Chibiyu: Some are confused by Lexi, good, and some are not…odd. Okie dookey. Lol.

Nick: You're the one that confuses me Chibi.

Chibiyu: I confuse a lot of people.

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Everyone ran out of the cave and Kevin tripped but he caught himself. They all looked around, from me rocking slightly, crying in mental agony with Joe's hand over my ears and mine clinging to the front of his shirt, to Lexi. She was standing straight and tall and I hadn't even realized she had let go of my throbbing leg. She was looking rather disappointed in me but she lied, her eyes telling me if I told, she would kill them.

And I had no doubt she would.

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KEVIN'S POV

What had happened to put Nick in such a state? He looked utterly terrified and when he called out to Joe, his panic was evident.

"What did you do to him?" Joe repeated, still livid and fuming at the ears.

"I didn't do anything." Lexi defiantly stated. "Why would I? I'm on your side! I don't want Nick to get hurt when he just started getting better!"

I looked down to Nick and watched him shiver a bit under Lexi's piercing gaze.

"S-she d-didn't do a-anything." Nick stuttered, not looking at us. "Not purposely."He added and Lexi smiled in relief.

"He's right. I just was stupid and said something I shouldn't have." Lexi informed us apologetically. "I didn't mean it Nick. I'm sorry." She swore and everyone but Nick nodded.

"What did you say?" I asked out of curiosity and Lexi looked to Nick, who nodded once.

"I called him Nicky…I don't know why that set him off…" She whispered and we all noticed Nick tensed from the nickname. And not like he did before, that was from annoyance. This was from…fear, like he was expecting something to follow.

"Are you going to be ok bro?" Joe questioned lightly and Nick nodded once, still trembling. I looked to Joe and chuckled, taking his place instantly. Nick took a sharp intake for the mere seconds his ears were uncovered but he relaxed again when mine replaced Joe's.

"Bathroom." I explained to them as Joe ran off. Eyra and Lexi burst out in giggles and Nate shook his head, smiling with me. I couldn't see what Nick was doing but I think he was smiling.

"I'm ok now Kev." Nick told me quietly, pulling away and I let him, but he didn't move away from me. I smiled, happy he knew he was safe with us. But I couldn't bring myself to look into his eyes. They were once so bright, deep, and intense, but now? It was like looking into the eyes of a stranger.

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NICK'S POV

It hurt.

Physically.

Emotionally.

Mentally.

It hurt.

Their words, lies or truth, shattered my heart into smaller particles of dust.

The silence I often yearned to hear made me cringe because my questions were left unanswered.

Being with them brought the pain of knowing their worry I caused them.

Solitude brought the pain of the lies because the silence was never left untouched.

And it hurt.

As for Joe's previous demands, it really wasn't Lexi that did anything to me. It was all me.

When Joe ran off, the blessed and yet cursed silence bestowed upon me was broken. The only words they had the chance to yell were the ones I had no want to ever hear again.

We hate you! Go die you damn bastard!

And then the silence was restored as soon as Kevin's hands came over my ears. I smiled small, and it must have looked pathetic but it was a smile nonetheless. I relaxed slightly and I felt 'them' leave. I can't really explain how I know if 'they' are here or gone. But if 'they' are here, I can't relax or breathe normally, like I can now.

"I'm ok now Kev." I quietly told him and I pulled away but didn't stray far. My shoulder brushed against his as I traced random patterns in the sand, thinking. Why would Lexi try and open recently scabbing wounds? I know she wanted revenge and I would give that to her, but I wouldn't pull the trigger. And now I wasn't' sure about her killing Nate either. Or anyone. Despite what Tyrone's done…everyone deserves a chance to live. Even the most twisted and evil.

"What did I miss?" Joe asked, running up.

"You were gone a long time. Everything come out alright?" I asked joking and everyone starred at me with astonishment. And then they processed what I said and Eyra went into another giggle spell, Lexi trying to hold it in and failing, Joe nodded, smirking slightly, Nate doubling over and Kevin shaking from almost silent laughs.

Ok, it wasn't that funny…but I guess when you find an excuse to laugh in a situation like this; you milk it for everything its worth. Or maybe the sun was getting to them. Or maybe they were just weird. Yeah, I'm going to go with that one.

