Mall Rats Return

[Zandra]

Luc

I rolled my eyes at Callan “Mate, some idiot is sending letters, if the Mall rats had just ignored as we were this wouldn’t be happening” I said. Why they would come back after so many years made no sense, only these idiots would come back towards trouble rather than ignoring it like normal people would do.

I turn and look towards the door which was opening. Watching the two girls walk out, I laugh “We need to change the tribes name to drowned rats” they were soaked “You’re lucky Callan is being a gentleman and has brought you some towels” I tell them and glance towards Callan for a moment “Zane, go turn the damned alarm off” I say and watch as he gives a small nod before heading into the sewers.

[Zandra]

Zan

“I’m not even a violent person yet for some reason every time you open your mouth I want to punch you” I glared at Luc, honest to god the man was an absoluate pain in the arse and it was only the morning.
I had two choices, stand here wet and cold or accept the gesture, I knew I was too stubborn though I also knew being cold and wet wouldn’t do me or Lottie any favours.

Reaching down I grabbed a towel for myself and passed a second one to Lottie. Wrapping mine around which thankfully took the edge of how cold it was “Thanks” I say stopping myself from adding the ‘even though its your f*cking fault’ on the end.

I hid my smirk watching as one of their tribe members walked into the sewer knowing that there were other Mallrats.

[Salene]

Lex

17 years… 17 LONG years… Who Knew!!..

After leaving the city when Mega unleashed his Virus mark 2 we landed on an island… God knows how long we stayed there, we had lost all track of time and days… Eventually our group managed to sail back to the city… When we arrived at the dock I put my bag on my back and waved goodbye to everyone… There’s nothing for me at the mall so I decided to try out living in Liberty again… HA what a joke that was… I eventually got ran out of town because they found out I was scamming them…
I’m better off on my own, No whining women always on at me, I have my flings when I can get a woman to come back with me but thats it, never anything serious… After Siva died I gave up on love, it’s just sex nothing more…

For what felt like years I wondered trying to find my own space, living off my street smarts and slight of hand to get food and what I needed… I eventually found an old school bus that at some point had been converted to a home… Boy that was a lucky day, I was on guard incase some one came to claim it, no one ever did so now it’s MY home… What was that old phrase…

“YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOOSE”

This place isn’t perfect but it’s mine and it works… I’m not too far from farms that I can sneak vegetables and chickens from after dark or the river where I take my net and can catch fish… It’s been god knows how long since I brought a woman back here…

One day, not long ago, I was coming back from fishing and thats when I found a red envelope, it had my name on it that much I could read… Reading is over rated, it went on the fire… Then over what felt like a few days, (could have been weeks) more were coming, I tried to see who was sending them but who ever it was were waiting till I was fishing to post them or stick them to the door… One long day after fishing there was yet another letter and this time I was angry…

"WHO EVER YOU ARE… LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE OR I’LL…" I pause "BREAK YOUR LEGS!"

Not one of my strongest threats… I go inside and lock the door, the letter in my hand… I throw the fish in the sink and flop down on the sofa…

"I’m loosing the plot" I groan to myself

I sit up and look at the envelope, sighing I pull the letter out…

"T…t…t…i…i…m…m…m…eee… t…oooo… to… r…r…r…e…e…e"

I try and sound out the letters the way Ryan, Zandra, Tiasan and Siva always tried to teach me…

"ARGHHHHH!" I growl completely beyond angry

I slam the letter onto the table, giving up… I’ve not needed to read up to now and I’m not starting now… I move to the sink and start to clean and gut the fish for my dinner…

[Danni]

CALLAN

I can’t help but snort when the red head tells Luc she wants to punch him, ’he has that affect on people,’ I comment ’mainly women, and mainly before the sleep with him’ I add with a shrug.

Watching as Zane heads into the tunnels I cross my arms, ’Alix, go with him… we still don’t know if these two are actually alone, and we’d all miss Zane if anything actually happened to him.’ She glares at me for a second before following Zane. She was one of our best fighters so if the need arose she’d have Zane’s back.

’So, what’s the plan?’ I ask Luc quietly walking up to his side, ’because I feel like you’re just winging it and that never works out!’

