I actually did some writing on this yesterday! Managed to finish the scene I was on. About three more to write to finish the chapter. First hurdle overcome, now just have to keep going!
For now though, the party continues…
Chapter 22: The Last Dance
May stood at the back of the crowd watching the raffle. She didn’t think much of the whole thing but there wasn’t anything better to do. Darryl was standing at the front with Lex, parading the prizes around as they were called out, like a model on some tacky game show. She was surprised that he hadn’t resorted to wearing the jewellery he was holding up.
‘Has everyone got their tickets ready?’ Lex asked, the same question he had asked before every prize. The crowd grumbled impatiently.
‘Get on with it!’ she heckled, receiving a cheer.
‘Thank you May,’ Lex replied, shooting daggers from his eyes. ‘Alright then, the winner of this beautiful set of jewellery is…number 262! Where’s number 262?’ An ugly man with his skin painted green like a lizard’s stuck his hand in the air. A girl with long, white hair clung to him adoringly. ‘Well done sir!’ Lex said. ‘An excellent present for your lady friend.’ The girl squealed in delight until the man grabbed her and pulled her away from the crowd. ‘Don’t forget to come and collect your prize later!’ Lex called out after him.
The raffle continued without further incident and May soon found herself being distracted by a conversation two girls next to her were having.
‘Isn’t he just dreamy?’ One of the girls asked her friend. May rolled her eyes. Another young fool under Lex’s spell.
‘I heard he’s a Mallrat,’ the other one said. ‘Aren’t they like celebrities around here?’
The first girl laughed. ‘Have you been living under a rock since the Virus, Tammy?’ she said. ‘Anyway hands off! I saw him first.’
May stumbled forwards as another girl, older and with flaming red hair, elbowed her out of the way to get to the other two. ‘Sorry girls,’ she said, not sounding sorry at all. ‘But he’s already spoken for.’
Getting bored of the argument, and annoyed at being pushed out of the way, May turned her attention back to the raffle. Darryl spotted her in the crowd and waved to her, and she quickly looked away. Stupid boy. Why did he have to look at her like that? She couldn’t think straight when he kept staring at her all the time.
‘See! He waved at me!’ the redhead announced proudly. Wait, they were talking about Darryl?! Suddenly she smiled as she thought of a way to get back at him for being so annoying.
‘Excuse me,’ she said in her sweetest voice, but the girls ignored her and continued their bickering. ‘Hey!’ she shouted. That got a reaction out of them.
‘What do you want?’ the redhead sneered, looking down her nose at her. Were they carrots hanging down from her necklace?! The other two girls stood on either side of her with their arms crossed. Whereas moments earlier they had all been ready to kill each other, now they stood together against what they saw as a common enemy.
‘I just thought I should let you know,’ she told them. ‘That the guy over there, the one you’re all besotted with, isn’t who you think he is.’
‘And who is he exactly?’ the redhead asked, humouring her.
‘He’s the guy who pretended to be Zoot,’ she said. The younger girls looked shaken but the redhead was going to need more convincing.
‘And how exactly do you know all this?’ she asked.
In reply she lifted her arm so that the pentagram on her hand was clearly visible. ‘She’s a Mallrat too!’ one of the younger girls cried. ‘She must know the truth! Come on Tammy, let’s go!’ That left one.
‘I still don’t believe you,’ she said stubbornly.
‘Take a look for yourself,’ May said, gesturing to Darryl. ‘Doesn’t he look…familiar?’
The girl squinted at him for a while, then her eyes widened. ‘The pig!’ she muttered, and stormed off. May laughed. She wasn’t sure exactly how sabotaging Darryl’s relationships was going to help her situation, but it had felt good.
‘Get off me!’ Amber snapped as Jay pulled her out of the meeting and into the corridor. As he let go of her she rubbed her arm. ‘There was no need to be so rough!’ she said.
‘What were you doing in there Amber?’ he asked. Some apology.
