AN: I got the plague. I like to think that tells you all that you need to know as far as why I haven't updated for so long and too much all at once. Anyway, I'm not someone that likes to beg for reviews or will say no new chapter until X amount of reviews are posted, but this is just a reminder that they are always appreciated. I would like to thank everyone that has reviewed this story so far and allowed us to reach 20 reviews, and I would also like to thank those that have nominated this fic for the 2013 Gone fanfiction awards! I am proud to announce that 'Silence' has been nominated in several categories, and all I can say is thank you. 3 As always, this chapter is dedicated to Tienka.

Disclaimer: I, Mistystarshine, do not own Gone or the characters.

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You know what it feels like to be walking toward your execution? Caine might not have ever headed to something that had actually been arranged and declared his execution before but he had been in enough life or death situations to know the feeling well. He felt rather like that at the moment, but not quite. He knew that he wasn't going to die, not only were the townies far too riot without their precious leader ordering them too but he liked to think that he could take on the entire lot and come out victorious. (Well, as long as certain people weren't involved in the fight, then it would probably be a bit harder.) No, he was going to face death by politics. Only this time he couldn't stand up and try to charm, lie, manipulate, and cheat his way out of it. Yes, he still had his powers, and that alone should be enough to threaten people into remaining quiet for a while. But eventually people would ask questions, the truth would come out, and he was not looking forward to it.

"Stop moping, would you."

An almost bored sounding command cut through his thoughts. Thoughts that he immediately began to try and tell himself where definitely not moping the moment those words hit his ears. Never mind that he was paying absolutely no attention to his surroundings was seated at the back of the boat and as far from everyone else as he could get, and was slumped over slightly. Caine Soren did not mope. As if to rub this in he straightened up and shot Diana a glare. Diana, who had apparently moved to stand in front of him sometimes during his musing, crossed her arms, and not looked thoroughly unimpressed. With a shake of her head she continued, "seriously, I've spent more than enough time on this freaking boat but these will be the last moments of peace we'll have for a while, and I don't want to spend them with you skulking about in emo corner." As Caine continued to glare at her she rolled her eyes, allowing a moment of silence before she raised her voice so everyone could hear to add, "especially if we end up taking another unexpected detour."

This was followed by a glare at Sam, who turned around to give her a look of annoyance. Although he couldn't help but feel that there was a tad of embarrassment that his brother was trying oh so desperately to hide. He sounded exasperated and completely warn down as he said, "it's dark, it could have happened to anyone." It was true, the night had set in what he assumed was several hours ago. Thanks to the delays in getting going they had not managed to get back before the sun went down, and from there it had apparently been too easy for Sam and the wonder fisherman to get them completely lost. It made him wonder how they had managed to reach the island in the time they had, or at least the time he assumed it had taken.

Unless, he mused, they aren't any more eager to arrive than I am.

But Diana didn't take this into account. Instead she just snorted before responding, "oh yes, anyone could get hopelessly lost in what is essentially a giant fishbowl. Anyone could leave us floating around for about two hours before figuring out that we probably weren't in the right place and having to use their glowing death lasers to find their way back, because they packed flashlights that were nearly dead. No, this definitely isn't the result of poor planning, a complete lack of a sense of direction, and delays in the form of idiots that nearly burn down a building to burn down a point!" Her rant was followed by yet another glare at Sam, which she then switched to Caine.

It had been a long, long, long day.

Deciding to ignore the girl that seemed to be rapidly going from annoyed to irate Caine glanced at Sam, who looked like he was going to say something back before deciding it would be better not to. Instead he let out a sigh and flopped down into one of the chairs that was not taken by Lana or Dekka, who had fallen asleep. At the moment it was only he, Diana, Sam, and Quinn who were awake, and seeing as Quinn was steering the boat and wasn't exactly known for his fearless and outgoing ways he doubted he would be jumping into the conversation any time soon.

Silence fell over the group for a moment, and he found himself hoping that it would last. But it seemed that nothing he hoped for was going to be happening any time soon as the silence was broken by Sam muttering, "we should probably figure out what we're going to do." There was no need to ask for clarification on what he meant by that. He was worried about what would happen once they arrived at Perdido Beach, as if that wasn't flowing through all of their minds, no matter how much certain people tried to ignore it. For his part Caine just glared off into the distance, not about to hang his head like someone fearing what was to come but also not willing to look his brother in the face at the moment, not wanting to see what was there.

It was Diana that spoke next. "You say that like it's something we can plan out. Some people will be fearful, some will be angry, and I highly doubt that any one of them will be happy to see us." There was a pause before the growled, "which means that they probably won't be happy with you either. What, the big hero of the FAYZ bringing the evil coates kids over to happy rainbow land."

He was surprised to hear her use his term for Sam and found himself glancing at her. She had been glaring out in front of herself as well, teeth bared, anger showing on her face. Exactly who she was angry at Caine did not know, but he sincerely doubted that it was the townies. For a moment he continued to look at her, unsure of what to do. In the end he made himself look away again.

