Okay, this was extremely random, and badly written at first I
think. It takes place after the episode where Salene and Pride are arguing
about television, only in this version Lex isn't being held captive. If
there are details wrong with it, I apologize sincerely, and I also
apologize for the random part of the season this follows, I just thought
this would be interesting. I do not own the Tribe by the way. Oh, and this
is a Salene/Pride fic. Please r/r.
Don't Leave
Chapter 1: Aggressive Tendencies
It wasn't supposed to end this way; the good guys were supposed to triumph and everyone was supposed o live happily ever after, wasn't that the way it was supposed to be? Now, it was all ending harshly in a sea of blood and violence with nothing to show but tears. One by one they had gone, each valiantly and bravely fighting until their last breaths, and yet their courage just wasn't enough. The attack was not expected, and they just weren't ready for the onslaught. Their numbers were too large, their weapons were too deadly, and their aim was too accurate; it was clear that they would take no prisoners, for they were trying to set an example for the rest of the Tribes. The Mall Rats had been the largest threat to the Technos, with their scheming and blatant attempts to thwart their plans, and so they had to be deleted.
Lex had been the first to fall, and perhaps that had marked their fate in this battle; he might have been stupid at times, but he fought passionately for those who were no longer with them. He fought for TaiSan, though he was in love with Siva, Lex never felt that he had avenged her death, and so when he fought, he did his best to redeem himself to her memory. It was a coward's kill, Lex didn't even have a chance to retaliate, because his back was turned when they destroyed him. Everyone had just been lounging around, nothing special, when a group of Technos, marched in and began firing immediately without regard.
There was no time to rally the city in battle, no time to call out for outside help, it was just the end. Everyone snapped to attention in Pride's room from sounds of the intruders, knowing all to well that they would have to fight and probably lose. The arguing immediately ceased as their minds raced. Mouse ran into the room with her eyes full of tears, and clung to Pride for protection. She was sporting a cut on his left cheek which dripped with blood. The mere sight of it outraged Pride who just couldn't understand why somebody would want to hurt harmless children. All his life he knew that the innocent and good shouldn't suffer, and this child was the definition of innocent. Anyone so blind, so cowardly to attack her could not have a soul; could not be human. At one you could see the frustration and stubbornness from the argument transform into the rage that only a warrior could have.
"Salene," he said menacingly, but she knew that it was in no way directed towards her this time, "Get her out of here, we'll clear a path, won't we Eagle?" he looked to Amber who reluctantly nodded. She knew she had to help, these people were her friends and practically, but she had her own child to think about. Did she want to go into this battle? No. Did she know the risks? Yes. Was she scared? Absolutely, she was terrified at the thought of leaving her child the way her parents had left her when the virus struck. There was no other option though, it was either kill or be killed.
"Right," agreed Salene ushering Mouse close to her, "You understand? Stay near me, and once you get outside run as fast as you can and get help while we do our best t-" she was cut off by Pride.
"No Salene, you're not coming back in here," he took a step towards her, "Who knows if they anyone will believe a child, but they will believe you."
"But-"
"We need you alive Salene," he put his hand on her arm. Pride had this ability to look a person straight in the eyes even when things were at their worst and show so much emotion.
"Alright," she gave a little nod and let Amber and Pride step in front of her and the children.
"This is suicide," Amber whispered under her breath, "No weapons, no back up, and who knows if Cloe and Trudy are okay, they could have killed them by now."
"Don't think like," Pride shot her a dark look, "What happens, happens, but that doesn't mean that we assume the worst, got it? Okay," he paused, "Everyone ready?" he gave a hand motion indicating them to charge from the room. The Technos were fighting off Trudy at that moment, and it appeared that she was the only one left, but she wasn't one to give up even with those odds. She made a fatal mistake though, at the sound of the approaching footsteps of her friends, she turned her head to see them, and with that carelessness she found herself unable to dodge an incoming blast.
"Trudy!" Amber shouted trying to dash after her, but was held back by Pride.
"It's too late, come on!" he hissed forcing her forward. They rushed at their opponents; fists flying, blasts being shot from all directions.
