Chapter 21: All My Fault
AN: I understand you're all a bit pissed off with Ally, but trust me her selfishness lasts about two sentences, literally. So, just heads up, I felt like I disappointed some of you, but its just the way the story went. Anyway onwards and upwards, hope you enjoy this chapter and I'll see you at the bottom. Brace yourself guys!
...
Ally sped down the dirt road, her eyes scanning the passing scenery. She actually did it. Ally slammed her foot on the brakes bringing the truck to a halt, she looked at the darkness ahead of her. Her shoulders fell and her head fell forward against the steering wheel.
"What have I done," She whispered and she banged her head hard against the wheel, as punishment for her actions. "Stupid Ally!" She yelled, bringing her head away from the wheel and smacking her hands against it hard. "I need to get back," She started the truck and then engine let out a cry and went silent.
Ally's eyes widened. That didn't sound good. She turned the key again and the engine made the same sound and shut off once more. Ally began shaking her head frantically. She scanned the area and looked for any movement.
Her selfish act had landed her in trouble. She knew it was a stupid idea, as soon as she'd left the prison. She couldn't believe she'd done something so stupid. Austin's never going to want to talk to her again. She felt her heart-break in her chest.
Her wrongdoings were going to upset people. What was she thinking, that she was going to find everyone straight away and they were just going to fall into the palm of her hand. She wished she'd thought this out properly, at least she should've asked Austin to come with her.
Ally growled out in frustration. She was being stupid and selfish and she was beginning to piss herself off. She stared out into the darkness, her heart was beating fast, trying to break out of her chest. She didn't know what to do.
A hand slammed against the window and Ally screamed. The face of a creeper appeared at the window. Another hand smacked against the other window and Ally grabbed her knife from her belt. She looked in the mirror and saw the moving silhouette of a dozen more.
"Fuck," Ally hissed. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Ally panicked. "Austin, I need you."
She couldn't think straight. The snarls were echoing into her ears. The darkness of the night clouding her vision. She choked on her tears and she screamed loudly. The screeching of their fingernails against the window made Ally cringe. She stared down at her swollen stomach.
"What have I done," Ally whispered.
BANG BANG BANG.
Shots were fired into the night and the bodies of creepers fell to the ground. She saw a fast approaching silhouette, blasting off a shotgun. She watched cautiously, not being able to make out who the person was.
The shots stopped and everywhere fell silent. She stared deeply at the figure, which stood in the middle of the road. Her breath became staggered and turned into fog in the cold air of the car. The figure began to walk closer and Ally felt her body shaking, not knowing if it was from the cold or the fear.
The figure was a man, she could see that as he stepped closer and stood in front of the truck. She squinted trying to make out his face and then they widened, when she saw who it was.
"D-Dez," Ally flung open the door and Dez raced over, and caught her when she tripped over a creeper's body. He held her up straight and placed the shotgun on the bonnet of the truck. "What are you doing here?"
"Do you have medical supplies," He spoke urgently.
"I have some, but the rest are back at the prison," She explained. "Why, are you hurt?" She moved her hands to check his shirt, but he shook his head.
"Ally, grab them. You need to come with me," He let go of her and she stepped closer to him.
"I don't understand, go where?" She asked.
"I left the prison a few hours ago, I just wanted some space, away from all the people and the noise. When, I stumbled across someone, they were hurt, had an arrow stuck in their thigh-"
"Who, who was it?" Ally searched his eyes for an answer. "Was it someone from the farm?" Dez nodded his head and Ally opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
"Lizzy. It was Lizzy."
...
Austin heard everyone walking around. Light was shining through the dull windows. He shifted slightly and he went to grab onto Ally, but when he's arms hit the blanket. His eyes flung open. Austin always woke up before her.
Austin looked around their cell and he saw Wayne's hat was gone. He then saw Ally's bag was gone and half of the things in the cell were too. Austin grabbed his shirt and slipped it on. He got up and observed the room.
He pulled the brown box out from under the bunk bed, the one which was meant to be full of her clothes and it was empty. His eyes widened and his hands clenched together. His heart felt like it was ignited into flames.
