Mall Rats Return

Mall Rats Return
539

Tally

I am confused as Salene tells us Lex hit his head. How did he manage that?

But I don’t ask, seeing that she looks like the day takes a toll on her.

She tells us we should get the food down as some of the others want to go out later. I wonder why Dee seems worried about going to a bar. I mean… Yeah I don’t think it’s the right moment to get drunk or any like it… But they are adults.

That kind of socializing is over for a long time for me anyway.

Dee and I take the stuff Salene can’t carry with the big kettle and go down too.

I see Will coming up to Salene to take the kettle. She calls out into the mall, like Trudy and her used to do in the past that food is ready. Bug she doesn’t go into the Café, but to her room.

I put things down in the Café and look down on my son. “It’s a weird day baby boy… Now where is your uncle?” I wonder looking around.

@whoever is in Café

540

DANNI

’I don’t know if Lex would want me to give him a chance… he never gave me much of a chance when I moved to the mall the first time around!’ I can’t deny I’d rather not have to make too much effort with Lex, I appreciated he had probably grown and changed during his life but unless he’d had a complete personality transplant he couldn’t have changed that much.

’They know it, but maybe that isn’t a bad thing, at least it means we can enjoy it.’ I can’t help but laugh. It had been a while since I’d had a girl friend to laugh and gossip with but I was glad I’d been able to establish that with Zandra. Turning towards the cafe I smile when I hear the call of food, ’it’s almost as if they heard us!’ I comment to Zandra, ’right, food and then hopefully the others are ready to go out for a bit. I imagine some will stay behind but others might be ready to let their hair down!’

@Zandra

541

Zan

I nod “He’s ways been like that, he wanted to throw Trudy out when she came and was prengnant!” I tell her and shake my head “When we first came here I was such a material girl and was so unrealistic with thinking I needed Lex to survive. So I can definitely say i have changed some… I’d love to be a material again but first I need stuff” I laughed.

Reaching the cafe I smiled “Smells delicious” I say walking in “I reckon we will be the two jumping up, ready to go” I tell Danni heading to a table.

542

Luc

I had laughed at Callan’s comment about maybe getting lucky tonight, who knows there is a selection of gorgeous woman in the Mall though we were already very lucky in that depart, Alix, Bekah and Jaz were all stunning.
I nipped to my room for a few minutes to just get changed and returned back before anyone else returned which meant I was lucky enough to smell the food first in the cafe.

“That smells amazing, good job” I compliment, I was definitely a foodie, and all the Serpents know I could be swayed most of the time with food in one way or another, and I suppose a bonus of having the ex-Mallrats meant there would likely be more variety of meals - If they could carry on getting good supplies that was.

543

DANNI

Listening to Zandra I nod, Lex hadn’t been much different when I’d known him, always focused on how he could get what he wanted but then maybe we’d all been like that in our own way. I’d been so focussed on trying to get the world back to how things were I’d probably missed out on a lot, oh a proper childhood….

Walking into the kitchen I nod at Zandra, once we’d eaten we could get going. After all the revelations I really was just ready for a large drink. Hopefully the place the serpents we’re going to take us would be nice enough for us to let our hair down… at least for a few minutes.

Heading over to the woman with the baby I smile ’smells amazing.’ Luc returns to the cafe and I allow myself a brief moment to admire him before returning my attention back to the food, I wasn’t here for the opposite sex, I was here to stop the red letters and then I would go home.

Taking a moment I look around the cafe before going to get some crockery and cutlery, I presumed we were should just help ourselves rather than waiting for someone to serve us, it wasn’t what they were here for, especially given than they had been so kind as to cook.

@Zandra

544

Brady

“Ofcourse I’ll watch her” I tell Patsy with a smile. The thought of sitting here, warming up for a bit, is far more appealing then the thought of going out there; and Aurora seems knackered, chances are, she’ll fall asleep rather quickly.

Searching my way through the stuff in the ‘room’ we’re in, I come across all sorts of things. Most aren’t very useful right now though.

An old lantern still has some kind of fluid in it. If only we had some twigs, or had the firestones from our other bag, then maybe we could have lit it.

Then I come across something I’ve never seen before.

It’s some sort of sticks, in a small cardboard box, with the image of a flame on the faded packaging.

“Do you know what these are?” I ask holding the box up to Patsy.

