Hey!

I hope everyone's doing well! I just wanted to let you know that I probably won't be updating as much as I used to. I don't plan on "completing" Silent or discontinuing it, but kind of making it sort of a "side project", if that makes sense. I want to focus on some other projects, but at the same time, I don't want to completely abandon this. My goal is to keep updating but just not as frequently.

I hope you understand!

Naia's POV

"Naia?"

I could hear Gabby's worried voice from the other side of the door.

"I'll be out in a minute," I called back but didn't make any move to get up off the floor.

Well, I may have lied a little when I said I'd be out in a minute.

When I felt somewhat less nauseous, I finally pulled myself onto my feet and opened the door. I went across the hall to wash my hands before taking off my jacket and hanging it up.

"You good?" Matt asked as I took a seat next to him on the couch. I nodded but inched closer towards him before he wrapped an arm around me.

After a while, Gabby joined us as well and I was cozily snuggled between two of the people I loved most in the world.

I realized I was starting to nod off but a clap of thunder made me flinch slightly.

"You're okay," Gabby whispered and put a hand on my shoulder.

I nodded and sat up a little taller so I could look out the window and I saw that it was starting to rain rather heavily.

I pouted slightly, "The rain's going to ruin the memorial."

"Yes," Gabby said, "But do you know why that doesn't really matter?"

Raising an eyebrow, I gave her a strange look.

"Hear me out," Gabby laughed a little, "The memorial is wonderful, but behind the candles and flowers, is the kindness that people have."

"Touche," Matt pointed his finger at Gabby, making me laugh.

"The rain might destroy the candles and flowers but it can't destroy the kindness in people," Gabby whispered as she pulled me closer into her side and started stroking my hair.

We had done something wrong. Or maybe it was because Mr. Samual was drunk.

Or maybe it was both.

Either way, all four of us found ourselves locked inside the dark and cold basement. It was better than being locked outside though. It was raining cats and dogs, which never made sense to me since cats and dogs weren't falling from the sky, water was. The thunder was loud and booming, and occasionally, we'd see a flash of lightning through the tiny basement windows.

Shane and Thomas were scared. Shane was practically crying while he was pressed up in between Thomas and Ellie. Beside me, Thomas was quietly sobbing as well.

Ellie was trying her best to comfort Shane and I had an arm wrapped protectively around Thomas, gently singing to him.

The truth was though, I was having a hard time keeping myself from trembling because of how cold and scared I was.

"Shhh, don't cry," Gabby kept stroking my hair, "You're okay."

I didn't even realize I had started crying.

"What's wrong?" Matt asked quietly as he reached over to wipe the tears off my cheeks with the pad of his thumb.

I shook my head and didn't say anything else, not trusting that I'd let the waterworks start if I opened my mouth.

"Well, something obviously is wrong," Matt told me and tried to get me to make eye contact with him.

I just shook my head again before burying it into Gabby's side.

"Talk to us Munchkin," Matt said quietly.

"I don't want to," My voice was quivering with each word I spoke.

Matt nodded, "Okay."

I wasn't sure how long I had been there, sitting on the couch, squished between Matt and Gabby quietly while Gabby stroked my hair, but it had been a good chunk of time before my stomach gave a loud growl.

"Sounds like someone's hungry," Matt joked, making me smile softly.

"Just a little," I admitted and Gabby wiggled her arm out from behind me.

She then tapped me on the nose lightly, "I'll start cooking then."

While Gabby cooked, since Matt clearly lacked in his cooking skills, I watched SpongeBob, even though I was too old for it. What was I saying? You're never too old for SpongeBob.

The storm outside was starting to pick up and with a loud crash, the lights flickered before going out along with everything else electrical.

"Great," I said, standing up in the dark, "The power went out."

"Stay right there, I'm going to get some flashlights," Matt told me before I heard him shuffle away. I did as he said and waited until he was back, this time, with some flashlights.

Matt passed one to me with a smile on his face, "Let's go find Gabby."

I held his hand, even though it was completely unnecessary, and we made our way to the kitchen where Gabby was standing at the stove, stirring something in the pot.

"The power went out you know," Matt said, making his way over to Gabby.

Gabby rolled her eyes, "I couldn't tell."

"That means the stove doesn't work," Matt added and I laughed.

"Well, the mac n' cheese is practically done so I'm just making sure it doesn't stick," Gabby explained, "Now go get some candles. Naia, you set the table."

While Matt went to get candles, I used my flashlight to guide me around the kitchen while I grabbed bowls and cutlery. I plopped three bowls down by Gabby and she spooned the mac n' cheese into each of them. I then brought the bowls over to the table where I set them down along with a fork for each bowl.

By now, Matt was back with the candles and put a few in the middle of the table, spaced apart a little, before lighting them.

"Alright, let's eat," Gabby said and we took out seats and started eating.

"This is really good," Matt complimented and I nodded in agreement, I mouth full of food.

"Why thank you," Gabby smiled, "You know, this is kind of romantic."

Matt laughed, "The power's out and we're eating mac n' cheese."

"The candles though," Gabby gestured towards them, "They give off a romantic mood."

I made a face, "Why do I feel like I'm third-wheeling?"