Picking Up The Pieces

Other:

Arrowkid21: I think I'm free from writers block, but then I am ending it soon so...
mooray: Hey, sorry, it gets more serious now. But I might be doing another story that focusses more on their lives only.

Chapter Twenty Six

"Nerezza," Sam growled, pacing back and forth in front of the dinner table as Connie comforted Astrid and gave her a drink. "What is she doing with Pete? I thought she wanted to mess with Caine."

"Why me?" Caine snorted, he came into the room and was leaning against the door frame watching them all.

"It's a long story." Sam gabbled, forgetting Caine was there.

"Who is this Nerezza chick anyway?" Caine demanded.

"No one!" Sam and Astrid said instantly.

Caine rose an eyebrow to show that he did not believe a word from any of them. Who could blame him? With all the stress they were acting more than guilty. Astrid was still crying as Connie rubbed her back and explained her parents were out looking for him and ignored her when she tried to tell them what she thought happened. They couldn't believe it. They wouldn't.

"Caine, no offence, but you don't care about Pete. And if you switch you won't be much use anyway. So why don't you go back to bed." Sam suggested with a sickly smile.

"Sounds like a good idea. You can have today off of school." Connie suggested with her own smile.

"Hmmm, since you all want me to," Caine began with a smirk. "I think I'll stay and help. Become a nicer person and help out." What he was saying was nice enough but the sneer on his face showed what he was really thinking.

"Caine..." Connie began.

"Don't think I'll listen to you." Caine snorted. "I don't give a toss what you think."

"Caine!" Sam snapped.

"Sam!" Caine snapped, imitating him.

"Just go to your room already." Sam hissed angrily.

"Yes mum, sorry mum, forgive me mum, love you mum." Caine sneered.

"Enough, we need to call the police." Connie said, she rubbed Astrid's back. "They'll find Pete and arrest whoever did this."

"Mum, the police can't and won't help us here." Sam stressed. "They don't care about mutants and they definitely wouldn't care if Astrid or you called them because you're asosiated with Caine and me. The police will be useless, we need to find him on our own and take Nerezza down while we're at it before she does anything else to Caine or Petey."

"Sam, Nerezza is just a confused little girl." Connie said, frowning slightly.

"She's not a girl! She's the darkness! Why won't you listen to me!" Sam shouted, loosing his temper.

"Sam..." Connie began.

"He's not wrong." Astrid mumbled. "I still don't know if she is human or not but she has to be at least controlled by the darkness. Why else would she take Pete? And how else would she get to him?"

"No, enough. She is just a little girl. The best way to deal with her is to call her mother and the police." Connie said strictly.

Sam scowled and looked directly at Astrid. She kept her eyes down, tears building up again just when they had finally stopped. He tensed and stared at her while he said, "Astrid. I'll find Pete and bring him back safe, I promise you that." Then he turned and walked towards of the door, not looking at Caine or Connie or even Astrid while he walked.

"Sam!" Connie shouted after him.

Sam ignored her and slammed the door behind of him. He vaguely heard Caine laughing but he ignored him. Right now Sam had to get Little Pete and finish Nerezza off once and for all so she could not hurt anyone else or cause him any more grief just ehn he though th he had escape it all.

000

Nerezza knew Sam would be coming. She wished he was more worried about Caine but sometimes you can't help how things work out. But that was why she sent Drake to see to Caine and Raven to deal with Astrid. Once he heard they were in danger he would rush back to save one of them, if not try to be a desperate hero and save both like the idiot he was.

Snickering, Nerezza turned and went back into the cave. It was dark. Just the way she liked it. Pete was lying deep in the cave, still asleep. It would have been cute for anyone but Nerezza. She didn't care for cute little babies sleeping soundly. She didn't care for cute very much. Or at all for that matter. Cute did nothing for her and if anything it actually made her sick whenever she saw it.

She sat down and shut her eyes. The sooner it was night the sooner she would have her strength back and the sooner she could get it over and done with. Even though Nerezza was pretty sure that Sam would be busy she still did not want to risk it since he had been quite a annoyance to her from the beginning. He had constantly interferred with her plans. From the very beginning he stuck his stupid glowing hands into her business. Now it was her time to win and she might even try to adjust things if she could to work in her favour.

Nerezza was very tired after all. She had used up a lot of power putting Pete to sleep as well as making sure he has the right dreams and controlling his dreams in the best way she could. She had him dreaming about the day when he first created the FAYZ. Of course Nerezza would have to help him along but with the two of them working together they could probably do anything. The only problem was that they were on oposite sides and hated each other so one wasnt about to help the other.

Now to start up the dream as real as she could possible get it. She couldn't just have it happen or Pete wouldn't believe it. Nerezza had to have him think it was real by starting from the beginning of the day and going all the way down to the end. And at the right time Nerezza would have to work with him to get it really going. It was complicated for her to explain but she was sure that with Pete she could remake the FAYZ. Only maybe give her a bigger advantage this time.

The thought made a smirk spread across of her lips. This would be wonderful.

