Well I haven't worked on this fic in four years, which means I don't remember where it was originally going. It also means I have become more informed on the tribe, seeing every episode (except season 5), also my writing has improved slightly. A recent review has spurred me on to write another chapter.
Behind
Locked Doors
by Manda Moore
Night slowly crept over the mall, and the noisy ruckus that usually filled the large empty space was now silent. The pale moonlight filtered through the sky lights as it slide in and out behind the dark clouds. Lex reclined back on his bed, with his hands placed behind his head, and his legs crossed at the ankles. Looking up at the ceiling he could not get his mind off of Phoenix. There was something about the way that the girl had just brushed him off that made him want her even more now. It was a new sort of challenge; he had never had to work this hard to get a girl before. Usually they were all fawning and falling all over him. A cocky grin spread across his lips now as he plotted in his head how he was going to get this girl into his bed.
Phoenix opened the door to her room just enough to see out into the dark halls of the mall. The only light coming from the strings of Christmas lights that hung from the ceiling in the center of the mall. Slipping out of her room, Phoenix stepped quietly down the upper level of the mall, her foot steps echoed softly off the high ceilings and walls. She tried her best not to alert anyone to her presences now.
Lex's thoughts were broken as he heard someone shuffling around the mall. Everyone was in bed now and usually stayed in their room for the night. Lex leaned over the edge of his bed picking up the heavy torch; it was made of heavy black metal, and could pack quite a punch in a fight. Pressing the switch with a small click light flooded the room. He stood up walking out of his room. His brown eyes quickly scanned the upper level of the mall and rested on the new girl. Wondering what she was up to, with another cocky grin he followed her stealthily to her destination, the kitchen. Lex switched the light off and leaned back against the frame leading to the room with the storage cabinet for the food. His eyes rested on Phoenix waiting for her to notice him.
Phoenix wasn't aware that anyone had heard her let alone followed her down the hallway. She slipped the messenger bag around to her right side, she reached out to open the cabinet and found a chain looped through the handles with a padlock. Phoenix pulled the doors open as far as they would go. She could barely see the cans inside, but then tried to slip her hand inside. Once she grasped a can her hand wouldn't fit back through the small opening.
"You need the key." Lex cleared his throat and pushed off the wall. Phoenix dropped the can and it hit the shelf crashing down to the floor. She pulled her hand out scraping it on the sides as she spun around to face Lex. Her forehead wrinkled, "And I just happen to be the right person to get it for you." Lex grinned at Phoenix taking another step closer to her, "For the right price of course." He stepped closer to Phoenix with every word he spoke until he had her pinned up against the cupboard. Lex hovered over her, resting one arm above her head as he leaned his weight forward.
Phoenix drew in quick breaths as Lex advanced on her. Her piercing green eyes never wavering from him, she was going to show Lex that she wasn't afraid of him. Phoenix allowed Lex to get extremely close to her, so close that she could feel his lips brush ever so lightly against hers. With out hesitation Phoenix moved quickly kneeing Lex in the gut, then shoving him backwards, "I'd rather starve." She retorted stepping away, leaving the kitchen.
Lex doubled over clutching his stomach. Clenching his teeth in anger Lex rushed up behind her catching her upper arm. He squeezed it tightly, "Who do you think you are?!"
Phoenix panicked when Lex grabbed her arm un-expectantly. Her instincts took over and she punched Lex. Surprised by the force behind the blow Lex instantly released her arm; he felt a searing pain shoot through his cheek. Phoenix's eyes went wide as she stumbled back away from Lex; she took off down the hall to her room. Slamming the door shut she pressed her back up against it praying that Lex didn't come after her.
Lex pressed his palm against his cheek bone, "Hey come back here!" He shouted after her. Lex had noticed the fear written across her face after she had punched him, "Damn it." He muttered. Standing there for a few minutes shaking his head he gradually headed back to his room. Lex now found him self even more intrigued by the mysterious new girl, what was she hiding? Trying to protect?
Phoenix slowly lowered herself to the ground until she was sitting. What did that guy want from her? All she wanted was a peaceful safe place to live. Running a hand through her long hair Phoenix dropped her head back against the door. She began to think of what she may have gotten herself into now. Surely they would kick her out of the mall when the others found out that she had socked their sheriff in the eye. She closed her eyes now drawing in a deep breath slowly letting it out as she drifted off to sleep, her back still propped up against the door making sure that no one would get in.
The morning came early, Lex found himself up early, it was probably around ten now. He rolled out of his bed as his stomach rumbled. Stretching his arms above his head, he walked out of his room. Lex looked down the hall towards Phoenix's room; the door was still closed tightly, "What happened to you?" A young voice belonging to Chloe inquired cocking her head to the right.
"Nothing." Lex glared at the younger Mallrat. He hadn't looked in the mirror this morning, but he was sure that he had a decent shiner.
Examining his eye she concluded, "You should put some ice on that."
"Thanks." Lex muttered lowly as he brushed past Chloe. His feet took him over to the locked door instead of the kitchen. He pounded heavily, "Phoenix get out here!?!" He bellowed repeating himself several times, drawing out the rest of the Mallrats from what they were doing.
Phoenix was startled awake feeling the vibrations of Lex's fists against the door. She pressed herself a bit harder against the door as he continued to pound unsure of what to do.
