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Tribal Romeo & Juliet

The Tribe fanfiction loosely based on Shakespeare's great tragedy.

All characters are taken from The Tribe series. Nothing is mine; I just made up the storyline and the dialogues. Nothing would be possible without the wonderful masterminds behind The Tribe.


CHAPTER TWO

The Locos

The Locos were staying at a hotel.

It was just after breakfast. Zoot and Ebony were in the garage, supervising the repainting of their favourite police car. Trudy was reading in her room and Bray decided to play some basketball in the yard.

It was a sunny day and the temperature seemed just right; it was not too hot or too cold.

Bray couldn't care less about the stupid feud his brother, Zoot had with Lex, the leader of the Mallrats. He knew all too well Zoot had no idea how to lead the city; all he wanted was to spend days driving around in old, battered police car, playing hide and seek with innocent bystanders. Indeed he had no plan about the future of the city. He still found everything to be an unlimited fun.

Bray wondered how much longer it would last. Sooner or later the moment had to come when his brother would crash hard into the reality. Of course he would say something to him, but Zoot didn't listen to anyone, especially not to his older brother.

It was excruciating for Bray, spending days cooped up in their home. Not to mention all the female attention he kept getting. Although Ebony was after Zoot's power and Trudy his high school sweetheart, both girls were seeking Bray's company as much as they could. Bray was handsome and it wasn't making him happy. He was a loner at heart and being surrounded with people was often annoying him.

Actually, lately he was annoyed by pretty much everything. Playing basketball was the only time when he felt somehow content.


The book was indeed a good read. Trudy rubbed her eyes and got up to pour herself a glass of water. While walking to the table with a hug on, she passed the window. With a quick glance she saw Bray playing basketball in the yard.

His skin was covered with sweat and the sun reflected of it. She observed his muscles moving under his tight shirt. She had first seen in the old world, in their school's gym, and had seen him numerous times since then but still she could not move her eyes off him.

And now, Ebony was nowhere to be seen.

Trudy forgot about the romance in the book; she was desperate for one in real life.


Ebony was in the garage, with Zoot. They were watching their men repainting and fixing one of the police cars which were the symbol of The Locos. It was still very early for Ebony; she preferred days when she slept in till lunch. Today Zoot desired her company and she could not turn him down. Not if she wanted to remain close to him and maintain a respected position in the tribe which was something she craved for.

"Red flames, add more of them," he ordered one of the men. "They are not visible enough! Don't you think so, Ebony?"

"I guess," she nodded, trying to conceal yawning. "You know best, my dear."

"We must be recognizable! We cannot afford people wondering if it is really us! You're sloppy; don't make me think you might work for that Lex! Anyway," he turned back to Ebony, "I need your help. You are a woman so I think you could help me."

"Well, certainly I am a woman," smiled Ebony and looked at Zoot seductively, "And I am very, very good at being a woman, if I may say."

He seemed to be completely unaffected.

"Good. I want to surprise Trudy."

"Trudy?" Ebony spoke her opponent's name as if it was a swear word.

"Yes, Trudy. I have been neglecting her a bit lately, with this Lex stuff and all, and I want to make it up to her. And I was thinking … how about a dinner with candles? Do you think she would like it?"

Ebony frowned. She disliked Trudy; sometimes she felt like she even hated her. Ebony was no fool; she knew Trudy was her biggest (and only) competition in The Locos; both longed for the company of two brothers. Only, Ebony struggled to get close to Zoot as he was head over heels in love with Trudy who was pushing him away and wanted Bray. Ebony found her to be so incredible selfish; she was taking both brothers from Ebony.

Ebony yearned to get rid of Trudy and now Zoot was asking her to help him with his date with Trudy. She considered recommending strangling her but Ebony was born manipulator and was not about to risk being thrown out of the tribe. Trudy could take brothers away from here, but as long as Ebony was still closed, there was chance of winning.

She breathed in to calm her envy.

"Well, it sounds very nice, Zoot."

"Thanks."

"Just … I mean, are you sure she wants it?"

"What do you mean? Of course she wants me!" exclaimed Zoot.

"I know, Zoot every woman would be happy to have you, it's just … lately I've been noticing she became kind of close with our brother …"

Zoot stared at her astounded.

"Are you saying Bray is taking my woman from me?!"

"No, no! I just … "

So typical of him. Zoot had a habit of blaming everything on Bray. His Trudy was perfect, incapable of doing anything wrong. She would have never dug her claws into Bray, of course not! Ebony's morning was really turning into a nightmare.

"Maybe she is only trying to get your attention. I mean, you said it yourself, you are not with her much these days…"

"Stop making excuses for him! I know what he's like! He always takes everything away from me!"

"But…"

"Just get out of my sight, Ebony! Just get out!"

Ebony was feeling so underappreciated. She knew she could help lead The Locos, the city even. Yet nobody saw the talent she has, even worse, sometimes she felt like nobody even noticed her! Trudy was so successfully dancing in the spotlight that darkness completely embraced Ebony! It was her pure kindness, being with The Locos; Ebony truly believed that if she, for example, decided to join The Mallrats, they would treat her nicer. Way nicer.

On her way to the room she too passed the window. And she too saw Bray playing basketball; only, now Trudy was also in the yard, walking to Bray.

