Episode 25
SCENE 1
(Camera opens up to the Mall Rats gathered in the café. Felix has an eye on them, while a dozen other Chosen are searching the hospital. Ellie snorts as she watches a Chosen girl go through the cabinets in the kitchen.)
Ellie: Do you think we're hiding the Supreme Mother in the cabinets?
Felix: Are you saying you do have her?
Jack: We don't! We already told you that yesterday.
(Felix ignores him, when the Chosen come back into the café.)
Felix: Found anything?
Jasper: Just a bunch of junk.
Camille: Their rooms seem to have been empty for a while.
Felix (mumbles): Just like I fucking told him. These people are idiots, but not dumb enough to hide the chick and brat here. (louder) We're leaving!
Cara (mutters): Finally.
(The Chosen follow Felix out and the Mall Rats start to relax.)
Kayla: I have a bad feeling about this. It's not like them to just leave us alone after we attacked them.
Darryl: They are probably busy, trying to find Tai-San and Brady.
Kayla: Still, it's weird.
Ryan: I agree with Kayla. Maybe we should think about moving somewhere else for a while.
Patsy: But if we leave, Mira won't be able to find us anymore and we won't know what's going on with the others.
Cloe: Where would we go anyway? This is our home.
Cara: Is your home more important than your life?
Cloe: No, but I'm willing to fight for it. Fight for this city. Are you?
Cara: I'll fight. I just don't want them to stab me in my sleep or something.
Ellie: You have a point. Why don't we all take some time to think about the option of leaving and discuss it further.
(The others murmur in agreement. Camera cuts away as the mall Rats scatter in the hospital.)
SCENE 2
(Cut to a room similar to the one, Lex is being held in. Cal is tied to a chair in the middle of the small room while the Guardian paces in front of him. A Chosen guard is standing by the door.)
Cal: I already told you everything you want to know.
Guardian: You told me nothing. It would be good for you to cooperate a bit more.
Cal: I don't know where Tai-San and Brady are.
Guardian: But you did know about the kidnapping, why else would all of you Mall Rats have been out there.
Cal: No. How would we know about it? We haven't seen Bray and the others since the day the Chosen took over.
Guardian: Then why where you out there at such a convenient time?
Cal: We wanted to protest. When we saw Bray, KC and Alpha, we just wanted to help our friends.
Guardian: Unfortunately for you, I don't believe you. I want the Supreme Mother and the Divine Child back and I will not stop until they are. Do you really want to be in my way?
Cal: No, but I can't help you.
Guardian: We'll see about that. Do they really mean more to you than your friends at the hospital?
Cal: They are all my friends.
Guardian (smiles): Mhm… but if you had a choice: save Tai-San or save… Kayla, who would it be?
Cal: You leave her alone!
Guardian: Looks like Camille was useful after all. She's quite nosy, so she had a lot to tell me. I hear there's a Cara too and a Paul. (Cal grunts angrily) I'll let you think about it for a while. We'll see if they feel as strongly about you as you do about them.
(He nods at the guard and leaves. Camera cuts to the next scene, while the guard unties Cal and leads him out the room.)
SCENE 3
(In the storage room, Cloud and Amber are trying to talk to Tilly, who's sulking in her corner of the room.)
Amber: Come on, Tilly, you don't have to protect him anymore. We're in the same boat now.
Tilly: You and I will never be on the same side, Amber.
Cloud: Then forget her and just tell me, what's been going on outside.
Tilly: So now you're interested again? You can't stand it, when I'm in control, can you?
Cloud: I'm… Please, Tilly. What about Camille? Is she still here?
Tilly: Of course. She was one of the first to go over to the Guardian, dragged Jasper with her as usual.
Cloud: And the rest? Are they alright?
Tilly: Everyone who didn't want to join was made to work. They're the Chosen's servants now.
Cloud: He didn't kill any of the Astros?
Tilly: No.
Amber: What about Gel and Lex? What happened to them?
Tilly: Oh those two… (giggles) He wanted to have a bit of fun with Lex, don't know if he's still alive or not. The Guardian doesn't visit him as often as he used to.
Amber: What is that supposed to mean?
Beta: It means, he's torturing him.
Amber: Oh…
Cloud: And the girl? Gel?