"Austin," Harriet appeared in the doorway.
"WHERE IS SHE!?" He exploded, making Harriet jump back.
"Who?" Harriet asked.
"ALLY!" His voice boomed, echoing around the cellblock and all the voices stopped.
"I-I assumed she was with you," Harriet stammered.
"Well clearly she's not...SHE'S GONE!" Austin kicked the desk hard, making the things fall off it.
"Austin, calm down," Harriet stepped towards him and he stepped away.
"Don't tell me to calm down!" He spat through gritted teeth. "She left, didn't she?"
"I guess so," Harriet whispered.
Austin sat down on the edge of the bed and he buried his face into his hands. His chest heaved in anger and he could feel his blood boiling in his veins. He was ready to explode like a bomb any second.
She'd left him. She'd promised and she'd gone and left him. This was the last straw, he wanted to leave her out there and not go find her, but she was carrying his baby. He'd bring her back, not talk to her...teach her one hell of a lesson.
"Shall we go look for her?" Harriet asked.
"Yeah," His voice was rough. He pulled his head out of his hands and ran a hand through his hair.
"We'll find her," Harriet assured him. "When we do, it's not going to be all sunshine and rainbows. She's left us all behind, without a care in the world. She's hurt you, left Nevil, Billy and Jess...everyone. No one's going to take this news lightly," Harriet explained and Austin stared at her.
"I know, and I don't blame them," He got up off the bed and grabbed his crossbow. "I don't know how long she's been gone, so we need to get going."
"Okay, let's get everyone together," Harriet walked out of the cell and Austin followed behind her.
They walked into the main room and everyone was in there eating breakfast. Lucas looked over and he saw the anger on Austin's face. He coughed and everyone turned their attention to Austin. He adjusted his crossbow on his back and he looked around at everyone.
Dean narrowed his eyes at Austin and his hands tightened around the spoon in his hands. He knew straight away, by the look on Austin's face, what he was going to say next. He stood up and dropped his spoon.
"She's gone...hasn't she? Ally, she's gone?" Dean said and Austin nodded his head and there was a huge uproar. Austin looked around at everyone's angry expression and Harriet squeezed his shoulder urging him on.
"SHE'S GONE!" Austin yelled and everyone fell silent. "I'm going to find her and whoever wants to come, can come, but if you don't want to then I understand."
"She left me a machete knife," Nevil spoke out. "I woke up and it was next to me, I'm guessing it was her."
"I remember seeing her last night, I remember her saying goodbye, but I fell asleep," Billy explained.
"I wanna' help," Jess said and Daniel grabbed her hand and pulled her back down onto her seat. He glared at her and whispered something harsh at her.
"I think the adults need to handle this," Tess added and she stood up.
"Okay, Cal and Tess you stay here with the kids, and everyone else can come with us," Lucas dictated and Elliot shook his head.
"Mary's staying here," He demanded.
"And Sarah is," Dean said and Sarah shook her head.
"No way, I'm going with you guys," Sarah stood up from her chair and Dean shook his head.
"You could get hurt," Dean retorted.
"Its Ally, she's risked her life so many times to save us," Sarah pointed her finger at him and he grabbed her wrist.
"Don't argue with me-"
"Sarah you can come," Lucas assured her and she nodded her head in thanks.
"Wait, where's Dez?" Sarah looked around, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion.
"I haven't seen him," Jack added. "Not in a while actually."
"I saw him last night," Julie said and Kyle walked into the cellblock and called out his name, but there was no response.
"Maybe he went after Ally?" Grace suggested.
"Maybe, but we don't know that," Roxana said and Ronny shifted in his seat and she placed a hand on his shoulder, flashing him a smile.
"Wait, Steven's not here either," Harriet stepped forward and Kyle called out Steven's name, but there was no reply.
"If Steven saw her leaving, he would've gone after her," Ronny said and everyone nodded in agreement.
"Well, let's go then," Austin muttered and everyone excluding the children, Tess, Cal and Mary got up and moved.
"Let me help," Kira squeaked and everyone froze, turning to look at her. "You guys helped Eric, we'll leave once I've helped you. I need to do this, for Ally," She looked into Austin's eyes and he looked away. "Please."
