Jack
Ebony was pissed at Lex, but that was normal.
“Errr …” I stopped as May’s friend Zak updated everyone of Ram and Gel’s whereabouts just before I could. He wasn’t shy. I think he could well prove to be a great Mall Rat. I wonder if we will do a vote? Surely he has gained his place after being the one to get us all away from Mega’s virus.
”Yeah I do, Amber is obviously gone and left us to get stuffed. Last I checked The Mallrats were a democracy. And considering you have a nasty habit of consorting with the enemy I say you shouldn’t be the leader.”
Zak brings up Gel going into the woods which causes me to smile. ”Gel’s fine. Actually she’s better then fine.” I look at him while picturing how I left Gel in the cave hoping if he has any psychic powers he’s able to read my mind and hear her moans echo around the cave.
EBONY:
Zak starts in about where the others have gone off to, but I’m still focused on Lex.
“Oh! And I expect you think that it should be you whose in charge now, am I right?!”
I accuse Lex, tossing my braids over my shoulder a little with a flick of my head.
It’s obvious from my tone that I think it’s a Laughable idea to put him in charge. He makes a side comment to zak about Gel. I roll my eyes.
Salene
With a sigh i stand up. Why do we always have to discuss before the Meeting? Especially when a few of us are missing?
" If Amber and some others are missing we shouldn’t stop discuss and do something." i fall in and look at Lex. " If you know where Gel is, why didn’t you bring her with you? This would make one less we need to search."
@mallrats
@Lex
Jack
“Guys seriously, let’s all calm down. Amber as our leader had good intentions to get food, and I am sure she will be back soon. What have we achieved here …” I look around. Except for a small fire, we had no camp. “Instead of assigning a new leader, we could just be more practical and work together. That is all Ebony was trying to do. So come on?” I smile and giggle nervously.
I look around waiting to be pounced. Sheepishly I have more to say so I make my voice heard again.
“Oh and Salene is right, go and fetch Gel please Lex. I dread to think who or what she will come back with.”
@MallRats
”Take the Mallrats out of the Mall and they still act like rats.” I quip. ”We should have been called the headless chickens, I couldn’t do any worse now can I?” For once in my life I actually don’t want to be in charge, not here at least. But I also don’t want the likes of Ebony or anyone else telling me what to do.
I can’t hide my laughter when I’m asked to get Gel. ”She’s resting currently.” I lick my lips still able to make out the faintest taste of her still. ”We had a strenuous morning so she’s having a rest.”
Salene
Watching Lex laugh annoys me and i was close to slap him, but i remind myself that we have bigger problems at the moment. Suddenly Jack stands beside me and internally i sigh in relief, it’s Always good to have someones back when Lex is playing king.
" Where is she? I will get her." I take a little sidelook at Ebony. " We should stay together, right?"
As I am running to get back to the other the only thing on my mind is the little piece of hope I have. While out in the woods me and Ruby found Amber and a few of the others. I was happy to see them but was a bit worried. Ruby decided to stay with them while I headed back to the others so I could let them know how the search went.
As I see them I can see that they are in a meeting so it is a good thing I did make it back. “Hey everyone” I say as I try to catch my breath.
Jack
This meeting was turning out just like they all did, a tit for tat, a slagging match, a argumative debate. It is how us Mall Rats roll.
Lex was right we were more like headless chickens but I wasn’t going to say a bloody word.
I could see Salene was rather aggravated by Lex, but it’s what he does so well. He grates on us all. Salene kindly offers to fetch Gel, but quite rightly so she was right to probably not go alone. I will leave that decision up to Ebony.
Out of nowhere Jay appeared. It was nice to see him back in one piece, but where on earth was Ruby?
I had to chirp up, “Nice to see you back in one piece buddy. You were probably better off staying away though for a smidge longer.” I pause and become serious, “Erm where is Ruby?”
JAY: I look at Jack as I am finally able to breathe. “Glad to be back I say to him” then he asks me about Ruby “We found Amber and some of the others. Everyone is ok but Ruby stayed behind to help them find food.” I add on
Jack
“That’s a relief! Let’s hope they come back with a banquet before nightfall.”
What was going on in Amber’s head? How much food was she expecting to find? Does she not want to get back to her son? Back in the city she was scared of losing Baby Bray to Mega, and now she has left him. Sure he is in good hands here but still … Maybe she is out there trying to find more of a base so her adorable son is more protected. We had no clue what faced us on this island …
Cloe -
Maybe some of these kids don’t even mind being stuck here, on this island…I suppose it’s safe, at least they know their getting fed and shelter every night, that’s something that was never a promise back in the city, I knew this all too well.
