Jenny watched from her window as the wind blew and the rain came crashing from the sky. She shivered suddenly cold. The last time it had rained like this had been a night she'd never forget. She continued to frown out of the window. It hurt like hell to remember but she couldn't forget.
He'd searched and searched but it was like she had vanished his wife the only woman he'd ever love. Finally after a week of searching he headed back to the Mall. It was late almost four in the morning so he new he could get to bed without anyone seeing him. Not that sleep would come easy. He had just reached the safety of his room when he herd the first scream. His first thought was Tai-San had she come back. The next scream was louder.
Ruby was croched over a body. Amber moved closer Bray's hand in hers it was Gel. Her face was scratched but it was defenatly her. She turned away.
"She was dumped here!" Ruby stood backing away from the body. "I herd voices and came to see. There were two men here I didn't see there face's. Just herd voices." Lottie turned away unable to look. Who'd do such a thing?
Trudy turned as Jay joined the group. "What's going on?"
"It's Gel." Ellie announced. Watching as Ebony then Slade joined them.
"Maybe she'd got into trouble with one of the tribes. They don't know us round here." Jack suggested taking his seat beside Ellie.
"It's possible. Gel did have the tendency to rub people up the wrong way but who's want her dead?" That was the question on everyone's mind that as none of them slept.
Jack and Ellie worked on the secrity for the rest of the night while the rest of the Mall Rats headed back to bed.
Part fourteen:
Lightening crazed down from the sky illuminating Jay's face as he and his silent followers headed into the Mall. Thunder echoed through the silence but no where near as loud as the sewer alarms. It was time.
The Mall Rats were barley gathered together when the storm of hooded cloaks crashed into the Mall. Bray stared at the silent worriers then at the oh to familiar face that led them. Jay only this wasn't the Jay they new. His eyes seemed darker almost black his worm smile replaced by a scowl. No this wasn't their Jay.
"Give up. Mall Rats you're surrounded." The voice was cold and harsh. So unfamiliar to Amber. And she had no idea why as of this was happening. She stepped closer to Bray holding there young son tighter in her arms. She couldn't loose them. Maybe if she tried talking to them.
"Jay ..." Her voice failed her as a man stepped forward someone who she'd believed long dead. The Guardian.
His face was scared. His look of hatred. No talking wouldn't get them out of this. She doubted anything would. But they'd have to try. She owed it to the tribe.
"What is it you want?" Trudy stepped forward. Her little daughter clinging to Ruby's hand. She was terrified. But she wouldn't let them see. Well if they'd come for her daughter they wouldn't have an easy ride.
"Our plans will be revelled in time." Was all Jay said. He waved his hand and the Chosen surrounded them.
Part Fifteen:
They were herded like cattle to the bottom of the stairs. Trudy clung to her daughter like she was clinging for dear life. She couldn't let them take her baby. This was a nightmare only she couldn't wake up from it. She stayed near Bray and Slade. Where was Lex? She quickly scanned the small group but he wasn't among them. Neither was Ebony. She just prayed they weren't here. Once they saw that the Chosen were back they'd help wouldn't they? Of course they would. Ebony still had a thing for Slade she wouldn't just leave him. But Lex. Lex was a law to himself he always had been. The only reason he'd returned before when the Chosen had attacked was because of Tai-San but she wasn't here any more.
"I always said Jay couldn't be trusted." Lex announced peering out from his hiding place. Ebony rolled her eyes. And came to crouch down beside him.
"Well there's only one thing for it." Ebony glared at him. She didn't like the sound of this. Any plan Lex came up with had to be a bad one. She followed him silently from the sewers and out into the raging storm. If she wasn't careful by the end of the night she'd have caught pneumonia. Or maybe that was Lex's plan.
"Hello supreme mother. I trust you and divine one are well." He stepped closer to her and Trudy jerked Brady away. One of the Chosen stepped forward. Jay lifted his hand. The Chosen member stilled. And the Guardian stepped away. It was in that moment that Trudy new they weren't there for Brady. But why else had they come?
Part sixteen:
They were separated. And Amber didn�t like it one bit. Each of The Mall Rats had been escorted to their rooms the day before three of the Chosen assigned to guard each room. Her blue eyes met Bray's and he opened his arms for her and she gladly went into them. At least they were together. Little Bray asleep in his cot. But how long would it last? What happened if Jay and the Guardian split them up. What if they took both Bray and Little Bray from her? She'd have nothing. She reached up and lightly kissed Bray. She was too afraid to sleep because she new when she slept anything could happen. And she had no control over it.
"It'll be okay Amber."