‘What do you mean?’ she said, confused. ‘I was trying to help set up a peaceful society! I thought we both were, but apparently the plan’s changed.’
‘This isn’t funny Amber!’
‘I’m not laughing here!’ she said. ‘I just don’t understand what I’ve done that you find offensive enough to drag me out here, in front of all the tribe leaders no less! It’s hardly going to do our standing any good if they think we’re divided.’
‘You told them you weren’t going to run for city leader!’ he said, ignoring most of her comments.
‘I didn’t want them to think we were trying to take over,’ she said. ‘You didn’t seriously expect me to stand did you?’
‘You have to!’ he pleaded. ‘The city won’t survive five minutes without you at the helm.’
‘What?!’ she spluttered. ‘No! We both agreed that you would look after the tribe while I spent more time with Bray.’
‘Yes, so you could concentrate on running the city once the next elections were held.’
‘We never talked about that!’
‘I thought it went without saying!’
‘No Jay!’ she said. ‘I’m not ready for this! If I can’t handle one tribe I’m not going to be able to deal with dozens of them!’
‘But I thought…’
‘Well you thought wrong!’
Jay opened his mouth, searching for words. ‘Please, Amber,’ he said finally. ‘You have to stand for city leader. We have to be able to supervise things, at least until everything gets back to normal. Especially with the Technicians hanging around.’
‘But you said yourself they weren’t interested in running the city,’ she sighed. Sometimes talking to Jay was like banging her head against a brick wall.
‘Then why are they here?’
‘They just want to have a say, like everyone else. They won’t put up a candidate.’
‘How do you know that?’ he asked. ‘I don’t trust them!’
‘Well if you’re so bothered about them why don’t you stand for leader? Why does it have to be me?’
‘If I thought I had any chance of winning then I would, but you’re the one that they trust.’
‘I can’t do it Jay,’ she said.
‘Please Amber!’ he repeated. ‘You know this won’t work without you, and you won’t have to do it on your own. I’ll help you, we all will!’
At that moment another pair of leaders came down from the mall, a man in a long coat with green-painted skin and a pale-skinned girl with long white hair and a skimpy black outfit. ‘Sorry we’re late!’ the girl giggled, eyeing up Jay before the pair of them went into the meeting.
‘Come on Amber,’ Jay said after they had gone. ‘You don’t want a tribe like the Skinks ruling the city do you?’ She closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh. The most infuriating part was that he was right. She didn’t really trust any of the bigger tribes to be in charge of the city, but surely there was another way? ‘We have to go back in there soon,’ he said, hurrying her for an answer.
‘You have to promise me,’ she said slowly. ‘That if I agree to this, you’ll help me. I can’t do it alone.’
‘Of course,’ he said, smiling.
‘I mean it Jay,’ she said. ‘You can’t force me into this and then just leave it all to me.’
‘I promise,’ he said, more seriously this time.
‘Then I’ll do it,’ she said quietly.
‘Thank you,’ he replied. They shared a kiss then went back into the meeting. She felt as if she were walking to a trial. Her own trial.
Ruby smiled and shook her head as Darryl was accosted and promptly slapped by an irate partygoer. It was nice to know that his head injury hadn’t affected him in any way. Turning away she was surprised to see two figures dressed in Technician uniforms sitting alone in a corner. Seeing this as an opportunity to get more information on the mysterious new tribe she went over to talk to them.
‘Mind if I join you?’ she asked.
‘Erm, no, go ahead,’ one of them, a young woman with short blonde hair, said, sounding a little surprised. Her friend, a dark-haired man, looked suspicious.
‘You’re Technicians right?’ she asked.
‘Guilty as charged,’ the girl said. ‘Not many people recognise us yet, so I’d say you were a Mallrat, only you don’t look like a city girl.’
‘Right on both counts,’ Ruby said. ‘I came to the city with…a friend. I haven’t been here very long so you probably know the place better than I do!’
