Mall Rats Return

[Jack]

Eciov

We were ready to depart. Everyone had said goodbye to Nate except me. As they stood by the door to the cottage, I said my farewell. I could already feel my eyes beginning to well up. “Thank you. Please make sure you contact The Everglades today, I miss you already. I know you will get lots done here whilst you wait for Raven’s arrival. You’ll be back with us soon. Who knows we might be turning straight back round and be back before you know it! What Dawny was fixing is on the table. It’s a communication device, I don’t think I can rely on those squawky seagulls to be so reliable. With any luck those grubby flying rats will no longer exist. Right we best get moving, shine bright Nate Everglade.” I step on my tip toes and kiss his cheek and then fall into his arms.

Nate continued to wave back until we were out of sight. I could see how nervous Salene was about leaving her cottage. Except for when we first stepped out, she hadn’t been able to look back. This trip for her was going to be extremely difficult. We repeatedly assured her that Nate and then Raven would take great care of it. It wasn’t long before Salene opened up a little as we walked striking up a conversation with Dawn talking about me ‘Mouse’. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot and on a numerous occasions jumping up and down shouting, “the skunk is in the cup, the skunk is in the cup!” Apart from a few smirks Will was silent, on alert the whole entire time ready to protect and fight off any threats…

We had walked for hours. Our pace now and again slowed up to let Sal breathe, she hasn’t covered this many miles for years. So it was time we actually stopped completely to rest and fill our rumbling tummies. Just outside the city limits, Dawn sets about getting a fire built. Between our supplies and some useful things from Salene’s collection we were well equipped. Nearby, there was a very overgrown bushy derelict building which would come in handy if the heavens decided to open. Will and I leave Salene with Dawn as we look around for some herbs to put with the fish Will had caught in the stream not far from here. We needed to eat , who knows what we will find or not find in the city…

The flicking of the fire appears as I take hold of Will’s hands and look up into his eyes. “Thank you for everything you do for me and the tribe Will Everglade.” His large hands cradled mine, he tightened his grip around mine and swung me around. I squealed loudly. Will giggled and muttered, “You may have dropped the name, but you really have to try to get on top of not sounding like a mouse when you get excited.” My feet land back on the ground, I charge at him and begin to prod him in the stomach. “You bloody bold as brass mammoth, how bloody dare you!” Will and I continue to mess about and giggle.

@Salene (Zwenja & Salene have my permission to move my characters also when needed).

[Salene]

Salene

Dawn laughs as I tell her about the times Mouse jumped on the beds with a teddy skunk and a cup…

"All I heard all day was, the skunk in the cup over and over again"

"Seriously" Dawn laughs

"Yes" I giggle “Then there was the time she and…” I pause "Well she tore holes in my then boyfriends clothes"

"Why did she do that?" Dawn laughs lookin back at mouse

"She thought that if I mended them then he would like me more"

Dawn laughs more… I see Will smiling…

"We should stop and eat" Will smiles

We stop as Dawn starts getting a fire going, Mouse and Will go off foraging for some fresh herbs and greens to go with the fish Will expertly caught earlier… I look up when I hear that familiar squeak that gave Mouse her name… Will has her in her arms and is swinging her around as she squeaks and laughs, when he puts her down she starts to poke him and play fight… I see Dawn watching me…

"I’m going to see what I can find" I smile a little

"Sal, I…" Dawn starts

"I’ll be okay" I smile

Standing up I walk to the abandoned building to check it out, I don’t hear anyone around so I walk inside and start shining my torch around… Everythings quiet…
I let my guard drop for a second thats when a guy approaches and corners me…

"Well hello there beautiful…" He says

The smell of alcohol on his breath is sickening

"I’m sorry I didn’t know anyone was here, I’l leave…"

"Why run off in a hurry…

He moves his hand and gently curesses my cheek and down my neck

"Please, I’m not interested…" I say

"Come on pet, be a good girl… We could have fun together"

"I have friends outside, they are expecting me…

"That’s okay, they won’t hear us…" he slurs

He runs his hands over my breasts and down my stomach…

"I’m warning you, to let me go…"

*Your warning me are you… Feisty feisty… he slurs

His arms are both sides of my head boxing me in…

"Please let me go… I don’t want to hurt you"

"You… You think you can hurt Me…" He laughs loudly "You’re a shy little girl, but if you think you can"

He holds both arms out at the side and bows

Before I can react… Will is beside him, an arrow pointing and resting on the side of his head…

