Following my conversation with Salene I’d realised that the mallrats needed more of an idea of the city, even the basics. Although they had lived here before it sounded like things had been safer then, even in the aftermath of the virus and the drama of the chosen and technos. I’d found Alice and Ryan, the couple who had said they would do a security watch, and given them a quick brief, an outline of the dangers of the city we now inhabited and an idea of what security measures we had in place in the mall. I knew Liam and Zane would be on hand during their watch and also taking over alone with Bekah and Jaz, Alix had also decided to stay behind tonight as she had a big deal she needed to prepare for.
I’d then returned to the sewer entrance where we’d waited long enough for quite a few of the mall rats to join us, they all seemed to feel the same about being back at the mall and wanted an out. Luc and I had carefully explained the security details to them, that they shouldn’t mention that they were mallrats, or ask too many questions about the local tribes… it had obviously been a shock to them as their expressions had given away their concern but we’d been able to reassure them that, although different, the city still had some positives. I had also pointed out that Luc and I were armed, for our safety and theirs. For a moment I’d considered telling them all about the city, the Morai and the way people disappeared but I changed my mind, it was almost better they didn’t know.
Taking another mouthful of my drink I glance over at Luc, he was busy chatting up the barmaid which didn’t surprise me… the mallrat girls had all outdone themselves, and looked stunning, even in the dark. I’d briefly chatted to Cloe and Gel on our walk, learning their names and their connection to the mall. I hadn’t spoken to KC but had heard him and Luc chatting away about deals to be done while Lottie, Zandra and Danni all talked quietly amongst themselves. I was still trying to piece the puzzle together about why they’d been called back to the city but without the picture it was proving quite difficult.
Noticing I’m alone I stand and slowly make my way to the side entrance of the casino, to anyone watching I would look like I was drunk, carefully picking my way to get some air, but I’d been mulling over the same drink for the last two hours. Reaching the door I head outside before stepping into the shadows, no one would miss me for a few minutes and I needed to drop off the contents of my bag.
Luc and Callan had painted such a lovely picture of the city I’d been questioning my decision to come back the whole walk to the casino. It was still dusk when we’d left the mall and I’d noticed the change in the atmosphere, earlier I hadn’t noticed how quiet it was but during our walk there were moments when you could have heard a pin drop. Patches of road were covered with moss muting our footsteps. Good disguises for those who wanted to be stealthy. I’d noticed most of the serpents hadn’t joined us, and was curious if that was because the situation in the city wasn’t as bad as Luc and Callan had implied or if it was because they didn’t trust us enough to leave the mall in mallrats hands… I wouldn’t blame them if that was the case, they didn’t know us. In truth we hardly knew each other. I couldn’t claim I’d exactly been close to Salene, or even Cloe, when I’d lived in the mall and now they were strangers with familiar features.
I hadn’t really noticed how far the walk to the casino was, but I had noticed how things changed as we walked. At least a sector from the mall I started to notice more people and that number continued to increase as we reached the casino. The hustle and bustle felt more like the city used to feel, people greeting friends and genuinely having a good time. Callan leads us to the casino and whispers something to the man on the door, whatever it is he lets us all in without question. I can’t help but wonder if the serpents are more important in the city than they let on.
Inside the casino is dark, darker than I expected for a casino… I also don’t see much in the way of gambling. It’s not really like anything I expected. I notice Luc and Callan heading towards another door and follow them along with the rest of the mallrats. Through the second door and things start to feel more like a casino although I can’t quite tell what any of the games are. Luc and Callan both head to the bar and after a moment I follow them, presuming the rest of the mallrats will do the same.
A handsome bartender with dark green eyes comes towards me and asks what I’d like to drink, I shrug at the questions, something good?’ he gives me a look and I wonder if I’ve already given away that in an ‘outsider’ but he doesn’t question and starts mixing liquids, eventually handing me a purple drink. First ones on the house he tells me before raising a hand to Luc, thanks. Looking around I spoke Zandra and head over to her, so I made a small mistake, I tell her quietly, *I forgot to bring anything to trade for drinks!’