‘Oh I don’t know,’ the girl said. ‘We didn’t get out much when we were in the Technos did we Tag?’ The guy next to her grunted in agreement. ‘We thought we’d get more chances to get into the city when we left but Cable can be an even harder slave driver than Ram and Mega were, sometimes! I’m Link by the way,’ she said, offering her hand.
‘Nice to meet you Link. I’m Ruby.’
‘So Ruby, what drove you from the country?’ Link asked. ‘Usually when people move it’s the other way round.’
‘It wasn’t like that,’ she said. ‘I loved it out there. I ran a little saloon in a town called Liberty, ever since the Virus. I came here following a guy,’ she admitted. ‘Only he went and died on me.’
‘Bummer,’ Tag said.
Link gave him a funny look. ‘He must have been a great guy,’ she said.
Ruby laughed. ‘That’s not a word most people would have used, but then you can’t help who you fall for can you?’
‘No you can’t,’ Link agreed, sticking her tongue out at Tag.
‘This is going to be one of those girly talky things isn’t it?’ he asked. ‘I might go…mingle, or something.’
‘Is he always this sociable?’ Ruby asked when he had left.
Link laughed. ‘He’s alright once you get to know him,’ she said. ‘Now, where were we?’
Trudy smiled as Tobin told her again how beautiful she was. She couldn’t believe it, he was smart, funny, handsome - everything she could ever want. And he was still interested in her after half an hour of talking.
‘You’re not listening to a word I’m saying are you?’ he said, smiling.
‘Sorry!’ she laughed. ‘I’m not used to all this. Meeting someone, I mean. It’s all a little overwhelming!’
‘Yeah? Well what say we overwhelm you a little more?’ he said, kissing her.
‘What do you mean?’ she asked in between kisses.
‘How about we take this to your room?’ he whispered in her ear.
She stepped back, stopping the kisses. ‘Ah,’ she said. ‘We can’t do that.’
‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I’m making you feel uncomfortable, aren’t I?’
‘No, it’s not that,’ she said. ‘It’s just that, well, my daughter’s sleeping upstairs.’
‘You…have a kid?’ It was said casually enough, but she could tell he was losing interest.
‘Her name’s Brady,’ she said. ‘She’s an angel, I think you’d like her.’
‘I…I have to…’
‘Don’t bother,’ she said with a sigh. ‘I’ve heard them all before. If you want to leave just leave.’
‘I’m sorry,’ he said quietly before moving away and into the crowd. She took a swig out of the nearest bottle. She had been sure he would understand! He seemed so…mature, but as usual she had been wrong. Feeling the tears welling up in her eyes she quickly headed upstairs and into her room. She laughed at herself for crying. It wasn’t like she needed a man in her life right now, but there did seem to be a growing feeling that she would never be able to find someone who wouldn’t run a mile when they found out she was a single mother.
Ellie was sitting reading to Jack when Ruby poked her head through the curtain.
‘Oh. Sorry,’ she said. ‘I’ll leave you alone.’
‘No, Ruby wait,’ Ellie said. ‘We’re just about done here anyway. How are you?’
‘Oh, not bad. Bit of a noisy neighbour problem at my place so I thought I’d pop in and see if you were still up.’
‘Ebony and Slade are still fighting then?’
‘No, they’re making up.’
‘Oh.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Okay,’ she said. ‘Moving swiftly on. How was the party?’
‘It could’ve been worse,’ Ruby said. ‘It’s winding down now, most people seem to be leaving. The leaders are still locked away downstairs though. They must have a lot to talk about.’
‘Yeah, I hope it’s going well.’ She gestured for Ruby to take a seat.
‘Thanks,’ the other girl said. ‘So, I was talking to a Technician earlier.’
‘They came to the party?’
‘Yup, there’s a couple of them at the meeting too, one of them being our friend Spinner.’
‘I bet Jay’s really pleased about that,’ she said sarcastically. ‘He’s had a bee in his bonnet ever since he got back from the power station.’
‘There’s definitely something odd about her,’ Ruby agreed. ‘Although Link says she’s always like that, you know, a bit aloof?’