"No, you stay here," Lucas ordered. "You and Eric can prepare to leave, and once we get back you can go."
Kira stared down at her feet and she sighed, knowing there was no way to persuade them. "Okay, we'll leave."
...
The morning sky beamed through the dusty window and ignited Lizzy's blond hair. Ally was on her knees resting her head on the couch near her stomach. Ally's face was stained from her tears, filled with fear and worry. Lizzy's was pale, almost snow-white.
Ally had grabbed her rucksack and chased after Dez as they ran down the dirt path. He'd brought her to a house in the town nearby and Lizzy was passed out on the couch, with a badly stitched wound. Ally had taken them out and redone them, making sure to wrap it up firmly.
Ally could hear her heart beating and she wasn't ready to move. She wanted to be there when she woke up. She couldn't believe it she was alive. She was wearing all black and a bloody black bandanna lay on the floor.
She recognized the arrow. It was resting on the old, creaky table. It was Austin's. She knew she needed to get back, but she wasn't sure where they were. She wasn't paying much attention, she'd just focused on Dez's running form.
Dez was sat in the kitchen, embracing the silence, deep in thought of the people he missed. He let out a grateful sigh, now that Ally's sobs had died down. He didn't know if Ally had realized yet, but Angela used to leave in this house. He'd spotted the picture on the fireplace, it was her and who he was guessing was her sister Nicky, the one that Ally had been with before she'd met his group.
He stared out of the window and he sighed. He missed Trish, he wished he could just go out and find her, but he didn't know where to start. She could be in a different state by now. He just hoped she was with someone she knew, and someone who would keep her safe.
Dez heard the shuffling of feet and a tired Ally appeared in the doorway. She was covered in blood from Lizzy's wound and her eyes were half closed from her tiredness. She dragged her feet along the floor and sat down opposite him. Her hair fell in ringlets in front of her face and she rubbed her tired eyes.
Dez had one question. He still didn't know why she was out there on her own. She was lucky he'd found her, because she would've been dead. He watched her closely and she sighed looking around the kitchen.
"Why were you out there?" He asked and Ally's sleepy eyes fell on him.
"It was being a selfish idiot," She yawned.
"I'm gonna' need a bit more than that," Dez replied.
"I thought I could be the strong one. I wanted to find everyone else, Wayne, Frederick, Trish, Lizzy, George and Gregory. You found Lizzy and even I couldn't do that," Ally sighed and she buried her face in her hands.
"You shouldn't have left," Dez said.
"I know," Ally rubbed her face with the back of her hand. "It was a stupid idea," She pulled off Wayne's hat and she placed it on the table and narrowed her eyes at it. "I don't deserve to wear his hat."
"You do...He's your Uncle, if anyone should wear it, it should be you," He assured her.
"I just can't do anything right," She growled. "Just for once I wanna' be like Austin, he can go in guns a blazing and come back out without a scratch on his body. He never gets himself into serious danger and he knows what to do all the time...And me? I'm crap at everything I do, I can't hunt like Austin. I'm not built to survive, I can't go running in guns a blazing, without getting shot myself...I'm just useless and I hate not being able to help everyone. I just wanted to find the ones we lost and bring them back home, where they belong, but I can't even do that."
"Don't beat yourself up..." He reached over the table and grabbed her hand. "You're strong Ally, I mean look at what you've come back from? You got your leg stuck in a bear trap, and you survived that. You fought your way out of that town, when the men wanted you to become apart of the breeding program. Your mom came out of the barn and you managed to get through that. You and Austin survived and found the prison. You got shot in the leg by Austin, and you survived that...C'mon Ally if that doesn't make you strong, then I've got nothing left to say."
"It's not that, when I got my leg stuck in the bear trap, it was because I was being stupid and wasn't looking where I was going-"
"You saved Lizzy's life...You've saved a lot of our lives," He squeezed her hand and she shook her head. "I don't care if you don't believe me Ally, but what I'm saying is the truth and you better believe it."