Salene didn't look at her friends; she just concentrated on the door in front of her. She was afraid to death at the prospect of seeing any more of her friends be disposed of so horribly before they even had a chance to live, after all, wasn't that always the case? Anyone who had died after the virus was robbed of their life; none of the people in the city were ready to die, and none should, and yet there were three dead bodies on the floor. Salene considered herself lucky to be in such company at the moment, two Eco Warriors, though one was still week, nobody could ask for better protectors. It was a relief to know that they could handle themselves in combat, but as she ran, the thought of their inevitable end came to mind, and the fact that the last conversation she had with Pride was an argument. Perhaps she shouldn't have said those things about him after all he had done for the Mall Rats---For her. Sure she was the new "leader" of the group, but Pride was the one who held it together with his attributes; he had such an eye for things, catching the seemingly invisible; he knew what plan of action to take during trouble, and he was the type of person to fight until the end for what mattered to him. Then there was the other part of him, the part that knew how to make you feel safe, he was so easy to talk to, and maybe that is why the children liked him the most; he was the one who first connected to them, being so fatherly almost. Pride was the kind of person who grew up to quickly, as many had to after the virus struck, but he was different somehow. The thought of never seeing him again scared her more than anything else.
While entwined in these thoughts, she had barely noticed when she had reached the door successfully. Salene made Mouse go out first, to insure her safety, and as Salene went to leave she was pulled back by her hair and thrown on the ground forcefully. Though dazed she recognized the weapon pointed directly at her by one of the Technos. Now she realized that she didn't have to worry about never seeing Pride again, because this was the end. As she came back to her senses, she froze, wanting to move out of the way, wanting to make a run for it, but unable to. Salene knew that she was staring death in the eye, and she couldn't take it. In anticipation for the blast, she shut her eyes tight, awaiting the pain, but it didn't have time to come. Pride had yanked her upwards, and was pulling her along quickly to the kitchen for some reason. It didn't make sense though, even if he had pulled her up, the blast would have surely gotten her by that time wouldn't it have?
They took refuge under a counter, each breathing hard, and it was then that she knew why the blast hadn't come; Pride had taken it for her. He was bleeding from the right side of his abdomen that had been torn open. She heard doors open from somewhere, but she instantly dismissed it.
"Pride you're hurt," she looked up into his pained eyes, which for the first time, tried to avoid hers. Immediately she ripped a piece of her shirt off and pressed it firmly against the wound, bringing forth a small cry from Pride. "We need to stop the bleeding," she removed the cloth quickly to get a better idea of the severity of the injury. The mere sight of it made her cringe.
"It's pretty bad isn't it?" he whispered, the words lined with pain as he bravely looked down seeing the blood soaked cloth. Pride wasn't one to give up hope, but he knew that if this injury didn't kill him, the Technos soon would.
"No," she lied, "No, you'll be fine," her eyes were watering as she recognized that her fear was coming true. To her surprise, he smiled.
"You'd cry for me?" he gave a weak laugh.
"Of course I would, and you know it," this couldn't be happening, it just couldn't be happening, not now, not when they were getting so close; screw the argument, screw Ram and his technology, it didn't matter now.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't talk Pride," this was too painful, "Save your strength."
"You were right," he ignored her request, "I was being pig headed, I shouldn't have-"
"Don't say things like that," sobs broke into her voice, "Don't talk like you're dying, don't try to make amends with me, you don't need to, I'll forgive you for anything," he placed a hand on her cheek and wiped away the tears.
"I was scared before," he admitted, "Scared that if I cared for somebody I would lose them, and now that time I spent in fear was wasted," another look of pain crossed his features, "I always appreciated everything you did," she really wish that he would stop talking in past tense.
"What are you trying to say?" she knew all to well what he was trying to say, but she wanted to hear him say it, before he- No! He wasn't going to die.
"I should have told you a long time ago," he whispered, "Salene, I love you," with these words she cried even harder, so happy he had said it, but so miserable at the circumstance.
"I love you too," she managed a smile, but it didn't last long; his eyes fluttered, wanting so much to close, wanting to go into that place of serenity and peace that could never exist on this world, "No!" she shouted, taking one hand off his wound and shaking him, "Don't die Pride," she looked down, completely destroyed. Pride's eyes became steady, but unfocused, "Don't go, don't leave me alone!"
