| MY TIME HAS COME |
| ~ ~ ~ previous day before the battle ~ ~ ~ �taisan what are you doing here� salene asked as taisan walked up the stairs of the mall. She and pride had been sitting in the mall caf� talking. �I err. It was opened. I hope I didn�t disturb you� she replied embarrassed as pride and salene where in an embrace �no� salene blushed �I�m looking for amber� taisan asked �she�s asleep I think let me go check� salene said and went to look for amber in her room �hey pride� said taisan turning to him �taisan� he replied solemn �so I take it that things are going well between you and salene� �things are fine. What about you and the techno�s� she groaned inwardly as he said techno�s �were trying to get away from that label� �why� he smirked straightening his back slightly �why not� her tone getting defensive �now that ram is gone. changing names will be a wise decision. Show the city that were not a people of destruction but people of opportunities� �you mean people who take away love ones and kill and enslave people for their own benefits� he mocked �that�s not how it is anymore� �sure� he said eyes rolling �tell me taisan how are you keeping the electricity going. You must have a lot of workers� taisan remained silent �your people must me really appreciate that they�ll spend their time burning coal all day just to keep your laptops running� �it�s not like that, the electricity it�s benefiting everyone� �right� he mocked �you and your techno buddies put up your feet on your desk and you get helpless city kids to do your bidding� �like I said it�s not like that� she replied clearly frustrated he just wasn�t listening �what isn�t� Siva said coming into the caf� �oh nothing Siva just taisan filling me in on information of the techno�s� �oh why don�t you feel me in as well taisan. As an old member I�d like to keep I touch of what�s happening� said Siva giving her a fake smile �it was nothing important. Anyway I didn�t come here to discuss the technos� �I thought you where changing your name� pride chuckled �look the city is under risk. so why don� we cut these and-� taisan started angrily but was cut off by salene �amber�s not there� salene said hurrying into the caf� �where could she had gone� �who�s where she might be at this time of the night especially� pride said, worry evident in his voice �I now where� mouse said running into the cafe �mouse what are you doing up so late� salene said bringing her to sit on a stool �where did she go mouse� pride asked �I was in her room. She told me to look after Bray and wake any of you lot up if I had trouble with him. I asked her where she was going she said to the hotel� �the hotel what could she be doing there� salene asked baffled �probably gone to see jay� pride said disgusted. Although the rests of the mall rats trusted him after all he did help in the bringing down of ram. He never fully trusted him. there was something shady about him that he didn�t like. Or was it because he had the attention of a particular female character. Pride shook his head disputing his thoughts �then I guess mega will probably feel her in� taisan spoke �feel her in on what� siva asked �do tell taisan� said lex coming slowly into he caf� �lex� taisan smiled at him lex kept his stoned face and sat down on one of the seats �please carry on taisan what is mega going to feel amber in� taisan straightened herself and faces the mall rats �if you�d all let me talk without any interruptions� she said turning to pride �I�d be glad to feel you in� ~ ~ ~ present time ~ ~ ~ Eyes as white as snow huge and bulged out . Debris from the building surrounds the body. The air overtaken by the stench of dead fried bodies. The morning sky covered with black dust. The building from afar even though it was now scorned to the ground was very visual like a black shadow in the middle of the city. The girl laying on her back on the dusty ground, thrown back from her earlier position. Her legs laid limbless on the floor just missing the broken glass that lay less than a centimetre from her torn shoe. As I go closer I can see a line of dried blood flowing down her bruised arm like a long piece of string. Was she dead no, her cheek was still vibrant with colour was the only sign of life. But the little slice on the cheek could have been the cause of the vibrant red colour. Only a touch could tell. I moved a hand to her face to touch but was distracted by a piece of a broken mirror laying near her hand. Looking at it I saw a dirty face stained with black dust like make up put on badly. I wiped the dust from my eyes. I could now see clearer. I noticed a look of confusion and question on my face. expression changing every second anyone would had found it hard to tell what I was thinking. Then a look of remembering arose, I stared at my reflection for a