"It's not-Angela?" Ally stood up from the chair and she walked over to a picture on the wall. She reached out and pulled it down, brushing her fingers over it, removing the dust. "Nicky," Ally bit down on her bottom lip and hot tears burnt at her eyes. "This was their house."
"Yeah, I saw a picture next door on the fireplace. Nicky was the one you were with before us, wasn't it?" Dez asked and she nodded.
"Yeah, Nicky and Freddie," Ally explained and she brushed her thumb over Nicky's face. "I forgot what she looked like. She was a distant memory to me."
"Keep it," Dez said and Ally looked over at him. "Keep the picture."
...
Austin froze in his tracks. Everyone else was behind him and Lucas appeared next to him. The truck Ally had taken was on the side of the road, dead creepers lying around it, but some were still stumbling around. Austin felt his heart pick up speed. He couldn't move from his spot, he didn't want to, incase she was in there and he was too late.
Derek walked past him and he pulled his large knife from his belt and he took out the creepers nearby. He looked back at Austin, and then he made his way closer to the car. He paused for a second and Austin immediately thought it was bad news, then Derek looked away and shook his head.
Austin sighed in relief and then everyone made their way over and looked inside the truck. Austin kicked away some of the dead creepers and leaned against the truck. Grace appeared in front of him and she flashed him a smile.
"She'll be fine," She assured him.
"You don't know that, just because she's not in the truck, doesn't mean she's not lying dead in a ditch somewhere else," He spat back and Lucas heard part of the conversation and he glared at Austin for talking to his wife in that sort of tone.
"Austin, how can you say that. She's carrying your child-"
"Yeah, but she left. After everything that's happened, she left me and she left all of you, and worst of all she left without saying goodbye!" He yelled and he turned around swinging his fists at the truck.
Kyle and Dean reached out and pulled him away. Kyle sent him a daring look and Austin gripped his crossbow tight. He looked around at everyone's worried eyes and he rubbed the sweat from his forehead.
"Lets follow the road and see where it leads," Austin muttered and he barged past Dean and walked ahead of everyone else. Lucas caught up with him and the older man looked worried for him.
"Austin, I know your angry with her, but if we do find her and things have gone bad. You can't treat her like crap, she doesn't deserve it," He explained.
"She broke her promise to me!" Austin snapped. "She deserves a lot of things, but she isn't getting my happiness, just hate."
"Austin, maybe you should wait to hear her story. I'm sure she didn't just get up and leave, I bet it was hard for her to do it, she's probably regretting her decision right now. Just give her a chance."
"Go back to your wife," Austin hissed.
"Austin," Lucas narrowed his eyes at him. "Cut the crap and grow the fuck up," Lucas turned around and walked off and Austin rolled his eyes.
They carried on ahead and Austin knew they were heading in to unfamiliar territory. He'd seen a sign for a town up ahead and he knew they needed to look there first. They'd only came across a few creepers and that was a good sign. It meant there wasn't many and hopefully not many in the town up ahead.
Ronny stepped into pace with him and Roxana appeared on his other side. They both stared ahead and Austin glanced at them both, wondering what they wanted, because it was bugging him.
"You know, Ally's a strong person," Roxana said and Austin tutted.
"She may be strong, but she's stupid and she lands herself in trouble," Austin retorted.
"She's not stupid...She just doesn't think about the situations she's getting into, it's a completely different thing," Roxana replied and Ronny nodded in agreement.
"She'll be out there right now, probably trying to find her way back to you," Ronny explained.
"No, she's probably running in the other direction, because she knows how pissed I'm gonna' be at her," Austin hissed.
"You can't be so harsh on her. We're all annoyed with her, but if we find her and she's hurt or something like that, you can't scream and shout at her," Ronny said.
"I'll do whatever the fuck I want," He growled and Roxana rolled her eyes.
"Grow up. I'm sure she's beating herself up about it already. I know you're angry with her, but-"
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG!
The sound of a machine gun going off, followed by continuous shots echoed around and everyone stopped. The gunshots were loud and they clearly came from nearby. Everyone pulled out their weapons and Austin loaded up a bolt.
Screeching fought through the gunshots and Austin felt his heart beginning to beat out of his chest. He looked back at Lucas and he nodded at him. The screaming got louder and louder, so much that it hurt Austin's ears.
