Cloe
I almost jumped when I heard someone shout out my name, I had not been prepared for it and turned around with big eyes. It takes me a couple of seconds trying to see who it was who called out my name, “M…mouse?” No? was it really? she looked so grown up. Well, I guess we all are grown-ups now.
I held up my arms to give her a hug but I was still slightly confused even if I was happy to see someone else I knew from the past.
Zan
I nod “I can relate, I had just started living in a little bar and it was an easy life, I thought I’d outrun the letters when I left the tribe I was with but somehow whoever is sending these letters found me,” I tell her with a sigh.
It’s not really a surprise there are other people who didn’t really want to be back here, but I didn’t know anyone else’s history “Maybe those of us who are kinda outsiders can stick together without having the bad history of being here” I tell her.
Being around people who I don’t know feels more comforting at this moment in time.
DANNI
Zandra’s life before returning here sounds almost heavenly, ’I was a bit lost before coming back,’ I admit, ’have some demons I haven’t managed to outrun but maybe coming back here will help me put them to bed.’
Her suggestion of sticking together sounds like the best plan I’ve heard all day, ’this place has a way of making you feel like an outsider no matter what you do.’
There’s so much noise I almost forgot how hectic the mall felt, reunions going on around us make me want to just disappear back into my room and stay there but that won’t help figure out the situation.
Zan
I nod lightly “Oddly when I was here it was a family, but as more people joined the Tribe it changed and I went from being a young girl who dreamed of the perfect relationship and being fashionable and the popular girl to marrying a guy who cheated on me and in hindsight I have no idea why I thought it was such a good idea” I tell her with a roll of my eyes “But I reckon we try finding a bar hidden somewhere in this city tonight and get out of here” I suggested with a smile.
DANNI
Listening to Zandra I can’t help but wonder if she was before or after my time, I can’t place her name but I’m sure I’ve heard it which suggests before.
’When we are young we think we know everything, don’t we?’ I remembered all my ideas when I was younger, how I’d wanted to lead the city into some bright new future, but I didn’t have the same feeling now. Now I just wanted to focus on surviving each day.
’Now that, that is the best idea I’ve heard all day!’ I tell her when she suggests we find a bar, ’I think we could all do with blowing off some steam. Maybe the serpents will be able to suggest something - they seem to know the city relatively well.’
Zan
“Oh god yeah, though we were really young when we had to be the adults and I suppose we didn’t do a terrible job, we’re alive after all” I tell her, I was already liking Danni.
“You’re right, they definitely seem the type to know the hidden gems around the city. Is it bad I am more excited about going out than I am about anything else right now” I laugh lightly suddenly feeling quite excited at the prospect of going for a night out “And I’ll be able to keep wearing this dress” I grinned “Though just to add, I didn’t arrive in this, me and Lottie got drenched by one of the traps in the sewers”
DANNI
’You’re right, we did manage to stay alive,’ I agree. She had a point, no matter what, we had stayed alive. We probably had a few more scars than we would have done if the adults were still alive, and had lost friends that would have survived with the right medical interventions but it could have been worse… maybe.
Zandra explains her outfit choice and I laugh quietly, ’i’m not one to question outfit choices,’ I knew I looked like I’d just stepped off the farm but in truth, I had. ’Some of the others might be up for some mingling, it might do us all good to let off some steam.’ Glancing back at my room I think for a moment, ’although I can’t say I have anything suitable to wear!’
Zan
I grin “Dont worry, I’m sure one of the serpents will help with outfits for tonight for anyone that hasnt got much. I’m going to go through clothes most likely tomorrow and I can alter some bits for everyone” I said excitedly “Sorry, I will also be a fashion girl deep down, clothes, hair and make up makes me so happy” I tell her with a small laugh.
Its been a long time since I have been this excited, I glance towards the cafe “When we go back in there in abit I’ll bring it up”
DANNI
Zandra comments that she’s sure one of the serpents will help with clothing and I nod, although I’d probably want something a little warmer than what she was currently wearing. ’Nothing wrong with having your passions,’ I couldn’t claim to be a fashion girl, but we all needed our own skills and talents.