moment till my facial expression turned back to that of wandering. Voice low, throat sore I spoke softly �what happened� ~ ~ ~ Am I in heaven. If only. I felt feelings of reincarnation like I�ve had experience this experience before. Or is it feeling of what someone else had pain. I can feel it down my thighs. It becomes stronger as I go past my knees then it becomes unbearable as I see the wound on my ankle. With much effort I struggle to get off my back and sit on the ground. My throat harsh like it had been scorned. I cough trying to get out dust that had been trapped in my mouth. I wipe my face and see my hand blackened with dust. I look at the remains of the hotel. Only the corners of the building where standing, the roof was completely gone. The building now stood weakly only the metal framings stood tall. The pool was now filled with debris and burnt furniture some still burning on top of the water. I close my eyes as dirt enters again I keep them close. All I can see is darkness. Then suddenly a white flash like lightening embodies my vision and I remember the events of the past as a trip through time. Anger burns freely through me warming up my blood. My breathing becomes rapid, harder I feel like I�ve run around the world. my mouth dry I feel like I�m dehydrating. I hold on to my chest trying to calm my heart. It starts to calm, but it begins pace again as I see his face haunting my view. That smile; through the darkness his face enlarges. I cry out but silent my voice remains. I gasp as his face comes closer then it begins to disappear slowly. I�m alone in darkness again. I gasp scared unsure as I feel a drip of water fall on my arm. automatically my eyes open. I wander where the drop came from. Was it rain? I look hazily to the sky. My view gets blurry from the glow of the sun I look back down to the ground. My eyes sore and damp I realise its tears from my eyes. I look straight ahead and there he�s face again. Even with my eyes open I can�t seem to be rid of him. but his face looks different he looks younger. I close my eyes trying to get rid of his image. It was dark again. Had he gone I reopen my eyes. I look around searching. Where was I. Yes I was still at the hotel but the pool was now a calm blue colour and looked very welcoming. No traces of dirt and debris where on it. I look to my legs no wound. I feel no pain. My leg looks fine. I stand up to my feet and turn around. And there the hotel stood in all his glory. But how could it be it looked as new as it could be. I turn back to the pool. Confused. It glittered in the afternoon sun. I look at the wavy water. I walk to it and see a reflection moving with the wave of the water. My hair and makeup still the same. But something�s different. My contacts had gone. I move closer to the edge and see a reflection of my clothing. What I ask myself confused. I not wearing the jersey and trousers I was wearing before. My clothing was brown. My old outfit. What was happening? Was I in a dream? Had I gone back to the past or had the future never happened and I had woken from a long premonition. I jump startled nearly falling into the pool as I heard that retched voice. I straighten my self up and move away from the poolside. I didn�t need to turn around to know it was him. I turn slowly to face him. He�s old tribal markings of the locos were strongly embodied on his face. Yet again his face looked young he also had a desperate look of wanting on his face. He reached out to touch me. I look straight at him and watch as his hands touch me. I don�t move. Blood rushes to my head as I feel his touch. What was this d�j� vu. I remembered the outcome of a similar encounter. Panicking I try to run away. But he easily over powers me. He throws me on the floor. I hit the ground hard on my back. I close my eyes as if trying to make myself disappear from this place. I open my eyes no change I�m still here. I feel his heavy body fall on top of me. Kissing me desperately. I begin to cry out for him to stop. But no use he continues. I cringe as I feel his arms fall around me. Touching me. I want to vomit but I can�t. Why was I being punished? Sure I wasn�t the whitest of angels or even close to an angel. But did I deserve to be hurt like this. So distastefully. My eyes were now damp tears flow freely out of them. I could not handle what was happening. My breathing got rapid like I was going into a fit. Faster still until I couldn�t breathe. My visions start to blur. My eyes close I�m back in the darkness. But his face was still there grinning. I�m suffocating. My hearts stops. Silence I feel my heart beat again slowly. there�s still darkness. But wait I hear someone calling me. I see a white light I head for it. I feel hands on me. Was it him. I open my eyes �Ebony can you hear me. What�s wrong, what�s happening�? Mega shouted at her concerned as he shook ebony�s body gently which was laying still on the ground. He watched as her eyes finally opened. He gave her space as she sat up straight. She stared past him like she was in a daze. He had awoken from to cries and heavy breathing from her. He�d saw her lying on the floor shaking crying he thought she must had gone into shock. �Are you okay� mega asked again moving close to her. Ebony heard his voice ring through her head. She turned to look at him. Her eyes felt cold as the wind went into her pupils. Awakening her. �Are you okay?