545

Patsy:

I’m glad that Brady is not objecting to watching Aurora while I go searching for our things. Aurora is still eating on the dried fruit that Brady gave her. I look around the room again. It’s dark.

Brady then speaks and holds up a box that has a flame on it. Matches!” I say with a smile. ”it’s just what we need for getting light into that lamp” I tell her and take one of them out. Carefully I lighten it and manage to get the old lamp to cast some light into the room

546

Brady

Patsy lights the match and I delight in the marvel of it. There are so many things from ‘the old world’ that I’ve never seen before.

With the lamp lit, we can finally see more then just what’s right before our eyes.

Stacks of nearly folded, strange old shirts and pants, with loads of pockets and a print that looked perfect for hiding in the woods with, lay on a rack near the wall, as if someone long ago placed them there ready to grab. The top one is covered in mouse droppings, but those lower on the stack seem to be in a better state.

Far from our size, and hideous, but still, they’re dry.

I take off my wet clothes and hang them of the rack to dry, throwing a shirt on. It’s almost long enough to double as a dress.

“Do you want one?” I ask Patsy as I hold another one up.

547

Alice

After everyone left the cafe, Ryan and I sat there for a bit. It was a bit much, all these people suddenly back from the dead, and half of these Mallrats neither of us knows.

We have a look around for a place to sleep, and end up at the ones closest to the sewer entrance.

It feels like the right place for both of us, if anyone manages to get past the people on guard duty at some point, we’ll be close enough to stop them from fully entering.

Ofcourse… the sleeping arrangements need some work. The metal frame of the bunk bed is fragile, and there’s no way it could hold either of us.

But the mattresses are fine.

“Let’s take this thing apart… we can put the mattresses on the floor till we can find a better solution?”

548

Andy

As I approach Bert and Ernie outside Salt&Sassy, the doorman calls out to me, 'Oi ginger nut! You’re not going anywhere, your over the limit." I spin around and reply, “I can if I walk. Just like I was going to. Take a chill pill Bumper, but I do appreciate you looking out for my ass.” I see the anger on the doorman’s face, ‘Just move it before your ass matches the colour of your hair.’ I fight back the laughter and give him a nod. and say, “That was a good one, take care.” I could have retaliated and kept the banter going but I have got to be careful. I don’t know how the city runs anymore, is their tribes like the Demon Dogs still around, is their rules and laws? I don’t think Tally would be impressed if I got myself into any bother on Day 1 back in the city… I also wanted to be let back into Salt&Sassy another day to get to know the tasty trio. That silver surfer was so intriguing and stylish, I could totally see why he had 2 lover’s. Or he could just have a massive dong!

Bert and Ernie wasn’t the easiest to push but I did it as quick as I could. I camouflage them again behind the sewers in the tree’s. I enter the Mall and the food hits my nostrils instantly, “Smells good sis.” I make my way into Lex’s room to find a harem of ex Mall Rat women bathing him, yeah right… It was just Dawn from The Everglades present. She seems happy to see me and asks, ‘Did you get it?’ I dive into my jacket pocket, (the same jacket I had given Lottie earlier to keep her warm, which she left in the cafe after changing) and pass Dawn the vial. “It’s all there. I just hope you know the right dosage. I was told to much can turn your balls blue.”

@Salene

2 Likes
549

Phoenix

I carefully sip the new drink I got. I’ll never understand what people like about alcohol. But it’s somehow part of the job to sometimes knock back a drink. People seem to assioate you breng a badass with drinking the hard stuff.

That moment I place down my glass there stands awoman beside our table, putting a kettle with some soup on our table. It actually smells quiet nice. I look up and she nods at me. “My bouncer watched out for the ginger head… He actually decided to push his bike home!” I read from her lips. I nod at her, not showing how relieved I am. Once Andy left I thought he might be in danger if he drives. I waved the bar owner over and made her alarm her bouncer. But luckily Andy isn’t suicidal or careless.

She then points on the kettle “It’s a simple vegetable broth… My cook is using the hares you brought for a roast. You’ll get this broth and your drinks and some of the roast for free, by giving us the hares and squirrels…” I nod. Sam dealt wisely. There is no way we could keep the meat fresh anyway. I’ll need to go hunting when we need it.

