“You’re special to me, Natalie Anderson.” Austin admits, however he doesn’t explain himself. He questions whether he would be able to without sounding like he was replacing his younger sister for a newer upgraded model, which was the last thing he wants to do. However, what he doesn’t know is what exactly the girl in front trying to hide and why. All he knows is that he really wishes he wasn’t here right now. For a much different reason than before. If she really is planning on making a break for it then he wants no part in knowing. He’ll have no choice but to really drag her back if that’s the case and he isn’t fond of that idea. It’s not like he’s some monster, after all. He’s just trying to survive in this world and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Especially from the ones dressed with firearms.
“Cut the shit, red.” He shuts her down with a roll of his eyes and a small shake of his head. “I don’t know what you’re planning or who belongs in Oakwood, but I’m willing to escort you safely home if you turn around right now and come back with me.” He explains. It’s obvious that she isn’t going to the ‘employee sector’ to return to her residence because, for one, she’s not an employee and, if she were, she wouldn’t be worried about a curfew, or at least thanking him for saving her ass.
“C’mon.” He urges. “I’ll take you back to mine and we’ll see if Aislinn is up. I’m sure she’d love a girly chat.” He adds as a persuasion attempt. Still, he doesn’t move because he’s waiting for Natalie to do it first. He isn’t about to turn his back and let her take off. For all he’s aware, she may be stealthy as fuck, despite her recent performance, and he could be shit out of luck. Plus, he doesn’t really feel like running, or chasing someone down rather. he’s more than exhausted. “If we could move this along a little faster, that’d be awesome. I’d like to get a little rest before I have to get up and save you again.” He tells her. He isn’t necessarily trying to be harsh with her, but he’s sick of playing this game already.
“Is this because I gave you all that math knowledge? Or is it because you know I could rip the entire world apart? Which one is it?” Her demeanour changed. There was growl in her voice, a pain that she’d experienced far too much for someone far too young. The act of being used for what she could offer, what she could take away, what she could give in terms of power and magic. “It’s got to be one of them, right?” She said, as if she was certain that her statement was fact.
“Red? Is that the best you could come up with?” She’d found the term amusing, and her slurred laugh proved it. “Oakwood is where all the important people live.” She stated, with a hint of sarcasm and too over confidently. “I was going to see if that guy was in -- uh,” she closed her eyes, trying to think of his name. “Don? Dom? Whatever. I know his sister and I haven’t seen her in forever. I’m starting to think she was abducted by aliens or something,” she hiccuped. “But that’s not true, right? Because we are the aliens.” She was drunk and she missed her big sister, the one outside Grimstone and the one in it’s invisible walls. “I’m going to ask him if he’s seen her.” Perhaps now, intoxicated, wasn’t exactly the best time to pay him a visit.
“As much as I want to see Aislinn, I’m not going until I find out what happened. Or I find someone.” She insisted. “Find someone that cares.” Did she really think Austin gave a damn about her? No, not at all. Most likely, he’d seen her out and decided to be the hero of the tale, saving her ass to be the good guy that she knew he was. But he was being selfish, because she also knew that there were very little people in Grimstone who cared about her anymore. “Go home, Austin. Or go to Larissa, or Summer, or India... whichever girl you’re with today. Just leave me alone. I’m not worth it.”