� he repeated �Fine� she said finally �You don�t look fine� said mega looking at her sore eyes. She remained silent just staring at him. He thought she had gone back into her trance and was about to touch her, when she abruptly moved her face to face downwards to her ankles. He followed her gaze to her ankles. �That�s going to be hard to clean,� he said sympathetically �I guess,� she said faintly. Her face still looked confused. Shaken �Who�s spike� he asked interested. she turned her face back to him quickly just as he finished saying spike. Her expression turned to that of anger and disgusts. Her breathing began to pace again. �Ebony what is it. Stop doing that� he pleaded. Wandering if she was having an asthma attack. He held her shoulders not knowing what to do �Is it the spike guy� he spoke. Then wished he hadn�t said that as her breathing increased �I�m sorry I won�t mention him again. Ebony come on snap out of it� he continued shaking her slightly Laughter. Laughter was what he heard next. She flung her head back slowly. he held her tighter thinking she was going to fall back. Her laughter wasn�t that of happiness, but that of sadness and understanding. She brought her head back up and looked at him. She wiped her eyes quickly with her hands. Her face sad stained with dust. �I�ve cried enough tears for him� she spoke finally Mega looked at her. Not understating what happening. Had she gone mad. He wandered what he was doing. Helping her. Why had he helped her out of the building. He didn�t know. He didn�t have the heart to leave her there to die helplessly. Noting the wound on her leg. But would she had left him to die if it had been the other way round. He had played a similar scene of when he�d encountered ebony in the hotel. The scene where he�d encounter one of the locos. He had intended on wiping them out quickly before they brought any more damaged. But here he was with the queen of the gang. Actually concerned especially of her state of mind. Had zoot been the culprit of this or was it spike. ~ ~ I looked deeply into her eyes. She had contact lenses on. They looked frightening. But they were loose and I could see a bit of her natural eye colour I watched as she frustratingly wiped her eyes with both her hands as she did her contacts slipped off to reveal a pair of green eyes. They were beautiful. Looking at her I could now tell that there was more to her than meet the eyes. Her hands where still frantically moving trying to get rid the final traces of tears. The ice queen did have a heart after all. She finally rested her hands back on her lap. I could see why jay liked her. �What is it� ebony said uncomfortably finally looking at mega who was staring at her �Nothing� he said removing his gaze from her to her ankle �erm I think we should go get you cleaned up that wound looks pretty bad,� he said nervously as he ripped effortlessly a strap from the arm of his clothing. He wrapped the strap of material tightly around her leg. She winced slightly from the pain �Don�t want you to loose any blood now� he continued giving her a quick sympathetic smile �Why are you helping me� ebony asked questionably but yet thankful �Maybe because you can help me� mega replied coolly not giving anything away to what he meant �and why would I want to do that� she responded �after saving your life I thought there be no objections� he challenged looking straight at her. Ebony smiled at him not knowing why as he helped her to her feet. �and what do you think I would be able to help you with� she said not backing down �oh lots of things� laughed mega �like why you have that z mark on your arm� ebony remained quiet. wandering if he knew if zoot was alive. No one knew or did they. She decided to change the subject �so where are you taking me� she asked looking up at him �to a safe refuge� mega replied coolly putting his arm round her as support and began to lead her out the back of the hotel yard. Ebony nodded as she trotted one footed with him �Darn� mega cursed coming to a standstill �jay and hasley must have taken the buggy�. �jay� ebony said shocked wandering if she heard right �ray� mega said quickly. He forgot that ebony didn�t know that jay was alive and he wanted it to stay that