Disclaimer: Don't own TSL. Grrr. I hate that thing.

A/N: Something big happens in this chapter. I think your going to like it.

The next day, Zack went to school while Cody stayed home. He still hadn't come out of his room. Well, he did a couple times to go to the bathroom, but other than that he stayed in his room. Carey didn't know what to do. She was starting to feel like ignoring Cody was making his talking situation worse. Not only did he not talk, but he also didn't leave his room. Carey couldn't even see her own son anymore! She needed to call Kathy. She couldn't watch her son suffer anymore. She walked over to the phone and started to dial the number to Kathy's office. Carey was about halfway through dialing when she heard a door open. Cody was standing in the doorway, paler than ever. She hung the phone up.

"Cody. Are you okay?" Carey asked.

Cody walked over to the phone where they kept a pad a paper to write down messages and a pen. He picked them up and began scribbling on the paper. When he was done he handed it to Carey.

The note read "I want to go to school."

"You can't go to school if you don't talk. Besides, school will be over in about 5 minutes. It would be pointless to go now even if you did start to talk."

Something in Cody snapped. He had gone way to long without talking. Without getting his feelings out. He needed to talk. No. He needed to scream. Cody opened his mouth and began screaming, but not a sound escaped his lips. He stopped, eyes wide in shock. Why wasn't there a sound? Cody tried again, but the same thing happened. He even tried talking normally. The only sound was the sound of quiet air escaping lips. Cody didn't like it. He was finally ready to talk and his vocal cords wouldn't let him. He snapped again. Cody started by knocking everything off the kitchen table. Then he tipped the table and chairs over. Carey watched in amazment as her son moved onto the living room, knocking over everything in his sight. It wasn't long before the whole suite was in shambles. Cody stopped and looked at the mess he had made. He looked up to see his brother standing in the doorway. His books on the floor by his feet, and his jaw dropped.

"What did you do, Cody?" asked Zack.

Cody just ran from the suite. Zack and Carey didn't even try to stop him. He needed some time alone.

"What happened?" asked Zack.

"I don't know. I think he was going to talk. He opened his mouth a few times, but nothing came out. Oh my God! What if he's gone so long without talking that his vocal cords have stopped working?"

"But mom, it hasn't been that long. It's only been about two weeks since he stopped talking.. You can't tell me that his vocal cords have already stopped working."

"I don't know, but I'm going to call Kathy right now and tell her what happened."

Cody was running. He didn't know where he was going, but he sure knew he wasn't staying at the Tipton. He needed to be alone. Or at least be where it was quiet. Like the library! Cody changed directions and began running to the library. He was about to cross the street when a hand clapped down on his shoulder. He was being dragged to an alley. The same one he was shot in. The man that was holding Cody was Joel.

"Hey kid! I saw you in the neighborhood and thought I should have a chat with you. So how you doin?" asked Joel.

Cody nodded. "You know, I could kill you right now if I wanted to so I want a little respect. Talk to me. Don't just move your head," Joel spat.

Cody didn't know what to do. He couldn't talk. He didn't really feel like getting killed right after he got out of the hospital from the same man so he tried to talk. Nothing but air. While he was doing this, Joel was looking at him funny. "What's your problem kid?"

Cody put all the air he had and formed a word. "I"

"What?" Joel was so confused. Why wasn't the kid talking. It shouldn't take that much work to make one word.

Cody kept going. He was bound and determined to start talking. "Can't." The word only came out in a whisper, but Joel heard it.

"Can't what? What is your problem?"

"Talk."

"Huh? Kid stop doing whatever your doing. Why don't you just talk like a regular person?"

"I...can't...talk," Cody breathed. He was out of breath. Who would have thought it would take so much to say three words?

"Well obviosly you can if you just said that."

Cody shook his head. "Well, then I guess I have nothing to worry about. Good day to you," Joel said. Then he was gone. Cody needed to get home. He actually wanted to talk to mom and Zack. He started running in the direction of the Tipton.

Zack and Carey were sitting at the table waiting for Cody when he came bursting through the door. "Oh Cody, your home! Come on. We're going to Kathy's office," said Carey grabbing for Cody's arm, but he stepped away shaking his head.

"I...don't...need...to," Cody said breathlessly. Everything was still a whisper. His vocal cords still didn't want to work but he was forcing them to.

"Oh my God! Your talking! Your really talking!" Carey pullled Cody into a big hug. Cody was smiling so big. Zack came and joined the hug too. This was amazing! Now, Cody might actually tell what happened the day he got shot.

Kinda cliffy. Do you think Cody will tell about the day he got shot or will the pressure from Joel make himdecide not to? Review and tell me what you think. Please.