"It's gonna take more than that to get rid of me," his voice was barely audible, but she heard him, and silently thanked whatever force there was up there, the force that had taken away her parents, Ryan, and so many that she had loved away, that they didn't take Pride away. "Do you hear that?" he asked, eyes sharpening. There were no more sounds of battle, only footsteps approaching their hiding place. Salene placed his hands on his wound, knowing that she would have to be the one to fight, and she had to fight.
Quickly she stood up, ready to charge at the attackers, and maybe if they thought Pride was already dead from the wound, and she wound up being deleted, they would leave him alone. What she saw when she looked towards the source of the footsteps wasn't menacing figures though, but they belonged to Ebony and Jay.
"Oh thank god they didn't get all of you," Ebony exclaimed striding over to her, "I had no idea this was going to happen, Ram was just so angry when Amber had escaped, and then somebody spotted her here," she was rambling again, "I never thought he would do something like this, I-"
"Ebony!" Salene raised her voice, "Enough! Pride is hurt badly, we need to get him some help, and fast."
"But how?" she asked, "There aren't any medical supplies in the city, we can't-"
"I can get you the supplies you need," Jay interrupted, "We have medical supplies at headquarters," he walked over to where they were hiding and crouched down to see Pride, "I just need to get an idea of what we need," he lifted Pride's shaky hands so that he could see the wound. His eyes flickered; it was bad, but he couldn't tell them that.
"Well?" Ebony asked anxiously coming up from behind. Jay quickly put Pride's hands in their previous position.
"He'll make it," it wasn't necessarily a lie, from what he saw, and mind you he was no doctor, Pride's well being was up in the air, "Come on, help me get him to his room," he carefully pulled Pride up, taking his right side while Ebony took the left.
"Wait!" called Salene, "What about Amber? Is she-"
"I'm here," the roughed up form of Amber came limping towards them.
"Are you okay?" Jay asked in a concerned voice, which made Ebony give him a "look."
"Yeah I'm fine, banged my head a little but nothing serious" she leaned against the counter, "Just get Pride to his room, don't worry about me," Jay nodded to her and proceeded to Pride's room.
Salene urgently opened a drawer and took out as many towels as she could. Jay might be able to get the medicine and supplies that Pride so desperately needed, but she knew that she came extremely close to losing him. Who knew how long it would take for Jay to come back?
"Salene calm down," Amber said soothingly, but to no avail.
"I can't calm down!" she shouted, still bustling around the kitchen, filling a bowl with warm water, "If Pride dies, it will be my fault, he took the blast for me, and I can't lose Pride!" she was coming close to tears again. Amber went over to her and grabbed her by the shoulders harshly.
"Pride is not going to die, he's strong, and he won't die," she shook her sharply, "Even if he was going to die, which he ISN'T, it wouldn't be your fault. Pride knew what he was doing, and it was the same thing that you would have done for him. Do not blame yourself for this, got it?!" all Salene could do was nod.
"We're going to get the medicine," Jay announced as he walked back into the room and headed out the door, closely followed by Ebony.
"Both of you?" called Amber causing Ebony to turn back around.
"No, I'm going to make sure nobody else attacks this place, they'll listen to me," she too walked out the door.
"Salene," the attention was redirected to her, "I want you to take care of Pride, I'm going to find Mouse, it isn't safe for her to be alone in the city right now."
"I completely forgot about Mouse," her voice was sounding critical again with worry, but Amber stayed calm.
"Don't worry, I'll find her," she gave a comforting smile before leaving. Salene made her way to Pride's room with the towels and bowl, trying to ignore the bodies sprawled out all over the floor. Her friends and enemies lay destroyed, and though she hated the Technos, in a way she felt pity for them. Who was going to cry for them, and morn them? Nobody would remember them, not like the Mall Rats would remember those who had fallen. She tried to push those thoughts out of her head, now wasn't the time for contemplation.
"Pride?" she said meekly as she entered the camouflaged room, holding her breath as she awaited an answer or the utter silence of death.
"I'm still here," it was as if he had read her mind. He didn't lift his head though, he made no signs that he was alive, the only thing that confirmed it was his voice.