"I think the lady asked you to leave her alone…"

I see the guy swallow hard as he looks at me

"You want her?" he slurs "She’s all yours… I think you might need luck to get close to her"

Hands up he steps away… I swallow, sinking to the floor, to a crouching position, Will holds his hands out to me, I look up, my eyes teary from the shock of what just happened… I reah out and take the offered hand and allow him to pull me to my feet, he wipes the stray tear from my cheek with the pad of his thumb…

"This is why I hate leaving the cottage" I whisper "To many idiots around"

"It’s okay, I’ve got you…" he smiles

He puts his arms around my waist and we walk back outside to where Dawn and Eciov are by the fire…

"Oh my god what happened" Dawn asks jumping to her feet

"Some guy decided he was going to try it on and harrass her" Will says sitting down

"He was drunk, I could smell it on him"

Mouse gives me a look, she knows I have battled with the addiction of alcohol when she was smaller, it was her who begged me to stay with her and give up the drink…

"I’m okay" I smile tryimg ro reassure her and myself…

"Eciov I don’t think we should stay here any longer than we have to" Will says "I have a bad feeling in my gut about this area, we should move on after we have eaten"

"I agree" Dawn adds

She looks at me sympathetically, Mouse nods in agreement, she obviously has alot of trust in her tribe… We quickly eat and pack things back up, Dawn extinguishes the fire, Will offers his hand to me again to help me up, I see Eciov smile, I stand and pick up my bag which suddenly feels full of bricks…

"If you need to rest, please tell us" Dawn offers

"I should be okay, thank you" I smile

"Lets go" Will says

I catch him glancing back at the derelict building, as we start to walk, hopefully it wont be too long and we will be at the mall, I think to myself although all I want to do is run home to the safety of the cottage…

[Danni]

CALLAN

After checking the security I head back towards the grille, I probably shouldn’t leave Luc to deal with the situation single handedly, he’d probably piss the girls off even more and the last thing we needed was two pissed off women.

Luc hasn’t let them in and I can tell from the expression on his face he’s getting annoyed, and it was way too early for that to happen. Before I can say anything I hear a cough from upstairs, glancing up I notice Alix watching the exchange, I imagine my yell for Luc earlier had caught everyone’s attention, they’d probably all be coming to see what was going on.

Making a decision I bypass Luc and instead head up to where Alix is standing, ’turns out we aren’t the only people getting letters’ I tell her, ’these two are apparently part of the famous mall rats, they’ve been told to come home… and we’ve had another telling us to leave.’ I sigh and run my hand through my hair, ’I’m gonna go boil some water, why don’t you go down and see if you can help him come up with a plan or something, especially if more of them are on the way!’

Alix nods and heads downstairs as I go into the cafe and put some water on to boil. Resources were limited but we still had ways to make coffee, well our take on coffee. It probably wasn’t anything like the adults had back in the day but it was black and bitter and gave us all an energy boost so basically coffee.

@Zandra @Tribelover15

[Jack]

Andy

It’s crazy to think Tally and I have never separated, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Just like Bert & Ernie come as a pair so do me and my twin sister.

Bert guzzled up the gas. Him and Ernie were now ready and raring to go. I switch on the ignition, hurl my backpack onto my back and put on my helmet. I open up the visor to shout to Tally to get her ass moving but I didn’t have to as there she was bundling into the sidecar with baby Leo strapped all nice and tight to her in a sling. You couldn’t swing a cat in the sidecar with them two in it and their bags. I plonk her helmet down onto her head. “Ow, that hurt! Be more careful next time you big moron,” bellowed Tally. “Sorry meatball head.” She gave me daggers with her eyes.

VROOM VROOM. I rev Bert. I receive another look. I smirk and knock down my visor. We zoom off, dust and debris turning up behind us. Alice’s old farm disappeared behind us.

It wasn’t long until we had reached the edge of the God-forsaken city. I start to slow our transportation down. I shout out to Tally. "What’s the plan? Should I take us straight to the mall?"

@Zwenja

[Zandra]

Zan

I am amused to meet one of the last Mallrats, how fitting. Turning my attention back to Luc “We don’t want a Mall that is falling down. The sooner we’re in and get the person sending these to get lost the sooner we can all pretend that we haven’t met” I paused “Surely you want this problem to go away just as much as me” I add.

I do get it, most tribes wouldn’t want to open up their doors for anyone who comes knocking, though the Mallrats used to take strays here, there, and everywhere, all you needed was a sob story.