way. He looked at her wandering if she had bought it. �oh� she said. Mega sighed thankfully. �I guess we go by foot we have no more vehicles in this area� he continued �so where are we going really� ebony looked up at him again as they stopped in a street by the hotel �away from here� mega said turning around briefly to look at the shattered hotel �to a safe house� ~ ~ ~ Minutes Before The Blast ~ ~ ~ �He�s not here� said a worried hasley tone scared. he nervous. Jay looked around the back court of the hotel where mega was supposed to be waiting for them �wait look there�s still a buggy there he must have left it for us� he said running over to it hasley following quickly behind him. They both hopped on swiftly and drove off into the dark empty streets. 20 minutes into their journey �sh!t was that� hasley said worried hearing a loud bang behind them �it sounded like an explosion� jay said stopping the buggy in the middle of the road. He got out of the passenger seat and hopped on to the road he turned round to the direction he had been coming from. And gasped as he saw flame and smoke blaze in the night sky behind the many buildings �sh!t� he cursed �I think that was the hotel� jay continued. He got back in the buggy quickly �we got to hurry and get to the stadium the locos might be chasing us� hasley nodded and jay stepped hard on the accelerator and sped towards the stadium which was located not far from the edge of the city ~ ~ ~ Present time 6.00 am �Morning� ~ ~ ~ Mega and ebony walked silently through the early morning streets. They reached a park. A pretty stable one unlike others in the city, Mega led a limping ebony there and rested her on a rotten bench. He walked to the front of her kneeled down and inspected her ankle. His black lyre strap was completely boiled over with blood he could see the red stained even through the black material. He looked at ebony, she looked better than she had been colour flowing back to her face. Maybe the clean air was doing her some good he thought. Mega ripped another strap off his other arm from his clothing and replaced the bloody strap on ebony�s ankle. Ebony winced as he tied it tightly around her ankle. �All done� he said proudly standing up and seating on the bench next to her ebony smiled briefly at him then looked straight ahead �What is it� mega asked thinking she might had gone in a trance again �Nothing� she replied mildly still looking ahead �Is it jay� mega asked carefully she turned to him a confuse expression clearly written on her face. Mega shifted back on the seat to get a better view of her �Is just that when you thought I mentioned him you went all-� he noticed the sudden change in her expression. One of anger and hatred �never mind� he said quickly and turned to look at the broken swings. There was an uncomfortable silence, mega could feel ebony�s hot gaze on his face like she was trying to work out something. Maybe she figured that jay was still alive he didn�t even know why he had asked her about him, maybe there was something in the air. �jay� she said finally �what� mega said looking at her; her face now turned back to the park �jay captain America� mega remained silent �he thought he could save the city but it was the city that destroyed him� �how is that� �it was taking him piece by piece like it�ll eventually did to everyone. unless you see it happening and stop it� mega looked at her clueless she was talking in riddles �take you� he asked bewildered not liking it �you do know he�s dead don�t you� said ebony sceptically not a tone of emotion in her voice. �I�m the one that found his body� he said merely Ebony�s eyes leaned down to her wounded ankle �was he still alive when you found him� she asked �No� mega lied �I didn�t think he�d be� she said coolly �I saw him hold on to his heart I knew he couldn�t survive that� she spoke freely �was it you who shot him� he asked already knowing the answer but he wanted to shift the conversation to zoot and his plans �Yes� she said uncaring. mega turned away from her. Wandering why she lied. He knew it was zoot who shot jay. Why was she protecting him; he guest she didn�t want anyone to know he was alive but she didn�t figure that he knew already �why did you� mega challenged �I thought you and jay where close� she shifted uncomfortably. he noticed. she turned and looked at him a burned desire�s shown in her eyes �so did I� mega chose not to peruse the conversation further �we better get going the loco�s could be patrolling where still pretty lose to the hotel� �oh sh!t! ebony cursed �what is it� �ved is still there� �was he in the hotel� �he was there when the fighting was on� �we can�t go back for him that was some blast for all we know he�s already dead� he said helping her to her feet �we keep going� ~ ~ ~ I puffed hard and collapsed on