She scans the three of us “It’s good to see there are actually some people with a brain here. Bring me whatever you can hunt… And you’ll be having paradise on earth here. My girls would love to spoil some guys like you both…”

She winks at Kyle and I. Sam coughs “Thanks. They don’t need your girls sweetheart. They have a woman!” She says. The bar owner looks surprised. Then she throws her head back in laughter “Girl! Both of them? Bit unfair to keep two such men to yourself… But hell… Lucky you!”

She dissappears and Sam fills bowls with broth for us.

Tally

I am happy that they seem to like the scent of the stew at last. The serpents guys look a little like Christmas has come early. Probably they feel like it. Proper cooked food and new girls to try charming up…

I fill a bowl for myself as people start to cone in and grab something to eat. I place myself on a table that stands a bit away. I absently eat with one hand, watching the door, waiting for Andy. Where the hell is he gone to?

1 Like
550

CALLAN

Before I head into the cafe I notice Liam by the sewers, he looks less than impressed so I quickly go over to speak to him. He explains one of the mall rats has already been out and come back once without any thought for the security measures in place. Liam tells me he’s going to check all the traps and make sure everything is set up to ensure over night safety before taking the first watch.

Heading into the cafe I’m pleased to note foods ready, it smelt good. I grab a bowl and dish some up before heading over to Luc, ’all set,’ I tell him quietly.

Taking a mouthful of food I assess it for a moment, acceptable… Bekah wouldn’t lose her crown in my eyes though, I definitely preferred her dishes.

I don’t take long finishing my meal, time was passing and I was eager to get away from the mall before it got too dark.

’Ill meet you by the sewers when you’re ready,’ I tell Luc, ’Liam’s taking first watch, he’s not impressed with the mall rats coming and going… they don’t seem to have any consideration for the security situation but what can we do, you’d think they’d have more care… especially with a baby.’

@Zandra

551

Zan

I head over and take a bowl, fill it and then make my way back over to the table, I haven’t eaten since last night and I wouldn’t have exactly called what I had last night a meal so I am thankful for the food.
The rest will probably eat slowly and enjoy the food but between hunger and my excitement to go out I didn’t waste any time so finished fairly quickly.

The mall was slightly suffocating, I don’t know if it was the place, the memories or the people but I was itching to get out “Danni I’ll meet you by the fountain once your done” I tell her with a smile before heading over, quickly washing out my bowl and spoon then head out the cafe sitting on the edge grateful of the open space.

552

Lex

Hearing voices I open my eyes, I see two people talking, it takes a moment to remember where I am… How many times have I passed out and found myself in my room with a hang over… For a moment I feel like I’ve slipped back in time…

“I’m not dead” I groan and try to sit up

“Wow, Lex, careful” the young woman says

Quickly she come over to me, she grabs my arm to help me but I snatch it away, just like I used to do after a drinking binge.

“Hey” A male voice says sturnly from the door “There’s no need to be rough”

“Who… who are you people?”

“Lex, I’m Dawn, thats Will” the woman says softly sitting beside me “What do you remember?”

“I was… I was…” I stop confused “I have no idea, I don’t think I’ve been drinking but my head kills like I have a hangover”

Dawn touches a damp cloth to my fore head… I welcome the coldness on my aching head…

“Your at the mall, you came here like the other mall rats after getting letters” Dawn says softly “You fell and hit your head, knocking yourself out for a few minutes, Sal was here helping when you was unconcious, she went to help Tally with the food, Andy has brought you something that will help with the headache”

Dawn takes something and hands it to me

“Don’t think, just swallow it”

I do as she says, swallowing down the disgusting concoction, I try not to gag as she hands me a bottle of water, I swallow down as much as is humanly possible in one gulp…

“Thanks” I groan

“Your head will ache for a day or two as you have a horrible bump on the back of your head”

“I just want to sleep” I groan and lay back down

It’s been a long time since I felt as rough as this, figures it happens when I’m back in the damn mall…

@Jack

2 Likes
553

Luc

I quickly head over and fill my bowl before returning back to the table, I grinned at Callan “It’s going to be a good night” I say then pause “Hopefully” I add thinking about the drama that may follow.

