Hi

so the fighting is about to commence! Finally the boring stuff are over :)

If you haven't been around lately, you should check the previous chapters; I posted numerous updates this week.

Thanks to those still following this, feel free to review!

Enjoy,

love,

winter

Black Swan*

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.

* The event that is a surprise (to the observer); has a major impact; after the first recorded instance of the event, it is rationalized by hindsight as if it could have been expected.

CHAPTER 20

The Mallrats sighed with relief when their leader returned but they didn't waste any time. Bray was convinced it was only a matter of time before The Guardian would retaliate for his wrecked plan.

They waited until The Chosen that came with Bray took Lubie's body away. They promised to find a proper burial place for her and notify them of it but no one cared much about it. Girls started putting away food the Guardian sent them and once the guards left the second part of the plan began to unveil.

Lex led the group that would look for Ebony and others in the city who were willing to fight The Guardian. Lex decided their base would be an abandoned fast-food restaurant not far from the city. It was located in the street where their rebuild of the city had started before the Chosen invaded and therefore Lex knew it was clean.

Dal, Jack, Ellie and Ryan went with him while Bray decided to join Pride on his track to the woods, convincing other tribe leaders to join the battle. Lex knew he would be much more useful in the city but knowing his real reasons to go he didn't argue. He was happy to become the leader of the city mission. It kept his mind off Lubie.

Lex settled in the room in the back of the restaurant. He was happy to find a large, comfortable chair. Sitting in it with his legs on a desk was an enjoyment of his own kind.

Danni also stayed in the restaurant. Lex appointed her to write down the names of people he would find appropriate for fighting. With a notepad on her knees and a book in her hand she took her position by the door and the pair waited for the volunteers to be sent into their office.

Time passed but no one came. Lex's enthusiasm began fading and being the leader of an isolated wannabe-fighting-headquarters was looking to be a very lonely job. Danni didn't prove to be much of a company. She was hidden behind her book and wasn't interested in talking to him.

He sighed deeply and went on another tour of the restaurant.

After distributing the antidote, the Mallrats started their plan to rebuild the city and they wanted to transform all the old restaurants and shops in the centre of the city into a trading place. Each place would be dedicated to trading a different kind of things or produce. It was a plan that could eventually work had the Chosen not delayed it.

Lex's job would be to take care of security. Bray didn't mind his idea of cleaning and fixing the old police station. Before The Guardian it really seemed like they could restore the city they had grown in.

If they managed to beat The Guardian they might eventually still succeed.

Lex stopped in front of the window and looked down the streets. Walls of the buildings were still covered with the posters worshipping the Guardian's image and slogans. He thought back to the hours he spent learning how to read. Remembering Ryan's lessons he managed to read some of the words. Before he could finish he noticed figures nearing.

He recognized the robes they were wearing.

"Danni, get down!" he exclaimed.

Danni lifted her look from the book and looked at him, annoyed.

"What?"

"The Chosen. Get down!" he repeated while squatting, hiding.

She crawled under one of the table. Lex peeped though the window, wondering what The Chosen were doing in the street. It wasn't the same men that had taken Lubie's body away.

Dal and others weren't back yet. Did they get caught? Lex wondered if once again someone told the Chosen of their plan. Were they coming to get them, for once and for all?

He was getting more and more worried as the men approached the restaurant. His heart was beating rapidly as he was observing them, ready to move away from the window if anyone turned into his direction.

It turned out to be the false alarm. They simply walked pass them, without looking though any of the windows. It seemed they were one of the guards that walked through the city from time to time, without much purpose.

"It's fine, we're safe," he said after they disappeared in the distance and calmed Danni's worried face.

He walked back to his chair, put his legs on the table and sighed deeply. Being the main coordinator or whatever he was supposed to be was looking more and more like a boring deed.

If only he had someone else with him. Danni wasn't much of a company. She kept reading, ignoring his staring at her.

He thought of going out, joining others on the look for the army, but quickly dismissed it. Danni would be loyal to Bray's instructions to no end. There was no way Lex would convince her into ditching their duty nor she would let him go out alone, leaving her.

"I should get a hat." He couldn't remember the last time he was so bored. Thinking out loud, speaking about nothing, seemed to be the peak of fun he would get.

"What do you think, Danni?"

She mumbled something he didn't understand.

