gone this long without running into Kira.

Ally's POV:

It's been hours and he hasn't come back. I'm not complaining; I haven't wanted him to. My right cheek is still throbbing with pain and my face is still wet with tears. I don't understand any of this; I don't understand what's going through his head. I just want to go home.

I lie down on the uncomfortable bed and wrap my arms around my legs. I sob silently into my knees and hang on to hope that someone is out looking for me, and I'll be home soon.

Austin's POV:

The bell finally rang and school is over. I jog to my locker and shove my books into it. My phone lights up and I realize I have a missed call. I take it out of my locker and call my voicemail. It's Officer Clark. He told me to meet him at the police station right away. I slam my locker shout and jog out of the school. Right when I get to my mother's vehicle, Kira is leaning against the driver side door. I stop it my tracks and groan; this is not the time.

I walk over and reach for the door handle but Kira stands in front of me, "What are you doing?" she asks.

"I have to go to the police station, like right now." I tell her.

She shakes her head, "You are still doing this to me Austin?"

"Doing what? Caring about my best friend?" I shout at her.

"You seem to care about her a whole lot; a whole lot more than your girlfriend!" She shouts back.

"You are being the most selfish person I have ever met." I tell her.

She shakes her head, "You know what. Have a nice life. I hope you find Ally and when that happens you two should really be together, I've always known how much you love her." And with that, she walks away. I stand at my car dumbfounded by what she just said. Of course I love Ally, but as a friend. Nothing more... I think.

I shake it off and get into my car. I get to the police station as fast as I can. I run into Officer Clark's room and he's going over things at his desk. I lean on his desk attempting to catch my breath, "What's up?" I ask.

"We know who the guy is. Do you recognize him?" He asks, sliding a picture over to me. I've never felt so much shock in my life; I know him.