Tilly: She was made handmaiden of the Divine Child. Whenever that little brat couldn't follow orders, he'd punish the girl instead. He couldn't hit the Child of Zoot, you know. If she isn't dead yet, she will be soon. I haven't seen her since Tai-San and the brat left for their walk yesterday morning.
(Camera zooms in on Amber's face. She's shocked to learn two of her tribe might be dead, even if they weren't the best of friends. Noel gently pats her knee, but she doesn't seem to register it.)
SCENE 4
(Cut to the stage at the market place. Meta's body has finally been moved, but the cross she was presented on, is still there. A crowd has gathered in front of the stage with Chosen guards all around them. The Guardian takes the stage and the camera pans around the crowd, until it lands on Darryl, Ryan, Cloe and Patsy. The Guardian opens his arms and the crowd goes silent.)
Guardian: I'm sure you've all heard about the kidnapping of the Supreme Mother and the Divine Child. Someone is disturbing the peace in our city and they have angered Zoot. His family belongs with his Chosen and he wants them returned immediately. I didn't want it to come to this, but these people have left me no other choice. I have your tribe leaders, your friends, and if the Supreme Mother and the Divine Child aren't returned by tonight, they will all join the Almighty Zoot in the Great Hereafter.
(He takes a moment to let his words sink in, then he strides off the stage. Camera zooms in on the four Mall Rats.)
Cloe: He's going to kill Amber.
Darryl: And Gel.
Ryan: Lex and Cal too, probably.
Cloe: What do we do? We can't give him Tai-San and Brady.
Patsy: We literally can't. No idea where Bray is hiding them.
Darryl: Then we'll have to fight them. Get the other out of there.
Ryan: Maybe this isn't the best place to discuss this.
(They look around, suddenly scared someone might have overheard their conversation. They start walking back towards the hospital.)
Patsy: Do you really think he's going to go through with it? He'll have the whole city at his throat if he does.
Ryan: I don't think he'll mind that.
Patsy: Maybe, but he'll also use a whole lot of good work power. It's possible he'll just send them away like he did with us.
Darryl: They showed us Meta's body though. She hung up there for days. If he doesn't do the same thing this time, people will know he lied.
Cloe: I think it's best we'll talk to the others about this first.
(They walk off camera)
SCENE 5
(Paul is sitting on his bed, staring at Cal's side of the room. His sketch pad is lying in his lap, but he hasn't drawn anything on the empty page. Paul jumps, when the door opens and Ty walks in.)
Ty: Sorry, I didn't want to scare you.
Paul (grins): Ever heard of knocking?
(Ty closes the door behind him and hesitantly takes a seat on Paul's bed.)
Ty: I hate not talking to you and I… I'm really sorry. What-What I said yesterday wasn't… it's not that I think… it's not that you can't…
Paul (stops him): I don't understand anything if you keep starting over. Pick a sentence and stick with it.
Ty (blushes): Sorry. I wasn't trying to i-insult you or hurt you, when I asked you to stay here with me. I know you can fight, but… I worry about you. Not because you're deaf, but because I like you.
Paul: Maybe I was too quick to assume. I'm just tired of people treating me like an idiot, because I'm deaf.
Ty: I'm sorry.
Paul: I'm sorry too. I don't like to fight with you.
(Ty scoots a little closer, but Paul reaches out and pulls him into his side, so he can rest his head against Ty's.)
Ty: How are you feeling? About Cal, I mean.
Paul: Worried. I know he can take care of himself in captivity, but who knows what they're going to do with him.
Ty: I'm sure, you'll get an opportunity to save him. We'll have to fight them again soon.
Paul: Without Cal I'm just not sure, who's going to organize it. I can't see Ryan stepping up to it.
Ty: You could.
Paul: No, I'm not a leader. And half of these people don't know how to sign.
Ty: We'll figure it out.
(He reaches up to run his fingers through Paul's wavy hair. The younger boy closes his eyes and relaxes.)
SCENE 6
(Cut to Cara training outside in the park. Kayla is sitting on the bench near the playground, watching her. The Chosen guards posted outside the backdoor are watching as well. Kayla sighs and walks over to Cara.)
Kayla: Do you think that's a good idea? Right in front of those guys?
Cara: That's exactly why I'm doing it. They should know I'm willing and able to kick the shit out of them.
Kayla: We should be laying low, Cara. They already hate us enough.
Cara: No, they don't. They're laughing at us.
