A/N: Okay, I apologize for the long wait! This chapter was really hard for me to write. However, I am really enjoying writing from Cade's perspective. I've wanted to dive into his backstory for a while now, and am excited to finally have the chance! I hope you all are enjoying it as well :) Thanks for your patience!

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05 - 30 - 2089

C A D E

I awake with a start, bolting up in bed. My heart pounds in my chest. I heave in a breath, feeling the sweat roll down my back. One glance calms the pounding as I take in Gis, asleep in the bed next to me. She's curled on her side, one arm tucked beneath her head. Her dark hair frames her face, one tendril hovering over her mouth as she breathes in and out.

I stare at her for several minutes, allowing my body to calm down. The remnants of a nightmare peel away from my mind, flaking off like autumn leaves from a tree. The room is dark, only the faintest hints of morning coming in through the dingy window. It still smells of cigarette smoke, but the aroma has faded to a more tolerable degree.

Careful not to disturb Gis, I climb out of bed and head to the bathroom. The shower spritzes angrily for a few moments before finally working, although the heat doesn't follow. Instead, I allow the cold to roll over me and clear my mind.

I need to figure out a plan. Where do we go from here? What is our end goal? We've gotten away from The Black Star, but where can we go that is safe from both them and GIADA?

I tilt my head back and let the water run down my face, frustrated by all the questions and lack of answers. My body begins to shiver from the cold, but I force myself to remain under the spray, wishing for an epiphany.

My whole life, I've been subject to my mother's idea of how my life should be. And when I failed to reach those expectations, I was discarded and cast aside. This is the first time in my life where I've not only been out of her reach, but able to truly make my own decisions. And so far, they've all gone horribly awry.

I want nothing more than to protect Gis and bring her happiness. I want her to never again feel the pain that I felt for so many years of my life, being unloved and nothing more than a test subject. I understand, to some degree, how much she's been mistreated. No, I wasn't locked in a laboratory for my entire life, but at least Gis didn't know what she was missing. I still had to go to school, knowing that no one had a family like mine. None of the other kids went home to a cold scientist of a parent who only spent time with their child to berate them or take tissue samples.

Finally, I can stand it no longer. Whether it's the cold or being alone with my thoughts, I've had enough. I quickly dry off and get dressed before heading back to the bedroom. Early morning light streaks through the window, casting pale shadows on the walls.

Gis is sitting on the side of the bed, running fingers through her hair. She looks up as I approach and offers a groggy smile. "Good morning."

I sink down on the bed beside her, water droplets flinging out from my hair. Several catch Gis on the cheek and nose, and she makes a face. I offer an apologetic smile, to which she laughs.

"Cold water," she comments, wiping her face.

I shrug. "The heat didn't work. Not entirely surprising for this place, though."

She smiles, giving me a look of agreement. "It's a bit... rundown." Her eyes roam over the room, taking in the stained walls and shaggy green carpet. Finally, her gaze lands on me. More specifically, my arms.

"Do they hurt?" Her eyes are locked on my scars. Suddenly, I want to cover up my arms. I scan the room for my sweatshirt, and that's when I realize she's still wearing it. Great.

I swallow. "No. They're just marks." I start to rise, but Gis grabs my arm and pulls me back.

"Cade," she hesitates, her voice soft and full of understanding. "You can tell me anything. You... you've always been so easy to talk to. I want you to know that I'm here for you too." Her dark eyes study my face now, hand still gripping onto my arm. I can see how badly she wants me to trust her.

I do trust her. I trust her more than I've ever trusted anyone in my life. But how can I share this part of me? I hate my past. I hate what I allowed my mother to do. How complacent I was.

I turn to face her more fully. "They're scars." It hurts coming out, but then I find that the words have unlocked something inside me. Something small opens up, pushing past the hesitation and pain and anger that clouds these memories. "I had my blood drawn a lot as a kid." I glance down at the scars.

"Why? Were you sick?"

I shake my head. "My mother did a lot of tests on me as a child." The words come out sounding indifferent, despite the raging sea just under my skin. "Our relationship wasn't very... typical," I say, searching for the right words. Gis remains silent, her gaze steady on me. I glance at her, and she squeezes my arm in encouragement.

"It doesn't matter, it's in the past now." I shrug, reliving my history every time I close my eyes. Before last night, it had been getting better. Less nightmares. I was able to finally start putting my past behind me. I squeeze my eyes shut, rubbing them furiously in a fruitless attempt to wipe the images from my mind.

"You're brave," Gis whispers. "To have a mother like Ilene Lestat and still be so kind and compassionate." She leans forward and plants a gentle kiss on my cheek. "Thank you for telling me."