Despite telling himself that he was not going to look at Sam his eyes betrayed him and darted over to the boy's face for a moment. He seemed to have paled at her words, although it was hard to tell in the dark, and looked almost like he couldn't figure out what to say. Finally he murmured, "actually, I'm not as in charge as you might think any more.

And so they fell into silence.

It was not until they arrived that anyone spoke again.

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Despite what Diana had said it wasn't hours until they arrived. More like an hour, hour and a half, two at most. Still long enough for exhaustion to win her over and her to begin to doze off. Not long after the little debate, or argument, he wasn't completely sure what to call it, she had sat down beside him. Somewhere along the way she had gotten a tad too tired and ended up leaning against him, where she dozed off into a light sleep. For his part Caine also felt about ready to pass out, but some unholy combination or nervousness, apprehension, and good old fashioned insomnia kept him awake. Sam was awake as well, for the same reasons as him he assumed, but he wasn't about to try and communicate with him.

Finally Quinn announced, "I think I can see the dock."

He felt like if he had been walking to his execution this whole time this moment would have been his first glance of the guillotine. Still he refused to let his nervousness show, instead nudging Diana into wakefulness. She blearily blinked her eyes open and cast a confused glance around, before she apparently remembered where she was and what was going on and shot into an upright position. Which, he couldn't help but notice, was follow by scooting a few inches away from him. Forcing down the surge of bitterness he felt Caine glanced around the boat to see that Sam had gotten to rousing his little posse.

"Time to face the masses," Lana muttered as she got up and stretched. "Fantastic."

This was followed by Diana blearily pointing out, "if the masses have something even slightly resembling a brain they'll all be asleep by now. No, I think it's just the ones that would be leading the angry mobs that we'll have to deal with tonight." If he wasn't already reluctant to go out there and face the music that certainly didn't help any. The fact that he didn't feel all too good about what was going to come managed to upset him all by itself. He was a four bar, he was the leader of Coates Academy, he shouldn't feel even the slightest twinge of worry about going to face these idiots.

Never mind that he and Diana were all that remained of good old Coates Academy, otherwise known at the land of psychopaths, traitors, and cowards.

It was no wonder that Quinn had been able to see the dock, it seemed someone had thought to put up a welcoming sign. Well, if welcoming signs most likely hide incredible hostility and were made of fire. Still, it was the thought that counts.

A group of figured appeared to be gathered around a bonfire, who proceeded to rush to their feet and run to the end up the dock upon seeing the boat arrive. Beside him Diana rolled her eyes, for although he wasn't looking he knew her too well to think that there was any way she wouldn't be rolling her eyes at this moment, and stood up. "Wonderful," she muttered, "the welcoming party's here." Caine found the frown on his face deepen as he stood up and watched as the kids helped pull the boat into position. For a moment they seemed to completely fail to notice him, talking in rapid-fire voices to Quinn of all people. But of course he wasn't the kind of person to go unnoticed for long and soon looks began to go his way. Looks filled with shock, fear, anger, and just about every unpleasant emotion he could think of. Soon enough the loud babble began to turn to whispering.

He couldn't hear what they were saying and couldn't be bothered to try and hear it. It was far too easy to figure it out without trying to eavesdrop. What was he doing there, was he a prisoner, were they going to go to war again, yada yada yada. Caine felt one of his hands begin to twitch with the urge to fling someone and his lips threaten to twist into a snarl. His gaze was cold as he stared down the assembled kids, daring them to approach him, to say something to his face. He assumed that Diana was doing the same thing beside him, although part of him thought that maybe she was trying to figure out what he was going to do.

Apparently that part was right for she soon muttered, "don't do anything stupid, not now." He glanced at her at this. Not a glare, not a sad look, just a look of frustration and anger. He assumed that she knew it wasn't directed at her, there was no way she would be dumb enough to assume it was her he was mad at when he was surrounded by these people.

Eventually Sam's people began to file off the boat, followed by the great mayor himself, who paused to look back at them. Caine forced himself to roll his eyes before stepping off and beginning what felt like the longest walk of his life. The streets weren't filled with people like he had been starting to make himself believe. But then again, why would they be? It was late at night, or early in the morning depending on how you wanted to look at it, and the townies had no way of knowing that they would be coming in tonight. In fact he figured that a popular theory might have been that they were coming in the morning. After all, it would make much more sense than boating around at night. From the snippets of conversation he was able to catch the kids that had been waiting at the dock were a pair of Quinn's crew and had been assigned, or in the case of many volunteered, to watch just in case they arrived tonight and needed help. Charming, the amount of loyalty they felt for the spineless fool. It did absolutely nothing to help his mood. After all, he had to be a much better leader than Quinn, so why would he have an entire group of seemingly mindless cronies, even if said cronies were just fishermen, when almost everyone had betrayed him?