Kayla: They have Cal and I don't want them to hurt him, so I don't want you to provoke them.
Cara (snaps): I know that! Apparently I'm the only one who's mad about that.
Kayla: Of course you're not, but provoking the Chosen will just make things worse for him.
Cara: So what do you want to do, Kayla? Roll over and let them walk all over you?
Kayla: No, I want to think this through and come up with a plan to get him back.
Cara: You go do that and get out of my hair.
Kayla: Can you at least move this inside?
Cara: No.
Kayla: Cara, please… We don't need the Chosen to come in here and search the place again.
Cara: Let them. There's nothing here.
Kayla: Ugh… You're so selfish!
Cara: Me? You're the one who needs everybody's attention all the time. As soon as Cal is a bit distracted and isn't running after you like some lost puppy, you figure out a way to make him jealous.
Kayla: I don't do that! And my relationship with Cal is none of your business.
Cara: It is, when you can't figure out how treat him right.
Kayla: Right now he is in mortal danger and I'm thinking of every possible way to get him back, while you're out here proving some kind of stupid point. So excuse me, if I can't see it your way.
(Angrily she storms away. Cara just shrugs and continues her training.)
Cara: Bitch!
SCENE 7
(Meanwhile Cal has been returned to the other prisoners. Amber is leaning over Noel as best as he can to talk to him.)
Amber: Cal, what happened? How are you here?
Cal: We were fighting the Chosen and I didn't watch my back.
Amber: What about the others? Is everyone safe?
Cal: I think so. Bray and the others managed to get Tai-San and Brady. We were helping them escape.
Amber: So that's why the Guardian was so interested in you.
Cal: Yeah, but I couldn't even tell him anything if I wanted. None of us know, where Bray and the others are hiding. We thought it'd be safer this way.
Amber: And Junior is with him?
Cal: Junior, Trudy, KC, Alpha and now Tai-San and Brady as well.
Amber: Good.
(She leans back against the shelf, taking in the new information. Cal is fidgeting, not being able to find a good spot to sit in with his hands tied to the metal shelf.)
SCENE 8
(KC is sitting on the floor with his feet outstretched, there's a makeshift cast on his foot, but he's clearly still in pain. He looks up, when Alpha and Bray climb back into the store.)
KC: So, what was that gathering about?
Bray: Guardian set us an ultimatum.
Alpha: He's bluffing.
(Trudy, Tai-San and the kids are coming into the store from behind the counter.)
Trudy: What kind of ultimatum?
Alpha: He wants Tai-San and Brady back or he'll kill all the captured tribe leaders.
KC: What? He can't do that!
Tai-San: He can and he will.
Bray: He has Amber!
Trudy: But we can't give him what he wants. I won't let Brady out of my sight!
Alpha: Of course not. Tai-San and Brady are our only advantage at this point.
Tai-San: I don't want innocent people to die for me. Maybe I could convince him to stop this madness.
Bray: You know him best. Do you think you can?
Tai-San (thinks about this for a while, then shakes her head): No. He never really listened to me.
Alpha: If talking isn't an option and giving in isn't an option, that only leaves…
Trudy: But how are we going to fight them? They are so many.
Alpha: We have to convince others to join us. And the best way to do it, is with Tai-San and Brady.
Bray: But if you parade them around outside now, people would be more willing to give them up in order to save their leaders.
Alpha: That's why I want to talk to the Pack first. They don't have to worry about me.
Bray: I could try the warehouses. They know me there.
Alpha: Then let's go. We have no time to lose.
Bray: KC, can you watch Junior for me? And wait for Mira.
KC: I'm not going anywhere any time soon.
Alpha: I'll take Tai-San with me.
Bray: Okay, then Trudy and Brady come with me.
(The group splits up. First Tai-San and Alpha leave, then Trudy, Bray and Brady until only KC is left with Bray Jr. He sighs, annoyed to be left behind.)
SCENE 9
(The Mall Rats have gathered in the café once again. Everyone is looking very solemn after Ryan and the others have told them of the Guardian's threat.)
Ram: Discussing the ultimatum is completely pointless. Even if we wanted to give them up, we couldn't. We shouldn't waste our time on this.
Cara: Why? I say we tell Mira we want to make the deal. Bray will want to save Amber, too.
Ryan: There's no way Trudy would give up Brady, not even if Bray asked her to.