But whatever the reason for their laughter was, it didn't matter. There was still a bigger reason at hand. Tyrone. He is going to come for us and he will show no mercy. My leg is proof of that. We need to move, to get out of here. To do anything we can.

Thud.

What the heck was that?

Thud.

Wings?

I craned my head and looked in the sky and Joe whooped, jumping up and down in joy.

What the heck?

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JOE'S POV

It worked!

I watched the magnificent birds land unsteadily in the sand and I turned, meeting the triumphant faces of those around me. Well…except for Nick's…where was Nick?

I spun around, looking frantically, my heart pounding more and more, thinking Tyrone got to him. What kind of a brother was I?

"Nick?" I called out and everyone realized then he was gone.

"Here," He called from somewhere and I looked to the source of his slightly crushed sounding voice and sighed in relief.

A Tiffly had landed on him, holding him down with one claw, glaring menacingly. Oh right…he killed their mother…on accident more than likely but still…didn't think of that. Nick squirmed a little, and the Tiffly hissed and snaked its beak at him, putting more of its weight down. Nick breathed out; paling and I realized where the Tiffly's claw lay. And I knew it wasn't an accident on the bird's part.

"It's ok! He's a friend!" I yelled to them, unsure if they would understand. Three of them backed down and waddled over to Eyra, Kevin and Nate, but the one on Nick stayed put. "It's alright. My brother won't hurt you." I told it, putting calm back into my voice, even though my heart was thundering.

It lashed out at my with its wings, crushing my brother even further and he yelped out as I jumped back, narrowly avoiding the deadly wings. I stayed still, waiting as it eyed me warily before it looked back at Nick. It didn't attack, but it kept him under its radar gaze, studying, stalking, learning. Nick kept still under the gaze, meeting it evenly but I saw the fear, the pain, and the determination.

Lexi slowly stepped forward in wonder, stopping by my side. She said nothing but I could tell she understood what was going on. The Tiffly slowly lifted its massive head from Nick and met her gaze and if looks could kill, Lexi would be dead. It slowly stepped off from my brother and I ran to him, Lexi walking very slowly over.

"Are you ok?" Kevin called, not far behind and Nick took a breath before nodding.

"Yeah…"

"Your leg." Eyra simply said, walking over and checking the bandages. "Still closed." She smiled and patted the Tiffly. "She wasn't going to injure you."

"If you were trustworthy, that is." Lexi put in, standing a ways away. "It…She was studying you. Trying to tell if you were the threat you were when you killed her mother." Lexi was looking right into the giant birds eyes and it looked like she was reading its mind. "It's eyes Joe, not its mind."

She smiled at my perplexed expression but her face darkened quickly and Nick tensed next to me.

"What's wrong?" Nate whispered.

"Get on a bird." Lexi started, pushing Kevin towards the nearest one.

"Now!" Nick finished, looking in the distance and I followed his gaze to see figures standing on a far off dune. The Tiffly's each moved restlessly and I pulled Nick to his feet, supporting his weight as I helped him climb onto the Tiffly next to us and I got on after him, my heart going so fast it felt like it wasn't beating at all. A shot echoed in the distance and Nate pushed Eyra his Tiffly and Lexi and Kevin took separate ones.

Another bang and we all ducked. The Tiffly's opened their enormous wing span and flapped, stirring up a mini sandstorm. I held very tightly onto Nick with my arms and squeezed until it hurt with my legs, Nick doing the same in front. But as I held him, I felt him shivering. Not enough to notice from looking and I barely felt it now, but he was still afraid of something.

Wait duh; Tyrone had a small army with guns trained on us, which would scare anyone. I scooted up closer to him just as the Tiffly lifted itself from the ground and shot straight up. I expected Nick to scream because if roller coasters weren't his thing, I doubted he would enjoy this. But he stayed silent, keeping an eye on Tyrone's receding figure. He was yelling something and jumping up and down in anger. We were too high up by now to be reached by his guns and they looked like little ant people. I allowed myself to relax as the birds flew off towards home and my death grip on Nick became a hug.