"A nice looking hat … I am some kind of a sheriff now, aren't I? People should only look at me and know I'm important … I'll look around the mall when we get back … a hat would look nice ... I wonder what Ryan and others are doing. You think they found someone already? Nah, me neither. But they will, eventually, right? People must be fed up of the Chosen … you think Bray and Pride reached his tribe already?"

"Maybe …"

"I'm not sure I like them joining us, honesty. Who do they have to fight with in the woods? I don't they have much fighting skills."

"They are hunters," Danni suggested as she turned the page.

"And they'll walk into the city carrying bows … It could work."

"It would probably be more useful than your fists, Lex," smirked Danni.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"We can't beat the Chosen with manpower," said Danni, "his men will outnumber us even if Pride's friends will help. The only way we can win is with our brains."

Lex started at her in disbelief, trying to understand what she was saying. He quickly dismissed it. She was a girl after all, what did she know about the fighting?

"What are you reading, anyway?"

"Jane Austen. Don't think you would like it."

"I don't like books."

"Go figure."

"So what you're saying is that you doubt we can win?"

"No, I'm saying we can't just grab our weapons and run into them. it would be a suicide."

"You don't like me very much, do you?"

"I don't know where you got this idea."

"Here we are, you and me, stuck in here and you rather read than talk. I don't have to know Shakespeare to see it."

"Fine, then let's talk," shrugged Danni and put the book down. Crossing her arms she sighed.

Lex rolled his eyes. He liked her better when she was reading.

"Just go back to..." he started when he heard the door opening. Whoever was entering was trying to be as quiet as possible. Lex grabbed a baseball bat he had out under the desk when they arrived. He got up, ready to confront the intruder, whoever it was.

It was Tai San.

She looked just as surprised as he when he appeared in front of her, holding a bat, ready to strike.

"I don't think you need this," she said after a moment.

"Tai San," he gasped, lowering the bat. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see if you two need any help ..." she said and looked around. "I can see it is very crowded."

"We are only starting this so …"

"Surely," she nodded and looked him directly in his eyes. Once again he felt captivated by the depth of her eyes. It disarmed him and even if he wanted it to he couldn't deny it. He was overwhelmed.

He never lost words, but lately, whenever he found himself being close to her, he had trouble forming words. He struggled to move his eyes off her. Eventually he just let go, let the world spin him around. He didn't mind. He couldn't feel anything besides the strange comfort.

He wasn't the one showing his vulnerable, emotional side but he couldn't hide it from Tai San. Somehow she knew. Somehow she always read him like a book. As if his body was made of glass, she saw directly into his heart. He didn't want to understand it. This magic she had was enchanting, a little irresistible perk drawing him to her.

"We'll take any help we can get," laughed Danni. "How are things in the mall?"

Tai San smiled at Lex and walked pass him. She sat down to Danni.

"Those men who took Lubie away returned. They gave us the location of her grave. Trudy wrote it down."

"I don't think we'll be going there much," said Lex as he too sat back down.

"The Guardian included some chocolate in the package he sent us. Kids are ecstatic but Trudy doesn't let the touch it … So, has anyone showed up already?"

Lex and Danni glanced at each other. It was all Tai San needed.

Someone did turn up not long after.

Ebony and The Mallrats parted ways soon after the renovation of the city began. It happened partly because she wasn't happy with the given role, but mostly she left because of the guy she had met, Axl. The pair joined them a few times when they were cleaning the streets but no one heard from them since the Chosen invaded. The Mallrats never said it out loud but most of them believed she might have started working with the Guardian – it wouldn't come as such a big shock. Ebony after all was a gold-digger of some kind, always trying to become important and respected. She was loyal when she felt like it but if there was even a remote chance to a higher position, she would take it, forgetting the loyalty completely.

Certainly they hoped for a different outcome, that somehow the Guardian recognized her true nature and denied her any involvement in his tribe. Had she not run off with The Guardian, she would be the person they needed. The Mallrats had spent so much time cooped up in their home. They lost touch with what was happening on the streets. Somehow Ebony always knew everything that was happening in the city. She always knew the right places and people.

Inevitably she somehow found out what the Mallrats were planning. With her confident stand and Axl by her side she walked into the restaurant. Lex didn't need to grab the bat; she announced her presence out loud.

"Well aren't you the Mallrats? Haven't seen any of you guys around for so long I'm having trouble remembering you!" she grinned.

"Hello, Ebony," said Lex. He was somehow relieved to see her; he hoped it meant she wasn't working for The Guardian. But he still wasn't sure. "What are you doing here?"

