*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 2

Boardwalk - 9:25am

Susan and Maya had crowded into a phone booth. Susan kept fidgeting as Maya typed in the number and handed the phone to her.

Susan raised the phone to her ear and listened as the phone rang once, Twice, three times before it was picked up.

"Hello?!" A woman's voice could be heard over the phone. The voice sounded tired and strained as if the woman was worn down to almost nothing.

"Hello?! Is anyone there?!"

A tear ran down Susan's face and she sniffed.

"Susan?! Baby?! Is that you?!" The woman's voice raised in volume.

Susan glanced at Maya before focusing on the phone. "Mama?!"

"Oh Susan. Honey where are you?! Please baby. Come home to mama. We've been so worried about you?!" The woman started sobbing.

A man's voice could be heard in the background asking for the phone.

"Susan Honey. It's James. Please tell me where you are. I will come get you. Please we want you home honey. We love you. I know we had a rocky start at the beginning but I'm begging you baby please come home."

Susan started crying and pushed the phone into Maya's hands before running out of the phone booth.

Maya took a deep breath before lifting the phone up to her ear.

"Sir. She's not ready to come home just yet but I promise Susan's being looked after. I'll try talking her into coming home but if she is forced too she may run again. It has to be her choice. I'll make sure she calls again."

Maya hung the phone up and walked out of the booth looking for the 12 year old. She spotted her sitting on the steps leading toward the beach.

Maya walked over and sat down beside the kid. She didn't say a word just let the kid cry.

Susan turned to face Maya. "I wanta go home but what if they are lying. What if they are only saying that stuff because someone was listening? What do I do Maya?"

Maya sighed before turning toward Susan. "My Father was a good man when my mother was alive. He loved me and treated me like his little princess. My mom and I were best friends. I could tell her anything. When my mom died something in my dad died too. He changed into the vindictive evil man he is now."

Maya stood and leaned against the railing of the stairs. She observed the boardwalk and the homeless kids that already appeared.

"I know many would give to have a chance to have a family like what you have Susan including me. A mom and stepdad who cry because they miss you."

Maya turned her head and looked right at Susan. She prayed her words hit home with her.

"You know what this life is like out here on the street. We have no choice because we have nowhere to go back too. You do. I think the only way to know if they are telling the truth is to go back and find out for yourself but it's your choice. What do you want to do kid? Take the chance and see if there is something there or remain on the street and never know if you had an opportunity for something better than what we have here?"

Maya slowly walked up the steps but stopped at the top step. "Make up your decision kid before it's too late. Once you're ingrained in Santa Carla it's hard to walk away."

Susan watched as Maya disappeared into the crowd before turning to face the ocean. She was scared but would it be worth it to try and talk to her parents.

"What have we here boys? A little sea shell all alone"

Susan jerked her head toward the surf Nazi group that had appeared. She jumped up and ran up the steps dodging a hand that reached out to stop her.

Susan saw Maya leaning against the wall and ran up to her. When Maya looked down at her Susan took a deep breath before telling Maya what she wanted.

"I wanta go home."

Maya smirked and wrapped an arm around her friends shoulder. "Well then let's get some money and then we'll get you on your way home."

Susan smiled up as Maya guided her into the crowd that started forming on Santa Carla's Boardwalk.

Elsewhere

Everyone knew that mornings were the worst time to pit pocket people. It was better to wait until late afternoon and night to pit pocket. This left lots of free time for the group which meant it was time to explore the surrounding area.

Kyle smirked as he climbed toward the light house. He glanced behind him to watch the other three kids who came with him. They were huffing and puffing as they climbed up to the top. He walked to the edge of the cliffs and looked down.

Kyle couldn't help but shudder. Falling would be horrible.

"Kyle" A boy of 14 poked his shoulder. "Look there"

Kyle turned to look where the kid pointed and noticed stairs that led to a cave with a chain link fence. He smirked. "Come on lets go see what's down there."

The four street rats had made it down the stairs and past the fence ignoring the danger signs.

Inside the cave was couches, barrels of wood, a wheel chair and random junk. The only girl of the group, Tara, jumped on the fountain and started walking in a circle looking at the things around her.

Kyle smirked. It was amazing. He couldn't help but wonder whose hideout it was.

"Hey Kyle. Look at my new jacket." Kyle turned to look at Tara. She sported a new jacket all right. It was covered with weird patches on it. She smiled. "I think I'm gonna keep it. Looks better on me than the loser who left it here" She turned and started digging through the junk on the ground.

He turned as someone placed a hand on his shoulder. Mathew pointed to the bed in the corner of the cave. "There are two people asleep in the corner. A woman and kid." Mathew snorted "They sleep like the dead man. Even shaking them won't wake them up"

Kyle raised an eyebrow before the 14 year old stopped him. "Look what I found. Its wine" The kid held up a jeweled bottle. Inside filled almost to the brim was a red liquid. Kyle took it from him and held it up. He couldn't figure out what was kind of wine it was but he knew it was his now.

Matt grabbed Kyle's arm. "We should head back. It's going to be a long walk back to the boardwalk and the factory."

Kyle nodded before turning to the entrance with the other three following him.

If only the four had known who's home they had robbed or the consequences that would come with it.