"I hope so." Bray tightened his hold on her. God how he wished that he new for sure that it would be. They should have left when they had the chance and now it might be too late. Amber was his. And he couldn't bare being apart. Not again. Not after all this time. They�d been on and off for years. At first it had been Ebony's fault then Ned kidnapped her. Then the Technos came. They'd only just found each other again. And this time it had to be forever.
Trudy lay on the bed staring at her sleeping daughter. She hadn't a care in the world. It was best that way. The Chosen didn't want Brady so what did they want? She didn't trust the Guardian. Jay had stopped him taking Brady but who was to say he wouldn't try again? He was crazy always had been only more so now. She laid her hand over her daughters and closed her eyes. Sleep was the only comfort she had. At least when she was dreaming she was away from here. Back before the virus in the real world. Where she was probably married by now. She'd still have Brady. But she would probably have a job and a house to. And maybe she'd even be married to Martin. It was strange to think about what it was like before it seemed a life time ago. But it wasn't. It was funny how things had worked out.
Ellie lay beside Jack. He was sleeping but it didn't come that easy for her. She could hear the Chosen pacing up and down the corridors and frankly it was annoying. She'd thought they'd been past all this. A new city. A new start but obviously she'd been wrong. Was this where the Chosen had been all along? She didn't know but she intended to find out. Slowly she climbed out of bed careful not to make a sound. She peeped around the corner. She could see the stairs see the entrance to the sewers. She could also see her guard. Well some guard. He was fast asleep. She smiled to herself and slowly crept from the room.
Ellie saw the guards in front of Trudy's room and she saw Brady standing in the door way. She was grinning at Ellie and getting ready to run to her. She didn't think just acted. She took of her necklace and slung it as far as she could. It must have hit something because it made a loud bang and the Chosen ran to where the noise came from. She ran over to Brady and lifted her up into her arms.
"Trudy." She stood in the door way but it did no good. She was fast asleep. The guards were coming back but she couldn't leave Brady. She jerked off her mothers ring and laid it beside Brady�s barbie. She ran to the sewers. She didn't want Trudy worried but there wasn't time to get her. And at least this way Brady was safe and out of harm. Or at least she would be when she found Lex and Ebony.
"Hush Brady. Don't cry. We're going to play at little game okay."
"Yeah." Brady clung to her teddy as Ellie climbed from the sewers.
Jenny herd the creak. Her eyes opened to stare into the darkness of the room. She'd imagined it. She must have. She closed her eyes. The noise came again then again. Her eyes flew open. And one of the chosen was standing over her holding a candle. She opened her mouth to scream. But the guard pulled back the hood. And she stared into a pare of familiar brown eyes. The scream died in her throat.
Part Seventeen:
"Cage." She didn't think just flung her arms about his neck. God she felt so god. He set her back slightly to look at her. He didn't want to let her go. He'd searched so long to find her. "I thought ..." Tears slid down her cheeks and his thumb came up to brush them away.
"I know." He hugged her again and slowly released her.
"I don't understand. How? I saw you die. You can't be real." He bent and lightly kissed her. Proving just how real he was.
"I had to make you think I was dead. I'm sorry for it. But it was the only way." He seated himself on the bed, pulling her onto his lap. She laid her head against his shoulder. "Our tribe was divided and I knew that Hal wanted me gone. He'd have done anything to get you. He was a Techno and there was nothing I could do. Bray was a god send. I knew that he'd keep you safe. So I staged the escape. I wanted to tell you so badly but I knew your reaction was everything. Joe was great. He hated the Techno's and had only joined to bring them down. So we made the fight look real. Once Hal had seen the body he was satisfied. Joe told him that he'd buried me. He helped me get the petrol to start the explosion."
Jenny remembered it all to well. Rain was poring from the sky. She saw Hal so clearly standing over Cage's lifeless body. She'd screamed but he hadn't let her go to him. His smile had been so cruel. She wanted so much to die too. And it had been all Hals fault. So the night after when he'd come to her she'd had the knife ready in her hand. She'd known he'd come. Now that Cage was out the way there was nothing to stop him. The knife had easily slipped into his flesh. Rage had flashed in his cold grey eyes. He'd fell to the ground clutching his chest. Then she'd herd it. The huge explosion. Guards had run into her room. Only to stop dead in their tracks at the sight of Hal. She hadn't killed him mores the pity. She was rounded up outside with the others. The sky was filled with smoke. Probably from the generator. Then the rebels came. The fight began and Cage had been there. If she'd only known. She'd have stayed. But Bray insisted they had to go.
"I'm sorry but I had to get you out. I saw you and Bray leaving. I was going to follow but I saw Hal. He was gonna go after you. I had to stop him. So I stayed. When the fight was finally over you and Bray were gone." He bent kissing her forehead and she smiled.
"Promise you�ll never do that to me again. You have no idea what I went through." She hugged him tightly.
