Disclaimer: I do not own Gone or any of the characters in it; they belong to Michael Grant.
Day 2
I awoke with a start. Finding it strange to be staring up at the greying ceiling of the kitchen at home, rather than the pristine white one of my bedroom at Coates. Then, remembering what had happened the previous day, I shot a nervous glance towards my backpack. Still there. I was okay. For now. With a groan, I sat up, surveying the room. Nothing had up I decided on sausages for breakfast, frying them in the bacon pan from last night, while caramelising some onions in another. Once done, I satisfied my hunger with sausage and onion in the last of the slightly stale bread.
Now it was time for the fun to begin. Concentrating hard, reaching out with my hands, I allowed, with a sickening twist, my mind to float free from the heavy, almost suffocating bonds of humanity. Emancipated, I flew, high above the residence that housed my fragile human body, and on, over the hills, past Jim's Shack, seeking out someone in particular.
Coates quickly came into view, and from the house, or the sky, or somewhere in between, I marvelled at the boundless joy of flight. I sensed them then, hundreds of minds, as though emitting a strange light that only I could detect. Sifting through them with twitching fingers; I became more aware of the me that remained in the house. It was, well it was still me, but not… Like there was something missing. I felt power dancing on my leaden fingertips- controlling my mind, or soul or whatever had drifted free. And I found it. Swiftly and with the ease of completing a task done many times before.
I found it. His mind. The one I had been searching for. Eagerly, I prodded and poked at it with restless fingers, finding the information I needed. Then quite suddenly, I felt a jolt, like an electric shock.
And I was sitting at my desk. Pondering over the issue of the dissidents. Not me. I thought, Caine. With an uncontainable glee, I realised that I could control him, that I was in control. A wide, genuine smile spread across Caine's handsome, controlled face.
'Caine,' inquired Diana mockingly, 'are you feeling alright?' Cursing myself for neglecting to realise that she was also in the room, I opened his mouth to speak.
'Yes, I-' I broke off marvelling at the sound of the words that tumbled so melodically from my, no Caine's mouth. The surprise must have shown on his face because she interrupted my racing thoughts.
'What is the matter with you?' she laughed, yet her chocolate brown eyes remained coldly calculating as she studied his face. Taking a deep breath, I struggled to regain Caine's ceaseless composure.
'Nothing.' I replied venomously, Diana looked taken aback, so I continued, 'Just wandering what to do about the, the issue we are faced with.' I attempted to mimic his pompous, superior tones. It appeared to have worked because she swallowed a laugh, rolling her eyes.
'Yes, I do wonder how the Fearless Leader will cope with the sheer magnitude of the issue concerning a few rebellious teens.'
'Well, now you mention it,' His voice responded coolly, 'I am formulating a bit of a plan,' my thoughts raced and a nasty smile began to contort his flawless features. Digging deep into his mind, I planted the idea like a seed, hoping that it would grow in the fertile soils of his mind.
'Well,' prompted Diana, clearly disturbed by the smile on his face, 'What is it?'
He laughed as I imagined the plan taking place, making a mental note to check back in a few days, I replied 'We encase their hands in cement so that they cannot use their powers!' A gleeful smirk crossed his face, and the light of insanity seemed to sparkle in his dark eyes. She looked aghast. But, uncaring, his voice filled the room once more, 'That way they will be out of the way, and I,' my fingers delved once again into the depths of his mind, 'will be free to seize Perdido Beach from whatever idiot is currently attempting to control it.'
'I am not so sure about this Cai-' she began. My fingers worked to stretch out that all-powerful hand, pointing it threateningly at Diana.
'Are you questioning my judgement?' I demanded quietly. Scared, she shook her head. 'Good, because I'd hate to have to…' Caine frowned. I felt something stir, something angry. Something trying to throw me out. Something resisting. Interesting, I thought, I hadn't thought that that could happen, I guess Diana's his soft spot then. Good, the more I know the better. Swiftly, my fingers worked to send a jolt of pain into Caine's consciousness, his suffering filled me with a fizz of joy, and I felt the resistance die down.
Caine's eyes wandered upwards and I saw Diana staring at him, a quizzical expression replacing the fear that had shown briefly on her perfect face. Angry now, I narrowed Caine's eyes into a glare, focusing my rage on that annoyingly pretty face. I had never like Diana. Always found her irritating. But now, through his eyes… she looked so beautiful, and I struggled to feel anything but love for the sarcastic, bitchy brunette. However, these feelings were not my own. And, ignoring them, I continued to glare.
'What did you want, anyway?' I practically growled, danger emanating from his voice.
'To tell you that Amy Saunders has stolen a bunch of long life stuff from the kitchen.' She replied, evenly, apparently unfazed by Caine's anger. I froze for a moment. Cogs in my brain whirring. Stupid! I had left my school books there for anyone to see…. Oh well, couldn't change that now. Becoming aware of Diana's searching gaze, I struggled to find a reply.
'So?' I asked, a lame attempt to buy more time and avoid appearing dumbstruck.
'So… she needs to be punished! We cannot let people think that they can just take what's ours and get away with it!'
'I see no evidence of that…' I responded, in my best attempt to seem detached from the issue, 'No one need know…' I added, then gaining confidence,' and besides, I've got more important things to deal with, I can't just send people off on what will probably turn out to be a wild goose chase!' Then, with Caine's iconic arrogant smirk plastered on his smug face, I added scathingly, 'Just leave the ruling stuff to me, yeah?'
Fuming, she somehow kept her cool, responding only with a small smile, before turning to leave the room.
'Oh, and Diana?' I interrupted her exit, she turned slowly around, 'Send Drake here please.' Nodding with an obedience almost dripping with falsity, she left the room. Sending a final smirk to contort Caine's handsome features; I allowed my mind to once again drift free, with a flick of my fingers. I had already planted the seed of the conversation deep in his cavernous mind, now all that was needed was Drake.
Right on cue, he sauntered into the room. A crazy grin occupying his pale face. Taking a deep, preparatory breath and flicking my power-filled fingers, I sent part of myself into the dark abyss that is the mind of Drake Merwin. Once inside, the most prominent feeling in the animus maze of cruel and evil thoughts and fantasies was hatred. Hatred toward Caine Soren, the good-looking, arrogant, smirking boy who sat before me. Hatred, and a twinging annoyance due to his inability to take charge; thwarted pre-emptively, simply through the existence of Caine's power. This made my job a lot easier.
Deep in thought; I missed Caine's explanation tuning back in to hear the word, 'cement,' I plastered what I hoped would resemble the psychopath's trademark grin on his face, and nodded.
'Great plan, Chief,' I smirked, allowing Drake's very distinguishable voice to fill the small room. 'I assume I'll be doing the honours?' I inquired, a nasty smile spreading eagerly across that nightmarish face.
'Of course,' he replied, nodding with precocious sincerity, 'who else?' Sensing he did not want an answer, Drake smiled once more.
'Consider it done.' As I turned and walked out of the small room, I planted a seed deep in the fathomless darkness of that psychotic mind, it was an idea. One which he never could have formulated himself, and yet one which I had no doubt he would not hesitate to undertake. Caine would not be a problem anymore…
A soft jerk accompanied by the feeling of returning home from a long journey. I was back in my body. And I was exhausted.
Enjoying a ham and cheese sandwich; I pondered over the events of the day. Turning over, savouring each juicy piece of information in my ravenous mind as though they were my only chance for survival. One day, I thought. In one day I had seized control over the lives of a hundred others.
And that was how I would do it, I realised as I slipped into the loving embrace of sleep; one day at a time.