Those days were gone now, but I’d do anything to have them back, to be young again & have Patsy & Paul both by my side, for Salene to be the mother role she always played so well.
Truth is things are never going to be the same & everything has changed, the techno’s were like nothing this city had ever seen before & had proven the hardest of them all for the Mallrats.
Sasha had been pretty talkative these past few days, I wondered if he was taking an interest or just being his usual friendly self?
I needed to get Ved out of my head & find something other than rebelling too pass the time.
** LOUD SMASH**
I’d been so wrapped up in my own thoughts I’d dropped the plate I was drying, which was getting me dirty looks from one techno head haunch.
I didn’t even care anymore, all I knew is I needed to get out of here & fast.
Amber
After meeting up with Jay and Ruby last night, we had settled for a few hours of sleep. The undergrowth was thicker than expected and slowed the movement, so by the time it was time to turn back, we had decided it was easier to just stay put for the night and continue to explore the next morning, instead of getting back and forth.
I made Jay promise he takes everything we had gathered so far, straight back to the camp and lets others know we’ll be gone another day or two…depending if we found enough, I was going to send someone back with a bag of food again, to lighten the load and make sure the people who had stayed behind at the beach had enough food. There were plenty of clear streams around here, and the plants looked green and healthy so I wasn’t too worried about drinking water.
What we did need however, maybe more than food, was shelter. Staying on the beach was a temporary solution, sure, it was probably the safest for now, but it was too exposed to the elements. The tidal waves here might be strong enough to wipe away the whole camp. And if this island was to become home … we had to find a spot where we could start building something more permanent.
That’s what I was looking for. A place where to build a home. A clearing in the woods, perhaps even a cave, some solid higher ground.
I’m surprised Ruby decided to leave Lottie behind on the beach and join us, but not ungrateful. The constant banter between Ellie and Darryl was beginning to grind on my nerves and May was being her usual sulky self, so Ruby is a welcome conversation. Plus she actually makes an effort to find food and is able to get her bearings, unlike some of the people. Really, Darryl had managed to get himself lost about five times by now, before I basically told Elllie not to leave his side.
I push along a narrow footpath, it’s barely visible, but it’s there. I wonder how many years it has been since anyone walked here?
Ok maybe walking through this tunnel wasn’t the brightest of my ideas, my legs were starting to ache from the constant walking but I knew if I say down I was basically just sitting in darkness which creeped me out, dark places though weren’t a fear made me extremly uncomfortable and I was now starting to get worried I would be stuck in this darm tunnel, and the more I thought about it, the more I started to feel like someone was squeezing my chest.
I stopped and leaned against the wall and took a deep breath closing my eyes, I could do this there had to an end somewhere though where the end would be was now a slight worry, what if I walked straight into a bunch of Technos?
Opening my eyes I looked around where I was, still just darkness, except there was a slight difference further along, pushing off the wall I hurried towards it and as I got closer I saw the light… Actual light! Reaching it I was disappointed, it was a full opening, more like there was a big crack. The bottom of the crack was a hole but it wasn’t exactly a big hole I vert likely could crawl through however the idea of going a gap that small, surrounded by rock took my breath away, I had already been burried under rock before and to this day I hadn’t forgotten the feeling.
I sat on the floor on the cave and looked through gap weighing up my options, the cave wall wasn’t too thick so it shouldn’t take more then a minute or so to crawl through. I scratched the top of my hand nervously before moving to the hole. Closing my eyes I started crawling through the hole, again not one of my brightest ideas when the ground disappeared beneath my hands and I tumbled out of the hole.
Landing with a thud I cursed louder then I should of and opened my eyes, the one didn’t come out on ground level, it was about 3ft off the ground, that hurt though thankfully nothing too painful.
Alice
I am passed out in a deep sleep.
Standing at the altar in my black dress, I held his hands and spoke my vows.
"My little rocky road, my jaffa cake I love you. I love the way you still give me butterflies every time I see you. I love the way you care not only for me but for everyone around you. I love the way you’re so demanding with me.
I love how much you’re willing to try new things with me to make me happy. I admire how hard you work to help others and above all, I love how you love me.
You’ve taught me things and opened my eyes to see life so differently and clearly. You forever have my heart, my soul and my hand as we journey through this chapter called power and chaos together. I promise to love you, respect you and obey you forever.
I’m so lucky to have found such a perfect creature that I get to spend the rest of my life with. You’re my lover, my best friend and above all, my guardian. I’m so excited to spend the rest of my life with you. So tonight I give you my heart and vow to be the best partner in life and in love. I love you to where Zoot rests and back."
