The Fallen
Ally's POV
I woke up the morning in a hustle as I found that I over slept. I quickly pulled on a tan cardigan and yellow tank with dark blue jeans and ugs. It was kind of my Fall/ Winter outfit setting. I didn't have time to take a shower so I decided I would take one right after school. I brushed my teeth and combed my hair letting my bangs curve over the side of my forehead. I added a small amount of mascara to my non-lengthy eye lashes just for a touch of volume.
I ran downstairs not feeling the need to eat. I strolled down the sidewalk looking at the small amount of beauty in the neighborhood. There were little trees and I didn't see that much grass. I can't believe I didn't even notice the small amount of nature we have in this small neighborhood.. which kind of made me upset. I shrugged it off the school came into view.
I saw Joyel eating an apple on the concrete steps as I ran through the parking lot and sat next to her.
"Hey Joy." I said sweetly putting my bag to the side.
"Hey."
"What's wrong?" I asked. She wouldn't give me exact eye contact so I knew something was up. "Nothing."
"Oh come on Joy I could read you like a book don't lie to me now we're bestie's not frenemies." I said giving her shoulder a slight nudge to lighten the mood. But honestly I wasn't in the best mood either. The dream last night still frightened me to death and I didn't know what to do about it.
"I have to go back to Chicago and we have to leave today but it's only because my mom wants me to be with my grandma the rest of the week. we won't be able to see her until spring break so she wants us to spend as much time as we can before her job goes haywire."
"Why can't you just stay with me?"
"Because I can't mom wants to see her mom and dad has to stay here for work because he has a patient. I'm really sorry, it's not like I want to leave you but she's my grandma. Family first." she said with a weak smile. I patted her shoulder, "Everything is going to be just fine you deserve to go see your family, it was hard enough to move to a new state."
"Thanks Ally." she gave me a tight hug as the bell rung for first period. We hurriedly collected our things and walked into the building. I veered into the hallway and opened my locker, quickly shoving in my textbooks and book bag. I closed it and ran into my first period just before the tardy bell rung. "Want to tell me why you're late Ms. Dawson?" Mr. Randal asked as he tilted his glasses down to his nose.
"Sorry I was talking to my friend."
"Dawson has a friend?" Kira spoke up as the class bursted into laughter, "Ok class that is enough, you may take a seat Ally." Mr. Randal said as I nodded and took a seat in the back right corner of the room. As Mr. Randal was writing notes on the board for us to copy a piece of balled up paper hit me right in the head. I looked over to see Kira pointing to it signaling for me to open it. I gave her a strange stare and opened it.
Why did you attack Cassidy? -Kira
I looked up and stared at her in shock. Word got out that quickly? I shook my head and grabbed a pencil out and started writing:
I had nothing to do with that at all so just leave me alone Kira, this has nothing to do with you heck it has nothing to do with involving me but if Cassidy wants to make up lies that I would never do let her go ahead and do that. I'm the one that does her homework and she blackmails me if I don't, if anything I should be scared of her. -Ally
I crumpled up the piece of paper and threw it back at her. She opened it and looked at me giving me simple glare. But I was not in the mood to protest. Too many things were lingering on my mind. Besides that, where is Austin? Not like I care or anything... but seriously where is he?
I sighed and continued writing down my notes as Mr. Randal started the lesson on Greek mythology, this was going to be a long long month of this junk.
After an hour of the painful lecture on Cupid and Apollo which I seemingly didn't care about the bell rang and I quickly collected my things. I walked past the girls giving me glares and into the hallway as someone grabbed my arm and pulled me away. "Hey Ally do you want to hang out after school today?" Dallas asked sweetly.
Then all of it came back to me, the Ravenswood killing, Dallas being a main suspect everything. At the moment I didn't want to be anywhere near Dallas or have anything to do with him. I wanted answers and I wasn't going to get them from him that was a definite.
"Sorry Dallas I have like tons of homework to do."
"Oh maybe we could do it together." He asked taking my hand in his and flashing me a perfect smile that made my heart speed up.
"I don't know I think my mom is coming home tonight and she has this big policy on no boys at the house..." I felt my cheeks blush at the memory of Austin coming over the night I went to Persephone with Joyel, him and Elliot.
"Oh she does? Ok maybe we could go do homework together at Sound wave?" He asked enthusiastically.
"Sorry Dallas I really am but I can't mom likes me to be home when she gets to the house maybe another time?" I said as the bell rang for lunch I slowly slipped away from him and entered into the hallway feeling the need to take in a large amount of air. I really couldn't breathe back there without feeling the need he might strangle me right on the spot.
"Choked up?"
