*Disclaimer - The characters in this story belong to Orson Scott Card who wrote the book "The Lost Boys" and Joel Schumacher who directed "The Lost Boys" Movie. I only own the storyline to The Street Rat and the original characters.*

Chapter One

9:45 pm

A bonfire burned on the beach. Crowded around were street rats trying to cook food that they had stolen from venders or food bought with stolen money. Two boys kept visual for trouble while the other street rats, 5 boys and 3 girls, cooked food passing some to the two guards. They all knew, especially the girls, that being caught by the Surf Nazis or a criminal was dangerous to their health. To survive they had to be quick on their feet or their face would be on a missing poster.

They discussed information about what has occurred on the boardwalk, new dangers they had seen as well as random things whether it be an idea or a memory from long ago.

This group of street rats were a little smarter than other rift raft that plagued the street. They knew to survive they needed each other so they stuck together and shared the spoils of a long day pickpocketing tourists and rich locals. As a group they were safe but separated they were in danger of being picked off by something or someone.

The ages ranged from 12 years old to 17 years old however the people in the group came and went as street rats disappeared every day. Sometimes a body was fund but most of the time no one ever learned the fate of a disappeared person.

A young girl of 10 leaned forward and leaned on her bent knees. "Do you guys ever miss home? I do. Sometimes I wish I could go home to my mama but she won't want me anymore with being married to James and their twins being born."

One of the guards snorted. "Nah. Only thing good about home was if my pop got lucky at cards and won lots a cash. Those were the good day's cause I would get a decent meal. Bad days I was lucky ta have the skin on my back. Nah. I take Santa Carla and the death that comes with it than going home. Best ya forget about it kid. Ya momma don't miss ya."

The other guard nodded his head. "Best not to think about home kid."

An older girl of 16 frowned. "Don't tell her that Kyle. You too Mathew. That's just mean." The girl turned to the young girl. "Susan I'm sure ya mama missis ya. I'm sure she is worried sick about ya."

Susan frowned. "ya really think Maya? I mean she has a new family now. Why would she want me?" A tear ran down Susan's face. She knew she shouldn't cry but she really missed her mama.

Maya got up and wrapped an arm around Susan's shoulders. "Yes I bet she does. How about we call her and you talk to her. We won't tell her where ya are but at least she'll know you're safe."

Susan nodded her head and smiled at Maya. She smiled back before walking and sitting between a boy and a girl.

Maya turned her attention toward the boardwalk. The people passed by not glancing at the street rats by the fire or the ones running through the crowd. Nothing attracted her attention until she saw them.

The four men who were constantly got into trouble with everyone on the boardwalk but no one was willing to go against them. Those who did were fools.

Maya knew them all by name and their personalities. She remembered the first day she had appeared her at 12 years old. The first time she had ever met the Lost Boys

FLASHBACK

12 year old Maya dug through the trash behind the pizza stuff. She was so hungry but she didn't have any money and she didn't know how to pit pocket without being caught. Maya had just lifted the lid to the last trashcan when she heard it. Footsteps. Behind her. Maya jerked around and ran but she slammed into an emasculated chest. She fell to the ground on her back and moaned. She rubbed her head and slowly raised her eyes up to the eyes of the figure above her.

A male who appeared to be 19 smirked down at the small girl. "Look here boys. We found a little rat or should I say mouse." HE and the other three boys laughed.

Maya stood and tried to run but was yanked back by one of the men. "Nah uh princess. We're gonna have some fun. Behave and we may let ya live."

The male who held her forced her down on her back and held her down. A tear ran down Maya's face as she closed her eyes not wanting to see what was about to happen as the man lowered himself down to where she was.

Maya was confused when she felt the weight suddenly lifted off of her. She opened her eyes to see a boy with his back to her. His Leather Jacket was covered in different patches with a pair of cowboy chaps on his jeans and a white wife beater shirt. Maya slowly scooted back and cowered by the wall behind her.

One of the men ran at the boy and swung at him. The boy grabbed his fist and twisted it around and behind the man's back before shoving him forward into his friends.

