Chapter 7:
Ally's POV:
The aroma of bleach is filling the air as he mixes the final ingredients into the bowl. I tug at the rope tying my wrists together, but there's no use. I can't escape, and I'm about to become a blonde. Do I really resemble this Caroline he speaks of? Or is he just completely nuts?
Austin's POV:
My father has been keeping his distance from my mother and I. I know how much he is hurting, and I can understand why. I don't know how I'd feel if it was my brother, but I do know how I feel knowing it's my own uncle that kidnapped my best friend; terrible.
As I walk over to the police station, a thousand thoughts flood my brain. Where could he be? He couldn't have gone that far, could he? Or he is still traveling with her right now? They could be anywhere for all we know. Or maybe they are closer then we think. He could be a block from my house or from his own place and we're just running around like chickens with our heads cut off looking in all the wrong directions.
I walk into the station and towards Officer Clark's office. The door is shut, which usually means he's busy so I don't want to disturb him. I walk over to the window and realize the lights are off. I walk over to the front desk, and a small woman is typing at her computer, "Excuse me ma'am?" I say.
Her reaction is delayed, but she finally looks up at me and smiles, "What can I help you with young man?"
"I was just wondering where Officer Clark is." I say.
"He got called out to a case." She says.
"What case?" I ask.
"I'm sorry son but I can't give out that information."
"But I'm helping him out with the Ally Dawson case, she's my best friend and I need to know if there is any news about her." I plead.
She sighs and looks back at her computer, "All I can tell you is that, that is indeed the case he got called on."
"That's all you can tell me?"
"Yes I'm sorry." She says.
"He told me he'd let me help, why wouldn't he have called me?" I say out loud while pulling out my phone; no missed calls.
I walk back to his office. I look all around; no one is paying attention to me, so I grab the doorknob and slowly turn it. It's unlocked. I tip toe in and shut the door behind me quietly. I pull out my phone and use it as a flashlight, not wanting to turn on the lights to draw attention to myself.
I walk over to his desk, and look around. There are many different pieces of paper crowding the desk, but a small piece of notebook paper on top of one of the piles catches my eye. I bring my phone above it and it has my uncle's name on it, and a new address. I grab the piece of paper and make my way out of the room. I walk casually by the woman I just talked to and make my way to the door. I get out without anyone suspecting a thing. That was way too easy for a police station.
I stop and look at the piece of paper again. I've heard of the town that's in the address, but it's about an hour away; I'll need a car. I shove the piece of paper in my pocket and run as fast as I can home.
When I get there, I ask my mother to borrow her car. I didn't tell her where I was going, and she didn't even ask. I walk over to the car and sit in the driver seat. I take out my phone and call Officer Clark. The first time, he didn't answer. But I hung up real quick and called again, and he finally picked up, "What's up Austin?" He asks.
"What's up? What's up with you?" I ask him.
"Not much, just business."
"It's just business? I know that it's about Ally, I went to the police station." I say.
"Austin I" – he starts, but I interrupt, "Why didn't you call me? You told me I could help." I say.
"I know what I said and you have helped but this is something you can't help with." He says.
"And what is going on?" I ask.
"Listen Austin, we have a good lead but it could be nothing, we need to take it safe, you aren't needed." He says.
"That's crap, I can help. Ally's my best friend and my own uncle took her, I have to be there." I say.
"Austin, you just want to be a hero because you feel guilty that it's your uncle." He says.
"I know where you are, I'm coming." I tell him.
"Austin… No, I'm not even there-" He says but I hang up.
Ally's POV:
I have never been so happy to see my horribly uncomfortable mattress and dark room before. When he brought me back in here I felt slight relief. I didn't know what else he had planned to do to me, but apparently dying my hair was enough for him. He didn't give me a mirror to look, he just stared at me for about five minutes, which made me feel very awkward, and then he finally smiled and said, "My sweet Caroline." Before bringing me back into my room.
Yesterday was the first time I finally brought myself to eat one of the meals he made me. I always refused to eat it, so I'd hide it or sometimes even leave the food on the tray, but it never stopped him from preparing me another meal.
It was just a toasted cheese and tomato soup, but the warm soup made me feel the best I have since I got here, it even reminded me slightly of home. Tomato soup was always my father's favorite, not mine, but I would always make it for him when we had sandwiches. But even the soup tasted delicious to me which I never thought possible.
At night, I keep dreaming about Austin. They were the typical dreams; like memories of us in the practice room, or him performing one of the songs I wrote for him on the radio or a talk show. But last night I had the strangest dream I have ever had about him.
It started off as a nightmare; I was in the woods, running from something; a wild animal maybe? I'm not sure because I never really saw what I was running from; I actually think I was running from nothing but my fear. Anyways, I tripped over some roots and right when I was preparing myself to get killed by my 'fear', Austin appeared into the picture. He was standing up in front of me, he was in all white clothes, and I swear he was glowing. He reached his hand out to me and helped me up. It's like he was my angel, and sometimes I swear he really is. He always makes me feel better when I'm down about something, he always puts a smile on my face, and he saves me from all of my fears, like stage fright.
I wanted that dream to be real so bad, because all I want right now is to see him, to jump into his arms and hug him and feel like I'm safe again, but I don't know if that will ever happen.
Austin's POV:
I drive as fast as I can to get there, and so many things are going through my head again I don't remember half of the drive. I know how angry Officer Clark is going to be when I get there. He could arrest me for all I know, but he can't expect me to sit back and do nothing. It's my uncle that took her for crying out loud. Maybe I can talk some sense in to him or something, I don't know but the thought of knowing where Ally most likely is right now is making my heart feel like it could collapse at any moment. I need to see her, to help her, to make sure she's safe.
I pull down the driveway and it's empty. I pull over to the side and take out my paper again, it's definitely the address, but where is everyone? I pull out my cell phone and realize I have no service. But I just talked to Officer Clark and he had service. I put my phone down on the seat of the car and get out. The sun is starting to set and it's getting darker by the minute.
I walk over slowly to the house. It looks very old and beaten up. I don't think anyway has lived here in a while… or ever. I walk slowly up onto the porch, afraid it may collapse under my weight. The door is slightly ajar, so I just push it open. I walk in and look around, there are a few different sets of fresh muddy footprints, and they must be from the cops. They must have searched here and found nothing, maybe Officer Clark hadn't even got here before they were done searching. I should probably just turn around and leave, but I have this feeling that I need to stay and look around for myself.
Author's Note:
This chapter just sort of came to me today and i couldn't stop writing but i wanted to end this chapter here. I hope you enjoy! i can't wait to write the ending because i just remembered what i had planned for it :)