I turned to see Austin leaning against the lockers. He was wearing all black with a red high tops and chains hanging from his jean hoops. "Why weren't you in history class?"
"Ah you noticed I was gone? Someones been paying attention." I rolled my eyes at his remark.
"You look like you're about to fall over and die. What's up with you?" He asked coming closer to me. For some strange reason, I was getting vibes from Austin and not the good kind. This buzzing started in my head and made me feel a bit dizzy making me tip over. "Whoa there tiger..." Austin came over and put a hand on my shoulder making me stand up straight. "You don't look so hot... want me to take you to the clinic?" He asked.
"No I'm ok. I just think I need something to eat that's all." I said with a weak smile. He observed me carefully and stepped back a few inches. He cocked his eyebrow and smiled. "Ok see you later." he said and with that walked down the hallway cutting into a corner.
I inhaled deeply and breathed out coming to my senses. I walked straight across the hallway and into the cafeteria as I saw Joyel waving her arms telling me to come over. I put on a small smile and strolled over to her getting looks from people. I sat down crossed my legs casually. "You ok Ally are you hungry?" She asked drinking some of her strawberry milk.
"No I'm good."
"What's wrong? You look all queasy like you're about to throw up." she said taking a bit out of her spaghetti. "Ew gross!" she yelled putting down her spork.
"What happened?" I asked. "They put soy sauce in the sauce! I am so making a complaint!"
"And I am so paying you for saving me from eating that disgusting food." I said with a smile. She laughed a little before drinking her milk. "I'm going to Bellona." I blurted out suddenly. She spitted out her milk and looked at me in disbelief.
"Are you crazy!?" She yelled.
"Nope." I stated popping the 'p'. I needed to find out some dirt on the Ravenswood killing and find any evidence proving that Dallas was a part of the death of Amy Phillips. It would kill me not knowing that I was hanging out with a killer much less dating him in public! "Babe, you're not going to Bellona I forbid you to walk on the ground of that town!" she yelled with amusement. But to me this wasn't funny in anyway I was serious. I needed to know what people we were getting involved with.
"Joyel I have to."
"But why?" She asked.
"I can't explain it."
"What do you mean you can't explain it? We're supposed to be best friends remember?" she said giving me the eyebrow. I smiled, "Joyel I know but this is kind of personal."
"Well then I'm coming with you."
"What? No you're not coming with me." I said sternly. I could tell she wasn't going to crack anytime soon but might as well try to. "Yes I am grandma can wait! I want the juicy details the 411!" she said evilly smacking her hands together. "Joyel don't play with me, I'm going alone and only alone so just chill out."
"Fine, but you owe me lunch at Sound wave when I get back."
"Ha ok then." I gave her a satisfactory smile and she just rolled her eyes continuing to eat her soy sauce spaghetti.
The bell finally rung for the last period of the day and I went straight to my locker determined to be on the next bus stop to Bellona as possible. I quickly slung my book bag over my shoulder and walked toward the door but not without being stopped by Kira. "What did you do to Cassidy!" she yelled pointing at me. Some people glanced at us giving her some strange faces.
"Nothing Kira. I had absolutely nothing to do with it."
"That's not what Cassidy said."
"Well Cassidy's a liar. She's the one always telling me what to do. Do I even look capable of beating her up?" I said pointing to myself. She laughed manically, "You're pathetic Dawson just pathetic." and with that she sashayed into the other hallway leaving me speechless for words.
"Don't listen to her she's just being a bitch." I looked around once more to see Austin standing there arms folded over his chest.
"Did you see that whole thing?" I asked. He nodded softly and I blushed from embarrassment. "Where you headed out to?" he asked.
"Oh nowhere just going over to Bellona." Might as well tell him the truth it's not like he's got anybody to tell. "Bellona?" he said as his body tensed. His soft features went hard but I couldn't tell what he was thinking. "Yeah. Well I got to get going."
"Why are you going to Bellona?" he asked intensely.
"Oh no reason just wanted to check out the Ravenswood academy Dallas has been bragging about since day one." I saw his features tighten when I said the word Dallas. I could tell they have met each other before and it didn't turn out well. "Ravenswood Academy is a bunch of crap if you ask me."
"I never asked." I stated.
"I know but seriously I wouldn't go to Bellona. If you're in the wrong area at the wrong time something bad could happen."
"Austin I don't need a lecture I am not a little kid." I said putting a hand on my hips. He always knew how to irritate me at the right moments.
"You look like one." he said with a smirk. "I am going to Bellona Austin."
"Wasn't trying to stop you." he said and with that he walked away and out of sight.
I huffed and ran through the parking lot as I walked down the sidewalk and found a bus stop. I printed out the bus schedule after lunch during free period and found out that the bus was coming right after school.