the ground. I closed my eyes. My breath heavy and for some reason my body felt drained probably cause of the escapades of the previous night. I felt the girl who laid next to me begin to stir and sit up �ved is that you� she murmured slowly �The one and only the - � I began but my voice caught short I was too tired to finish the sentence �what happened� she asked her voice low and weak �the earth blew up� I replied still closing my eyes �oh� she said and I felt her collapse back down ~ ~ ~ �What the hell is she doing here� Trudy scowled as mega and a limping ebony made there way into the mall. Trudy, taisan, salene, pride, lex, siva, may where all wide awake in the mall caf� they�d been having a meeting. They had heard a loud bang from the city centre, and taisan, lex and pride had gone investigating in the techno jeep taisan had brought with her to the mall. only to find it in ruins and had hurry back to the mall. They had found no sign of life and taisan had been clearly worried that mega might had still been in the hotel but her face flushed with relief as she saw him walk up the stairs to the mall caf�, then confusion took over as to why he had ebony with him mega ignored Trudy�s harsh comment and helped ebony up the stairs of the mall into the canteen area. The mall rats immediately gave way for him and ebony and he sat her on one of the chairs and brought a seat for her to rest her wounded ankle. As he sat stood up he was faced by several bewildered, angry mall rats including an even confused and bewildered taisan. ebony kept her pain hidden. The pain was beginning to get worse it was tolerable for a while then it would creep back up in her again. Looking at the unpleasant looks of the mall rats she again asked herself as to why she allowed mega to bring her here. he had said he was taking her to a safe refuge never would she had thought it to be the mall. But then again she had no choice she needed help and she wasn�t going to be stupid and decline it; he was willing to offer help whatever his real reasons. �how dare you bring that evil b!tch here� pride growled taking Trudy�s tone. Mega coolly ignored him and reached for a hanging clothe near the cupboards, he went back to ebony and started undoing ebony�s made bandage which was now drench with blood. He had noticed a change in her a few minutes after they left the park. Her blood was draining fast. He was going to take her straight to the hotel and risk jay seeing her but it was too far and he feared she�d die by the time he reached there. the mall was his next choice as he remembered taisan had gone to speak to them earlier and took a vehicle with her which would be much needed. He just prayed she�d still be there lucky for him he�s prayer was answered. �mega what are you doing� a confuse taisan spoke coming up to him �what does it look like� he replied almost snapping �let me do that� said taisan moving mega out of the way and taking the piece of cloth from his hands, she began wrapping the cloth around ebony�s leg delicately. Mega moved away grateful he looked at his bloody hands took another cloth and began wiping his hand still avoiding the astonished mall rats glares. As taisan wrapped the cloth tightly on her ankle ebony relaxed a bit as the pain began to subside again. She sighed inwardly thankful for the comfort of the seat and proceeded to look at the confused and questioning faces of the mall rats again. She then realised that her liaisons with zoot weren�t as discreet as she had thought. she wandered how much they knew something wasn�t right here. �What happened to you� a concerned Siva asked finally breaking the silence �We were caught up in the explosion� mega answered for her �can�t she talk for herself� sneered lex �It�s a shame you came out� pride growled �there�s no need for that� salene said trying to keep the peace �why are we helping her she�s dangerous� Trudy spoke �Trudy�s right it was probably her fault the building exploded how do we know she�s not got amber� pride spat �if she blew up the hotel do you think she would had been caught up in the explosion� mega said defensively �I say zoot left her there� said lex �she�s just using us for help. when another deal comes along she�ll betray us like always does� �look at what she did to jay� Trudy retorted �how can I betray you lex I�m not even part of your tribe� ebony spat angrily �throw her out� pride sparked �she�s has information about the loco�s and what zoots planning we need her� mega replied coming to ebony�s aid. Ebony blood was boiling slowly she turned her gaze away from the mall rats trying to calm herself. So they did know about zoot. Her gaze finally landed on may the only mall rat who hadn�t said a thing �she�ll leer him to us she cares about no one� Pride sparked again �He�s right a leopard never changes