’Sounds good,’ I agree when she tells me she will bring it up when we reconvene with the others ’I guess in the mean time it’s back to digging through boxes… I’ve found more comic books than I care to look at!’
Zan
I sigh “You’re right, I suppose its back to grafting… although atleast its spider free” I add positively as i head towards my room “See you in a bit neighbour” I give her a wave and head into my room.
It was already more organised “Thanks Andy” I say outloud to myself before heading over to the bed, I could tell he had given it a good shake to make sure there were no spiders but there was still a good layer of dust. Taking off the duvet and sheet i head out the room and one at a time close my eyes and as roughly shake them getting off as much dust as possible.
They really needing washing but this would have to do, heading back in I remake the bed before rummaging through the boxes, moving the things I was planning on keeping in one box and the rest on another.
Finding a lipstick I open the lid and smile “Electric rouge… My favourite!”
Brady
The wind is blowing harder and harder, to the point we need to let the sail down, so it doesn’t rip. Waves crash harshly on the edge of our little boat, rocking is back and forth, back and forth.
Knowing that between me and Patsy, I’m probably the strongest swimmer, I tie a rope around Aurora’s waist and my own. That way, even if we do capsize, I know we won’t loose her to the waves.
The rain is falling down hard now, and it’s hard to see where the sea is taking is, nor how much time passes.
Suddenly, while lightning crosses the sky, we get jolted out of the boat.
To my surprise I can feel sand beneath my feet, and raise Aurora in my arms as I stand.
Slowly we get out of the water and unto a beach.
“Pats?” “Pats?!” I call out, trying to shout over the roaring waves and gushing wind.
Rory’s little frightened voice can barely be heard over it.
“Pats? We’re OK, where are you?!”
Tally
I watch with slight amusement when Eciov runs at Cloe with a shout, arms wide open too. She looks right like a small girl. It’s hard to tell about ages in our times. Most stopped counting their years after the adults perished. I only can keep track of Leo’s age, as I count each day he wakes up in a small little notebook. It’s battered, but it’s all I have to be aware when his first year is over. I also note down his height, weight when I can measure it. There aren’t any doctors around. It’s up to me to closely, watch his development.
I thought Eciov is somewhere around Andy’s and my age, but get the feeling now she is some good years younger. She’s got my respect for that. She must have been very young when the adults died. Andy and I wouldn’t have made it long without Ned in the beginning.
And after what we heard after joining the Mall Rats, I know that some of the younger members also would have probably not made it far without the older ones.
So Eciov might have made her first years alone. What would really be impressive. She is short, but probably has more power then you would think.
I make a mental note to write down also anything we get to know about the others. I want to know who exactly we are dealing with. If I learnt one thing in our world it’s that you can’t trust anyone. The nicest person can have the darkest secret.
Cloe seems confused at first, but then opens her arms. I watch them embrace and just wave a bit. I don’t know if Cloe will remember Andy and I. We weren’t everyone’s darlings and weren’t a part of the tribe for vey long.
I sway a little with Leo in my arms “Hopefully Alice will come. She’d be kind of your auntie if my dumbass of an older brother wouldn’t have taken such a stupid risk…” I whisper, knowing Leo won’t understand.
Eciov
Intially I think Cloe struggled to place me, but then she says my name, well the name she knew me by. I annoyingly squeak and nod my head. I wrap myself up in her hug. “Yes, it’s me. Just a little bit taller than before and go by the name Eciov now. Cloe you are still as pretty!” My life was out of the city with The Everglades, but there was no denying the fact I was enjoying seeing old friends again. I was tiny before, I had no bad blood with anyone. Who knows after this red letter saga is settled, what old friendships will continue in our new lives?
I stop squeezing Cloe and apologise to her, Dee and Salene, "Sorry we (I point at Tally) interrupted you ladies. Cloe, you remember Tally?"
Tally
Eciov apologizes for us interrupting Cloe’s greeting with Salene and Dee. She points on ne to ask if Cloe remembers me.