"Oh thank god," she set the things on his nightstand and kneeled next to his bed.. Pride let his head fall to the right to see her, in return she gave a forced smile. His hands were no longer on his injury, perhaps he was too weak from the blood loss to apply a sufficient amount of pressure to it. Quickly she removed the bloodied piece of material from his body and carefully removed his interfering shirt.
"It's funny," he said quietly, "In a way this battle helped."
"How do you mean?" she asked as she wet one of the towels with the warm water.
"I mean-" he cut himself off with a small groan as she dabbed his burden. She immediately stopped and gave an apologetic look, "It's okay," he swallowed hard, pushing down the pain, "I meant that the battle set things in perspective, and now we know that they aren't harmless, it just gives us something to build on against them."
"Yeah," she said slowly knowing all to well that they wouldn't be fighting or rallying anytime soon, at least not until he recovered.
"And we aren't arguing now," he was obviously trying to brighten her mood, but every pained, weak word he spoke just jabbed at her heart, "And we finally got things out in the open."
"Yeah," she repeated, but she couldn't help giving a smile, a REAL smile, but it faded as a far off look came over her.
"What are you thinking?"
"Maybe," she paused wondering weather or not to continue, "Do you think that once this is all over, when you get better and the Technos are gone, that we could leave here?" she looked into his eyes and quickly looked away, "Never mind, it was a stupid thou-"
"Where would we go?" he reached his hand for hers on his stomach, "Where would we go?" he repeated.
"I don't know, it's just that after all that's happened here in the past, and now this, I just don't think I can take all the bad memories," she took her hand away from his to put the wet towel on the nightstand and replaced it with a thick white one, "Maybe we could stay with the Eco Tribe? Go with Amber when she heads back."
"You'd like it there," he said with a smile, "It might be the best thing for both of us."
"Really?" she couldn't believe that he was agreeing with her on this.
"Yes. I don't think I could stay here either," there was a long silence, where both just smiled at each other's comments.
"I'm going to get you some water okay?" Salene stood up.
"Don't be long," he replied softly.
"I won't," she left the room with an even larger smile on her face, in a way, this attack was a miracle.
To Be Continued.
Well? The second half of it was better than the first no? Well please r/r, it really encourages me to write more (
Don't Leave
Chapter 1: Aggressive Tendencies
It wasn't supposed to end this way; the good guys were supposed to triumph and everyone was supposed o live happily ever after, wasn't that the way it was supposed to be? Now, it was all ending harshly in a sea of blood and violence with nothing to show but tears. One by one they had gone, each valiantly and bravely fighting until their last breaths, and yet their courage just wasn't enough. The attack was not expected, and they just weren't ready for the onslaught. Their numbers were too large, their weapons were too deadly, and their aim was too accurate; it was clear that they would take no prisoners, for they were trying to set an example for the rest of the Tribes. The Mall Rats had been the largest threat to the Technos, with their scheming and blatant attempts to thwart their plans, and so they had to be deleted.
Lex had been the first to fall, and perhaps that had marked their fate in this battle; he might have been stupid at times, but he fought passionately for those who were no longer with them. He fought for TaiSan, though he was in love with Siva, Lex never felt that he had avenged her death, and so when he fought, he did his best to redeem himself to her memory. It was a coward's kill, Lex didn't even have a chance to retaliate, because his back was turned when they destroyed him. Everyone had just been lounging around, nothing special, when a group of Technos, marched in and began firing immediately without regard.
There was no time to rally the city in battle, no time to call out for outside help, it was just the end. Everyone snapped to attention in Pride's room from sounds of the intruders, knowing all to well that they would have to fight and probably lose. The arguing immediately ceased as their minds raced. Mouse ran into the room with her eyes full of tears, and clung to Pride for protection. She was sporting a cut on his left cheek which dripped with blood. The mere sight of it outraged Pride who just couldn't understand why somebody would want to hurt harmless children. All his life he knew that the innocent and good shouldn't suffer, and this child was the definition of innocent. Anyone so blind, so cowardly to attack her could not have a soul; could not be human. At one you could see the frustration and stubbornness from the argument transform into the rage that only a warrior could have.