It definitely put me on edge as they explained more about the city, it was bad back at the start with the Demon Dogs and the Locos but we knew theu were a threat whereas now we dont know anything.
As we reached the casino my stomach clenched hoping to god this wasnt Tribe Circus, I knew even if it was Top Hat wouldn’t even recognise me now but he wasnt someone I ever wanted to see again.
I wasnt sure if the others noticed my reluctance to go in but after a moment I headed in with the others.
As Danni comes over I take a sip of my drink “I have a few bits that I found at the mall, hopefully they will work otherwise we have some flirting to do” I smiled confidently.
I was relieved to finally reach the casion, I knew the Mall was in capable hands thankfully. The walk through the city was different, when it was one of us I knew they could keep themselves safe where with these I didnt know what fighting skills they had and it made me extra aware of our surroundings.
Between me and Callan we had made sure they everyone could confidently protect themselves, might be something I suggest tomorrow.
As we get in people split up abit but I planned on keeping my eyes peeled for any kind of trouble.
Grinning I leaned over the bar at Daisy, my ‘favourite’ barmaid, it was a mutually beneficial relationship which I throughly enjoyed, better deals on drinks, flirting and up close company when wanted “Come on Daisy, just a round of shots” I pause and whisper “I’ll do that thing you like”
Thank god one of us was prepared! I half laugh when Zandra tells me she has some things to trade, ’i’m considering one of the games to see if I can win anything, I haven’t got anything to lose so might be worth a go.’ I glance over at the games tables watching the people, they all seemed to know wha they were doing but I’d heard of beginners luck before and tonight might be my night… maybe.
Looking around I notice a few others from the mall, at least everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.’ I wasn’t sure this was everyone’s cup of tea but it was definitely nice to be out. Taking another mouthful of the drink I look at it for a moment, I still couldn’t work out what it was but I could tell it was strong. ’That bartender makes a decent drink, I think.’
“Honestly, it’s stuff from the mall anyway that no one is likely to be interested in so we are good” I say smiling “Come let’s go pick a game, who knows we might find someone to buy us drinks” I give her a small nudge “I bet you’d be good at convincing him to make more… No fee’s charged”
I look towards Luc “He has the right idea, he strikes me as the type who always gets his way when he wants it” I pause, he was definitely a hard one to get your head around, I can imagine being friends with him but no matter how good looking he was I wouldn’t be going near.
Hearing Zandra I shake my head, ’I haven’t flirted in so long… I don’t think I’d remember how!’ I’d never been the most confident with the opposite sex, and ever since Ryder I hadn’t flirted with anyone, even for a free drink.
Following Zandra’s gaze to Luc I laugh, ’he also probably isn’t used to hearing the word ‘no’, I get a feeling he’s used to getting what he wants!’
Looking at the games I notice one that looks almost like snap, ’that could be easy!’
I let out a big breath and nodded my head “Yes, I mean I’ve dreamed of it a long time ago but back then it was the wishes of a young guy missing his friend. Now it’s a big great shock” I of course was happy she was alive it was just… a strange feeling right now.
Then it was seeing Salene again after all this time, I hadn’t fully melted that either yet. But I used what I was doing as a distraction. “Damn… how hard can this be?” I grunted out trying to take apart the metal frame.
“Hey my last relationship was with a guy who bought me as a slave” I tell her “Crazy time” I pause “But I need to get started at some point right and what better place than somewhere I can leave as soon as I’m ready” I smile “If needed I will flirt for the both of us, I used to be good at it so it’ll be like riding a bike I bet”
“That I can imagine, I think he kinda reminds me a bit too much like Lex with his ‘I am alpha male’ vibe” I turned away from Luke “Come on, lets go play, between us we’ll work it out” I smiled.
I had packed some light stuff but stuff that I knew could be useful to trade if I wanted for example get something to drink and boy did I want that. It had been a long journey back to the city and it had been a long damn day as well. The city had felt uneasy in daylight but the evening and the darkness made that feeling rise and I’m sure if I had been alone that feeling would have taken over me.