“Let’s make a deal, straight forward once we stop the person sending these those who don’t belong here leave, you know how powerful the Mallrats were, so having us on your side is better then having us against you” I shrug hoping he will see reason, having a discussion through the grills almost makes me feel 14 again.

@Tribelover15 @Danni

[Zandra]

Luc

“My god its like having two nagging girlfriends without the benefits” I tell them clearly agitated, I listen to what the red head says “I do like deals, though I think we need to be clear here, firstly we belong here, this is the home of The Serperants and secondly I think it’s safe to say you need us more then we need you. This place is secure, we plan on ignoring some pathetic letters. What do we get out of this?” I smirked.

Hearing movement I look over my shoulder at Alix “Morning” I tell her “Your morning disrupted too because of the rats?”

The whole situation was driving me insane, not that I was going to admit that, I like to be in the know but having someone sending these letters and me not knowing who it is was, is really pushing my buttons

@Tribelover15 @Danni

[Tribelover15]

Lottie

I nod my head agreeing with Zandra, “Yes, we can become a long-distant memory or nothing at all as soon as We’ve figured out…what the hell is going on” no one can think this is something going on living with, surely it was better to figure it out and get this problem to go away.

I try not to roll my eyes at the guy and take another deep breath, “What if it can’t be ignored? whoever is doing this seems to be pretty consistent and determined” I glance over at Zandra with a hand still on my hip as my fingers also gently tap at it. "I’m sure we can all agree on something, but in the end you wouldn’t have to deal with annoying letters arriving"

@Zandra @Danni

[Danni]

ALIX

Observing the situation at the grille I decide to head down and put Luc out of his misery, he was obviously getting annoyed and I couldn’t blame him. The red envelopes were a joke and were annoying all of us. Sliding up alongside Luc I nod slightly ’Callan has a way of waking everyone up.’

Looking at the two girls I assess them for a moment before folding my arms and looking back at Luc, ’if, and it’s a big if, they really are the famous mall rats, they will know an alternative way into the mall. Apparently the mall rats were resourceful so why not just… let them work out how to get in.’ I shrug before glancing back at the girls ’plus the grilles f••ked, so we can’t actually let you in that way.’

CALLAN

After making the coffee I pour out a couple mugs, I probably shouldn’t have just abandoned Luc even if he was in charge, it was a bit of a dick move. Taking the mugs downstairs I listen to what Alix is saying and roll my eyes, not entirely sure her telling them the grille was broken was her best idea.

@Zandra @Tribelover15

[Zandra]

Luc

I smirk at Alix’s suggestion “Alright, I can agree to that, if you can get inside the Mall we’ll talk” I said stepping back from the grill, confident that they’d either turn back now or not last long in the sewer.
I wasn’t concerned any longer, it was a good deal and two pretty little girls weren’t going to make it inside here.
“3, 2, 1… Go”

Maybe playing the rat race was going to be more fun then I thought. I did like entertainment and when girls were involved it made it so much more enjoyable.

@Tribelover15 @Danni

[Zandra]

Zan

When the girl said the grill was f*cked I looked at Lottie “Wheres Jack when you need him” before turning and facing them again.
I returned the smirk, I wasn’t the 14-year-old I was when I was last here, broken nails didn’t bother me and neither did the sewers “Fine, get ready to roll out that red carpet” I said and looked at Lottie “Lets go” I grinned at her turning and walking away from the grille.

@Danni @Tribelover15

[Tribelover15]

Lottie

I raised an eyebrow at the girl that now also was there before my eyes went back to Zandra and smiled at the name I remembered fondly, Now’s the time I regret not watching closer when he was working" I might have learned even more if I did. My smiled turned into a smirk, “Sure, gives me fond memories of the times I snuck out” I said to Zandra before looking at the guy and the girl and gave them a wave, then I turned following along Zandra.

[Danni]

CALLAN

The two girls turn away from the grille and I give Luc a look, ’what happens if they actually know an alternative way in?’ I hand him the mug before looking between him and Alix, ’because neither of them seemed put off and I can only imagine that’s because they do actually know another way in!’

I knew Luc was enjoying the game but I wasn’t sure he’d actually throughly things through, how did we even know it was just the two of them, there might be a whole tribe waiting to claim the mall as their own, the red envelopes could have just been a rouse. ’We might actually need a plan… you know, in case this is a situation’

Alix rolls her eyes at me before giving Luc a look ’don’t get your panties in a twist Callan, we can handle whatever this is, you know we can’

’don’t talk about my panties Alix, it’s just weird… and anyway; I don’t wear panties! Or boxers for that matter, way too much laundry!’