The bus pulled over and I got on giving the man 5 bucks. "Bellona please." He gave a silent nod and started pulling the bus back onto the road.
An hour passed and I stepped off the bus. I looked around absorbing the detailed features of Bellona. Bellona wasn't exactly picture perfect as it sounded. You could probably imagine cobblestones, perfect rose bushes. Grass and hill land which would make it beautiful for morning sunrises but Bellona was the exact opposite.
The concrete had cracks in between, ivy vines lined up against worn out and torn down buildings. Lights flickered and people who live here would most likely be poor and have to dumpster dive to find valuable items. There was only one rich part of Bellona and that was near Ravenswood Academy. It was a rich neighborhood called Prior Wood probably where Dallas and Elliot lived.
It was cold so I pulled out my long sweater and beanie along with some gloves. My cardigan was barely fluffy enough to be considered a sweater. Bellona was pretty cold during Fall and got even colder by the Winter.
I walked down a small sidewalk as a small cafe came into view. I stepped inside the building pulling off my gloves as I found myself a seat. I brought some extra money which I always carried in my back pack for lunch money purposes. "Welcome to Sunny Side may I take your order?" A lady with flaming orange hair and freckles asked with no enthusiasm whatsoever.
I got the nerve to get straight to the point, "Do you know a guy named Dallas Centino?" I asked. "Sorry ma'am but we don't serve boys that are hot at this place." she said: sarcasm dripping from her lips.
"So I'm taking you know of him?"
"Yeah why?" she asked blandly. "I read an article on the Ravenswood Academy killing, I was hoping you could fill in some gaps that are missing from this story." I said with a courteous smile. She smiled wickedly in return, "It's going to cost you..."
"Excuse me?" I said bewildered.
"You heard me. If you want me to talk it's going to come with a cost." she said simply.
"How much?"
"Twenty." I started at her in shock. "Fifteen." I bargained.
"Twenty."
"10 that's all I'm going with take it or leave it." I said with a small smile. She rolled her eyes and shook my hand. I pulled out two five dollar bills and handed it to her. She stuffed the money in her shirt as she put down the note pad and took a seat across from me. "Everyone knew Dallas he was the most popular boy at Ravenswood Academy along with some boy but we thought he was socially awkward so we try to put him out of this whole story." she said simply. "Anyways," she continued. "Dallas was super popular and was dating Amy Phillips. I don't know why she was the loser of the entire school but had a lot of money even more than Dallas and Elliot combined."
"Money? How much?" I asked with interest.
"We're talking about private yachts, exclusive parties, her fathers own beach club rich!" she stated.
"Wow." I was speechless Amy was rich but why was she not popular at school? Did Dallas only use her for the money? Why would killing her involve him in getting any part of her investment?
"Yeah big wow, anyways one day Ethan Headers found her dead in her car on the school campus. Dallas was accused one of the suspects but there was absolutely no evidence stating he was guilty of the crime."
"Her parents must of been devastated." I said sadly. To find out your own daughter was killed and finding no justice for the person who did it. It's just so painful.
"They were the ones that suspected Dallas as the murderer in the first place. But his stupid rich parents bailed him out of jail and that was the end of that case." she said with a sigh. "Did they ever come here to Sunny Side?"
"Yeah it was her birthday and we had to sing to her. He paid us real well but it was kind of weird."
"Weird? How?" I asked.
"That was the night before she got killed. It was her 16th birthday." she said observing her manicure.
"How old was Dallas?" I asked.
"16 but older than her by 2 months."
"Do you think he did it?" I asked as she looked me in the eyes. She shrugged, "I don't know all I do know is that one day he started acting really strange and I don't know why. He was in everybody's business. He was popular but he was also annoying."
"When did he start acting strange?" I asked.
"I think a month after his 16th birthday. He stopped doing activities after school. Quit the football and baseball team his accuse was too pathetic, something about family-oriented crap."
"Family?" I asked more to myself than to her. Why would he quit all his activities for family stuff. Trust me no one would do that even I wouldn't do that and I have nothing important to do after school. "But he was also hanging around this guy all the time." she added.
"What guy?"
"I don't know his name but all I know is he hung out with some guy, he was also rich too. One of my friends dated him."
"Oh well thank you for your time." I said with a small smile.
"That exceeded my time limit it's going to cost you extra." she said with a smirk. I sighed and pulled out 5 dollars. She tucked it into her shirt. "Nice doing business with you." and with that she left.