"Jen I have to get you out of here. You're not safe. I joined this bunch of loonies 'cause they were the only ones who could bring me back here. I stayed because I needed to find you. And now I have."
"I can't leave. The Mall Rats have been nothing but nice to me. I have to help them." He frowned but new she wouldn't budge.
"Ebony over here." Lex grabbed her arm pulling her behind a tree. Several gang members walked past and Ebony glared at him rubbing her arm.
"No need to be so rough Lex." They waited for a few moments.
"We need to find somewhere to sleep tonight. In the morning we catch a boat."
"A boat?" Ebony echoed following him. She hadn't liked the idea of Lex having a plan in the first place now she was beginning to think it was a completely stupid idea to follow him.
"Shut up a minute." Ebony moved to stand beside Lex. There was a small cry a little louder this time. The bush in front of them moved. They stilled getting ready for a fight.
Part Eighteen:
"Ellie!" Lex glared at the girl in front of him. "How did you get out?" Lex asked accusingly. Ellie was too tired to care so she let it go.
"Me and Brady got out."
"And Trudy just let you take her daughter? And what about the Chosen? We're supposed to believe that they didn't have at least ten guards surrounding Trudy?" Ebony asked still keeping alert. Ellie had never betrayed them before but even so she'd learnt from the past never to trust anyone.
"There were only two guards on Trudy's room. I don't think that it's Brady they want." Lex turned to Ebony.
"I'll check that she wasn't followed." Lex headed off leaving Ebony to glare at Ellie. Who paid her little attention.
Jack's arm reached out as he began to stir. He felt the coldness of the bed and new that something was wrong. Where was Ellie? He swiftly scrambled out of bed and dressed. He headed for the door when only to be stopped by one the Chosen guards.
"Where's Ellie?" Jack demanded. He was getting more and more angry. What if they'd hurt her?
"What's going on here?" Jay stood at the base of the stairs staring from Jack to Peter. The last thing he needed right now was petty arguments.
"What have you done with Ellie?" Jay turned to the guard and said something that Jack couldn't quite make out. The next thing he new he was begging escorted and not very gently to the cafe.
Part nineteen:
Jack was joined later by the rest of the Mall Rats. For breakfast or at least that's what Amber thought it was supposed to be. She turned to her baby son who'd been allowed pretty much whatever he liked. He'd even been assigned a nanny Anna was lovely but still Amber didn't trust her alone with Bj. What was Jay playing at? He'd offered Trudy a nanny to but she hadn't accepted. Jack stood in front of them now. Poor thing he was so worried about Ellie. Trudy was the last to be brought to the cafe. But where was Brady?
"Trudy." Amber stood slowly and caught the attention of one of the guards. Trudy shook her head and she sat back down. She felt Bray's hand cover hers.
Trudy seated herself beside Jack at the table who hadn't touched his food. Not that she blamed him it looked disgusting.
"Jack I know where Ellie is." Jack's head shot up his eyes searched hers.
"She took Brady last night. She must have gotten out because when the Guardian found out that Brady was gone so was Ellie he went mad of the Chosen who'd been guarding us. I herd them this morning." Jack wasn't convinced she could see it in his eyes. "She left this beside one of Brady's toys. So I new my daughter was safe." She handed Jack the ring she'd found earlier. She'd been frantic at first but then she'd found it. And once she new that Ellie was missing too. She new that her daughter would be safe. She'd find Lex and Ebony Trudy was certain of it. Those she wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing.
"Where to now Lex?" Ebony asked she was holding Brady. She liked looking after her though she'd never let on.
"The river and hurry we don't have all day." Ellie took Brady back from Ebony and began to follow Lex. She didn�t like this at all. He refused to tell them anything.
"Which one of you is Slade?" One of the Chosen was scanning the small group. Slade stood slowly and all of the Mall Rats eyes were on him.
"You're coming with us." The guard said simply and waited for Slade to rise. Ram was about to stand too but a look from Slade stilled him. The Mall Rats watched as Slade was escorted away.
Part Twenty:
Two days had past and Slade hadn't been seen by anyone. They'd each been taken away and questioned about Ellie, Lex and Ebony. But nothing had been mentioned about Brady. Trudy was grateful. It meant that it wasn't Brady they were here for not that it really mattered now any way. Brady was out of the Mall. But still she couldn't help but worry she'd herd the other Tribes. They were still roaming the city. She new it wouldn't be long not if the Chosen had anything to do with it. But her baby was out there somewhere. She just wished she new where.
"Salene." Trudy stared up at the woman in the door way.
"They let me come and see you. Jay's orders he didn't want you to be lonely." There was defiantly something a miss with Jay. He was being nice to them all. But Salene wasn't convinced was he trying to win them over before he striked. He was like a snake slippery and unpredictable.