The four men frowned and turned toward the boy with fury in their eyes. Their plan was to do the girl but now they were going to kill this kid and then do the girl.

The first male took one step forward and was about to raise his fist when he heard clapping in the distance. He turned to look at the end of the alley to see three other men standing there.

One had bleach blond hair and was dressed all in black, the second man was Native American and the last was a wananbe rocker with crazy hair. The bleach blond boy's eyes shifted for a second to Maya before turning toward the men.

"Look what we got here boys? A bunch of little boys trying to make themselves feel so big they have ta attack a kid. What's wrong boys? The women of Santa Carla think you're a poor excuse of men that ya have ta turn attention to a little girl? Why don't we show ya what real men are like."

The rock star blond and the boy with the patched coat burst out laughing however the Native American man walked over and pulled Maya up from the ground. He pushed her toward the entrance of the alley. "Get out of here kid."

Maya took three steps before turning back to look at him. "Who are you all?"

He smiled and raise an eyebrow. "Dwayne. We're the Lost Boys. Now get outa here kid."

Maya nodded before turning and running out of the alley. She never looked back to see what the fate was of those four men.

END FLASHBACK

Maya sighed as she thought about that day. They hadn't changed in appearance or behavior.

Kyle frowned as he watched Maya watch the Lost Boys. He hated those boys. They were nothing but trouble. He was sure they were responsible for the deaths of so many people but there was no evidence of that.

He glanced at the boardwalk and saw a group of Surf Nazis getting on a ride. He knew his time with the group was almost up. Kyle turned his attention to the group and asked the one question that would divide the group. "If you could join any group on the Boardwalk who would it be? I would join the Surf Nazis. Scores of women at their feet. All the drugs I could ask for. Free living. What about the rest of you?"

Kyle watched as each kid in the group told what they would do and why. He sneered at Susan when she shrugged her shoulders at his question. He settled his eyes on the last of their group, Maya. "What about you Maya? Would you join the surf Nazis with me? We could look out for each other and take care of one another."

Maya turned her eyes away from the Lost Boys to focus on Kyle.

"I'd jump off the cliffs by the light house before I would ever join the Surf Nazis. They abuse their women. If I had to join a group on this boardwalk I'd join The Lost Boys"

Everyone gasped at that statement. None could believe she said that.

Mathew turned from where he was sitting to face Maya. "Why on earth would you choose them? Their crazy."

Maya frowned and rolled her eyes. "Have any of ya ever watched them?" at no response from her friends she continued "the girl and kid they have with them? Do they look underfed or look like one of the men hit them? No? They may be dangerous to those not part of the group but to each other they treat like family. They joke with each other and even the kid. If I had to join any group I'd pick the one that at least looks out for their members."

Susan grabbed onto Maya's arm and tugged on it. "Their watching you. Could they have heard ya from here?"

Maya frowned and looked up at the boardwalk. Sure enough all four were turned around and looking right at her. She looked the bleached blond leader in the eyes and raised an eyebrow. He smirked at her and leaned on the wood just watching. Maya was about to call out that staring was rude till one of the younger kids yelled out and pointed behind Kyle.

"Surf Nazis heading this way"

Maya and the others glanced in the direction the kid pointed before grabbing their stuff to flee. Maya grabbed her stuff and Susan's hand pulling her to the boardwalk and safety it provided. It was easy to blend into the crowd that flooded it.

The others spilt up as they abandoned the bonfire. Messing with the Surf Nazis could get you killed.

As Maya and Susan ran up the steps onto the boardwalk she glanced to the side as they passed The Lost Boys. They had turned and was following the girls with their eyes. Each smirked as if they had heard every word Maya had said.

She shook her head and focused on running through the crowd. There was no way they could have heard her from where she was on the beach. It's not like they had super hearing or anything like that.

Right now she needed to focus on herself and Susan. She could figure out the mystery of The Lost Boys another time. It's not like the secret of The Lost Boys would kill her.