"So what are you going to do then?" I finally manage to ask. I am shell shocked by this revelation. Even though it probably isn't true, it is still surprisingly plausible.

Trace shrugs with a guilty look on his face. He hadn't thought that far into the future. This idea must have just come into his head. "I honestly don't know if there is much that I can do," Trace starts. "I mean, if Xander's execution was only an act, there must be some reason why they made it that way. I doubt that they want me to know, and I doubt that Xander even wants me to know. Something is being hidden from me that is never intended to come out. I suggest we just drop the subject for now."

I am almost certain that my face is one of disbelief. Trace, who once would do anything to save Xander, now doesn't seem to care about the fate of his brother. Even if Trace claims that he doesn't care anymore, I do and I'm going to find out exactly what happened.

I grab ahold of Cyrus's hand, much to his surprise. Neither of us have really acknowledged the other since our argument after Trace had abandoned us for a little while out of frustration. His eyes widen, but he follows my lead without question.

"Trace, Cyrus and I have to go check something out quickly, but we should be back soon. Don't go too far away from here." I say a little loudly. Trace seems a little out of it, just staring at the ground. It's not that he's sad, though, just detached.

Rather than giving a response, Trace just slightly grunts in acknowledgement. I wasn't really expecting anything more from him, though.

Once we are far enough from Trace, far enough so that he cannot hear us speak, Cyrus pulls his hand from my grip. I am left trying to grasp the cold air, but there is nothing to hold on to. I close my hand into a fist.

"Where are we going?" Cyrus asks through gritted teeth. He isn't even trying to hide his distaste for me, although I have no clue why he feels so. He has always seemed to feel something nearing emnity towards me. The only possible reason that may be the cause is due to our status. I am Enhanced; he is an Outcast. But why would he be mad at me for that? It wasn't my choice. I sure as hell wouldn't have chosen this if I was given an option! I never could understand how people could harbor an animosity towards those who were forced into their own situations.

"We are going to find out what really happened to Xander." I say, not even pausing from my steady stride to look back at Cyrus.

"But why did you bring me with you? Why not Trace?"

I let out a deep sigh. Why does Cyrus have to ask these questions. Why can't he just go along with what I say and trust that I have a justified reason for whatever I do?

"Do you have to be so damn annoying all the time?" I ask, making sure to glare at Cyrus this time.

I am only answered with a chuckle. I smile. Even though there is animosity between us, we both have one major goal: to protect Trace. That brings us together and makes it so I can't always hate him.

"I felt that I would be better able to convince Trace of what the explanation is if you come with me. Also, I didn't want Trace coming in case his brother truly is dead and he was just harboring crazy thoughts." Surprisingly, Cyrus sees the logic in my decision. I never really thought he would concede to my point.

We finally make our way back to Avery's household. The door is still shattered, but I'm not really surprised as there hasn't really been any time for him to get it fixed. I gently press the doorbell, and hear it ring throughout the house. I could have just walked in the gaping hole in the door, but I decide to be polite.

Avery makes his way down the stairs and notices us. A pained expression appears on his face, which quickly turns to confusion. "Where's Trace?"

I take the lead, as I do not really trust what Cyrus may think this is all truly about. "We left him back in the town square. We wanted to talk to you and Kali, if possible."

Avery examines both of us closely, as if we will reveal the reason as to why we are here just by our appearances. Finally he allows us to enter.

I expect him to bring us back to the study, but this time we enter a den. Kali is sitting on a couch with a new dress on. This one seems even more extravagant than the one she was wearing earlier in the day. The fabric looks almost silky, but it sparkles in the artificial lights.

"So what are you here for?" Avery asks as he seats himself right next to Kali. He wraps his hand around her waist and she leans into him. She actually looks happy with him, something that I would have never thought to be possible.

Before I have a chance to say anything, Cyrus blurts it out. "We know that Xander isn't dead."

Every face, with the exception of Cyrus's, contains an expression of pure shock. I am shocked that Cyrus said it so blatantly and immediately, whereas the other two are surprised about what we know.