Cara: Well, we'll just give Tai-San back then.
Ellie: No, we're not! Tai-San is our friend just as much as Amber, Lex, Cal and Gel. We can't trade one life for another.
Ram: And it would be idiotic to give them up. Who says, he won't go through with it anyway.
Ruby: The only way we can save them is if we attack.
Ellie: Well, I guess, it's pointless to discuss if we should leave or not then. If we fight, we have to stay anyway.
Ryan: We're going to need all the people we can get. The Chosen are many and powerful, but I don't want anyone to feel like they have to.
Jack: It's not like we can go out and fight right after this talk. We'll have to organize with the others, maybe get some other tribes in on it. Otherwise it's suicide.
Ruby: Jack is right. That will give all of us some time to think about it as well.
(As the official part of the meeting is over, everyone starts to talk at once. Camera zooms out.)
SCENE 10
(Sammy and Lottie make their way through the trees to meet with Mira, who is already waiting for them.)
Mira: Took you long enough.
Sammy: We had to discuss something.
Mira: The Guardian's words, I suppose. I haven't had a chance to talk to the others yet, but I guess, they won't be playing ball.
Lottie: Neither will we.
Mira: Good to know. Tai-San and Brady are with us, safe and sound. Everything went according to plan. Well, except for KC's broken ankle.
Sammy: He should come back here. Ruby could take care of it.
Mira: Maybe, we can't really do much for him. I'll suggest it.
Lottie: We can easily knock out the guards, then hide him inside.
Mira: That might not even be necessary. The Guardian has bigger fish to fry than KC at this point.
(The conversation continues inaudibly for a short while, then Mira leaves and Sammy and Lottie return to the hospital.)
SCENE 11
(Alpha and Tai-San are walking through the sewer system of the city, as it's the only way to get Tai-San through the city unseen.)
Tai-San: Why are you helping us?
Alpha: Because if I didn't, I'd be captured or dead already. This city is my city just as much as it's yours. Actually, I think the bigger question is, why are you helping us. Being Supreme Mother shouldn't be so bad.
Tai-San: I realized that the Guardian was lying to me and that the Mall Rats really were my friends. I just wish I could remember them, then I wouldn't have fallen for his lies.
Alpha: Bray told me about your… situation. Bits and pieces at least. You don't remember anything?
Tai-San: Nothing between the Virus happening and waking up with the Astros. There will always be parts of me, I don't know.
Alpha: Maybe the memories will come back.
Tai-San: Or they won't. As much as I wish they would, I know I'll have to find my way without them.
Alpha: So you trust the Mall Rats now?
Tai-San: I do. I might not remember them with my mind, but I still feel the connection in my heart. At first it scared me, but I've learned to embrace it.
Alpha (rolls his eyes): Is that the Zoot bullshit still talking or have you always been such a nutjob?
Tai-San (sighs): You are a guarded man, Alpha. You should listen to your heart more often.
Alpha: It's an organ. It pumps blood through my body, which I'm very grateful for, but other than that it can kindly shut up.
(He pushes forward, clearly done with the conversation. Tai-San shakes her head slightly and follows him.)
SCENE 12
(Camera cuts to Mira, who's just leaving the park behind the hospital. She manages to duck into the next street, before someone grabs her from behind and clasps a hand over her mouth, making it impossible for her to yell or get away.
Chosen1: So who do we have here? You're not a Mall Rat. The Guardian was very clear about visitors in the hospital. No one goes in or out without his knowledge. He'll want to know, if someone's sneaking around.
(He pulls her with him. Mira fights against him, but he's too strong.)
SCENE 13
(Cut to the captives in the storage room. Beta is fiddling with his restraints and it slowly draws everyone's attention. Tilly, who sits closest to him, scoffs.)
Tilly: What on earth are you doing, wolf boy?
(He ignores her.)
Noel: No, Beta, for real. What are you doing?
Beta: Her idiot friends fucked up, when they tied me up. (he grunts and grimaces, but manages to pull his hands free) There! Now I'm gonna bash Felix's ugly head in for what he did to my sister.
Debra: Great idea, but maybe untie us first.
Amber: With all of us, we can maybe take down the Chosen from the inside.
Beta: As long as you leave Felix to me.
(He crawls over to Gordon and starts fumbling with his ties as well.)
Beta: This is gonna take a while. It would go quicker if I had a knife.
