Though they still lived at Coates, Caine had figured it best they also have a home in Perdido Beach. He had had Coates kids go out and find the nicest house and he Diana, Drake, and Jack had all taken residence in it. Some of the other Coates kids had found other temporary homes, or made false friendships with the townies. Caine had the master bedroom, while Drake took up the very nice room in the attic while Diana had guest room in across the hall from Caines.

She was hungry, and the house, thought stored with food, held nothing appealing to her. She slipped on her blazer and fixed her hair. She walked down the many stairs and walked out into the entryway. The house was huge, most likely the Mayor's. It was white and marble and HUGE. She silently slipped out the door hoping not to bother Caine or Drake.

She padded down the street to Fourth Avenue. The town was small enough to walk through in a matter of minutes. She planned on going to the grocery store. She wanted something choc lately. Mmmmm She thought.

But her walk was interrupted as she heard the sound of voices. The roads were empty now, all the kids retiring to the safety of their homes. She turned the corner to see a girl with long red hair standing in the street light, surrounded by three figures in the shadows. Diana hid in a dark corner to spy on the action. As the figures approached the girl, Diana recognized her from the morning at the Plaza.
Beth, Brittany, Bess, something like that.

She recognized the figures as they were slowly illuminated in the street light. The big one was Orc, the idiotic bully from before and another smaller boy whom she had not yet seen, and Chaz, a minor bully from Coates. They were carrying metal bats. Orc played with his.

"Look like Bouncing Bette has a secret, huh Captain" said the smaller boy.
Ah, Bette. That was her name.
"What are you hiding Red" taunted Chaz
"N-n-nothing. I-I'm not h-h-hid-hiding a-anything" Bette stammered. Her green eyes shone with an intense fear. Drake had been in charge of rule breakers in the town, and had been handing out physical punishment for the most minor, silly offenses.

"Don't lie to me" roared Orc
"P-p-p-please" she managed
"What was that light coming from your hand" asked Chaz
"I-I'm s-s-sorry" Bette backed away, but before she could run the small boy was behind her.

"Do you know what we do to girls who break the rules" he said
before she could run he grabbed her shoulders, holding her as Orc swung the metal bat at her head.
Diana shut her eyes. She had seen torture before, but she'd rather see it less versus more.

They beat the skinny redhead until blood drenched the floor. Finally the girl was able to let lose their grip and she ran toward the firehouse.
To Sam Temple, go figure

Diana watched as the three boys followed her. The firehouse was down the next street, the corner where she hid conjoining them; with just a turn of her head she could see the firehouse. She saw Bette's shadowy figure slumped in the open garage. She also saw her three predators slowly walking towards her. She heard Sam help Bette, he really was a good guy. She also watched as the three boys came up.

Suddenly a man was holding her shoulders his breath on the back of her neck.
"Enjoy the show" She gasped to realize Drake Merwin was the one holding her.
"How long have you been here" she turned, facing him.
"Long enough"
"You let them do this Drake? You encourage this?"
"You didn't stop it Ladris"
"It's inhuman"
"But oh no girl, it's as human as it gets."
Diana smirked "I never knew how incredibly humane you were Drake, so sensitive"
"I'm a regular Joan of Arc, no let me stop these pussy's before the kill someone"
He laughed.
Son of a Bitch. I hated him. With all my being I really did.

Diana turned around and walked back towards home. She'd loss her appetite. As she walked in she saw a light on in the kitchen. She pulled off her blazer and slung it on her arm. She walked to the kitchen. Caine stood with his back to her, facing a blank television screen.
"What are we doing here" Diana asked

"Diana"
"I just mean, Caine. Why? I just saw the skinny redhead girl pumbled to near death on the street for discovering her Powers. I bet she'll die by tomorrow from internal bleeding alone, if not from a crushed skull."

"Diana"

"What Caine! What!?" she was mad now. This is out of hand, and Caine knew it. He still wasn't facing her and that bothered her all the more.