I collected all the information the waitress just told me and added it up to the article on the killing. Things just weren't adding up. Why would he kill her for her money? I massaged my forehead and got out of the seat as I walked out of the cafe. I walked down the sidewalk until I found a small alley way. I veered into and saw that it was getting dark. Of course luck was on my side it had to get dark while I was in an alley in Bellona... great.
I strolled through the alley as little houses came into view. They were definitely the poor ones. Pipes were laid on the ground. Water dripped down from the top of the roofs. The doors were bent and crooked and the porch steps would look like they would cave in any minute.
I looked around and saw that I was lost. I didn't even know the way out of here. Suddenly I saw a lady walking up the front porches of a house with small Kroger bags and a lamp. "Um hello ma'am?" I asked. She looked at me and smiled wickedly. "May I help you?" she asked with envy. Her eyes looking at my sweater and beanie.
I got an uncomfortable vibe from her and held my accessories tighter. "Yes how do you get from here back to a bus stop into Miami?" I asked. "Where do you live sweetie?" she asked.
"Ashbrook. It's a neighborhood in Miami."
"You're a long way from home. To get from Bellona to Ashbrook, Miami it's kind of a long trek." she said with concern. "I think I can manage. Care to tell me where the next bus stop is from here?"
"Yeah but my memory is a bit foggy..." she said with a trick smile. I rolled my eyes, "Are you serious?"
"Is it near Prior Wood? No, Nutree lane?" she suggested her face lost in fake concentration. I pulled out my wallet until she stopped me, "I want the beanie." she said looking at the hat like it was pure gold. "But it's cold."
"Do you want to get home or stay here in the dark I wouldn't mind the second one." she stated. I sighed and handed her my beanie, "Oh and those gloves look warm and toasty."
"Oh come on." she held out her hands. I groaned and handed her the gloves as she smiled in satisfaction. "The bus stop is right up there go straight and turn a right the main road should be there along with the bus stops the bus should be here in 10 minutes." I quickly thanked her and walked in the direction I was told to go. Suddenly I heard a crunch right behind me. I walked faster trying to not look back as the sound of another persons feet got even closer. I darted off into a run at full speed but the other persons feet matched the same amount of speed I was going.
I saw the main road and the bus stop sign and ran toward it. I ran up to the bus pole trying to catch my breath. I turned around and screamed as I saw the lady who gave me directions dead on the ground. She was bleeding badly and all I could do is stare in complete shock. I saw a payphone and pulled 2 quarters out of my bag as I dialed in 911. "Hello ma'am what's your emergency?"
"There's a l-lady s-she's bleeding and-" I looked over and saw that the woman was gone. She was like completely gone. No trace of her existence was there whatsoever... "Hello ma'am are you still there?" the woman on the phone asked. I stared in shock as I ended the call putting the phone back on the hook. I slid down as tears poured down my eyes. She was right there... I could have sworn it! I swallowed and wiped away my tears. I wanted to go home and to go home now.
I pulled the payphone off the hook and tried to dial in Joyel's number but I remembered she had to go to Chicago for the rest of the week. I bit my lip as I realize there was only one other persons number I remembered. I dialed in Austin's number quickly. He answered on the second ring, "Hello?" he asked in a daze.
"A-austin?" I stuttered as I tried conceal my overwhelming fear.
"Ally? What's wrong?" he asked with concern. "Please just come get me I want to go home." I begged. "Where are you I'm own my way."
"I'm in Bellona just please hurry." I pleaded and with that I put the phone back on the hook. I walked over to the bench and started to cry. Everything was scaring me. The dream, Dallas, my hallucinations. This was the scariest thing I have ever seen in my entire life. I just wanted to fall to my knees and scream.
I looked up and across the rode as the person in the black ski mask looked at me once again. Fear built up inside me as he started to cross the road. I got off the bench and screamed as his eyes were only stuck on me. Beep beep! I looked over to see Austin in a black jeep. I looked at the road as the person in the black ski mask was gone.
Austin came over to me and turned me around to face him. "Ally?" he asked. All I could do was stare at him in shock. I was lost for words... I was lost in general. I felt a tear slide down my cheek as I looked him in the eyes. He didn't say anything else as he took this moment to embrace me in a tight hug. I hugged him back tightly and let the tears come as they wanted.
He smelled of roses and lavender with a hint of mint. It was the most seductive but beautiful smell. He soothed my hair as I bit my lip, I did not want to cry in front of Austin. But I couldn't help it I really couldn't. "Shh, don't cry Ally you're safe now."
Author's Note- I know it's like super long (4,202 words long lollll) Ok so tell me what you think don't be shy to review I want a lot of reviews on this chapter:) And also tell me what you think about the whole Dallas information stuff love to hear your opinions!:) Keep up the amazing reviews!:)
-Taylor:)