Tilly: You won't get out of the door anyway. It's bolted shut from the outside.
Gordon: Well, at least that gives us some time to make a plan. Cloud, you know the cinema best.
(The conversation continues inaudibly, while Beta works on the restraints of the others.)
SCENE 14
(Kayla is lying on her bed, hugging her pillow to her chest and crying silently. A flashback of Cal being led away by Felix with a knife at his throat, flashes over the scene. Soft footsteps are heard as someone approaches Kayla and sits down on the bed next to her.)
Darryl: I know how you feel.
Kayla: Out of everyone I never thought Cal would leave my side.
Darryl: We'll get them back. Him and Gel and the others.
Kayla: I feel completely lost in this tribe. First Alice was gone, then KC and Gel left and now Cal is gone too.
Darryl: I feel alone too. It used to be you, KC, Gel and I and now it's just us left.
Kayla: And it's all the Chosen's fault.
Darryl: And we're getting them back. Maybe we lost yesterday, but we'll win the next fight and we'll get them all back.
Kayla: You're awfully optimistic.
Darryl (smiles): Maybe that's what makes me a Mall Rat.
(Kayla sits up and wraps her arms around Darryl, surprising him. It takes a moment for him to hug her back.)
Kayla: I just… I can't help but think, what if we're not. What if they already killed him?
Darryl: They haven't. We would know if they had.
Kayla: Yeah… but maybe not.
(She starts sobbing and Darryl awkwardly pats her back, not knowing how to comfort her.)
SCENE 15
(Cut to Mira being dragged inside one of the theatres, where the Guardian is praying with a group of Chosen. The guard, who's holding her, stops and waits for them to finish, before he pushes her in front of the Guardian.)
Guardian (raises his eyebrows): Who's this?
Chosen1: I don't know. I found her sneaking about the hospital.
Guardian (brightens up): Oh, is that so. What's your name?
Mira: None of your damn business!
Guardian: Well, I think it is. You're my guest here and as long as you're a guest, no harm will be done to you. So, I ask again, what is your name?
Mira: Mira.
Guardian: You're not a Mall Rat, are you?
Mira: No.
Guardian: Then what where you doing there?
Mira: I went for a walk.
Guardian: A walk on another tribe's territory? That's not very smart. Do you know the Mall Rats?
Mira: Barely. I know they don't go into their little forest a lot and I like catching squirrels in there.
Guardian: Hmm, the forest you say… Just the other day, one of my guards posted outside the hospital told me, that some of the younger Mall Rats frequent the forest.
Mira: Hormonal teenagers I guess
Guardian: That's what he said, but that forest is not very big. Barely even deserves the name forest, so how come, you've never seen them in there? Especially since you were in there at the same time just now. Don't make me ask you again, Mira.
Mira: I don't know. I'm looking for squirrels.
Guardian (slaps her): I said, don't make me ask again. I have my ways to make you talk and they could ruin your pretty little face.
Mira: I might know them.
Guardian: Do you know Bray and Alpha, too? Maybe even Tai-San and Brady. I've been informed there was a girl helping them with the kidnapping yesterday and I know it wasn't Trudy. You better start talking fast.
(Mira glares at him, while the Guardian smiles menacingly. He's happy to finally have a good lead.)
SCENE 16
(Cut to Cara lying on her bed, running her fingers over Cal's guitar next to her. Paul is leaning against the wall opposite her, studying the movement. He pushes away and lies down next to her, throwing an arm around her waist.)
Paul: Something's missing without him here.
Cara: Yes… I'm going crazy, just sitting around, waiting for someone to make a decision.
Paul: I know. We should be out there fighting our way into the cinema.
Cara: He would hate that.
Paul (smiles): Absolutely! I can already picture his lecture, when we do rescue him. Too much of a risk, blah blah.
Cara (imitating Cal): Have you thought about the consequences? Did you even think this through? You could've gotten hurt! (as herself) If it weren't for Cal, we'd probably be dead already.
Paul: Somebody has to be the boring, sensible one. And yet he is the one, who got captured.
Cara: Only because he wanted to help me.
Paul: It's not your fault.
Cara: I don't know.
Paul: It's not! He would've risked his life for anyone, that's just the person he is.
Cara: He's an idiot!
Paul: No, he isn't. You just hate that you like him so much.
Cara (shoves him): You're an idiot too.