"I know. I know"

"What the fuck does that mean!"

"I mean I know what's happening. It's wrong, but it's too late to stop it. I would rather not talk about this"

She knew it was time to end it. His voice was cold. And she could see his broad shoulders tense.

"So what do you want to talk about?"

"Us"
"Us?"
"Diana"

His voice had softened. Oh shit. She knew he meant them. Their relationship. She walked across the kitchen to him. His hips leaned against the counter.

"Caine"

"No, I need to know"
"Know what? There is nothing to know"

He turned to face her, cupping her face in his hands.
"Don't Diana. Don't. Cut the shit. We both need to know, and we both have our opinions and no solid reason to be separate, but so many reasons to be together"

"But…" her gaze left his, falling to his chest.
"I know," he said"we can't be. I don't know why. But something in our lives have stopped us."

Before she could think her hands had lifted, pulling his from her face. But instead of letting go, she held on. Her eyes went up to his. He saw the acceptance in her eyes. Just this once. Her right hand left his and touched his lips, before quickly putting her lips on his. Just a tiny brush, but it was enough.

Caine turned Diana and threw her back into the nearby fridge. He pinned her long arms above her head. When their lips met again for a "real" kiss her body was already pressed up against his. Caine was tall and strong for his age. He easily was able to pick her up as their kissing became animal like a raw. Her bare legs wrapped around his small waist. He carried her to the counter as she moaned in between kisses.

Laying her down on the table Caine was incredibly quick. They wasted no time, knowing this would be a one-time only event. Lying on top of her he kissed her until his lips bled. Unable to unbutton her shirt quickly enough he simply ripped it open. As she went for his neck, he pulled of his gray t-shirt. As his hand ran up the outside of her bare thigh, Diana reached down to unbutton his Levi's. His pants only unbuttoned she made a move to pull down his black boxer shorts. He pulled her hand away, whispering in her ear. Diana arched her back inviting him undo her bra. Though her simple white silk one was so sexy, he wanted it off more than anything. But as unhooked it they were interrupted before he could even take it off. Caine froze for a second until Diana pushed him off of her. She walked out of the room, taking his shirt. He stood stupefied as she walked out, but he had no time to think as Drake's voice came from the entryway to the kitchen.

"In here" Caine said.

Now he knew why Diana had taken his shirt, he would have had no time to get dressed and clothes strewn on the floor wouldn't have come off well. Drake walked in, and seemed to ignore Caines appearance.
"You were asleep?"
Drake looked at Caine before grabbing some milk from the fridge.

Caine certainly looked it. His half buttoned jeans, bare muscular chest, and disheveled hair. He sounded hoarse anyways.

"Yeah just thirsty"

Drake turned,
"She's dead."
"Who?"
"That redhead girl. She had a fire power. Not bad though, probably a one bar. Chez and the big guys and some other beat her until she died from internal bleeding. Did Diana not tell you about her?"

"Nah, haven't seen her yet. She here?"
"I'd assume, I left her before I broke up the fight"

"Guess I was sleeping" this was working thought Caine.

"Yeah, anyways I'm beat. Gotta sleep. Night."

Caine stayed silent as Drake left. He then turned out the light and walked to his room. He paused outside Diana's room. The light was on under the crack of the door. He didn't bother with knocking.

Diana lied in bed with the lamp on. She had taken a quick shower to rid of Caines lingering scent and touch. She wore a white chemise and blue flannel shorts. She was on top of the bed, her eyes shut.

"You were right. The redhead is dead. Internal bleeding. I'm sorry"

"I didn't stop it. I watched it."

Caine didn't respond. Just stood in the doorway. Though there were a thousand things to say, Caine had nothing to say. There was nothing left to say.

But Diana didn't expect anything. She opened her eyes and sat up. She blinked at him and smirked. "Good night Soren"

"Ladris"
With a nod he turned out the lamp light, hiding them in darkness, and walked into the richly carpeted hallway.