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By order of the Federal Reservation of America, all transportation is suspended for the safety of all citizens.

I stare at the sign posted in front of my face, rereading it for the fifth time. The letters are bold against a yellow background, legible for anyone passing by. Taped to every door leading to the train station, the message is clear. This is not our way out.

I step back, my mind floundering. I left Gis at the hotel less than an hour ago, telling her I would arrange transportation out of Province Two. If we don't get out of here soon, someone is going to catch up to us. I'm not sure which would be worse: GIADA or The Black Star.

I curse under my breath and run a hand through my hair. It's still early in the day, but I'm not foolish enough to believe we aren't being hunted. Based on the most recent news reports, GIADA is only ramping up their efforts to find Gis. I'm sure The Black Star is doing the same.

My mind spins as I search for another solution. I start to walk away from the building, heading back the way I came. As I walk, I consider all the options. We could attempt to pay for someone to drive us. Although with the current risk of illness, no one would likely agree. Stealing a vehicle is always an option, but that would only add to the target on our heads.

As I walk, the hairs along my neck prickle. I stop, turning in a full circle as I take in the quiet street. I'm only five minutes away from the hotel where Gis currently is. The town is quiet and the only other person I spot is a homeless man, warming his hands over a small trash fire.

Still, something doesn't feel right. Instead of staying on the main street, I turn down a narrow alley and make my way through garbage. The air reeks of stale urine and metal so strongly I'm about to change my mind and turn around.

Something clatters behind me. My heart thuds in my chest as I turn. It's only a squirrel, digging through some garbage for food.

I take a deep breath, allowing myself to calm down. You're too paranoid. I've been careful to ensure no one-

Thump.

A dull sound resonates as something crashes against my scalp.

I crumple, my legs giving way as pain shoots through my head, blinding and disorienting me. My hands shoot out to stop my fall, but something lands against my back, shoving me into the cement. My nose and chin smack the ground, blood spurting from both as I cry out.

Rough hands wrench my arms behind my back and immobilize me. A boot rest on my back, ensuring I don't move.

"That's enough. He's thoroughly detained, I think." The voice is familiar, but with the pain and dizziness ringing in my ears I can't place it.

"What-" I struggle to form words.

"Get him up." The voice orders, clearly a man's.

I'm hauled back onto my feet and I struggle to hold up my weight. My head sags forward, but I force it up and take in my attackers.

A man stands in front of me, shorter than me by a couple inches, arms crossed. His dark hair is buzzed short, his features angular. Yaun. Or should I say, taser happy dude.

I can't see behind me, but feel the arms of two different individuals restraining and keeping me upright. I assume they are other Black Star agents working with Yaun.

"Where's Gis?" Yaun says.

"How'd you find me," I grunt, head still throbbing. I spit, a mouthful of blood landing at Yaun's feet. My face throbs, echoing every beat of my heart with a statement that likely indicates something is broken.

He stares at me in disgust, arms crossed. "Where is she, Cade. She's in danger as long as she's not with us."

I scoff, only to receive a brutal hit to the side of my head. Yaun lifts a hand for them to halt and takes a step forward.

"We need to find her before GIADA does. You have no idea what will happen if she's caught."

"As a matter of fact, I think I do," I shoot back. "It's the reason I broke her out of there in the first place. It's the reason we escaped from you guys as well. You all want to manipulate and control her. To use her."

Yaun frowns, shaking his head slightly. "You've got it all wrong. You think we're just like GIADA? That we're no better than them?"

"On the contrary," I start, gritting my teeth as my vision swims and stomach rolls, "I think I've finally figured it out. You want Gis to further your own agenda. Never have you stopped and asked her what she wants."

"This situation is bigger than one person," Yaun says, his voice low. I can hear the anger rising in him. His fists clench as he steps closer.

"The Black Star lied to us. You're no different than GIADA."

I barely have time to blink before Yaun's fist cracks against my jaw. Blinding white pain fills my vision. I struggle to catch my breath, vomit rising up my throat. I cough, choking and gagging through the fiery sensation filling my mind.

"Stop that! You're going to kill him!" A soft, pleading voice fills me with dread.

With no warning, I'm released to the ground, landing unceremoniously with a groan. In seconds, Gis is by my side, placing my head in her lap. My vision fades in and out, and I struggle to hold onto consciousness. Pain and anger are now replaced by terror.

"Gis-" My voice cracks and I struggle to life my hand. "You can't be here. You can't-"

"Hush," she soothes, holding me close. "It's okay."

I don't hear her next words. My vision darkens, taking every pulse of pain with it.

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