(Paul's eyes fall onto the guitar next to her and the smile slowly fades from his lips. They continue to lie next to each other as their thoughts are with Cal.)
SCENE 17
(The Guardian leaves the theatre, behind him we can see Mira being tied to a seat in the front row. He spots Felix and a few other Chosen lunging in the seats next to the entrance. They all get to their feet, when he approaches.)
Felix: Guardian.
Guardian: I've come to a decision concerning the captives. I want them up on the stage in two hours.
Chosen2: But… don't they have 'till the end of the day to offer up the Supreme Mother and the Princess?
Guardian: I changed my mind.
Felix: All of the prisoners? Cloud and Tilly as well?
Guardian: Everyone in the storage room except for Cloud and Amber. I still need them.
Felix: I know, Tilly has been difficult, but executing her could upset a lot of people.
Guardian: She's a traitor to the cause and Zoot will not be appeased until she's dead. Are you questioning the will of Zoot?
Felix: No, my Guardian.
Guardian: Then get on with it. Two hours at the latest.
Felix (nods): It will be done.
(He gestures at the other Chosen to follow him and they disappear down the corridor towards the storage room. The Guardian smiles smugly, happy with his decision. He then returns to the theatre.)
SCENE 18
(Meanwhile KC is sharing a can of peaches with Bray Jr. The little boy has drawn with chalk on most of the store floor, but is now sitting next to KC exhaustedly. The chalks are still strewn across the floor.)
KC: Looks like it's nap time soon, huh?
Bray Jr: Not sleepy.
KC: Really? Looks to me like you're about to fall asleep while chewing.
Bray Jr: No! I not sleepy.
KC: Whatever. I'll take a nap as soon as Mira is back with some news.
Bray Jr: Mira is mean. I not like her.
KC: You liked her fine until Brady got back and complained about her.
Bray Jr: No. I not like her.
(KC smiles, then puts the spoon back into the can and searches the watches on his arm for the working one. He frowns, when he sees what the time is already.)
KC: Mira should've been back by now. She's been gone for over two hours, she never takes that long.
Bray Jr: She not coming?
KC: I don't know. Maybe she ran into trouble.
Bray Jr: With the bad guys?
KC: We won't know until she shows up. It's probably nothing to worry about.
(He fakes a smile for the kid, but as Bray Jr slowly starts to fall asleep on him, KC can't hide the frown anymore. He knows something is wrong.)
SCENE 19
(Cut to Felix and his group, as he unlocks the door to the storage room. He enters first and is immediately elbowed in the face by Beta. He stumbles and falls to the floor, but the Chosen behind him quickly push inside with their spears, making Beta retreat. Camera pans around to show he had time to help Gordon, Leanne, Debra and Cal out of their restraints, but since Amber, Cloud and Noel are tied up with handcuffs, he couldn't help them. And Tilly is still tied up as well. The two groups are of almost equal size, but it's pretty clear that Leanne isn't the biggest fighter and Cal sticks to her side, trying to protect her. Gordon manages to knock out a Chosen guard, but is quickly pushed back by two spears. Beta is fighting with Felix, who is a bit groggy, but far from beaten. They wrestle on the floor for a bit until Beta gets the upper hand, kneeling on Felix's chest with his hands around his neck. Felix tries to push him off, but his strength is quickly fading away and his lips are already turning blue. It's then that Beta is grabbed from behind by two Chosen and Felix can get to his feet again, rubbing his neck and coughing, but alive. Camera pans around to show everyone has been taken care of.)
Felix (hoarsely): Grab those two (pointing at Noel and Tilly) and let's get on with this.
(Two Chosen quickly follow his orders.)
Amber: What are you doing with them?
Felix: Want to say your goodbyes?
Amber: What?
Tilly: Felix! You can't! We're friends.
Felix: Shut up, Tilly. You pissed off the man in charge, this is your own fault. Move it!
(Amber shouts after him but the Chosen ignore her as they lead the captives out. Hopelessly she watches as the door swings shut and we hear the bolt slide into place.)
Cloud: Look at the bright side, he doesn't want to kill you yet.
Amber: Shut up, Cloud! Do you not care about them at all?
Cloud: Not particularly. I mean, they were good people, I can see that, but does their death affect me? No.
Amber: You're such a creep.