@Zandra @Tribelover15

[Zandra]

Luc

I flipped my arm around Alix “Callan you are worrying too much, be careful it’ll give you wrinkles” I grinned “If your that worried go escort them in, make them feel like you are interested in their stories and they’ll probably fall for those pretty looks of yours”

I side glanced at Alix “What do you think Alix, he should go be their knight in shining armor and lead them through the tunnels to safety”

Though I knew Callen was right, we need to be prepared but I also knew what the Mallrats were like and I didn’t think for a second trying to keep them out by force was going to work.

[Zandra]

Zan

As we get out I look at Lottie “Not gonna lie, I hate the sewers with a passion but obviously didn’t want them to know that. I’ve got the feeling you’ll know your way through them a lot better than me, though with their cockiness there is going to be some surprises in there” I tell her as we walk round toward the sewer entrance.

This was becoming more of a pain in the arse than I thought it would be and that’s saying something considering I have avoided this place like the plague since I last left it. It doesn’t feel right being here anymore, but I am kinda glad its not filled with the Mallrats.

@Tribelover15 @Danni

[Tribelover15]

Lottie

I did not blame Zandra, the sweres were truly a nasty place. “I still remember the stink even 17 years later so it does leave an impression. But I’ve got you” I gave Zandra a smile as we started to reach the sewer entry. “I’ve dealt with my share of cocky dudes but my god, just because they are handsome boys there is no need for that level of cockiness” I said with a laugh and shook my head. I wasn’t fully sure why I bothered to go through with this, but I had to admit those guys challenge and their attitude pulled me along to wanting to prove a point. And of course the mystery of the letters.

[Danni]

CALLAN

Rolling my eyes I watch Luc and Alix for a moment before shrugging ’don’t come crying to me when the mall is invaded by rats and we are out on our asses,’ I couldn’t tell if the girls were a treat or not but something about the whole situation just seemed off. Why the hell would someone want us out and to bring them back, it had been years, there wasn’t anything special going on in the city, no threats or anything… in fact it had all been quiet since they’d left, as if the drama had gone with them.

’Why don’t you send one of the others to watch the sewer entrance, I think I’d rather enjoy my breakfast in peace.’

Taking a mouthful of coffee I wrinkle my nose slightly before swallowing it, this latest batch of whatever it was really wasn’t that enjoyable. If this really was coffee I had no idea why the adults used to drink it like it was something special because it really did suck.

’I got bread and I think there’s some jam and meat left over from yesterdays dinner so that should do, don’t think anyone else has actually been out to stock up so we might need to do a proper run later.’ I pause for a moment, ’I did reset the traps, might want to get some towels if they actually make it inside.’

@Zandra @Tribelover15

[Zandra]

Zan

I followed Lottie “My god the arrogance is unbelievable, I mean Lex always thought he was gods gift to women but I am half tempted to say that guy could even give him a run for his money” I told her as we walked “You know there are going to be some boobytraps in here right” I muttered to her while following her down the manhole, I knew something was bound to happen, it wasn’t going to be a piece of cake to get through but their attitude definitely come off as dangerous.

I followed cautiously behind Lottie, but each step felt like I was waiting for something to go wrong, I didn’t like it but I sure as hell wasn’t going to admit that.

@Tribelover15 @Danni

[Zandra]

Luc

I couldn’t help but let out a laugh and headed towards the cafe “Come on Callan, once they take one look in here they are going to decide its not good enough for them and lets face it, we’re all sick of those letters coming if going through this process means we get to stop that then lets get it over with… And its a bonus if its fun as well”

I was ready for breakfast now “You always get the best bread” I grinned “But you’re right we do need to do a run, though leaving the mall means it will be easier to be followed back and traps bypassed, if more of these guys are coming, I hope they are bringing supplies because we don’t do charity”

I look at Alix “I’ll let you pick who to wake up and put on door duty, towels are optional, I don’t think those two will make it in, they’ll probably wait for more arrive though knowing how our luck seems to be going. No Mallrats in years and then two turn up”

@Danni @Tribelover15

[Zwenja]

Tally

Not to me… DON’T EVER RIDE THAT GOD FORSAKEN VEHICLE AGAIN! Or maybe just don’t ride it with Andy? My brother seems to enjoy the Easy Rider feeling a bit too much.

