Chapter One
I'd always had to survive without my parents, even before the Fayz, so it wasn't a big deal. If they weren't abroad on "business" trips, they were out late and gone before I woke up. So I knew how to take care of myself, how to get people to like you, to fear you. How to get what you want while simultaneously looking overpowered and meek. I guess that's one thing they taught me, before they dumped me at Coats.
If you can survive in Coats, you can survive anywhere; that's what Cain says anyway. We can live without a few teachers and the odd nurse. So why are there kids still crying in corridors? Because Drakes still around, that's why. That dude is a creep. Cain wants power, I want significance, and Drake just wants to turn this place into a hellhole. Good old Drake.
The casting starts tomorrow. Kids with their hands in cement? That's mental. But Drake managed to seep filth into Cain's brain so they're doing it. They are putting our most vital weapons in cement, just in case they rebel, which they won't because most of them are eleven. Cain knows about me though, if we hadn't started using ours before the poof, I suppose I would be down there with them. In fact, I don't doubt he would put me on that dumb casting list right now, if it wasn't for the fact that I would crush him in a second. Yes, I have more power over Cain than he'd like. So in a way, I'm running this place.
I can see through the window that the Limos are just about ready, so I put on the translucent, black mini dress thy Lordship Cain hath requested. What a prick. Like I don't know why he had that delivered to me this morning. His opponent, whoever that might be, needs to be intimidated, apparently. So how, may I ask, does that have anything to do with me wearing this skimpy thing. I put it on anyway, not wanting to upset Cain when he's this stressed. Just as I finish applying dark eyeliner, a sharp knock on the door makes me jolt. I compose myself and answer, knowing who will be standing to greet me.
Cain stands, chin up, in a black suit and tie. It looks like we're going to prom, not to take over a town, still I link his arm demurely and we head downstairs. Normally he's a good head taller than me, another thing that makes me look insignificant, but in my heals, we're the same height, and that unnerves him a little. Our chauffer (a 14 year old who has successfully learned how to drive) held the door open for us. As we drive down the hill, Cain relaxes a little and let's go of my arm
"Have you learnt what you have to say" he asks, nervously twitching a little.
"Yes" I reply, rolling my eyes at his immature fidgeting. He glares at me, annoyed for expressing my obvious superiority.
"Good" he mumbles as we drive to a halt outside the church, where a party of kids are huddled. His composure changes entirely. He gets out strong and bold and then offers me his hand to help me out. I take it as we practised, and we stride into the church, followed by Diana, Drake and the rest. The kids stare, some of them as young as eight or nine who try and follow us in but are stopped at the door by a big kid with tattered clothes and his weedy little helper with a slight twitch.
The important people were already waiting inside. I could already tell who Cain was facing. A tanned boy, about my age, with cute blonde hair and big eyes. Everyone looked at him expectantly, as he stood up to greet Cain and me. He was accompanied by a short blonde girl, with head held high. The brains, I suspected. The boy shook hands with Cain and then looked at me for a while, not longingly or disgustedly, but like he was trying to figure me out. I almost suspected that that was his power, an awkward stare, but his hands stayed firmly at his side. The girl ignored us both, too high and mighty I suppose.
Then Cain began his speech. The long, exaggerated speech that I had helped him write a few days before. Mainly about food supplies, medical assistance and things like that, but throughout, there was a consistent air of opposition. So by the end, everyone was wondering who would take charge. But that issue wasn't really tackled there. Roles were given out, like Doctor and Nanny, but I wasn't really listening. After a couple of hours, we were driving back to dreary old Coats, to face tomorrow's casting.
As I settled into bed that night, there was a soft knock at the door.
"Go to bed, Diana" I called; she was forever waking me up in efforts to annoy me. Her hatred of me has gotten stronger since Cain stopped hanging off her every word. She can have him anyway, he's a right prick.
"It's not Diana, It's me" Cain's voice whispered. I sighed, pulled on my dressing gown and went to answer the door.
"What is it Cain?" I asked through gritted teeth. I had half a mind to slam the bedroom door in his face, but I stayed patient, and yawned as he replied.
"Rico's run to back down to Padido beach; he's on the casting list as well. I err- Cookie wants you to, err well, entice him back up here" and with that I shut the door, got back into bed and fell asleep to the soft footsteps of Cain, shuffling away down the corridor.