But now I had let that feeling slide away, I hadn’t walked alone to the casino and once inside I stuck close to the other Mallrats as well as Luc and Callan. I looked around a little after ordering a drink at the bar, with people chatting and some flirting. I smiled when I got my drink “Thank you” I said before taking a sip and looking around. I saw Zandra and Danni at the games and thought if I should join them. During the day it had been Zandra I had connected some with, as well as chatted with both Luc and K.C.
Luc and the serpents definitely seem to be my kind of people, I more I chatted with Luc the more I felt at home, though getting to the casino had me grinning from ear to ear, this place was definitely going to be my favourite place in the city.
I look around the room before clocking eyes on Lottie, heading over I smiled “Hey, how are you finding it?” I asked as I reach her side.
’Bought you as a… wow.’ I didn’t really know how to respond to that. She offers to flirt for the both of us and I laugh, ’why don’t you show me the ropes, and then I’ll give it a go… what’s the worst that can happen?’ I was probably going to regret that attitude but the drink was starting to take effect and I could feel the alcohol fuelled confidence seeping into my bones.
Zandra compares Luc to Lex and I snort quietly, ’I don’t know, not sure anyone can compare to Lex!’ I really did intend to give Lex the benefit of the doubt, he may have grown and changed, but then again it may all be an act and he might still be his childish self.
’Let’s do this… before I change my mind!’ heading over to the game I watch for a moment trying to work out the rules, the guy in charge shuffles the cards and then puts out a card face up in front of the people I presume are playing and then himself, he gives himself a face down card before dealing another round of face up cards. I frown slightly trying to work it out, one of the players states he is going to stand where as a girl says ‘hit’ she’s dealt another card but it’s obviously not what she wants as she curses. ”They’re playing blackjack,” a voice to my right explains, I glance to my side to the man who spoke, ”well, a version of it,” I nod as if I have any clue what blackjack is, because that seems like the polite thing to do, although… what the hell is blackjack?! I think the guy explaining things to me realises his explanation hasn’t enlightened me any further, ”basically, you task is to either get a total closer to 21 than the dealer without going over. Each card has a value Aces are worth 1 or 11, 2 thru 10 are face value, while jacks, queens, and kings are also worth 10. Your aim is to get as close to 21 as possible.” His explanation makes sense and I watch as the players continue to ask for cards, trying to calculate the numbers as we go. The last person seems to be getting cocky, they have a 9 and an 8 card already, they need a 4 to win… chances are low, surely? But they said ‘hit’ the dealer deals a card and the table erupts, they’ve somehow won! ’Amazing’ I murmur as I watch, ”you should give it a go” the chap to my side tells me before smiling ”unless you fancy doing something else.” I stutter and blush slightly before looking around for Zandra hoping she will come and rescue me!
Ecoiv comes in and mentions about the girls and serpants keeping Gel safe, if she is anything like she was when we first met her, she will need it… I listen as the serpants tell us what the city is now like and why they seem so harsh about us all leaving and not mentioning anything… I can at least understand that the city has evolved and not many people will want the Mall Rats to return even if most of us have no intention of staying… Ecoiv leaves and I quietly slip away, leaving Dannii and Zandra talking about going out…
By The Fountain
I walk back to the main area by the fountain and look around, I wrap my arms around myself as I look around… Voices come back to me as I close my eyes, drawing them in…
Cloe and Patsy, crying that they want to go home, too young to understand fully what happened…
Trudy giving birth to Brady…
Taisan, bringing us all together in a circle… Naming us the Mall Rats…
Zandra and Lex wedding…
Loosing Amber and Zandra… That empty feeling that some thing is missing…
Ryan and My wedding shared with Taisan and Lex…
Tribe circus, The Chosen, The Technos… Mine and Ryan’s baby, Finding Amber, Bray being alive…
All of it, all the emotions rolling in my chest and belly… I feel sick… I hear the familiar voices of Ryan and Alice quietly talking as the mall echos in the still air… I sigh a little, I look at the cafe then go round in a circle, I decide to check on Lex and then make sure Tally and Leo are okay… I walk back to Lex’s room and see Dawn is taking care of him… I then walk to where Tally and Andy are staying, I go to knock and pause, not k owing if she is in there or if Leo is asleep, no way do I want to wake them… Sighing I decide to leave it for now, its been an exhausting few days… I go to where Dee and I are going to stay, going in I sit on one of the make shift beds we put up… I pull my knees up to mey face and just rest there, trying not to think…
I first raised my eyebrows at the sound of KC’s voice and then I lifted my head up after taking a sip from my drink and smiled at him. “It has some charm I’ll give it that, drinks are good” I say with a slight grin before looking at him. “What about you? finding anything that this place has to offer?” I ask him while taking another sip from my drink.