I hold Leo tighter to me as we reach the outskirts of the city. What the hell happened here?

Andy shouts to me over the roaring of the motorcycle. "What’s the plan? Should I take us straight to the mall?"

"STOP!" I yell and he uses the breaks. Weirdly us stopping makes Leo cry, while during all times we drove he always seemed cheerful. “Sorry sweetheart… But mommy and uncle Andy need to think a second… Aww… Stupid adults hmm?” I rub his back and adjust my scawl a bit so he can cuddle his face into the surprisingly soft material. I don’t have any toy for him. I am glad I grabbed my and his coat before the fire destroyed everything and that Andy had a packed bag in the bumper car…

My brother looks expecting at me. I sigh. “I don’t think just knocking down at the grille area would be advisable. Remember? There are two grilles. So if whoever is in the mall uses the second one… We are caught…” “Yeah… True. So… You don’t think any other Mall Rats are living there?” "Makes no sense or? If it be a Mall Rat calling us home they’d just sign the letters with their name… It might be others of them are back by now… But God knows what happened in those years. I mean… Look at the city?! It’s gone to the dogs!"

Andy nods, looks around. “True again. Our trader park looked luxury against this. Okay… Lemme bring us to the mall at last. See it…” I nod and HD starts the engine again. He has to drive way slower now. Some streets look like there was some of the wars we learnt about in history lessons, before the virus changed it all. Debris. Broken down vehicles. Torn books. And the old garbage of plastic which always was part of the cities “Charme”.

Some buildings look like there’d be living more plants in them, then humans.

"There we are… HOME SWEET HOME!" Andy says sarcastically as he stops. I pull my brows together. There is even more grafitti, the always burning fire outside the mall is out. Weird. That fire in the ton was always there.

I look up and down the street. Sector nine was usually a sector of the city where the streets were more busy. People attending business in the mall… During the Chosen time and also the days after… I took for granted it still would be. So whoever lives in the mnall now, isn’t a big number in the city?

Butsomeone who seems to gave resources like envelopes, mail deliveres, a way of finding people… Such a person sounds like the biggest leader thing or?

"Let’s take a look at the sewer entry…" Andy says with an uneasy note to hud voice. He feels it like me. Something is even more off here, then we thought it us.

"Maybe we should walk and push the vehicle. It’s noisy…" “No way. We can never jump in fast enough to get us to safety if there is danger!” Andy says and with a sigh I give in. He starts again, but uses the lowest gear now to keep the noise lower.

I don’t fancy the sewers. Never have. And especially with my baby…

I look over and grab his leg beside me. He does a slight curve to hide behind some outgrown bushes. “Who are they?” He mutters.

There are two women. I don’t know any of them. “Well three possibilities… Either they live here. Or are thiefs trying to break in. Or… They are Mall Rats? I mean… There were people who left the tribe before our time and sure after us new ones came…?” I whisper.

What do we do now? Just say “Hi… Don’t know if you can make a sense out of this… But did you get some red letters?” They don’t look like fighters, but who knows in this world?

I huddle Leo more up to my chest. He starts to roam on my chest. “No sweetheart… I can’t feed you now… Fuck…” I try to console him, he sniffles quietly. Fuck. If they haven’t heard the engine… They might hear Leo…

@Jack
@Tribelover15
@Zandra

(occ: permission of Scott to move Andy and have him talk, Scott wanted us to be at the sewers too. @Tribelover15 & @Zandra please decide if your characters heard a thing and act on it or not. I don’t know if you plotted the scene through completely. The idea was just that at the sewer entry was always nature, a way to hide Ernie&Bert)

[Jack]

Eciov

After the unexpected ordeal on our stop, we ate quick like a bunch of speedy gonzales. Bar Salene who nibbled, but at least she ate something.

Is it just me or did I look a little bit like that little mexican mouse when I was a kid?

The walk to the city Salene was very sombre. I held her hand most of the way. Will walked in front and Dawn behind. Of all the people that had to face trouble from some goon, it had to be bloody Salene. I was just relieved she hadn’t changed her mind… Salene was strong minded but here she was just like a fish out of water. Her peaceful cottage was most probably her first thought and still is circling around in her mind as we take our first steps into the city.

I could not believe my eyes. The city felt lost… So much decay and overgrown in every direction. Ultimate apocalypse! I felt Salene’s grip tighten around mine. We all looked at each other with nothing but shock plastered across our faces. I manage a few words in such disbelief, "There’s no place like home…"

@Salene