"LIZZY!" The ear-piercing screech made everyone jump and before Austin could react, Harriet was sprinting past him and down the dirt road. His eyes widened and then everyone chased after her, like a stampede of elephants.
The shots stopped and Austin knew that it meant, whoever they were shooting at were dead or gone.
They rounded the corner and the first thing Austin saw was the tank, with a machine gun on top of it. It must've been abandoned in the fight. Creepers were lying all around and Austin couldn't make out any human bodies.
Harriet fell to her knees and Julie walked over and fell to her knees, wrapping her arm around her shoulders. Harriet began sobbing, her shoulders shuddering.
All the windows on the buildings were shot out and there were bullet holes in the walls. It didn't look good, none of it did and Austin was beginning to feel scared. What if he did find Ally dead in a ditch, he didn't want that, he didn't mean it when he'd said it, but he was just angry with her.
"Austin," Elliot appeared next to him and Austin had completely forgot about him being here, but the tone in his voice sent a chill through his spine. Elliot extended his arm and Austin followed it and saw what he was pointing at.
It was Wayne's hat.
...
Dez gripped onto the back of Ally's top and pulled her into his side. They both stood in the tree line watching the trucks drive past. Ally breathing was erratic and her tears were blurring her vision. Her whole body was shaking violently and she had to contain her sobs.
It all happened so fast and Ally wasn't sure if it was all over. They were in the kitchen and Ally had slipped the photograph into her bag. She went back to Lizzy and watched her. Then the gunshots started, they flew through the windows and the walls. Ally grabbed a hold of Lizzy and protected her with her body.
Dez began pulling them out the back door and Ally carried Lizzy's body. The front door flung open and these men came charging in and Ally was on the floor in a second and Lizzy was being torn from her arms and Lizzy's eyes opened and she began screaming at the top of her lungs.
Ally and Dez chased after them and Wayne's hat had flown from her head, but she kept on running, dodging bullets. Ally saw Lizzy get flung into a truck and she screeched her name at the top of her lungs. Then the gunshots stopped and the trucks disappeared. Creepers came and they both took them out and Dez took her into the woods and they'd begun to follow the trucks, but they were long gone now.
"We'll find her," Dez said, placing an assuring hand on her shoulder.
"I know," Ally whispered. "Are you hurt?"
"Just a few grazes, you?" He returned and she shook her head.
"I'm fine," She replied.
"Ally," They both turned around and she saw Steven standing there. He was covered in blood and guts, his eyes looking around frantically. Ally ran forward and hugged him tight. "I've been looking everywhere for you," He whispered into her ear.
"What?" Ally raised an eyebrow, pulling away from him.
"I saw you leave last night, I followed you, but I lost sight of the truck and then I found it abandoned. I was searching the woods for you, then I heard the gunshots. You aren't hurt are you?" He looked her up and down and she shook her head.
Ally checked him over and then she saw the huge scratch down his arm. Her eyes widened and welled with fresh tears. She reached out and grabbed his arm, shaking her head frantically.
"You were scratched," She whimpered.
"Don't worry, it was from running through the trees," He assured her with a smile, and she searched his eyes and shook her head.
"Your lying," She whispered. "Your burning up," She placed her hand on his forehead.
"I'm sorry, I was just trying to find you," He mumbled.
"This can't b-be happening," She stammered. "You can't go."
"At least I found you," He whispered with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
"I-I don't want you to die," She cried and Dez appeared at her side. "Steven, please tell me your joking."
Steven stared into her red teary eyes and he sighed, shaking his head. He didn't mean for it to happen, but he didn't have anyone covering his back and the creeper had come out of nowhere and he was to slow to react.
"I'm sorry," He reached out and cupped her cheek, brushing away her tears with his thumb.
"This is all my fault...If I'd just stayed and not have been stupid enough to leave...I-I'm so sorry Steven," She cried and he hushed her.
"It's not your fault...I should've been more careful," He said and Ally shook her head.
"Your gonna die and its my fault," She whispered and a jolt of pain shot through Steven's body and Dez caught him and lowered him to the ground. Ally fell to her knees and stroked his cheek.