Ebony clutched her teeth.

"Cow!" she hissed.


With a book in her hand Trudy carefully walked to Bray.

"Hi," she said.

He held the ball and turned to her. He mildly smiled.

"Hello, Trudy."

"I just … it's such a lovely today so …. I came out to read. Better than, you know, being in my room, alone."

"Cool," he nodded and looked at her, feeling like she had not finished.

Oh, he was so handsome. Trudy's head was spinning. She he only wanted her to leave.

"Well … I'll just go sit over there and … read."

"Ok," he smiled, broke off their eye contact and continued his game.

Trudy only stood, looking him, for a few minutes. Feeling her eyes on him, basketball suddenly lost all its charm for him. He was relieved when she finally walked to the deckchair, lay down and started reading.

Poor Bray had no idea it was far from over; that he was about to be a prey, eyed by two skilled, longing predators.

Ebony was determined not to let Trudy have Bray. She put on swimsuits and her favourite robe. Then she too went to the yard.

Bray rolled his eyes when he saw her coming. Trudy only stared in disbelief.

"Witch," she whispered.

Ebony breathed in deeply, aware that Bray was looking at her. She spread her arms, closed her eyes and let sunrays to fall on her face.

Then she walked to Bray.

"Hello, Bray!" she exclaimed. "Such as nice today, isn't it?"

"I've had better ones."

"Never praise the day before the ... night …"

Bray felt uncomfortable; Ebony was standing far too close for his liking. He struggled to contain his urge to move back. And just to walk away. His perfect morning of playing basketball was already ruined!

Ebony's eyes very obviously eyed his body.

"Oh, Bray, isn't a bit too hot for you to play basketball?"

"I feel just fine."

"Yes, but … aren't you … a bit … hot?"

Trudy's jaw dropped as Ebony wiped sweat off Bray's forehead. She bit her lip, upset and watched Ebony walk to a deckchair on the other side of the yard. Ebony, aware of her rival's defeat, only grinned at her with glee.

Trudy's nostrils dilated as she breathed in with rage. Who did Ebony think she was? She, Trudy was here first! She saw Bray first! There was no way she would let Ebony mess this up!

She took off the shirt she was wearing; the one underneath was exposing way more than Trudy was usually comfortable with but this was time for all-in.

This was too easy for Ebony! Trudy was such a naïve little girl, thinking she could compete with Ebony!

Ebony took off her robe, revealing the bikini she was wearing. Then she lay on the deckchair, perfectly aware that Bray was looking at them both, not knowing what to think.

Trudy was angry. Indeed she didn't know how to react – but only until she looked around. She remembered putting some things in her bag before coming to the yard.

Sunscreen, more specifically.

She didn't waste any time. She took tit from the bag, got up and walked straight to Bray.

"Oh god," he whispered when he saw her nearing. He never wanted alarm to go off as much as he did in this moment.

"What the…" Ebony was offended. She was the one wearing practically nothing and yet Trudy was the one he was going to touch? It was outrageous!

"Bray, could you be so kind …" Trudy smiled and handed him a sunscreen.

"Trudy …"

"Don't say anything, Bray!"

"I don't think I should…"

"Oh, don't be silly, Bray! It I just a sunscreen! I can't do it myself and I really don't want to get sunburns."

"But Zoot might think…"

"Zoot is not here, is he? Besides …" Trudy moved closer to him, "I never said Zoot is the one I want …"

Bray stared at her, his jaw dropped and he tried to think of any proper words. He should have stayed in bed the whole day!

Then the door flung open and Zoot appeared in the yard. Ebony's smiled spread across her face as he ran to Bray and Trudy, enraged.

"What the hell do you think you are doing!?" he shouted.

Bray gave Trudy back her sunscreen and backed off, looking at the ground. Trudy sighed in unease. She had never even wanted Zoot. How the hell did she managed to get him and not Bray, the one she was yearning for?

"I was just…" she started.

"Not you! You!" Zoot yelled at Bray. "How do you dare seducing my woman?!"

"I was not…"

"It's not his fault, Zoot, I asked him to put some sun…"

"You don't need to defend him! I know his was!" dismissed her Zoot and ordered her and Ebony to leave. When they were gone, he turned to his older brother again.

"Trudy is my woman! Mine! Can't you find your own?!"

"Nothing happened!"

"Do you think I'm blind? Or stupid?! Why are you always taking everything from me?!"

"I'm not! I don't even like her!"

"You don't have to like her to take her away from me! You just can't stand me having something you don't!"

"You're crazy …"

"Be careful who you call crazy! Just because you are my brother it does not mean you are untouchable! One stunt like this and you are out! I am being very merciful; Lex would not be."

"Don't you think maybe you should focus on him and not on me?"

"I am focusing on him enough! Don't tell me how to run my business! Besides, there's not much to do right now. He has not done anything for some time now. Which makes me wonder – is he only trying to make me think he's not doing anything so that I would not see him coming when he strikes? You know what I mean?"

"No, not really."

Zoot frowned.

"We are at war here. Why don't you try focusing less on my woman and more on Lex?!" he said with his eyebrows raised, before turning and storming back into the building.

Bray only shook his head and sighed in disbelief. Indeed, lately he truly hated his life.


To Be Continued.

Broughttoyouby:::winter.