‘Be careful with this Link, Ruby. I don’t trust any Technician, especially one who knows Spinner.’
‘You trusted her about Jack.’
‘That was different,’ she reasoned. ‘I didn’t know her then.’
‘You still don’t. Why don’t you come and meet Link for yourself? She’s alright.’
‘She’s still here?’
‘No, she went back to the power station, but she said she’d get in touch soon to arrange a night on the town. You could come with us.’
‘A girls’ night out with an ex-Techno? I don’t think so.’
‘Why not? It’ll be fun.’
She sighed. ‘I’ll think about it. You two really became friends didn’t you?’
Ruby shrugged. ‘Apparently being a Techno was a pretty lonely job, and it’s not like I know anyone in the city, apart from you lot of course. And the supplier I used for the saloon, but he’s not exactly someone I’d want to meet for coffee and cake.’ The two shared a laugh.
‘Well just be careful!’ Ellie said. ‘For all we know it could be the Technicians who’ve been bumping off the Technos, and if they did then they might have been responsible for what happened to you and Darryl today.’
‘But that was just some kid after a bit of food, surely?’ Ruby said, sounding shocked.
‘Maybe so, but it just seems like too big a coincidence to me, happening in exactly the same place as you found the bodies?’
‘Wow,’ Ruby breathed. ‘When you put it like that…’ Ellie stifled a yawn, which did not go unnoticed. ‘Sorry, I should go!’ Ruby said.
‘No it’s fine really. I just haven’t been getting much sleep lately.’
‘Have you and Jack been making any progress?’
‘Not really,’ she admitted. ‘Not at all in fact, but it’s bound to happen soon right?’
‘I hope so,’ Ruby said diplomatically. ‘I don’t really know how these things work.’
‘Me neither,’ she said.
‘Have you tried getting him out of bed? Walking him around a bit?’
‘No,’ she said. ‘Just the exercises Spinner showed me. He’s too heavy for me to do that by myself.’
‘You should have said something,’ Ruby said. ‘I’ll help you. If you want me to, that is.’
‘Really? Would you mind trying now?’
The two girls managed to lift Jack out of the bed and slowly began to drag him around the room. Ellie lost count of how many times they went round in circles. Finally though his weight became too much for them and they had to put him back to bed. The two girls collapsed on the floor and Ellie began to cry again.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Ruby said, putting a comforting arm around her friend. She was almost crying herself.
‘It’s not your fault,’ Ellie managed to say. ‘It just hurts to see him like this.’ She blew her nose on the tissue offered by Ruby. ‘Will you…will you help me try again tomorrow?’
The other girl nodded. ‘Of course I will.’
Ruby stayed until Ellie’s tears had stopped. Usually she didn’t like people seeing her cry, but she was glad Ruby had been there. She just hoped that her friend knew what she was doing, getting involved with Technicians.
Darryl hummed quietly to himself as he picked up the rubbish from the floor and put it into a bag. The tribal meeting was still taking place downstairs but it had gone on so long that even those people who had been waiting for their leaders to come out had long since gone. He was surprised, therefore, when he heard footsteps approaching, and even more surprised when he looked up to see May walking towards him. After last time, though, he decided it would be better to wait for her to speak before saying anything.
‘Darryl what are you doing?’ she asked him, rubbing her eyes. ‘Wouldn’t you rather be in bed?’ His cheeks coloured at the unintended suggestion but thankfully it was too dark for May to notice.
‘I just figured I’d make a start on the cleaning,’ he said. ‘It saves people doing everything tomorrow.’
‘Can I give you a hand then?’ She asked.
He shrugged. ‘If you like.’ She picked up a plastic bag and deftly began sorting through what could be reused and what couldn’t. It didn’t seem like she was about to bite his head off so he dared to start a conversation. ‘Um, May?’ he said tentatively.
‘Yeah?’
‘What did you say to the tall girl?’
‘Tall girl?’