"Please don't let me turn," He begged and Ally had a quick flashback of Angela, when she begged her not to let her turn.
Ally looked back at Dez and he nodded his head. His shotgun was in his hands and he aimed it ready. Ally leaned down and kissed Steven on the forehead, she hovered over his face and smiled.
"I'm gonna' miss you," She whispered.
"I'll miss you too," He replied. "I'll tell your mom and dad you said hello."
Ally kissed him again, but on the lips and it was a quick chaste one. She stared into his eyes and brushed a few strands of his hair away from his face. She looked back at Dez who was ready to fire the final shot and Ally let the silent tears fall.
"Bye," Ally said and she got to her feet and she stepped behind the tree nearby, not wanting to watch the horrific scene. She slid down the tree and she pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head in her lap.
The shot rung out in the woods, bouncing off the trees and Ally let out a sob and she began crying hysterically into her knees. Dez walked around the tree and slid down it. He urged his arm around her shoulders and she curled into his side, gripping at his shirt and she cried helplessly into his chest.
...
Austin wasn't stupid he knew who the people were. It was Dallas, who else could it be. He had a death grip on Wayne's hat and he was refusing to let it go. He was scared now, Dallas must've taken her back to Verndale and taken her hostage.
Harriet was glued to Julie's hip, continuing to cry and Austin knew that Lizzy must've been taken too, because they hadn't found her in the town when they'd checked it over. They were in the woods, near the back-end of Verndale, by the gate, which they'd used to get in and out of Verndale.
Austin was really scared, what if they went in there and she was dead and he'd spent half of this search planning her punishment when he found her. He just needed to find her and at least see her one more time.
Lucas looked back at everyone. His eyes tired and exhausted. Austin could tell that Lucas had, had enough and he wanted to put an end to everything today.
"These people in Verndale are killers. When we go inside, you kill anyone who crosses your path and causes you harm. If you see Dallas, don't let him play mind games with you, just shoot him, kill him, do whatever you want to him, but I want him dead. He doesn't deserve to live anymore," He dictated and everyone nodded.
"We need to split up," Sarah added and Lucas nodded his head.
"Austin, you take Sarah, Dean, Kyle and Julie. I'll take, Grace, Harriet, Ronny and Roxana. Derek you take Elliot and Jack," Lucas ordered.
Everyone got into their groups and they all check their weapons and their bullets. Austin led his group through the gate and into the alleyway. They made their way through the dark alleyway and past the buildings. Daylight was slowly fading and he knew that the people of Verndale had a curfew.
Austin held up his hand, gesturing to the people behind him to stop. He held up his crossbow and came around the corner and when he saw it was clear he nodded his head for them to follow.
Austin just wanted to find Ally and make sure she was okay. She wasn't going to avoid his anger, he was going to open the gates of hell on her once he knows that she's okay.
Kyle appeared next to him, holding his shotgun. He nodded his head at Austin and he returned the gesture. They came to an abandoned street and they all looked up and down it, then stepped out onto it when it was clear.
Austin didn't like the feeling he was getting. He felt like he was being watched and he knew that, that wasn't a good sign. He looked around, trying to see if he could see anything, but he came up empty-handed.
His bones began to tingle and he knew his instinct wasn't wrong and he gestured for them to follow him, quickly. They made their way down the alleyway on the other side of the street and Austin made sure to always look over his shoulder, incase they were being followed.
Austin saw a black figure move in the shadows and he held up his crossbow. He could see the outline of the small shadow and he narrowed his eyes.
"Step out. I know your there," Austin growled and everyone froze, turning around looking at the direction he was aiming his crossbow at.
The shadow slowly made its way out and the little eyes behind the bandanna widened, when they stepped into the light. They reached at shaky hand up to the bandanna and pulled it away.
"GEORGE!" Like a bullet Julie and Kyle shot past Austin and the small family were on the floor. Julie's sobs echoed around and Kyle squeezed his son tight into his chest and Julie wrapped her arms around both of them, squeezing them tight.
"Wow," Sarah stepped forward and she stared at the beautiful scene before her. "We found him."