"I don't like this Bray." Amber was pacing up and down the room. Bj sat on the bed watching his mother finding the whole situation highly hilarious. Bray wished he could do the same.
"I don't either Am but I don't see what we can do. Until we know what they want we're just gonna have to sit it out." Amber frowned and walked over to her son. She new Bray was right but she still didn't like it.
"Look on the bright side. Ebony and Lex are out there just waiting to come rescue us." Amber laughed the first time in ages.
"Let's hope so. But knowing Lex and Ebony they'll have either gone there separate ways or killed each other. Neither one will help us though."
"Yes but you're forgetting." He stood his arms slipping about her waste. "Ellie's out there too." He bent kissing her cheek. "She'll keep them in line."
Part Twenty one:
"What do you mean we're lost? You better be kidding Lex." Ebony's hands were on her hips and she just stared at him. Three days they�d been travelling on a boat. She'd had to put up with Lex and his friend Mac. Who had brought them here and now they were tracking through endless fields and they were lost. She herd Brady cry and turned to face Ellie. "Can you shut her up?" Ellie frowned at her then smiled at Brady.
"She's getting a new tooth. You'd be irritable too." Ellie snapped. All she'd done was listen to Lex and Ebony's constant bickering and she was sick of it. Mac had been the only sane one she'd had to talk to and now he'd left them to find food. She'd go insane she just new it.
Ram stared up at Ruby as she entered his room.
"Well, well, well aren't you a sight for sore eyes." She grinned and hurried over to him. He pulled her down on to his lap and she bent kissing him.
"Sorry I couldn't get away sooner I did try but Lottie wanted reassuring. I left her with Sammy. At least there letting us wonder round more." He reached up to kiss her but she pulled back slightly.
"Slade will be okay wont he Ram?" He smiled brushing back a stray hair from her cheek.
"Course he will he's a survivor."
"Isn't there anything we can do? Can't you talk to Jay?"
"Ner I've tried that he's not interested. He's got his mind set on something and whatever it is he wants it bad. Now come here." She grinned and lightly kissed him.
Jenny frowned she could see Cage Standing in the door way to the cafe. She wanted so much to go to him but it was denied to her. She turned to Trudy placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Brady's going to be okay you know. She's safe." Trudy turned to the young woman. She sounded so certain.
"You can't know that."
"I do. Ellie's met up with Ebony and Lex. I over herd one of the Chosen talking they'd been asking around the city. They said they'd been a baby with them." Trudy grinned, her eyes sparkling. She hugged Jenny.
"Thank you." Jenny's eyes met Cage's and she smiled. He did too but only for a second. God how she wished they could go back to before the virus. Things were so much better then.
"I think we should leave Lex. He's not gonna come back." Ellie moaned and took Brady over to Lex. "Here hold her." He did reluctantly. She turned and headed down the hill.
"And where do you think you're going?" Ebony demanded racing after her.
"Anywhere from you two." There was a shout from behind them. It was Lex. They rushed back up the hill.
Part Twenty Two:
"Ryan!" Ellie stared at somebody she'd never thought she'd see again. Two years he'd been gone. She turned to look at several others who were now gathered around him. "Kc!" She couldn't believe her eyes.
"Well isn't this touching a Mall Rat reunion."
"Hi Ellie." Ryan smiled and hugged her. "It's good to see you. You to Ebony." She grunted and turned to look at the others. Kc began the introductions.
"This is Joanna." She was tall and very pretty. With blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Ebony just hoped she stayed as far away from Slade she was just his type. Well she wouldn't be with chunks missing from that pretty blonde hair of hers. She shook her head. She had to stop this. It had been her idea to keep things simple with Slade if he wanted to see someone then it was his business.
"Rex." He was tall and very muscular with dark hair and eyes to match. Even Ebony didn't think she'd like to come face to face with him in a fight.
"This is Brie." She was shorter than Joanna and not as strikingly beautiful. But she was pretty in her own way. Her hair was as red as fire and her eyes greener than a meadow. And there wasn't a single freckle to been seen on her perfect skin.
"And you know Mac." He grinned. His sexy brown eyes smiling. He was handsome Ebony supposed. And maybe if Slade wasn't in the picture he was someone she'd like to get to know a lot better.
"FIND THEM!" Jay turned to glare at the Chosen standing before him. Were they all useless? "You know they caught a boat. How hard can it be to track them down?" Jay turned away from them and headed back into his room where the Guardian was waiting for him.
"What are you doing to ensure they return?" Jay turned on him.
"Everything in my power. They will return Jay. They have friends here then we'll have them."
"We'll they'd better. Or you're the one who'll pay for it." Jay slammed his fit against the wall and the Guardian hurried from the room.