Everyone except Diana, although that little stint on the cliff had made it question it for a while. In fact part of him was still questioning it, but not at the moment. For now the last thing he needed was to be worrying about the state of their relationship and whatever that relationship would be called. As he walked, surrounded by the whispers of those fishermen that had failed to run off and do whatever it was they did(probably spread rumors) and his 'rescue team' he made sure to maintain a certain closeness to her. Not enough to cause questions but enough that he sent a clear message to anyone that might be looking that whatever was going on he wasn't with Sam and his crew. Occasionally they would run across the odd child lurking about outside. They would normally send some sort of look their way, be it scared, angry, or just plain shocked, but so far none of them had had it in them to come forward and ask exactly what was going on.

Which was what Caine wanted to ask at the moment, or at least some version of it. He wanted to know exactly where they were going. However, Diana did not ask, as it appeared that her voice had left her at the moment for some reason unknown to him. Eventually Dekka broke off, heading to her own house, which was soon followed by Quinn murmuring something to Sam and heading his own way, Lana going with him. With Quinn gone the stragglers from his crew soon broke off, leaving him with just Sam and Diana, heading down the tattered and mostly empty streets of Perdido Beach to who knows where. It appeared to have changed a bit since he had last seen it, most noticeably the burnt up or missing houses that he had noticed in a certain direction. Which was probably his fault to be completely honest, even if indirectly.

Finally Sam said, "we're going to my house. Well, Astrid's house, but…" This caused Caine's gaze to redirect from the lovely scenery of a town in ruin to his twin and turn into a glare. Of all the places they could be going that was where they were headed?

Diana aired his thoughts by snapping, "have you lost your mind?"

Sam sighed before pointing out, "look, it's probably the best place for you to be at the moment. We can't exactly trust the two of you on your own, at least if the town knows you're with me they'll feel a bit safer. The only other even slightly plausible options would be Orc, who just so happens to be guarding Drake at the moment, and Brianna and Jack, who I don't think either of you would be any more eager to be spending time with." Caine continued to glare at Sam, but he did admit that it made sense. Horribly, annoying sense that he probably wouldn't go through with if it where up to him. So what if the townies were a little afraid? Fear was an effective way to maintain control. But for now he most likely had to go along with Sam or risk starting another battle, and as much as it angered him to admit it, even with himself, if he ended up fighting with him he probably wouldn't come out on top at the moment. Which just so happened to be a very different train of thought than the one he had been riding only a few hours ago.

They did not speak again until they arrived at a house that looked like, well, a house. So this was where Sam and his little genius girlfriend had been living? He had to admit, he was disappointed. Personally he would have chosen something much more extravagant, something that clearly showed off that he had power. Something more like a castle than something torn out of suburbia, something that would put awe and respect into the heart of anyone that laid their eyes upon it.

Sam hesitated at the door, which through Caine through a loop. And then, much to his eternal shock, he knocked. For a moment he stared in wide eyed disbelief at his brother. Hadn't he just said that he pretty much lived here? Then why in god's name was he knocking!? Apparently Diana had noticed the look on his face for she let out a snort before pointing out, "some people have manners, you know."

Before he could react the door opened to reveal a relieved and worried looking Astrid that appeared to have not changed into her night clothes yet. Apparently he wasn't the only one that had found sleep to be a lost cause. The first thing she noticed was her boyfriend and apparently that was the only thing she noticed for a moment, for she began, "Sam, I-" only to cut off when she apparently realized that they were not alone. Her eyes narrowed into slits as she hissed, "what are they doing here?"

Without giving Sam a chance to respond Diana drily said, "well, it's nice to see you too." Caine abandoned the glare he had taken up sending at the so-called genius to glance at Diana in disbelief. Hadn't she been the one telling him not to do anything stupid all this time? Just how was immediately starting to worsen the already bad relationship with someone they may be stuck spending quite a bit of time with a good idea?

A sigh left Sam before he wearily said, "it's… a long story. Mind if we come in?" Astrid was still for a moment and Caine was beginning to feel the urge to just fling her out of the way when she stepped aside. It was Sam that headed in first, Caine not exactly hesitating but not eager to go in either. Picking up on this Diana silently nudged him before stepping in herself, Caine finally entering after her.

The tension in the room was so thick that Caine was beginning to wonder if it was starting to become tangible when Sam murmured, "you two can step into the other room if you like. I'm going to catch Astrid up on recent events… you'll probably be hearing it plenty in the next few days." He liked to think that he didn't feel at all grateful that he wouldn't have to stand by and listen to him recount the tale, that he wouldn't have to watch and see her immediate reaction. But despite how good he was at lying, even to himself, things sometimes slipped through.

With a nod of his head he stepped into the next room, which appeared to be a living room, Diana following. After glancing around it for a few moments he slowly made his way to a chair and sat down, where he began to look up at the ceiling. From the next room over he could hear whispering. He had a feeling he'd be hearing a lot of that for a while now.