(He pulls at the handcuffs in a feeble attempt to free herself. In the end she gives up. Her eyes wander to the handcuffs next to her, where Noel sat just a moment ago. Her gaze wanders to the undone rope along the shelves, where the others were, not yet believing they are gone.)
SCENE 20
(Cut to Bray, Trudy and Brady standing in the middle of one of the warehouses with a large crowd surrounding them.)
Bray (cont.): Look, I know, it's scary. They have Noel and you all want him to be safe. They have our friends too, even Amber, and we want nothing more than to keep them safe, but we can't just stand by and do nothing. We have Brady and Tai-San now, which means we weakened his influence. The Chosen will start to doubt him, if even the Supreme Mother and Divine Child speak out against him.
Girl1: You heard his threat didn't you? If they are not found by tonight, he's going to kill all the leaders.
Bray: Which is why we should attack the cinema today. Get them out of there.
Trudy: Tai-San knows the building, she knows where they're holding them. We won't have to fight them full force today, just rescue our friends.
(The warehouse tribe starts whispering and contemplating the idea.)
Ben: The last time a group rebelled, they displayed them up on stage.
Bray: I'm not saying, there's no risk. It's very dangerous, but we can't just let them take our city and make us pray to some false god. Zoot was a real person just like us and he died. The Chosen are built on lies of a mad man.
Brady: He said, Zoot speaks to him. I could never hear him, so I made things up. He never knew the difference.
(Again the tribe starts talking among themselves until Ben steps forward.)
Ben: Alright, we'll join you.
Bray (smiles): Thank you. You won't regret it.
(The two men shake hands as the camera cuts to the next scene.)
SCENE 21
(The Chosen are carrying the last of seven crosses unto the stage. The camera zooms out to show Beta, Tilly, Noel, Debra, Leanne, Gordon and lastly Cal hanging from them. Their heads have sunk to their chest, which is still wet and sticky with fresh blood as all of them have had their throats cut. Camera pans around to show the crowd looking horrified. Some gag, many look away. The camera finds Darryl, staring at the bodies with huge eyes not able to move. The Guardian slowly walks onto the stage.)
Guardian: This could have been prevented. I will give you one more chance to appease Zoot and no more innocent people will have to die. This message is for the rebels: I am willing to make a trade, Amber for the Supreme Mother and the Divine Child. Otherwise she will die like the other leaders.
(The Guardian walks away and with him the crowd quickly disperses. Only a few are left to look at the bodies. A small group of Pack members transfixed by Beta's body. A girl crying at Leanne's feet. Darryl finally pulls his gaze away and hurries back to the hospital.)
SCENE 22
(Cut to Camille and Jasper's room. She's crying into his chest, while he strokes her hair.)
Jasper: Camille, listen to me.
Camille (sobs): He just… he… Tilly. I know what she did was bad, but… it's just because she loved Cloud.
Jasper: Camille…
Camille: He didn't have to… She… (breaks down in sobs)
Jasper: Camille! (she finally looks at him) We should go.
Camille: Go?
Jasper: He's crazy, Camille. You saw what he did to Gel. Lex is still hanging in the projection room and now… He killed your sister.
Camille: But… We can't just go, Jasper.
Jasper: Why not?
Camille: Zoot will find us. He'll unleash his wrath on us.
Jasper: Zoot is not real, Camille.
Camille: Yes, he is! I can hear him speaking to me.
Jasper: No you don't! Jaffa is lying to all of us and using us. I don't want to be responsible for any more people dying.
Camille: You're not. Felix did it.
Jasper: But we didn't stop him. We just stand by. I don't want that anymore. We should get away from here, before Jaffa turns on us too.
Camille: It's the Guardian, Jasper. He doesn't like it, when you call him Jaffa.
Jasper: I don't care! If I leave, are you coming with me?
Camille: Zoot will know. He'll punish us. Please don't leave me as well.
(She continues to sob into his chest. Jasper looks down at her, conflicted, as the camera cuts to the next scene.)
SCENE 23
(Darryl barges into the café, where most of the Mall Rats are studying city maps to prepare for a fight. Ellie looks at him, concerned.)
Ellie: Darryl, what happened?
Darryl: We're too late.
(Kayla takes a few steps toward him, but Cara reaches him first.)
Cara: Too late for what?
Darryl: He already did it. They're all lined up on the stage in front of the school.