The minute that I see their faces, I can tell that it is true. Kali looks at us disbelievingly, and asks, "How did you know?"

I manage to slightly shrug. "It was all Trace. He had this gut feeling based upon what the two of you had done leading up to the 'execution'. I am actually kind of surprised that he was right."

Avery starts to laugh. "That kid. He is just like his brother, always making these abstract deductions that usually turn out to be right. That son-of-a-bitch! If only he would put that to good use rather than just sit and sulk around all of the time.

"Where is he now?" I ask, seriously. I am determined to find out more about this situation. I want Xander and Trace to be reunited.

"Getting ready for his surgery," Kali says. I can tell the moment after she says it that she had slipped. She wasn't supposed to give this away. Her face turns to the shade of a cherry. Avery grabs ahold of her roughly and begins to drag her away.

"Wait, what surgery?" I ask as we are shooed away by Avery. Cyrus starts to walk towards the door, but I grab Cyrus's hand and bring him up the stairs. I look into each room until I find one that seems to be Kali's own room.

"What are you doing?" Cyrus hisses. He clearly doesn't want to impede on anything that is going on, but I don't care.

"We are going to find out what is going on with Xander. I can get it out of Kali."

We wait in silence. The floor finally starts to creak from footsteps and the door opens. Kali enters with tears on her face. I get up and give her a large, warm hug.

"Why are you still here?" She asks, flinching away. I can tell that Very abused her in some way.

"Please, Kali, we need to now what is up with Xander. What is this surgery that he will be going through? We need to give Trace some closure or else he will go crazy, he already is on his way there. Please, do your sister-in-law a favor."

A confused look grew on Cyrus's face. I forgot that I had neglected to tell Trace and Cyrus that.

I gently grabbed ahold of Kali's hands and looked pleadingly into her eyes.

"Okay, only if you do one thing."

"Anything."

"Promise that you will go to Soren and tell him that I am okay."

Promises can be broken. Kali will never know if I follow through. Sure, she's family but that doesn't mean you always have to tell them the truth.

"I promise."

A slight smile grows on Kali's lips. She hugs me tightly. Once I am released from her grip she starts. "I don't quite know all of the details, as I am somewhat out of the loop. All of this is what I heard from Avery. Anyways, apparently the Outside and Inside are more united than you think. The rulers of the Outside frequently consult with those on the Inside. The Inside provides the rich on the Outside with what they need, even wives. That is why I am here.

"Apparently, our scientists have been in collaboration for a long time working on this big project that will bridge the gap between the Enhanced and the Outcasts. They have only recently finished it. They have the ability to make Outcasts Enhanced through surgery. For a long time there has been the ability to strip Enhancements but not the reverse.

"I have heard that Xander did something wonderful, worthy of being awarded. It may have been for killing the previous leader which the poor loved and the rich hated. Anyways, as a reward, he has been given the chance to be the final test subject for this project. The scientists think that they have perfected it, but he will be the proof.

"The people would be pissed at the government if they knew he was still alive, so we had to stage an execution. Another Outcast was killed in his place, but that doesn't really matter, right?

"Currently, Xander is undergoing the surgery to see if he can become Enhanced. If so, it will revolutionize society and unite the Enhanced and the rich Outcasts. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Kali leans in towards Cyrus when she dates her last sentence and draws out the words. She runs her hand through his hair, and then gets up and leaves the room.

Cyrus is just standing still in seeming disbelief. I am shocked as well.

As we make our way back to where we left Trace my mind is running through everything that Kali told us. How will I tell Trace this? He won't be able to accept it.

He is sitting in the same spot as before and he looks just as bored.

"Trace," I say quietly, his ears perk up. "I'm sorry to say this, but Xander actually is dead."

I feel terrible lying, but it is to protect Trace.

~~~~~

Aaaaaah! Everything is getting crazy! I wasn't really intending for that but I think I may like it, actually. Anyways, sorry this has been a long break, but I gave you a slightly longer chapter! School will be winding down after this week, and then I should be able to crank out the updates and finish this first draft. Happy reading! :)