A/N Extremely sorry for not updating in months! I know, I'm a horrible fanfiction writer, and an extreme hypocrite because I love stories that get updates often. But who doesn't? Anyway, I was actually thinking about giving up on this story, but I got some positive reviews, and I was motivated to continue. So thanks to those of you who reviewed, and thanks to everyone who's still sticking with this story. Okay, before I start, a few of you asked if this was going to turn out a Chlerek, and it is. That's about it for now, so enjoy!

Disclaimer: I still don't own Darkest Powers or the characters.

Derek's POV:

The next morning we were all irritable. I awoke to the warm, welcoming scent of dead cat, and so did Simon. Chloe woke up too, no surprise there, but even though the cat crawled over Tori to get to Chloe, the black-haired witch was still asleep. Which would've been funny, had there not been a dead cat walking around in the girls' room. So after I calmed Chloe down enough to get rid of it, I started yelling at her, which, in turn, woke Tori up. Simon, being the genius that he is, told her that a dead cat crawled over her in her sleep, unable to contain his laughter. My eardrums are still ringing from the scream that she gave, and I'm pretty sure Chloe's scarred for life, because Tori almost killed her with a lightning bold, before beginning the string of verbal insults, insisting that the cat was her fault. I couldn't stand her yelling, much less her yelling at Chloe, the gril who saved her life even after Tori almost killed her, so I told her off. Besides, what Chloe dreams of isn't her fault, right? Yeah, that line got me some weird looks and a mumbled 'Hypocrite' from Tori. Right at that moment, Andrew burst through the door, prepared to attack any potential danger that could've made Tori scream. To be honest, I wouldn't have bothered, because if I were Tori, I would've been screaming every time I looked in the mirror.

Anyway, he made us- and by us, I mean Chloe and I- bury the dead cat. So by the time I got back in, my hands covered in dirt, a few maggots and dead cat fur, sleep was the last thing on my mind. Way below getting something to eat. So that's what I did. I grabbed a few sandwhiches, Simon following suit, and went to the living room to attempt something even minutely close to a normal breakfast. As I turned on the TV, though, I noticed Simon's skin twitching ever so slightly. When I leaned in to inspect it further, he pulled his arm away and started scratching it. So at that point in time, although I was so worried I think I might've been hyperventilating, I couldn't help but think back to what I said to Chloe the day before Liz got transferred. And even though we weren't in Lyle House anymore, I think the sentence described us perfectly right then.

"Welcome to the madhouse."

Chloe's POV:

With half my day already spent burying- or rather, watching Derek bury- a dead cat, I decided I could really go for a movie. So I grabbed a bowl of cereal, and headed off to the living room, having already deciding that I was going to watch Silent Hill, if Andrew had it. When I reached the living room though, I was stopped short. Derek was staring at Simon, his face an open book for once. He was worried. It wasn't until I looked at Simon that I realised why. His muscles were moving under his skin, much like Derek's do when he's about to change. Simon was feverishly scratching his arm, hard enough to cause a little bubble of blood to surface. I don't think either of them noticed me there, so I walked in further.

"Y-y-you're going to C-change?"I asked, stuttering over my words in my worry.

Both of their heads snapped in my direction. Derek nodded.

"W-when?"

Simon shrugged, trying to look casual. "Tonight?"

Derek nodded again. "Most likely." He tried for a blank expression, but his voice was unusually quiet, and his eyes clouded.

It didn't really help Simon, who was now off the couch, pacing back and forth.

"I'm not going to survive, am I?"

"Of course you are." Derek snapped, making me jump. Simon kept pacing.

"Yes, I am. There's no point denying it. I'm going to-"

"No, you're not!"

Simon stopped pacing, and turned to face Derek. I could see the unshed tears in his eyes, and the fear that masked his features.

"You're a great brother. You've always been there for me, protected me, helped me out. But you can't do anything about this."

Without another word, he turned and left, his footsteps leading up the stairs. I swore I saw tears in Derek's eyes, and I knew that what Simon said was killing him. Not the part about him being a great brother, but the fact that he couldn't do anything to help. He was going to have to sit back and watch his brother, his best friend, his only friend go through the most painful thing imaginable, and all the facts showed that he wasn't going to make it out alive.

A/N Sorry it's kind of short, I wanted to save the Change for the next chapter, and I didn't really feel like describing Simon scratching his arm for the rest of my life. I'll try to update soon, but please don't murder me if I don't. September's almost here, so I'm going to be a bit pre-occupied with school and stuff, but I'll try. Thanks again for reading! I'm begging you: PLEASE REVIEW! Even if it's just one word, it really makes my day.

-darkestpowers-hp-46