"Are you alright?" I yelled over the roaring wind. Nick looked back at me, eyes wide with amazement and nodded. He looked over to the puffy clouds and then down to the sea of glittering sand and he almost smiled. Almost.

"Wow." He said after a minute, sitting up straight and letting go of the bird with one hand. I smiled at him as he turned to look back and he hesitantly returned to smile but it faded fast. He ducked as one of the giant bird babies flew over our heads, Lexi laughing and waving and Nick shook his head in disproval. We both looked down to see Nate and Eyra right below us, scanning the ground for more threats. But I didn't see the point, we were fairly safe from everything but the random airplane.

"Hey Nick!" Kevin shouted and we both looked next to us to see him beaming. "Ready to go home?"

Nick just looked at Kevin, his face unreadable. He shrugged, not speaking, before looking away from all of us, sinking away into his own thoughts. Something I personally hated.

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NICK'S POV

Home? How could I have been so stupid to not thing that was not where we were headed? Was I ready to go home again? To face my fear of reverting back into insanity and hurting them? I glanced to Lexi and I knew I couldn't be alone with her. Ever. I can't risk it. I don't want to hear 'them' again. I don't want to hurt anyone. But I knew she could turn that around be manipulating my emotions. My guilt.

Was it safe for me to go home? After I almost killed them both?

"Nick?" Joe called in my ear and I jumped slightly, not expecting the interruption. "Tell me what you're thinking." He begged and I sighed. Should I? Would he…no Nick. He wouldn't hate you. He could never hate you.

"Alright." I turned back to him, turning around completely on the Tiffly's back, no fear of falling. But I didn't have the right words to say and I knew Joe would wait until the end of time if he had to. Which he may…

Why would he?

I sighed angrily and ran fingers through my hair, pointedly ignoring their false voices. They weren't the truth. They were the lies.

You've go it backwards.

I closed my eyes and shut them out, looking back at Joe. I can do this.

"I was thinking…" I started quietly, but I knew Joe would hear me. "I'm scared." I finally admitted, not meeting his gaze. "I'm afraid that what happened to me back there…will happen when I am home. I don't want to hurt anyone…I am afraid I could try and kill them like I did with you." I whispered the last part but I knew Joe somehow caught it all. He pulled me into a tight hug, one I actually and gratefully returned.

"You will be fine little bro." He whispered, pulling back to look me in the eyes. "And you know that it wasn't your fault for all those times. We don't blame you. Anyone in your position would have snapped eventually." He told me but I shook my head.

"Not anyone…I…I just couldn't stand the thought of me murdering you guys. And I've killed more." I looked at him, not caring for the shake in my voice and I was thankful no tears came my eyes. But I knew, with their absence, my eyes looked dead.

"It's ok Nick. You weren't yourself." He tried to reason.

"It was still my fault Joe." I countered. He shook his head, finding no words and hugged me again.

"Don't blame yourself Nick. I don't know anyone that would have taken this situation any better." He whispered but that was a lie. Anyone else would have been better than I. If I could take it all back, I would. But it is impossible to undo the past. I pulled away for the hug and didn't meet his eyes as I turned forward again. "Nick? Listen to me bro." Joe asked gently and I nodded to indicate I was. But he didn't elaborate further.

After three minutes I turned my head to look at him and he evenly met my gaze but still did not speak. I let my confusion edge into my eyes and still he did nothing.

"Nice conversation Joe." I stated after another minute of silence. He didn't smirk, or do anything. What the heck was he doing? I turned back to the front ad waited for anything, but nothing came.

"Are you listening?" He asked and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah the silence is amazing." I sarcastically put in, not turning this time and Joe sighed.

"Nick, I know this will be hard for it but listen." He was silent again for the few beats of the Tiffly's wings. "Every foot we go, you are still alive. The world hasn't ended yet. You can make it through." He had me listen to silence for that?

Wait…it was silent. 'They' weren't here even though they had the perfect opportunity to harass me. Joe was right. When did that start happening?

I turned to him and smiled softly, thanks in my eyes. He nodded.

"Hey Nick!" Eyra yelled. "Welcome home!"

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Chibiyu: It is more of a filler and I'm sorry for that. I can't proof read it right now so again, sorry. Until Next Update!