000

Caine had found Sam relatively quickly by following Astrid. The three then spent the next ten minutes storming down the street while Astrid called after Sam and Caine mocked both of them.

"Sam! Please! Wait!" Astrid called.

"No! Don't you want to find Pete?" Sam demanded, glancing over his shoulder.

"Of course I do! But I don't want you to get yourself killed doing it! We need some sort of a plan and more people and help and-" Astrid began before Caine interupted her.

"And a louder girlfriend because I just don't think Astrid is doing it for you Sammy," Caine sneered.

"SHUT UP!" Astrid shrieked, glaring at Caine angrily.

Caine just smirked and rose an eyebrow at her. The two had come to a stop and now faced one another, Astrid shaking while Caine seemed calmer than ever. Then Astrid remembered Sam, and she spun around and ran to catch up with him, grabbing his arm in an attempt to slow him down long enough for her to talk to him. Caine calmly walked along after them, a smile perminently plastered on his lips. He was having fun watching those two struggle so much.

"Sam! Please! Just wait for me and think! You're mother is freaking out! She's calling Nerezza's mum and-"

"Nerezza doesn't have a mum! For God's sake get it through your head!" Sam snapped.

Astrid winced like he had hit her. Sam felt a pang of guilt for a moment then and regretted shouting at her but he was pretty sick of her not listening to him.

"Whether she has a mother or not, we can't go running like crazy when we don't even have the slightest idea where she is..." Astrid said as calmly as she could.

Sam finally came to a stop, admiting defeat finally. But then just as Caine caught up with the two of them he lifted his head sharply and squinted off into the distance in front of him. He was looking to a certain spot. He couldn't actually see it but he knew it was there, he knew it was somewhere in that direction and it didn't take his companions long before they realized what he was staring at as well. They could at least notice the general area in which they would be hiding away.

"You have to be kidding me," Astrid said instantly. "What on Earth makes you think they went somewhere so obvious as up there?"

"Because it is obvious." Sam said, "Anyway, we just need somewhere to start and that is the perfect place. You are either with me or against me," he paused, "But either way. I want you to go home, Caine."

"Yeah right," Caine sneered. "Like I'd miss any of this! You want me gone, then you're just gonna have to make me."

"Caine. I mean it!" Sam snapped, "Go home!"

"And I mean it when I tell you to make me," Caine shrugged.

"Okay..." Sam paused, "Go and find Diana."

"Why?" Caine snorted.

"Because for all we know Nerezza could be going for than just Pete. How do you know she didn't send Drake to Diana to keep us busy? Go and protect her if you care about her at all!" Sam snapped.

No one moved but it was clear that what he had said hit Caine. He Tensed and cleanched his jaw.

"Do you want to risk Diana with Drake?" Sam said.

Sam won. Caine angry knocked Sam to the floor with a wave of his hand before he turned and stormed off. Sam picked himself up off the floor, brushing himself down just as Caine disapeared behind a building. He silently prayed to anyone that might be watching them that Caine make it to Diana's without switching! Especially if Drake was going to show up at any moment and fight him.

"I'm coming." Astrid said before Sam could even try and send her away.

"... Fine," they didn't have any more time to argue. "Just stay behind me."

"Fine," Astrid said angrily.

000

He had been thinking so much that he got there almost in minutes. Caine caught Diana in her bedroom, she was just about to shut the curtains. He lifted a hand and the window unlocked itself and drifted open, catching her attention almost instantly. She blinked and pushed the curtains back, sticking her head out and staring down at Caine in shock like she couldn't believe he was here. Then she grinned down at him and made a sign with her hand for him to wait there for her. Before she could turn however, she felt Caine's pull and raised an eyebrow up at her. She gently squeezed herself nervously out of the window and let Caine pick her up and lower her down. She had to tighten her fist around her night gown to keep it from blowing in the wind and revealing her think pink underwear to Caine.

"I could have snuck out," Diana said as he settled her down onto the ground.

"That was more fun," Caine said and winked.

"Why are you here, Caine?" Diana asked, rolling her eyes playfully and crossing her arms over her chest to hide the fact that she was starting to get cold in the windy air.

"It's a rather long story," Caine said, holding out his hand. "Let's take a walk."

Diana hesitated a moment before she smiled at him and took his hand. A night with Caine would be so much better than staying in Coates any longer. Especially since she had forgotten how bitchy the other girls were when she didn't have Caine by her side, frightening everyone else and defending her from snotty teachers. Diana missed the old days so much.

Caine took Diana along the road, heading in the opposite direction of Perdido Beach. They didn't want to be near anyone but each other. It was corny but sometimes life was a bit corny. Diana preferred it when Caine was corny because it meant he was being sweet and kind and not angry and controlling like he normally was. They walked for quite a bit before coming to a stop and Caine lay down on the grass.

"... You brought me all the way out here to... To what? Lie there?" Diana demanded.

"Relax. I just want to wait here while we talk. Got some stuff to say." Caine explained.