(Camera pans around the café, showing the shocked expressions on all the Mall Rat's faces. Kayla's knees buckle and she sinks to the floor, already crying.)
Ram: I can't believe he did that. He just gave away all his power.
Cloe: And they're all displayed there for everyone to see? Amber… Lex…
Cara: Cal! Gel! We know their names! I told you, we should've done something immediately, but no… you wanted to wait and plan and think this through. Now Cal is dead because of it!
Darryl (meekly): Actually… It's the leaders and Tilly and… Cal. He said, he's going to swap Amber for Tai-San and Brady.
Cara: Of course!
(She runs out of the café, pushing Jack in the process. Ellie shakes her head, then goes to kneel next to the crying Kayla.)
Ellie: What about Lex and Gel?
Darryl: He didn't say anything about them.
(He helps Ellie to get Kayla to her feet and guide her out of the café. Paul follows them, to go search for Cara and be alone with his feelings.)
Ryan: We need to talk to Bray. This has to stop now!
(Cloe rubs her eyes and starts leaning on Patsy, who recognizes the signs of an oncoming episode of dissociation immediately. She gently wraps and arm around her waist and leads her away.)
Patsy: Cloe, I'm here. We're with the Mall Rats. We live in the hospital now.
Cloe: No… The Chosen. The mines.
Patsy: You escaped the mines.
(The conversation drifts off, as they disappear off camera.)
Ryan: We have to fight them now. Who knows what else they'll do.
Ruby: You're right. And we can't stay here. Whatever happens to Amber, the Guardian won't stop taking it out on us. Nobody is safe here.
Jack: But where can we go?
Ram: The warehouses. They would be most likely to take us in and they are fairly hidden.
Jack: Alright, then we just need to find a way to get there without the Chosen noticing.
(The four of them lean over the city maps again, to find the best route.)
SCENE 24
(Meanwhile Bray and the others have arrived back at the maternity shop. Tai-San and Alpha are just crawling through the window, when Tai-San sees the glum faces of her friends, she lowers her glance)
Tai-san: You heard.
KC: Yeah.
Bray: And there's more bad news. Mira hasn't come back from her run to the hospital. It's safe to assume, she was caught by the Chosen.
Alpha: Not this as well.
Tai-San: Do you think she'll tell them about us?
Bray: I don't know. She will hold back for a while, but…
Tai-San: He's going to hurt her for that information.
Bray: That's what I feared.
Alpha: We'll have to leave here.
Bray: We already thought it through. The warehouses are the best place, at least they don't have Chosen guards at every entry.
Trudy: But we can't leave tonight. KC can't walk and the kids are too tired.
Bray: We'll do it tomorrow. I trust Mira to hold out that long.
Alpha: That's ridiculous, but whatever… If they show up here, I'm going to make sure, they don't get me first.
(With the conversation over, Bray sits down next to KC to talk about the move. Alpha looks at the sleeping children in the back, then finds a place far away from them. Tai-San motions for Trudy to come talk to her. Trudy follows her slowly.)
Trudy: What is it?
Tai-San: I wanted to apologize. You were very nice to me and I repaid you by helping to take your daughter. I can't even imagine the pain I put you through and… I'm very sorry.
Trudy: I can't say I forgive you, Tai-San. I know you weren't yourself and I accept your apology, but what you did… A mother should never be separated from her child, not like this.
Tai-San: I understand. I just want you to know how much I regret it.
Trudy: I'm glad you protected her. If anything had happened to her…
Tai-San: I can imagine. Thank you for hearing me out, Trudy. I hope, one day, I can earn back your trust.
Trudy (nods): We'll see.
SCENE 25
(Cut to Mira still tied up in the theatre chair. A shadow falls on her face and the camera turns around to show the Guardian towering over her. Mira tries to stare back unmoved, but she can't hide the fear in her eyes.)
Guardian: Do you know what just happened outside?
Mira: You had a bunch of people killed for show.
Guardian: Do you want to join them?
Mira: Not particularly.
Guardian: That is fortunate for you. I will spare your life if you tell me, where to find Bray and Trudy. If you refuse the offer (Felix steps up behind the Guardian), I'll have Felix here take care of you. He's skilled, but he's tired right now, so I can't guarantee it to be quick.
(Mira stares at Felix and the blade in his hand, then back to the Guardian. Before she can give her answer, the screen fades to black.)