her spot� Trudy hissed �and cow never stops moaning� ebony retorted �why you little b!tch� Trudy said charging for her mega quickly stood and blocked ebony from trudy grasp �none of that� mega shouted taisan also rested her hand on ebony�s shoulder trying to get her to calm down �its okay mega my leg might be disarmed but I still know how to slaughter a cow� said ebony smoothly smirking a bit �I�m going to kill you� Trudy shouted charging for her again this time taisan block her way �I�d like to see you try� ebony shouted trying to stand up but mega backed her down �your such a hypocrite who betrayed the mall rats to the chosen� she continued �wait let me think you did so before you start calling me a traitor why don�t you look at yourself first� �enough of this there�s kids asleep� said salene playing the peace maker �I�m going to see to the babies� Trudy said leaving �You do that cause I�m sure zoot would be here soon to claim his child� said ebony wickedly. Trudy opened her mouth to say something but salene put a reassuring hand on her and she turned to leave. �Don�t� stir things ebony� mega whispered turning back to her �I�ve had enough I don�t need your help I�m leaving� ebony said trying to get up again but was backed down by mega �To where� mega hissed quietly �back to zoot he�d squash you like a bug� �I take my chances as a fly� �I�m sorry I can�t let you go� �what� ebony said surprised �your my prisoner� said mega simply turning away from her �I knew your help wouldn�t come free� �you have answers I need� mega half turned to her �I know nothing� she snapped �let me decide that for myself� he said turning away from her again �so are you going to dump me in a cell� said ebony not letting it go �That�s a good idea� said pride who had been listening to their conversation �lets not start this again� mega said hushing ebony before she could spark another argument �I just came here for taisan� �taisan is fine here� lex growled coming to her side �well I�m not fine here� said may �I�ll want to come with you� �I should had known you�d be on their side� said a smug lex �the loco�s have taken out the hotel how long do you think you have before he comes looking for you� mega started �do you think he�ll come here� a wary salene asked �I�m positive it looks like he�s taking out all the opposition and your one of them� mega continued �I�d leave here if I where you� �where would we go� Siva asked worried �to the stadium� salene rubbed her hands as if making a decision she gave a short sigh and said �ok when do we leave� �your not serious you actually believe him� said pride in disbelief at salene�s naivety �its not safe here look what they�ve done to the hotel were definitely next I can feel it� �you don�t actually believe zoot is alive� pride said still in shock �this is a ploy of the loco�s to bring back fear to the city and where falling into their trap� �I don�t know what I believe anymore� salene said looking at ebony�s arm lingering her gaze on the smudged black �z� mark on her arm. �but this place doesn�t feel safe anymore�. The room went silent �If you lot want to stay, stay� salene said peering at pride �but I think I should at least move mouse and Sammy to a safer place� �she�s right� trudy said coming into the caf� holding a now awake bray, brady walking by her side �amber�s missing I think we should take our chance�s with the techno�s� �what like you did with the chosen� lex smirked �there�s no need for that lex� said taisan �yes there�s need it�s a trap can�t you see� pride spoke up �what would we gain in capturing you� mega retorted �a bunch of rats in a cage� �look that�s enough� salene said firmly �quite right� said mega helping ebony to her feet �do what you want; but don�t leave it too long the loco�s could be here at anytime and I�m not waiting to say hello� �why are you helping us� asked pride sceptically �let just say I�m passing the favour, will need any help we can get to fight the loco�s� �what about her� pride asked indicating to ebony, ebony returned his stare �what about her� �how do you know she�s still not working with the loco�s she could be helping them� pride continued �look at her I don�t think she can do any harm� mega replied although not quiet believing it himself. �a snake doesn�t need legs� Trudy hissed quietly. ebony heard her but chose to ignore it seemed she�s have to be like a snake to escape mega�s clutches. When she�s healed she�ll take her leap. �lets go� mega announced �the jeep round the back� taisan said �I�ll meet you at the front and she walked quickly down the steps. A slower mega helped ebony down the stairs �what about amber she went to the hotel� a calmer pride said as mega and ebony walked away �we found no trace off her� said lex �we can�t just gave her up like that its not right� pride continued clearly