@Zandra @Tribelover15

[Tribelover15]

Lottie

I glared at luc and shook my head, ”I really want to rearrange that pretty face of yours” i growled out a bit annoyed. I took the towel from zandra, ”Thank you” at least someone was kind enough even if them all at been so irritating. I snorted at what i heard Callen say to zandra, ”That doesnt suprise me”

I wrapped the towel around me and just raised an eyebrow, i couldnt see a lot of the mall yet but things already felt so different from the last time i was there, granted there is someone else living there now.

@Zandra @Danni

[Zandra]

Luc

I grinned “I have no idea what you’s are on about, I’m a delight”
I sighed, Callan had a point, “Yeah yeah, we may as well ho up to the cafe and try brain storming who could be behind this. It’s not about us, it’s about the mall and apparently the Mallrats coming back” I tell the group and turn towards the stairs “Well come on then” I say and walk up to the cafe.

I had no plans of us moving from here, this was a prime location, more security then most buildings and had plenty of space for us all without getting in each others way.

[Zandra]

Zan

I laughed “I can hand on heart assure you that’s never going to happen” in response about how he effects women before they sleep with him.

I listen to the exchange between the two, clearly they aren’t behind the letters so we are going to have to work together to get this over and done with as quickly as possible. Luc had already started walking up the stairs

Taking a breath I look at Callan “There are more of us, I said more would come and its just conveniently just after us” I look towards the tunnel “I don’t want this to be a fight, it I have your word that nothing will happen to them I’ll tell them to just walk through”

[Salene]

Salene

The door to the car opened and Will fell out… The woman outside is embarrassed, Dawn, Eciov and me look at her, surprised and shocked I stare…

"Dee" I gasp "Is it really you?"

"Sal?" she whispers "It’s me"

I climb out the car and we both squeal like giddy school girls

"Err, A little help please ladies" Will groans from the floor

"No, go back to sleep" I tell him cheekily then look in the car "Eciov, it’s Dee"

Dee looks confused as Mouse climbs out of the car to take a look…

"It’s Mouse" I grin

"Mouse" Dee exclaims "Oh my god, look at you, you look amazing."

Dee garbs Mouse making her now sqeek as she pulls us into a group hug…

"What are you doing here?" I asks

"I’ve been getting letters, at first they were asking me to come home and then they became threatening, I spoke to the leaders of the Nomads I live with and we agreed for the safety of everyone I had better come and see whats going on"

"Us too" I sigh

"I don’t think we are the only ones" Dee says "I was checking by the sewer and saw a guy, girl and baby there"

"Wait when we checked that out there were two women" Will says still on the floor…

"Will you get up" Dawn says

"I can’t… My foots stuck" He groans

Dawn quickly starts to help Will release his foot and he stands up…

"Do you think they are Mall Rats?" Eciov asks

"Not sure but they definately know Lex" Dee smirks "The woman shouted down the sewer, Hey… Any of you girls ever wished to drown Lex down here?"

"That could be anyone from the city" I say

"Still we should check it out" Will says "Thats why we were meant to be watching the mall to see who comes"

"Lets go" I smile

Dee hands Eciov her pack and the three of us sneak back to the sewer entrance… Now the two woman have disappeared, the only one there is a redheaded woman on the ground feeding her child…

"Wait, that’s Tally" I say "I’m sure of it"

"Tally?" Dee asks

"Yeah" I say "Neds little sister"

"I remember" Dee smiles "Vaguely, I was still with the mosquitos then, Ned, wait he was the big guy who wanted to trade the guardian with Moz and ended up with his neck broken, he was going out with Alice wasn’t he?"

"Yeah" I sigh looking away ashamed of that time

I come out from the bush with my hands us in sort of a surrender

"Tally?" I ask softly as she sits with her baby… "It’s me, Salene"

@Zwenja

[Danni]

CALLAN

’Uhhu, I’ve heard that before,’ I comment, ’same with rearranging his face…. Honestly, I’d put money on the three of you if it wasn’t for these envelopes.’

Noticing the brunettes expression as she looks around I shrug ’probably not what you were expecting but times have changed. It was worse before we moved in, think people just like to leave their mark.’

Zandra tells me there are more of them and I sigh, ’seriously on the money this morning,’ I glance at Luc, ’technically, he’s the boss, you should be asking him, but as you’re both tempted to rearrange his face, I’ll just go with “your friends will be safe”.’ I raise my hand as if giving a scout pledge, ’the other mall rats will be safe, no one in here bites, unless you want them to.’