He has tears streaming down his face. My Jaffa was such a soft jelly baby. I looked over to all the MallRats dressed all in white robes with their hoods raised. My sister Ellie, Cloe and Patsy my gorgeous bridesmaid were wearing blue instead.
The true supreme mother Trudy whom held the ceremony softly spoke, “That was beautiful Alice. And now Jaffa.”
“My treacle tart, my angel delight I love you too. I love the way my hair tickles you when I make you happy!”
I bolt up from my sleep. “AHHH.” I roll my eyes around the cave. “I’m such a tramp. I slept with someone and I think it may of been The Guardian.”
Why am I talking to myself? Am I in Sunset Beach?
There’s a loud rustle ahead and I quickly motion for the rest of my group behind me to stay quiet and stop. They’re like a herd of elephants in their attempt, but they never got any training from the Gaians the way I had, so I can’t really blame them for being city kids.
From the corner of my eye I spot some movement, just a few metres ahead, the view is partly obscured by the plants hanging off a cliff wall we’ve been walking along for some time now, but suddenly something falls onto the ground, seemingly out of nowhere.
I duck for a moment, trying to stay hidden, but it’s impossible to see what we’re dealing with that way, so I need to take a few steps forward. It’s not an animal, it’s someone, a person, lying on the ground. I quickly scan the cliff, but don’t see anyone else who could be responsible for that fall.
To my relief there’s some movement and cursing, a female voice. Once I’m positive she’s not a threat, I’m glad she’s alive. She’s still sprawled on the ground, but I can’t be sure she hasn’t already heard me, I decide to speak up. “Are you hurt?”
Hearing a voice I quickly turn my head to face the person, I didn’t even think about someone hearing me but it’s not that what surprises, its the person herself. I move into a sitting position “Amber?” I ask confused, I remember her grave being next to my own. I had sat by her grave for a short period once I was out of my own listening to any sounds just in case she had been in the same situation as myself but when there had been no sound I had assumed she has in fact died.
“I thought you were dead?” I said though it came out a lot blunter then I had meant “Sorry, you were just the last person that I expected to ever see again” I tell her as I rubbed the back of my head as I stand up. Thankfully nothing was broken just quite sore, but I’d had worst when being one of the Techno’s prisoners.
Salene
Suddenly i hear a scream form the wood. A female voice… and i could swear i have heard that oine before… Ebony seems still to be unsure what to do and Lex… well, this Lex… " Give me a minute." i tell the others before i made my way from where the voice came.
I pass the first tree as i noticed a cave between 2 trees. " Hello?" i shout out.
Alice
The plot thickens. There is now a female in the cave coming to seduce me. I laugh it off. The voice sounded familiar but it cannot be …
Flashback
Inside the Mall, Brady is sleeping in her cot and Salene is sitting beside the cot. I appear beside the cot.
ALICE: Salene.
SALENE: Alice, what are you doing here?
ALICE: How you feeling now?
SALENE: A little better, thank you.
ALICE: I, I know about the baby.
SALENE: Luke promised-
ALICE: I made him tell me, I haven’t told anybody else.
SALENE: It doesn’t matter, everybody’s gonna find out sooner or later anyway.
ALICE: Salene, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry for what’s happened.
SALENE: Alice it wasn’t your fault.
ALICE: Yes it is, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have said all those horrible things, shooting my mouth off like that, making you fall down the stairs.
SALENE: Please Alice, you mustn’t blame yourself. You mustn’t torture yourself like this.
ALICE: But I made you lose the baby, you could’ve died even.
SALENE: Maybe the baby wasn’t meant to be.
ALICE: What do you mean?
SALENE: Maybe I don’t deserve to have child of my own.
ALICE: Don’t talk like that.
SALENE: I didn’t really love Ryan, you know. I, I treated him really badly.
ALICE: Yeah.
SALENE: He didn’t, he wanted a baby, I didn’t. It’s Zoot’s will.
ALICE: What?
SALENE: Losing my baby was all part of his great plan. You were merely his tool.
Flashback over
That voice it was Salene …
What I had just relived in my head was pretty much one of our last big conversations between us before the Chosen crumbled and her taking off on the horse Apollo. I felt sick …
I was on edge, I call back out, “Hello lady in the dark?”
Salene
I follow the voice and enter the cave. For a moment i just stare at her, as i see her lying at the ground. This can’t be… she was here… on that island we found by accident
" Alice???" i fell my mouth saying, while my brain was still working out the fact that she was really there.