It’s almost funny because I remember a time when I longed to be older so I could do the things the older kids or grown-ups did, not that I knew it came with drama and other issues. But hey at least I could drink now.
I am slightly distracted for a moment then realise Danni has gone over to one the games, I can see a guy chatting to her although she doesnt quite look comfortable.
I walk over to the trade station and swap a few things for chips which he thankfully gives me in a tub rather then having to hold them.
Because I knew Daninwasnt even sure on the flirting side of things I didnt want to stand back and see how it progresses, not on this occasion anyway.
“Hey” I smile at Danni moving up to stand byside her “Go on, have a go” I tell her and pass across some chips.
I nodded “Not gonna lie, I love this place” I told her with a grin “I like the business of it and gambling is always fun though I learnt the hard way when I was younger to be careful when it comes to that kinda thing” I lifted my eyes to Zandra for a second, a hint of guilt for being the reason Tribe Circus went to the mall.
Turning my gaze back to Lottie I rubbed the back of my neck “I used to like it a little bit too much and got the Mallrats into some trouble but I’d never do anything like that again” I add quickly and then taking a drink “The drinks are nice aren’t they”
Why I mumbled on about my history with gambling I don’t know, its a bit weird being back here.
With some good smooth talking and a few promised IOU’s I had a full tray of shots, enough for everyone to have two if they wanted. Winking at Daisy I made my way around the XM’s (I had decided to refer to them as XM’s instead of Ex-Mallrats) offering the tray as I walked by them “Take two if you want” I told them all as I neared the tray to them.
Reaching Danni and Red I held the tray “Two shots each girls, if you can handle them that is, these are fairly strong” I smirked wondering if they would take them.
Before I can reply to the guy Zandra comes to my rescue, I am so relieved to see her I nearly hug her. She offers me a chip and suggests I have a go, ’I don’t know where to start!’ I tell her with a half shrug. Turning back to the table I think for a moment trying to decide what I want to do. Luc comes over offering us a shot, or two. I’m about to tell him I already have a drink when I realise my glass is empty. Thinking for a moment I shrug before taking a shot glass, ’after today… I think this is needed.’ silently toasting the air I raise the glass before downing the liquid in one. I can’t help but wince and shudder as it hits the back of my throat, gasping I cough slightly, ’thats… something!’
The drinks are going down fairly easily and I am grateful when Luc appears with the shots, obviously the moment he says ‘if we can handle them’ I do the Zan thing and take two downing one after the other as quickly as I can to avoid actually tasting them.
I’d not been at the bar I worked at long but I did like the feeling of being drunk once and in awhile and some of the ‘cocktails’ there weren’t the best.
I returned the smirk “Nice hint of cherry in mine” the buzz doesn’t take long to hit me, in a good way.
I look at Danni “I’ve had worse” I said with a small laugh “Come on, we’ll do this together” I tell her and throw a chip onto the table. I had thankfully played a lot of card games in the past.
I watched as the dealer dealt me an ace and a 2 “Hit me” I called and watched as he turned over a 5 “Fuck” I mutter I’m on 8 or 18 dependent on how I want to play the ace. The buzz is strong though so I grin “Hit me” a 3 comes out this time giving us 21 “Yes 21!” I grinned and looked at the dealer who’s card came to 19 “We won Danni!”
Zandra downs her shots in one and I shake my head before downing my second drink, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d actually had alcohol… the warm fuzzy feeling was filling me and my toes are tingling.
Watching as she approaches the table I find myself leaning on Luc, unintentionally. She seems to know exactly what she’s doing and then all of a sudden she’s cheering that we won! I whoop and clap my hands before stepping over to her. ’Soooo… what did you do?’ I ask her before giggling.