Chapter 9:
Austin's POV:
I open the door as slow as possible. I peak through the crack into the dark hallway and that's exactly what it is; dark. It's like walking into a death trap. One step out there and my head could be taken off and then he'd take Ally somewhere far away and they'd never find her.
I look down at Ally one more time before opening the door all the way. I keep her behind me, our hands still entwined. I stop just out the doorway and listen. It's completely silent, and that's when I know something isn't right. I'm about to look down the hall when I hear footsteps charging at me. I can't tell what direction they are coming from. Ally's grip on my hand tightens and she lets out a blood curdling scream.
Before I can react, I'm pushed to the ground, crashing into the side of the wall. Ally's hand is gone from my grip and I feel like I've already let her down, "Ally!" I scream.
I hear movement all around me, and I grip the crowbar in my hand, ready to strike at any moment, when I feel a tiny body curl up under my arm, helping me up. Thank god he didn't get her, but where is he now? What the hell happened?
"The light switch is right next to you." She whispers in my ear.
I feel around quickly and flick it on. In the hallway at the door into the basement is my uncle. Standing there in old ripped up clothes, holding some sort of weapon; I've never seen him look this crazy. His eyes bulge out of his head when he must realize who I am. He lowers whatever's in his hand for just a moment, and his face almost turns soft; is this some sort of trick?
"Austin?" He calls out.
I can feel Ally's body freeze next to mine. I can't respond… I don't know how to react. I don't want Ally to find out this way. I look down at her and she's just staring at him, staring at his face. Does she see it? Our similar eye color and what's left of his blonde hair? Everyone told me I resembled him, and I was never proud of it. She turns to me slowly with confusion in her eyes.
I turn away from her and lift up my crowbar in defense, "We are leaving." I say through my teeth.
"Austin, don't take Caroline away from me. I've already lost her once." He says, tears forming in his eyes. He really has lost it. I'd almost feel bad from him, if it wasn't for what he's done.
"She isn't Caroline. Caroline is gone, she died. And you know that." I tell him.
"No she didn't! She's right there." He says, and he starts to walk towards us.
I move her behind me, and she stands there. I realize she isn't holding me anymore, the first sign that she hates me already. I knew it would happen; I just didn't want it to be so soon. I wanted to tell her that I realized how much I really love her first.
"Don't come closer! It's my best friend Ally… It's not your daughter damn it!" I shout at him.
"Do I have to discipline you too?" he asks, as he rises what I now realize is a gun.
"Just leave us alone." I tell him.
"You are not taking Caroline away from me." He says.
He walks closer and closer, and I feel Ally grab onto my arm; hard. I'm at a dead end now. I can't fight against him when he has a gun. I can't believe my own uncle would kill me, but I never thought he could snap like this either.
He's in front of me now. I look up at him, and stare into those familiar eyes. Memories of my childhood flash before my eyes; how he taught me how to play baseball, how we used to go fishing and for endless rides in his truck. And then when me, him and Caroline would play together outside for hours, all those memories that seem like they were never possible in this moment right here.
He puts his hand on the trigger when the basement door bursts open, flashlights and people piling in. It startles him and he turns around, the gun still pressed against my chest. The person in the front of the group is Officer Clark. I don't think I've ever been happier to see him, even though he's going to be super pissed at me if I get out of here alive.
"Drop the gun Jeff." He orders.
Jeff looks from him, to me, and then to the gun. He just freezes, he won't move. Officer Clark keeps repeating himself, telling him to put the gun down, but he won't. Officer Clark takes a step forward and Jeff points the gun at him.