@Zandra @Tribelover15

[Zwenja]

Tally

Leo does a satisfied sigh, letting go of my breast. I grin a little “All good now?” I am about to wind him as I hear soneone softly speaking.

"Tally?" I look up, holding Leo closer to me. I see a friendly face. Warm brown eyes. “It’s me, Salene” I pull my brows together. Salene? I scan her hair, long. Salene had short hair. But of course in more then seventeen years it can have grown a lot. She probably ran out of red dye too. Actually red was a colour that seemed to be popular for hair within the Mall Rats. But Andy and I are also natural gingers like our older brother has been, like my son is.

She should look older, but long hair makes you always younger. I settle on her eyes. I definitely can see the girl I knew in her eyes. Always caring and kind of worried for your well being…

"Salene? I… Wow… You look different. I mean… Not bad different. Good different? Sorry I… I am just…" I shake my head, place Leo on my shoulder and gently rub his back. "I am a bit… Nervous? Andy went down the sewers after some women who went down before us… One had fire red hair… Like you once had… And the other brown hair. Younger. Maybe Andy’s and my age… A bit younger maybe."

I just ramble away. Of course there is years to talk about… But I don’t think that’s the right time for a coffee table talk.

"We got red letters… But we wouldn’t be here if our home wasn’t destroyed. We hoped this place would still be saver for a baby… But seemingly… That was wrong…" I sigh. Leo burps silently and I smile turning him a little. "Look Leo… That is Salene. One of mommy’s old comrades in battle…"

Leo blinks with his baby blue eyes, his little fist closed around my finger…

@Salene

[Salene]

Salene

Tally looks me up and down, it’s been a long time, we have all changed so much I mean the last time anyone saw me I had short hair and fiery red… It’s not easy to find a hairdresser now, that’s a lost skill now… I can still see on her the smile of the girl I used to know so well, all the mischief her and her brother used to get up too…

"Salene? I… Wow… You look different. I mean… Not bad different. Good different? Sorry I… I am just…" Tally starts shaking her head as she ajusts the baby to wind him "I am a bit… Nervous? Andy went down the sewers after some women who went down before us… One had fire red hair… Like you once had… And the other brown hair. Younger. Maybe Andy’s and my age… A bit younger maybe. We got red letters… But we wouldn’t be here if our home wasn’t destroyed. We hoped this place would still be safer for a baby… But seemingly… That was wrong…"

The baby burps silently, Tally turns the baby to look at us…

"Look Leo… That is Salene. One of mommy’s old comrades in battle…"

I walk over and kneel beside her, I look at the baby, his eyes are bright blue and gorgeous…

"Hello Leo" I smile "Your a handsome little man, I can see your mommy and uncles in you"

Dee stands back a little letting me interact with Tally… Will is standing at the entrance to the sewer where the alarm still blares out…

"I can hear movement and the echo of voices" Will says "I don’t think this is a safe place to be so open"

"What do you suggest?" I ask

"We can’t leave Tally all alone now we know she is here" Dee says "Not until A…Andy comes back at least"

"I’ll stay here" I smile

"Salene, that’s not a wise…" Will starts, Dee touches his arm

"She has made her mind up, you wont budge her" Dee smiles "I’ll get my pack and stay with them"

Will glares at me

"Eciov wont like this" he sighs running his hands through his short hair… "Okay" he sighs

I smile as he and Dee walk back to the car, little Leo holds on to my fingers as I make a silly face at him and he smiles at me…

@Zwenja

[Tribelover15]

Lottie

I wrinkled up my nose and shook my head looking at Callen, “Yeah… I don’t see that happening” I muttered as I looked around, I then looked back at him with a small smile. “Yeah, I understood it wasn’t gonna be the same after all this time but still… it does something” I admitted with a light shrug.

"I don’t speak for everyone but I can see many other Mall rats just want to figure this out and go back to their lives, I also really don’t want a fight or anyone to get hurt… well your leader I’ll come back too how I feel"

@Zandra @Danni

[Zandra]

Zan

I give a small nod at Callan and then turn walking into the entrance of the sewer once the noise stopped “Mallrats come through, meet us in the cafe. The tribe here have turned off the alarm so don’t go for them” I call loudly over before turning and going back to where the others stood “Let’s go” I smiled at Lottie and headed up the stairs towards the cafe.

Being back in this place made my stomach turn, walking up these stairs it made me think of the time I walked down them to ‘marry’ Lex. Life was so different then.