Diana hesitated but took a seat down beside of him. She listened as Caine told her that Pete was missing. He told him about what Sam thought of Nerezza and then paused, waiting for her opinion.

"I think Sam's right. Everyone is always doubting him and he always turns out to be right." Diana shrugged.

Caine scowled. That was true but he didn't like to admit it! So instead he stayed quiet.

"So why are you here instead of with Sam?" Diana frowned.

Caine opened his mouth to answer when something appeared in front of his eyes, falling down and catching him clearly across of his lips. He roared in pain and shot up just in time for the thing to appear again, catching his forehead and knocking him back down onto the ground once more. Diana had let out a shriek in surprise and jumped back, quickly. The thing, a red whip hand, got Caine at least another five times in the face, cutting him and tearing his skin. Caine shouted each time and his hands threw up to defend himself but they just got slapped as well and whoever it was hitting him (no real guess as to who it was) was standing a good distance away so he couldn't find them properly with his power.

"DRAKE!" Diana shrieked.

Drake laughed. He was smart. He knew just what to do. Keep hitting Caine to keep him from getting a good aim, if he could then he'd catch him hard on the eyes and blind him completely. Drake hit him twice more in the face, aiming for his eyes before returning to his arms to keep him from lifting them up and throwing things at random. He glanced over at Diana and grinned. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to help but she clearly couldn't do it with Drake swinging as wild as he was.

"Hey, Diana. Oh don't worry, once I'm done here..." Drake grunted, swinging faster and sharper. "I'll make time for you."

He turned attention on Caine again. The boy was bloody. Badly. His face was dripping and he kept shouting, struggling to get onto his feet but every time he rolled over or sat up, Drake flipped him and slammed back down on the ground. It was hard to see his face now. But Drake could just about make his mouth opened and his eyes shut tightly to avoid the one thing that Drake was aiming for.

Drake had been so focussed on Caine he didn't notice Diana running at him. Her arms wrapped around of his neck and her whole body was thrown against his, knocking him off of his feet and onto the ground. Drake shouted and turned, trying to knock her off but her nails were already clawing down his face and her knee went dangerous close to his groin. His whip came up and caught the back of her neck but not as hard as he would have liked, she winced but otherwise did not react and continued slapping at his face, screaming.

And then Diana was up in the air. She was flying but gently and when she was settled down it was very carefully so she would not be hurt. Drake frowned for a moment, confused. Then, just as the moment he realized what was happening, it was too late. An invisible fist caught him in the side of the head and sent him spinning on the spot right into a nearby tree, the exact tree he had been hiding behind to avoid Caine or Diana seeing him before he could get close enough to attack. The force had to at least break one or two of his poor ribs.

Drake was pulled away from the tree, lifted in the air and thrown into it again. Drake's side was killing him, he'd probably broken at least half of his ribs, and his nose was bleeding heavily.

Caine was standing just a few feet behind of him, hands raised, teeth showing, growling like an honest to God wild animal. He lifted Drake in the air and slammed him against the tree, he then lifted Drake's own whip and wrapped it around Drake's throat, pinning him against the tree and adding so much pressure that it actually stopped the air from getting into his lungs properly.

"That was the biggest mistake you'll ever make, Drake." Caine snarled, spitting blood on the ground.

Drake squinted at him. The cuts were there but they weren't deep. He'd gone for more cuts rather than painful cuts and so most of them had already stopped bleeding. This was not good. He needed to think fast to get out of this alive.

"Wait," Drake gasped. "Caine, wait!"

Caine wasn't listening. He still had Drake pinned so it was hard to breath and he was glancing around for something to crush him properly with. Diana was standing close, glaring and Drake and for once waiting for Caine to delivery the final blow.

"Nerezza! FAYZ!" Drake cried out desperately. "She-She's starting the FAYZ up again! She's doing it right now!"

It was enough. Both Caine and Diana paused and shared a look. Caine loosened some of the strength on Drake but not enough to set him free or release his whip arm so it could do more damage.

"What did you just say?" Diana frowned.

"You heard me! And I ain't telling you no more unless you put me down!" Drake demanded.

"We don't really need that much more information." Diana smirked.

"You need to know where it's happening!" Drake shouted desperately.

"No. Sam's already guessed." Caine growled, turning and spitting more blood out of his mouth. "You're basically useless now, Drake."

"No!" Drake shouted, fighting against Caine's force but it was impossible. He was dead.

Just as Caine tightened the hold on him again the both froze. Caine's head began to bob like a sort of bird and Diana's lips were failing opened as she reached up and felt her throat, too shocked even for fear.

Drake blinked then grinned. He turned his head just as he saw Raven backing up with both her hands held out. It was stupid. She was trying to get out of range of Caine but still be able to work her own magic. She wouldn't be able to do that. Not at her level. But it would be enough to take Caine's attention off of Drake. In fact he could already feel the pressure slipping away as Caine turned his eyes on something much more irritating.

Then Drake was on his feet again. He rose his whip and brought it down as hard as he could on the middle of Caine's skull.