worried �I�m not giving up on her� he finished not noticing a rather hurt salene peering at him �neither am I� she said hiding the hurt in her voice evident �but we have to take the younger ones to a safer place then we can go looking for her� ~ ~ ~ �All our oppositions are dead� spike said proudly as he approached zoot who was waiting for him near his rather stretch black car in the middle of the countryside. �Including ebony� zoot asked although knowing she was dead he wanted it to be confirmed �In pieces along with ved� �What� he snapped clearly stunned �I can explain� spike blurted out quickly �There�s nothing to explain� zoot retorted the strain in his voice evident �ved was an important piece of our plan I wanted him alive how could you have let this happen you idiot.� �He and ebony where getting too close� spike stammered trying to find reason from the cold icy eye�s he breathed in relief as zoot faced glimmered some calmness �How close� zoot sneered waiting for an appropriate answer he did not like his plans being tampered with �Too close� said spike secretly expanding the gap between him and zoot �I know they where countering a plan; ebony got to him� Zoot frowned and took the goggled hat of his head and wiped a hand frustrated through is hair his human feelings he wanted to destroy where clearly getting to him. He didn�t like it. �This is not good� zoot shouted aiming his booming voice at spike anger foaming in his eyes �ved was the only one who knew how to run the system you little fool� �That�s � that easily sorted� spike stuttered fear in his eyes backing further away. He watched zoot grasping his hat as if he wanted to throw it at him, he saw a glint of question on zoots face and took his opportunity to finish his question �Jack� he said knowing the name alone meant everything �Arrr yes jack� zoot voice more calm and poised he placed his hat back on his head composing himself, he hated to lose his cool but found it hard to control himself when he found himself constantly surrounded by idiots �our new recruit bring him to the tower as soon as possible I�ll be waiting there� �Right away� spike said already sprinting away to do his task he stopped and half turned as he heard zoots deadly voice �no more hiccups spike or your life will be a virtue for them� �There has been movement from the mall; it seems the mall rats are trying to move I don�t know where� bray said moving to where zoot was by the car he had taken interest in watching zoot encounter with spike. It amazed him how zoot could hold so much fear over a person. �They�ll have no where to hide as soon as I�m in the tower I�ll be able to see all� bray looked at his younger brother. The tower was a tall building; �sky scraper� was what they used to call those high rise buildings in the pre virus days. Zoot chose to call it a tower, at the top floor of the building was an open room shielded by glass instead of concrete so the whole city was in view. He understood why he chose it as their city base it was fit for a king. �50 of my men are already making their way for the mall� zoot continued �50 isn�t that much� �You can never have enough� zoot said simply �do you smell that� he said inhaling �What� �The smell of victory the city is already mine and soon the world� ~ ~ ~ The cool morning breeze was refreshing. For some strange reason I felt free. No longer did I feel like a liability in the mall. I made the right choice in leaving. I didn�t have to see pride and salene all over each other any more. �I hope they wouldn�t come to the stadium�- �I hoped they�d die.� Evil thoughts I know but I felt used, discarded by pride he just left me and he had the cheek to parade salene in front of me. I hated both of them. I sighed looking at the early morning sky I was never part of the mall rats. They didn�t even care that I went missing, even when I came back, it was like they didn�t even noticed that I was missing in the first place. No one cared. My eyes began to sting with tears, my heart felt heavy sad with emotion. I wanted to break down and cry, but I held it in. I thought back to my time in the mall. I was never fully loyal to the mall rats same as some others there. But I played my part when it was needed. But when I made mistakes they weren�t so quick to forgive me as they did others. �Are you alright may� taisan voice echoed from beside me. I nodded Ebony stared out through the dusty windscreen of the jeep. She was fully aware of mega�s body next to hers. Taisan and may where seating at the back and she and mega at the front. He had insisted on it saying he didn�t want her to jump out. �So I�m I going to be put in a cage� ebony hissed at him Mega smirked �There are no cages in the stadium� �Your wasting your time with me I�m am off no help� �Let me deicide� ebony sighed frustrated �If I where you I�d leave the city before its too late; his won your outnumbered� �We have people the mall rats, city kids� mega replied �Hah city kids� ebony laughed �after you lot used them as camp slaves I don�t think they�d be so willing to help� �They�ll help� mega persisted �Don�t kid yourself; I�ve lost my crown� ebony said laughing at him �What crown will that be� mega asked interested �Public enemy number one, you lot have taken that� ebony smirked looking directly at him instead of speaking mega kept his gaze on hers a smile forming at end of his lips. �Don�t look at me like that� ebony said hoarsely not liking his look �Why� �Its uncomfortable� she said turning away from him �What is that� said may pointing ahead of them �I don�t know� said mega noticing a pile of kids standing in a line at the end of the road �Is it zoot� taisan asked worried as mega looked on. He stopped the jeep not knowing any answers �we better turn back� he said getting ready to put the jeep in reverse �Now� said a strong loud voice from nowhere Suddenly like a swam of bees the four of them where engulf by a crowd of youths holding stick as weapons some metal poles. The four of them engulfed themselves in the car. They where surrounded. No place to run The chartering from the youths stopped and silence took over. mega scouted the youths there were about 6 of them they where clearly outnumbered. The kids who had been at the end of the road had now surrounded the jeep as well turning their numbers to about 12. He twisted his wrists and eyed his zapper. It was still charged but it wouldn�t be of much use as he wouldn�t be able to take all of them down before they got to him, they where trapped. �Were not here to cause any harm but you have something of our possession� a voice from within the crowd said. Ebony shifted in her seat as she remembered the familiarity of the voice her voice squeaked in shock as the words �ved is that you� came out Mega looked at her, then back to the crowd searching for ved he was sure that he would have died in the blast. But anything was possible these days. May and taisan followed his gaze as and their eyes landed on the perking blonde who came out of the crowd hair still filled with dirt as with his face, evidence from the blast. ebony felt herself being shifted from the jeep to the arms of helpers to another vehicle much smaller than the jeep. �you like� said ved hopping into the buggy he took no hesitation in driving off �Ved I could kiss you� ebony said happily still in disbelief she was free again �Feel free to� he grinned �who are all theses people� ebony continued ignoring his remark she looked behind as the youths scattered off in different direction some by foot and some in buggies �Like I said before I had plans of my own before you came along� ved said keeping an eye on the road �how do I say this; there my people where the V tribe� �You are joking� ebony laughed �Yeah� ved grinned �we don�t have a name don�t need a name� �I�m surprised you came back for me� ebony said sincerely turning to him, flattered amazed that someone could care for her �And leave my little vixen behind never� �I thought you where dead� ebony continued �I never thought that of you� ved said taking a brief glance at her �I saw a trail of blood and it led me to you� ved said looking at her ankle �Really� ebony said unsure if she should believe him �Hah no� ved laughed �my clan found me. I had sent for them earlier on before the blast to talk about a plan; were no longer tied to zoot he thinks where dead we now have more of an advantage� �plans� ebony said leaning back on the seat �I nearly forgot about that things are looking up and I know someone who will be more than happy to help� ebony smiled mischievously ~ ~ ~ Mega and taisan watched in confusion as ved and ebony drove off. They had even taken may with them, though he didn�t know what use she�d be. Mega jumped back in the jeep seat and turned on the engine. �We have to get moving� he said determination in his voice �What do you think that was all about� taisan asked as the jeep continued its way towards the stadium her eyes still on the group of kids who where going in the other direction �They wanted ebony� mega said coolly �They didn�t even do anything to us� taisan said still confused �Their war is not with us neither is ours with them� mega said relentlessly �But we lost ebony and may� taisan blurted �The only thing we�ve lost is vital information about zoot.� Mega snapped getting irritated by her questions. Taisan remained silent mega removed one hand from the steering wheel and brushed taisan cheek sensitively with his palm �sorry� he said �look when we get back to base I want you to find out everything you can about those lot� taisan nodded �ebony is not free yet� mega mumbled to himself ~ ~ ~ |