[Trudy (The Supreme Mother)]

Alice

The first years after our escape had been, rough, to say the least.

For months we searched, hoping to find any sign that the Mallrats were still out there. We followed every lead we could, until we had no choice but to accept that they were indeed gone… the Mallrats, my sister.

Some said they perished in the explosion, other claimed they took off by boat.

It had been hard, not knowing if she was ok, if she even… was… anymore…

But at the end of the day, Ryan and I seemed to be on our own.

We had raided what had been left of my parents farm, mainly for the seeds that would allow us to start over, away from all the memories.

And for over more then a decade, we did.

Like myself, Ryan wasn’t afraid of a little hard work (ok… a lot of hard work)

It was nice, to have an equal, someone who knew how to see through my tough façade, and seemed to know exactly what to do to make me smile again.

Even after all these years, we never really defined what we were to eachother, and that was fine. No labels to complicate anything meant no one could get their heart broken again.

Nothing seemed to be able to shake us, and even after Ryan started getting some weird letters, we felt perfectly ok to ignore them.

Until the last one…

With the city finally within sight again, I heard Ryan’s voice next to me, asking if I thought they would be mad at us.

“Look, if anyone has a right to be mad, it’s us Ryan, clearly they knew where to find us and never bothered to contact us before…”

I’m not entirely sure if I’m saying that for his sake or mine. But as long as it gets us both more angry then worried, it’s worth it.

“Look, whatever happens once we are there, the main thing is we get them to safety. We’ll worry about their mood later…”

@Tribelover15

[Tribelover15]

Cloe

This way to the city

I had stood staring at the old decaying sign, nature was taking its course on it. High grass was almost covering it and harsh weather was slowly breaking the wood sign apart. But as I stared at it I suddenly felt like a memory was slapping me across the face.

“Jack, you’re being pathetic” I could remember myself saying to a guy with red hair, Jack… the name brought back some memories before a hand was placed on my shoulder.

"Clo? you okay?" Tink asked me causing me to return to the present and I looked over at my friend and nodded my head.

"Yeah I’m fine I just…" I trailed off and sighed as I looked into the distance. “I’m afraid I’ll be disappointed by what I find” I admitted quietly as Jamie and Radar had gone ahead a little to check things out. Tink squeezed my shoulder gently and gave me a smile that always made me feel safe and that things were going to be okay.

"You will not be going through this alone… we’re with you every single step of the way"

"Hey! are you guys coming or what? I didn’t make this trip just for the sightseeing" Radar called from ahead with his hand held out and an annoyed look on his face. Tink rolled her eyes before looking back at me and we smiled before starting to walk. I was gonna do this and hopefully find some answers to the letters and maybe more answers I’ve been looking for.

[Trudy (The Supreme Mother)]

Brady

Aurora’s little voice breaks my heart “yes darling, this is your home”

I swallow hard, hoping to settle my voice before continuing.

“But long before I came to live here with you and your mom, I had a different home… a home I have no choice but to return to now…”

I hand the letter over to Patsy. I know I never told her what truly happened with my mom, but I’m hoping she knows me and my intentions well enough that she will get why I have to leave.

“I’m sorry, but I have to go as soon as I can…”

@Patsy

[Patsy]

Looking at Brady I nod my head. I do understand where she’s coming from. But I also know that I cannot let her go on her own. I know I would not be able to live with myself if something happen to her on her way back to the mall.

I kiss the top of Auroras head. ”sweetheart can you go and find your teddy?” I ask my daughter. Aurora looks at me with her dark eyes before she skips off. I turn my attention to Brady. ” your going back there? To the mall? I can’t let you go on your own, if something was to happen I would never forgive myself” I tell her.

Glancing over at the bags I’ve started to pack. ” I’ve started to pack my own and Auroras bags, the letters keeps coming, and they will not stop before we are there, “ I said and look in the direction of the bedroom, Aurora is being awfully quiet in there. ”princess didn’t you find teddy?” I call out.

I hold the letter Brady handed me in my hands, the content of it worries me, but it’s not my place to ask what happen to Trudy. It’s got nothing to do with me. Do I want to ask? Yes, but it’s not something I need to know, and Brady has obviously not wanted to talk to me about it.