Austin looked past the reunion and his eyes caught onto movement across the street. He saw the gun being raised and aimed at the three of them.
"GET UP!" Austin yelled and Kyle snapped into action, holding George in his arms and grabbing Julie's arm. He pulled them up onto their feet and the bullets skimmed them and they all ran down the alleyway and round the corner. They hid behind the wall and Kyle put George down and he pulled his knife from his belt. They all looked down at him, a mask of horror on their faces. He looked back at them all with innocent eyes.
Sarah's eyes widened and her mouth hung open. She looked at George's appearance, his dark clothes and his knife. They all looked so familiar and she knew why now.
"It was you," Sarah managed to speak and everyone looked at her. "The night Dez and I escaped here, we saw a child all in black killing someone, with a knife just like that."
"YOU KILLED SOMEONE!?" Kyle's voice boomed and George didn't even flinch.
"I'll explain later, but please we need to find Lizzy," He bounced up and down in anticipation.
"Lizzy?" Austin questioned.
"I've been with Lizzy ever since the barn was set on fire. She was shot in the leg yesterday and I was trying to find a place we could stay so I could help her, but then she disappeared and I came here, thinking that Dallas had taken her, but I couldn't find her, then when I left I saw them carrying her in," He explained.
"You have a lot of explaining to do mister!" Julie snapped.
"I know, but please they have her and the last time they hurt her...bad and I promised her that I'd keep her safe and now she's gone again," He pleaded.
"It was me," Austin said. "I shot Lizzy. Yesterday when I fired a bolt it must've been her...fuck."
"Don't worry, we'll find her," Dean placed a hand on his shoulder. "C'mon we're loosing daylight."
...
Finding a shovel was the hardest task ever. They'd gone back to the town and eventually found one in the cupboard at one of the houses. Dez carried Steven's body and placed him in the hole they'd dug. Ally began to pile the dirt back into the hole and she began to cry loudly and her throat hurt from all of the screaming.
She patted the dry dirt with the back of the shovel and then she placed it in the ground. She wiped the sweat and tears from her face and she looked back at Dez. He gave her an assuring smile and she wrapped her arm around his waist, nuzzling her face into his chest.
"We need to get going," Dez said.
"It was Dallas, wasn't it," Ally whispered.
"Yeah, I saw him. Don't worry we'll get her back," He squeezed her shoulder and she flashed him a weak smile.
"I'm really gonna' miss him," Ally's voice croaked.
"I know, but we need to focus and getting Lizzy back, then getting her back to the prison," Dez explained.
"Okay, lets-"
"You're not going anywhere," Ally came face to face with the barrel of a gun. Her arm fell from Dez's waist and she looked back at the familiar form.
"Linda," Ally said through gritted teeth.
"Miss me?" She raised an eyebrow at her.
"You wish," Ally replied.
"I wouldn't get cocky with me. I'm the one with gun," She retorted, knowing she had all the power in the situation. Dez made a move for his gun, but Linda fired a shot and it pierced through Dez shoulder.
"NO!" Ally screamed and then a strong armed pulled her back. It was a man, obviously someone who worked for Dallas. He held her back, but Ally continued to fight, trying to get to Dez.
"Stop struggling its just going to make things worse!" Linda yelled.
"What do you want!" Ally cried. "Haven't you done enough!"
"No, I haven't. I do believe your boyfriend is on his way to Verndale...he's in for a lovely surprise when he gets there," Linda smirked.
"What do you mean?" Ally asked.
"Dallas knows everything, he knew you were going to leave the prison. He knew you were going to end up in that town and he thought he'd try to kill you, but you got away...at least he got little Lizzy, he enjoyed hurting her last time-"
"You're a sick bitch, you know that!" Ally spat.
"I know and I pride myself with it. Anyway, Dallas also knew that Austin and your group would come to Verndale, and he really wants to finish off what he started on the execution night a few months ago."
"NO!" Ally tried to break free out of the mans hold, but his grip tightened around her stomach and Ally yelped.
"If he squeezes you any tighter, you'll lose the baby," Linda stated and Ally stop struggling. "Your both going to die anyway."