"The word is on the street that you guys are gonna fight The Guardian," said Ebony and sat down. Axl sat beside her. He never spoke much; sometimes it seemed like Ebony only had her around so that she would have a bodyguard.

The Mallrats glanced at each other. They learnt their lesson from Lubie. They hadn't seen Ebony in a long time. Despite their doubts she could still be on the Guardian's side. They must be careful not to reveal too much too soon.

"Why would anyone think that?" wondered Lex, trying to sound as carelessly as possible.

"Well, I don't know. Your people are walking around the city like lost puppies for the whole afternoon, staring at everyone passing them. I can't think of any other reason. I know that Dal and Ryan aren't much of a ladies' men but I still think they have a better pick-up lines than that."

If they really were that obvious … Lex hoped the Guardian had something better to do than look through the window for the whole day.

Ebony noticed how careful they were about their words.

"Oh come on!" she exclaimed. "You can't possibly think I am working for him!"

"I can't say I wouldn't be surprised if you did," shrugged Lex.

"Fine, if you wanna know the truth … I tried to but that man … he just laughed and threw me out."

Lex laughed.

"Why would anybody throw you out, Ebony?"

Axl frowned at him but Lex didn't twitch.

"Think whatever you want, Lex. I'm here because I am sick of that man running the city. I want him out!"

"You're that offended he doesn't like you?"

"Whatever. You're still a pain. Where's Bray? He will listen to me."

"He's not here."

"In the mall, then?" Ebony already got up.

"He isn't there either. He's out gathering the army. I am in change."

"You?" laughed Ebony. "Then you really don't need me. I don't wanna be involved in your flop."

"Give me one reason why I should even trust you, Ebony. I am not a fool, I know your ways. How can I be sure you are not just gonna run to The Guardian and tell him of our plan? Surely he would like you better if because of your tip he would stop the rising!"

"I am not stupid, Lex! Like he would think any better of me! He would talk the whole day of how appreciative he is but I would get nothing out of it!"

"Ha! So you are admitting you want to be in his place?"

"I don't need this, I am leaving. See you at your funeral, Lex."

"Wait!" he exclaimed. "I am not gonna kiss the ground you're walking on Ebony, just because you are willing to fight with us. Bray won't either, I can assure you. We don't need somebody fighting with us only because they believe they will take the control after The Guardian is overthrown. We won't let you. If you fight with us, do it because you want something better for the city, for all of us. You're delusional if you think we are only making way for you."

Ebony didn't reply. She glanced at Lex, angrily, one more time before she turned around and walked out of the restaurant, closely followed by Axl.

Lex followed them with his eyes, completely unaffected.

"Well I guess we can cross her out," he said.

"You really have no idea what a diplomacy is, do you?" rolled her eyes Danni.

The task proved to be more challenging than Dal and Ryan imagined. It sounded so easy, walking around the city, looking for people who would be willing to risk their lives to beat The Chosen.

The moment they parted ways with Jack and Ellie they realized how wrong they had been.

Who can they approach? They learnt their lesson from Lubie's case. She was a spy, integrating their tribe so that The Guardian could know as much as he could about them. He could do the same thing in the city, sent people on the streets, gathering intelligence for him, warning him of possible risings. They couldn't recognize these people and it could mean great trouble for them if they approached the wrong person.

They passed numerous small groups on their way. Most people recognized them and smiled at them, clearly still admiring the Mallrats for finding the antidote. There was also fear in their eyes – they were afraid to socialize with not only Mallrats, but with everyone. They didn't know who to trust. Hidden danger was everywhere and the only one they could always count on was themselves.

Their sighs became deeper and more frequent. Finally Dal stopped.

"This is pointless," he said.

"Yeah …" nodded Ryan. "Let's go back to Lex and say we need to think of something better."

They turned around to walk back to the restaurant and notify Lex of their concerns.

They saw a girl standing not far behind them.

She was around Ryan's age. They didn't recognize nor her nor her make up. They were sure they hadn't seen them before and they certainly didn't just pass her by.

Dal thought she must have been following them. It couldn't mean anything good; his heart stopped as he realized she could be another one of The Guardian's spies.

Did he know of their plan already?

He stepped back as the girl approached. He was ready to start running.

"You looking for people to fight him, right?" the girl said. "I'm May. I wanna help."

To Be Continued.

Broughttoyouby::: winter.