“For fuck sake, sounds like it is a good thing the grille isn’t working. I think we are best making sure atleast one of us is on watch by the sewer, even though there are alot of ex-Mallrats it also seems like there is alot who are just their friends and we’re going to be quickly over run if any more Mallrats bring tag alongs” I tell him “I’ll be there shortly”

554

DANNI

Once I’ve filled my bowl I move to sit down and quickly eat the contents. Looking around I wonder what the washing up situation is, they’d already mentioned limits to things and the last thing i wanted to do was waste water when it wasn’t necessary. Making a quick decision I leave my bowl on the side, it probably seemed like I was being lazy but at the end of the day it would probably be bette to wash everything up in one go.

I notice Callan heading out of the cafe and decide to also head to the sewers, hopefully everyone would be along quickly and we could get out of here. Zandra tells me she’s also going and I follow behind, I had a feeling she was equally as keen to get out of here.

555

Salene

I go out of my room to check on Lex and see two of the serpants by the sewers, talking about mall rats going out, I listen as they talk which is wrong I know… I think the guy said his name was Callen or Luc… I can’t remember, I wait until the guy walks off and quickly follow the guy who was talking about Andy…

“Hey, is something wrong” I ask politely “I know we are disrupting your lives and things and I am so sorry, if there is an issue we can discuss it rationally, I know Andy went out to get some herbs and things to help Lex, the guy who knocked himself out… Believe me you DO NOT want to see him with a bad headache…”

I talk calmly and hope the guy and the rest of the tribe will understand it was a nessecity, we were not trying to break any security or rules, we have only been back here a few hours and this life again is all new to us…

“We will try and be considerate of your rules and concerns about the security, we don’t want anything to go wrong…”

I stand and wait for him to reply, how can he be angry that Andy went to get herbs and things for a guy with a bad head when tonight they are all going out drinking and potentially leaving the mall unoccupied except for us Mall Rats who are staying behind… If this is how it’s going to be with us loosing our freedom while they come and go, I will vote for finding some where else close by to stay so we dont have to put them out… Not wanting to disrupt their lives any more than we have too, these letters need sorting real soon or it will drive ua all bananas

1 Like
556

Phoenix

Done with the broth, we wait to give served some of the meat. I have to say for a bar in the harbor, a place where women sell their bodies and sneaks seem to do all kind of undergroubd business, the food is really good. Often food in such places, bares the name food at all.

But the one cooking here seems to love his job. My years have taught me… Those who love what they do, succeed with better outcomes…

“You guys are royals or what?” A guy slurrs at me. His face suddenly absolutely in front of me, so I have a chance to read his lips. I turn my face,disgusted by his breath. I wonder at once if someone with such a breath still has any teeth left. Ewww.

I look to Kyle who grabs the guy and pulls him away. “We are VIKs, very important killers… So budge off you disgusting piece of…”

I hold my breath as several guys look at us, but then a big guy laughs loudly. “Better listen Sean… We all want a nice evening and not have Deliah wash away your blood!”

Deliah must be the bar owner as she nods and eyes the guy Sean up and down “You had enough anyway…” She snips her fingers and some of the bar guys get the other guy out.

The big guy slides in to us “Mike’s the name… Might I offer my services?” I raise a brow. Okay so Mike is a service jumper. That’s how we call people who offer their abilities to you. Depending on the payment you can offer they offer you different jobs they can do for you.

“What could you offer us?” Sam asks, arms crossed. “Whatever you want my lady…” He says with a cheeky grin and a half bow.

Kyle looks at me over Mike’s head. I nod slightly “Okay, Mike… Tell us something about this city…” “What do you wanna know?” Kyle shrugs “Just everything… Tribes… Where do they live… Who are the big numbers here… If there are any…”

557

LIAM

Before I have a chance to check the traps in the sewers one of the mall rat girls comes over asking me if there is a problem. ’Your companion left the mall without discussion, without consideration for the traps or who might see him coming or going.’ I pause looking at her, ’you are guests here, but don’t seem to have any consideration for anyone’s safety.’ She seems to think they did the right thing and doesn’t see a problem with her companions actions. Shaking my head I’m grateful to see Callan approaching us, maybe he can actually explain the situation to her better than I can as I wanted to point out how idiotic their behaviour was but choose against it.

@Salene

558

CALLAN

Heading out of the cafe I notice Liam speaking with one of the mallrats, walking over to them I catch the tail end of their conversation. Giving Liam a nod I look towards Salene, I think that was her name. ’Everything ok?’

@salene