I walk closer, stepping beside Salene and Dee.
“Hi Cloe. You look stunning. The years meant well with you. You’ll see I don’t come alone. This little guy is my Leo. Andy is somewhere here too. He is playing seek and catch with spiders. Seems like he is the only male Mall Rat back so far. Girl power on the Mall…”
I chew my lip a bit. Why do things sound better in your heard and when you actually say them, you want to take them back?!
Luc
I watched as everyone went over to claim rooms and whatnot. Zane was watching out for any Mallrats coming and Jaz had gone and was clearing out one of the empty rooms, she wqs already pretty chilled and happy to help everyone out.
So I decided to do my ‘good will gesture’ I gather the fresh bed sheets from the cupboard and take them downstsors putting them on the sode of the fountain “Clean bedding” I call out.
They were perfect, some had holes in them and other discoloured but I couldnt imagine sleeping on dusty covers and whatnot.
I had obviously kept my spare nice bedding in my room, there was somethings I didnt want to share.
Patsy.
The wind picks up and we have to hurry to take the sail down so it wont rip. I get the sail down as Brady ties a rope around Auroras waist. Not long after a lighting goes across the horizon. The next I know I find myself in the water.
The cold water makes the clothes heavier and sit tight to my body. ”Aurora!?! Brady! AURORA!” ** I call out, I stand up as I feel the ground under me, and I spot Auroras teddy in the water. I grab it. Did the rope fail? Where are they? I push my hair out of my face and look around. All I want to do is scream and find my daughter, but I have to stay calm and maybe just maybe they are looking for me as well?
I hear Brady’s voice barely, I look around and spot them at the beach.”Im here”** I run to the beach and take Aurora out of Bradys hands. My little girl is crying hysterically. I kiss her head and hold her tightly. ”its alright sweetheart” I tell her holding her.
”We are all okay,” I say and place the teddy in Auroras hands. ”We need to find shelter and food, unless we find our things, theres food there” I say looking over at Brady.
Lottie
I stared at Andy first confused then my eyes got big not wanting to look up “Just please get it quickly” I asked nicely but still maybe had some demand in it. I just didn’t want a big nasty spider hanging above my head. The further away the better I thought.
“Gosh, don’t say that. that’s just gonna make it hard to sleep in here” I shudder and wrapped my arms around me, though I already would have some issues sleeping in here. It had been years since I last slept in the mall and so much was different. I shook away those thoughts and looked back at Andy. “Not gonna lie, feels weird to meet another Mallrat I’ve never met but I guess it shows the Mall rats do have history”
Ryan
I was still in some thought as we walked towards the mall, I heard KC talk and smiled a bit. “I don’t know, maybe there are some that came back” It was almost funny how people I saw as family members now almost seemed like strangers, I had thought of them once in a while but in the end, I had no idea what happened to many of them.
“Amber?” I then said looking slightly confused, “Well I don’t think she wrote to me at least. Why? do you think she’s at the Mall too?”
Kc
I shrugg as we walk/skate “I mean she was always very invested in this place wasnt she. Wanting to create an amazing future or whatever”
“I dunno why anyone would want us all back here, Mallrats always got alot of stick so I dunno who would want us all back here… But like i said, for me, it was time for me to move on and I had nowhere else to go so I’m not complaining” I end with a grin “Look there is it!” I tell them pointing to the Mall, I spot a guy by the sewer entrance “Welcome party?”
Cloe
I tried to hide it but honestly, it was too much information and emotions happening at the same time for me, I could feel a headache starting to form which had been going on for a long time whenever I thought too much about the past. Thanks to the techno’s that’s my life sadly. Seeing Salene, Dee and Mouse again brought back much I still wasn’t sure was right or wrong memories but it was both sad and happy ones. “Eciov? Ohh. wow well, it’s nice to see you again” I did start to smile a little.
My eyebrows went together as I looked at the redhead trying to remember her, “Yeah…I think so. You… you have a brother right?” I asked Tally while trying to remember.