‘Yeah, red hair, blue eyes. Wears carrots around her neck?’
‘Oh, her. I…didn’t say anything. Why would I?’
‘I saw you talking to her,’ he said. ‘You pointed at me, she got mad, then she came over and slapped me!’
‘And that’s my fault is it?’ she said, getting angry. ‘Maybe she just didn’t like you. Despite what you think you are not God’s gift to women.’
‘Hey wait, I think you’re getting the wrong end of the stick here!’ he protested. ‘I’m glad you said what you did, maybe now Crazy Vegetable Lady will leave me alone. She was kinda scary!’
‘Crazy Vegetable Lady?’
‘Sure, that’s what everybody calls her,’ he said. ‘Well, maybe not everybody. Mostly me. In fact only me, but she is!’
May laughed. ‘You are one strange guy, do you know that?’
‘Is that a good thing?’
‘I’m not sure yet,’ she said. ‘Listen, for what it’s worth I’m sorry I was so rude earlier. It wasn’t your fault, it was those Technicians, strutting about demanding I take them to the meeting. Who do they think they are?’
‘Yeah!’ he agreed. ‘Hey, are you ready for that dance yet?’
‘What dance?’
‘I asked you before if you wanted to dance and you said ‘not now’, but not now then is not not now now right?’
‘Pardon?’
‘You know. Not now now is not the not now not now was then, was it?’
She scratched her head. ‘I have no idea what you just said but if I dance with you will you stop talking?’
‘I think I can do that.’
‘Alright it’s a deal,’ she said. ‘Now shut up and stick some music on before I change my mind.’
He all but dived over to the CD player in his eagerness, pressing the button to play a random song. To his delight, it was a slow one.
‘We are not dancing to this!’ she proclaimed, marching over to the machine to switch songs. He quickly moved in between her and it to stop her.
‘No!’ he cried. ‘The CD player has chosen! It’s bad karma to go against its wishes!’
‘Are you serious?’
He nodded. ‘Ancient Chinese proverb.’ She gave him a murderous look.
‘Let’s just get this over with,’ she sighed, grabbing him and leading him to a clear space on the floor. ‘And don’t try any funny business!’ she warned him.
The dance started off a little awkwardly, but May soon gave in to the music. She was a great dancer, and he was sure she was enjoying herself. He even thought she looked a little disappointed when the music stopped and they pulled away from each other.
‘Fancy another?’ he chanced.
‘No,’ she said quickly, blushing slightly. ‘I should be going now. Don’t stay up too long cleaning.’ She turned her back on him and headed off to the room she shared with Salene. ‘And if you tell anybody about this,’ she called back. ‘I’ll break your kneecaps!’
He stood there grinning for a while after she had gone. ‘Oh yeah,’ he said to himself. ‘She wants me.’
‘Alright everyone,’ Jay said. ‘Close your eyes and throw your stones onto the floor, then we can all go home. Ready? Now!’ Amber heard the clattering of stones as they hit the ground and knew even before she opened her eyes what the outcome would be. Several different colours were present on the floor, but the white stones, her own colour, far outnumbered the others. It was done. She was city leader. ‘Congratulations, Amber,’ Jay said, smiling broadly, and the whole room - with a few exceptions - gave her a round of applause. The Skinks openly snarled at her, while the Technicians, although clapping, had unreadable expressions on their faces. She had no idea what they thought of her appointment. They had barely said a word all evening. Looking around she gave a weak smile and thanked everybody, but inside she felt numb. The trial had ended, and now she feared it was time for the execution.
It’s nice to read what has been happening with the other Mall Rats finally. 
Give her a pet seagull, HAHAHAHA. And then another favourite of mine has the next paragraph, Darryl and getting an insight into his feelings was awesome. I would be extremely happy to just read Gel and Darryl. 
God Lex is a jerk! Enjoyed the ending with Jack, its nice to read how he is doing and he is at least aware of what is going on around him.
Pushing Amber like that… Tschaaa… Call that love…