Ally glanced over at Dez's pale form. He was passed out on the muddy floor and a pool of blood had formed underneath him. Pain appeared in her eyes and she knew she needed to get out of this to help him. She couldn't lose someone else.
"Did you hear me!? I said your both going die anyway!" Linda yelled, seeking attention and Ally's eyes landed on her.
"I heard you the first time," Ally muttered.
"Then answer me," She stepped forward and punched Ally in the face. Her head whipped to the side and she felt blood form in her mouth. She didn't make a sound and she turned her head back around to face Linda. "You're all going to die."
"What?" Ally gasped.
"Your going to die. He's going to die," She pointed at Dez and then her head tilted in a sickening manner. "Austin and your group heading to Verndale are going to die and so are the people back the prison."
"What!?" Ally tried to get out of the mans hold, but he tightened his hold and she stopped.
"There's a tank heading in the direction of the prison," Linda laughed. "Only a few shots and the prison will be destroyed along with everyone inside...So, I believe left behind are, Cal, Mary, Tess, little Erica, Lexi and Tom. Jasmine, Daniel, Nevil and Jess. We patrolled the outside of the prison earlier and I definitely saw them lot...But I'm going to give you a chance, I'm feeling nice...Either you go back to the prison and try to save the people there, which your more than likely going to die trying to do that, or you go to Verndale and fail there and probably get your head chopped off with Austin. Either way, you're going to die, but it's really about who you want to die with."
Ally stared back into her evil eyes and she knew that Linda was enjoying this, because she knew that even though she loves Austin, she'd pick the children over him, because she couldn't bare to lose anymore.
"You can't do this," Ally cried.
"I can and I will," She moved the gun and aimed it at Dez's head. "Make a choice or I'll finish him off!"
"Don't do this, please!" Ally begged.
"CHOOSE!" Linda shouted.
Ally looked up at the dark sky through the trees. She sent up a million prayers, praying for an answer. She couldn't do this, she couldn't cope with the pain anymore. She just wanted it to stop, but she was to caught up in her own bubble to stop it. She needed someone else to decided, because she couldn't.
How could she choose. Austin, the one she loved was going to get his head chopped off, she'd die for him and he'd die for her, but then there was the children, Nevil, Jess, Jasmine and Daniel, who deserved to live and then Erica, Lexi and Tom, who haven't even been around long enough and they deserved to be able to live their life.
Ally's knees buckled and she fell to the ground. The man pulled her arms behind her back and Ally's head fell forward and she cried out loudly. She knew she shouldn't have left. She should have just stayed at the prison and then none of this would've happened.
It was all her fault.
"If I were you I'd drop the gun."
Ally stopped crying.
She knew that voice.
She knew that southern farmer voice.
Two shots were fired and she heard the thud of the mans body behind her hitting the ground and then Linda's fell to the ground in front of her, with a bullet wound to her head.
Heavy footsteps walked around her and she stared at the black boots in front of her. She was too scared to look up, incase it wasn't the person she thought it was.
A warm hand rested on her shoulder and they crouched down in front of her and Ally dared herself to look up and she did.
He's beard had grown a lot, thick and white, making him look like Santa Claus. He still wore his funny farmer clothes and his favorite shotgun rested on the ground next to him. His friendly smile and his sweet eyes made a smile grow on Ally's face.
It was Frederick.
AN: Sorry about the wait! I hope you don't all hate me for killing Steven? So, everyone seems to be in a lot of trouble somehow, and nothings going to go to plan. Frederick's back, I know a lot of you wanted Wayne to be back, and I was going to bring him back, but then an amazing idea sparked in my mind and I'm not bringing him back for a while, but when he does come back, he's like a night in shinning armor, trust me :)
PLEASE READ: Right, I've got exams coming up and they are really important and I need to knuckle down and do some serious revision, otherwise, I'm going to fail. So, I won't be updating for two weeks, I know it's a long wait, but once the exams are all out the way, I can really focus on this and stop stressing over exams for a while and I'll be back to updating regularly. SO, thanks guys for all you support and all your lovely reviews. I'll see you in two weeks :)
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