Who ever it is sending the letters creeps me out. How can they know where we are? ” Aurora and I are joining you, we can take one of the boats down the river and we will be there, in a few days if the wind is with us” I say and wrinkle my forehead as Aurora still haven’t made a sound. I turn and look at the door as I hear her tiny footsteps closing in on us. ”mommy, I found this under my bed, I didn’t find teddy” Aurora says holding up the envelope. I make my way over to her and pick her up to balance at my hip, with her holding around my neck I open the envelope and read.

Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten, come home

Family? The mallrats had been one big family. Did the letters go to all old members? I wonder. Paul? I shake my head. Is he still alive? I hold the letter to Brady.

@Trudy

[Tribelover15]

Ryan

For a long time I had given up the hope to settle into a farm life that I had actually enjoyed before the chosen came, I had lived going to Alice farm and worked there. Hard work had never bothered me as long as I enjoyed it.

The first letters I got did nothing for me, they felt weird of course as I didn’t know why or who sent them. But I had no desire to return to the Mall until the last one was a cry for help. But even if it was a letter asking for help I couldn’t still help but feel slightly nervous.

I nodded my head “You’re right… I’m hurt and slightly mad they didn’t contact us until now.” I turned to look at Alice and manage to smile a little. "Yes that is the most important thing but can I also say I’m glad I’m doing this with you because… I honestly wouldn’t be able to do it alone"

@Trudy

[Jack]

Andy

I kept moving in the sewer to prevent being spotted. The alarm was still ringing. 2 individuals were roaming around but as the alarm was cut a familiar voice from one of the former Mall Rats called saying to enter. Some kind of truce must have been made but I was still sceptical. But I had no choice, Tally and Leo couldn’t stay outside forever.

"Here goes nothing…" I say upon pushing the door open from the sewer into the mall. I stealthy move around just in case I am walking into the lion’s den. The mall looked tired. The city really hasn’t held up over the years since we left.

I scoot under the stairs to take the one to the left of the Phoenix statue to head up to the cafeteria. But as I was about to ascend the stairs I could hear voices coming from the other side of the ground level. I spot the redhead and the other former Mall Rat with others who I can only assume are now the Mall Rats 2.0 in a new located cafeteria from when I was last here. My eyes are drawn to the brunette former Mall Rat again. “Fuck she’s a stunner!” Snap out of it Andy, get your ass over there and establish the best way to get Tally in. The longer she and Leo are outside, the more vulnerable they could be to the likes of the Demon Dogs if they still existed and were twisted as they once were… And who could forget Bert and Ernie they needed a safe place too.

I make my way over to the cafeteria. The voices stop. Eyes all fall to me. “Hello everybody. Walker, Andy Ethan Walker. I come in peace.” smile and give a salute. Really Andy? You are not 007 or a Jedi! “I was a Mall Rat during the time the Chosen took over this place. I come as a pair with my twin sister, Tally. She has a 6 month old baby with her. They are outside with our transportation. I had hoped there was an alternative way in for her as that ladder and sewers are not a safe way in. We are sorry for bombarding your home but some fruitcake seems to want us back here or just wanted to show the old Mall Rats their fancy stationery. We stupidly accepted the invitation… But our life went up in smoke so we thought what the hell… Anyway, my sister and nephew are outside, unsafe could we do something about that?” I run my hands through my ginger hair and sigh.

@Danni @Tribelover15 @Zandra

[Zwenja]

Tally

Of course Leo wins Salenes heart right away.

"Hello Leo" she smiles at him “You’re a handsome little man, I can see your mommy and uncles in you” “Well… The ginger is strong in our family…” I grin. My gtin wavers a bit as I continue “He’s got his father’s eye color though…” One day I will have to tell Leo, but till then I’ll try not to talk about Zac. I don’t want to get looks of pity…

I then listen to Salene and that woman - Dee? - talking with a kind of muscle rock of a guy.

"Hey… I can hear you! I am not the small little girl anymore!" I say in dismay as they talk on about not letting me here without protection.

They ignore me. Typical! That guy gives in and Salene stays with Leo and I while they walk back to the street. "Eciov… That’s a weird name. Is it a woman or another Herkules guy?"

The voices from the sewers sound now muffled, probably they are inside the mall. As long there is no screaming and sounds of fighting, we can hope there’ll be an arrangement with those who live inside the mall.

"I really wonder why someone went through all this trouble…I mean… Andy and I weren’t a big part of the Mall Rats. Who else is with you? Trudy? Adult Brady? Bray? Amber? Their child must be grown up already too or?" I ask, trying for lighter topics…

@Salene