During the night the calm was disrupted. As the Mallrats laid soundly asleep several strangers snuck up on them. Jay was awaken as a large stake was pressed against his back. He jerked awake throwing himself over Amber protecting her. He could hear Lex jerk awake as well as Gel and Ellie shrieked.
"Please we mean you no harm." Jay said slowly standing keeping himself between the weapon and Amber. A large boy no older then Jay held his ground. His eyes where dark and his hair even darker. He held his jaw clinched as he signaled his tribe. The mallrats where surrounded and they soon found themselves grouped together in the middle. Trudy quickly handed Bray to Amber as Jay was sure to keep the girls away from danger.
"Please. We where forced to leave our home and we have no place to go. We mean you no harm we where just searching for a safe place to stay." Amber pleaded stretching to look over Jay's shoulder.
"The woods are not safe." Their dark eyed capture said in a deep voice. "You will come with us."
"Vaughn we can't take them back they could be dangerous." Another boy said.
"Vaughn is it?" Lex started. "Look if you just walk away now we'll just pretend this never happened and we'll head our separate ways."
"Lex!" May, Salene, Trudy and Amber shouted.
"That is for our chiefs to decide. All of the chiefs. For now we move." Vaughn said sternly. Obediently the Mallrats fallowed. Jay took Bray from Amber and held them both close as they walked. A guilt redden Ebony assisted Slade in carrying Ruby since Vaughn's pace was too much for her.
"Might I ask where we are going?" Jack asked diplomatically.
"No." Vaughn said simply.
"Alright, nice chatting with you." Jack whispered. They walked for close to an hour before they saw anything but trees. Out of the darkness they came upon a small settlement. A large wooden fence built ten feet high blocked the view to with in. Vaughn signaled to two guards who obediently opened the door. The Mallrats jaw dropped once they entered. In a giant circle fell about twenty houses. They opened up in to the center of the town. A small waterfall filled a creek with fresh water as it ran through the center of the camp. Several vegetable garden filled the area between the back of the houses and the fence. A Chicken cope filled with at least thirty chickens sat seven feet tall full of nests and fresh eggs. A series of torches light a path all around the camp. The mallrats and their capture where the only ones in the streets.
Vaughn lead the way to a house just to their left. "I will allow two to come in and present their case the rest will wait." Vaughn turned to say.
After a brief discussion and few protests from Lex and Ebony, Jay and Amber fallowed Vaughn into the house. Amber gasped at what was inside. It looked like a real house. Full of worn couches and several dogs. Pictures hung from the walls and dished filled the sink. Vaughn hushed several dogs who sleep on the couch.
"Wait while I retrieve our other chiefs." Vaughn ordered. He disappeared around a corner. They heard a soft knock and then mumbling. Soon Vaughn returned. A soft knock on the front door signaled the arrival of another chief. A tall gangly odd looking boy stumbled in rubbing his eyes.
"Crow said we needed to have a chiefs meeting." The boy mumbled.
"Yes, Nat we have some visitors." Vaughn said pointing to Jay and Amber.
"Oh, hello." Nat greeted them. A small smiled spread across his face. "I'm Nat one of the four Cheifs." He said shaking their hands.
"Four?" Amber asked.
"Yes, it's how we govern out family. Meeting with the entire group then the four elected chiefs come together for a final decision." Nat explained.
"Where are the other two?" Jay asked.
"I just woke them they will be out in a second." Vaughn said holding a strong stance. At that moment a female version of Vaughn walked into the room. Although her hair and eyes where dark her face was strikingly beautiful. She was wearing a pair of black sweat pant with a white tank top. It had been a while since Jay and Amber had seen such simple clothing. For the first time they notice that Vaughn and Nat also dressed in simple jeans and a t-shirt. "This is out third chief Lana." Vaughn introduced them.
"Hello." Lana yawned. Several large dogs walked out behind her and sat protectively at her feet. "So I hear you where caught sleeping in the woods."
"Were just looking for some where safe. We where forced to leave our home and our boat broke down not far from here." Jay explained.
"Well the woods are not a safe place. Some tribes around here kill first and then ask questions later. You should be happy that Vaughn found you first." Lana explained.
"Vaughn this better be good I was…." A blonde boy said walking out of the room Lana come from. He stopped dead in his tracks and stared at Jay. Jay was shocked to see his long lost brother Ved staring back at him.
"Ved?" Jay whispered. Lana, Vaughn and Nat looking puzzled as they looked from Ved to Jay.
"What are you doing here?" Ved asked sounding cold.
"Your alive." Jay smiled, he walked to Ved and gave him an awkward hug. Ved patted him once on the back before pulling away.
"Everybody, meet Jay, my brother." Ved replied.
For several moments everyone stood stunned. "Well, any brother of Ved's is welcome as far as I'm concerned." Nat said breaking the silence.
"Yes." Lana said cautiously looking at Ved.
"I can't believe it's you." Jay repeated.
"Yeah it's me." Ved said softly.
"Well I can see you have had a long journey. Nat can you show Jay and Amber and their friends to where they are sleeping. They can take the guest house. There will be plenty of time to catch up after some sleep and a good meal." Lana interrupted. Amber sensed what Lana was trying to do so she grabbed Jays arm and gently lead him out.
Ved turned on his heals and walked back into his bedroom. "This is going to be a long night." Lana breathed to Vaughn as she fallowed Ved.