"Salene," he said menacingly, but she knew that it was in no way directed towards her this time, "Get her out of here, we'll clear a path, won't we Eagle?" he looked to Amber who reluctantly nodded. She knew she had to help, these people were her friends and practically, but she had her own child to think about. Did she want to go into this battle? No. Did she know the risks? Yes. Was she scared? Absolutely, she was terrified at the thought of leaving her child the way her parents had left her when the virus struck. There was no other option though, it was either kill or be killed.
"Right," agreed Salene ushering Mouse close to her, "You understand? Stay near me, and once you get outside run as fast as you can and get help while we do our best t-" she was cut off by Pride.
"No Salene, you're not coming back in here," he took a step towards her, "Who knows if they anyone will believe a child, but they will believe you."
"But-"
"We need you alive Salene," he put his hand on her arm. Pride had this ability to look a person straight in the eyes even when things were at their worst and show so much emotion.
"Alright," she gave a little nod and let Amber and Pride step in front of her and the children.
"This is suicide," Amber whispered under her breath, "No weapons, no back up, and who knows if Cloe and Trudy are okay, they could have killed them by now."
"Don't think like," Pride shot her a dark look, "What happens, happens, but that doesn't mean that we assume the worst, got it? Okay," he paused, "Everyone ready?" he gave a hand motion indicating them to charge from the room. The Technos were fighting off Trudy at that moment, and it appeared that she was the only one left, but she wasn't one to give up even with those odds. She made a fatal mistake though, at the sound of the approaching footsteps of her friends, she turned her head to see them, and with that carelessness she found herself unable to dodge an incoming blast.
"Trudy!" Amber shouted trying to dash after her, but was held back by Pride.
"It's too late, come on!" he hissed forcing her forward. They rushed at their opponents; fists flying, blasts being shot from all directions.
Salene didn't look at her friends; she just concentrated on the door in front of her. She was afraid to death at the prospect of seeing any more of her friends be disposed of so horribly before they even had a chance to live, after all, wasn't that always the case? Anyone who had died after the virus was robbed of their life; none of the people in the city were ready to die, and none should, and yet there were three dead bodies on the floor. Salene considered herself lucky to be in such company at the moment, two Eco Warriors, though one was still week, nobody could ask for better protectors. It was a relief to know that they could handle themselves in combat, but as she ran, the thought of their inevitable end came to mind, and the fact that the last conversation she had with Pride was an argument. Perhaps she shouldn't have said those things about him after all he had done for the Mall Rats---For her. Sure she was the new "leader" of the group, but Pride was the one who held it together with his attributes; he had such an eye for things, catching the seemingly invisible; he knew what plan of action to take during trouble, and he was the type of person to fight until the end for what mattered to him. Then there was the other part of him, the part that knew how to make you feel safe, he was so easy to talk to, and maybe that is why the children liked him the most; he was the one who first connected to them, being so fatherly almost. Pride was the kind of person who grew up to quickly, as many had to after the virus struck, but he was different somehow. The thought of never seeing him again scared her more than anything else.
While entwined in these thoughts, she had barely noticed when she had reached the door successfully. Salene made Mouse go out first, to insure her safety, and as Salene went to leave she was pulled back by her hair and thrown on the ground forcefully. Though dazed she recognized the weapon pointed directly at her by one of the Technos. Now she realized that she didn't have to worry about never seeing Pride again, because this was the end. As she came back to her senses, she froze, wanting to move out of the way, wanting to make a run for it, but unable to. Salene knew that she was staring death in the eye, and she couldn't take it. In anticipation for the blast, she shut her eyes tight, awaiting the pain, but it didn't have time to come. Pride had yanked her upwards, and was pulling her along quickly to the kitchen for some reason. It didn't make sense though, even if he had pulled her up, the blast would have surely gotten her by that time wouldn't it have?
They took refuge under a counter, each breathing hard, and it was then that she knew why the blast hadn't come; Pride had taken it for her. He was bleeding from the right side of his abdomen that had been torn open. She heard doors open from somewhere, but she instantly dismissed it.
"Pride you're hurt," she looked up into his pained eyes, which for the first time, tried to avoid hers. Immediately she ripped a piece of her shirt off and pressed it firmly against the wound, bringing forth a small cry from Pride. "We need to stop the bleeding," she removed the cloth quickly to get a better idea of the severity of the injury. The mere sight of it made her cringe.
"It's pretty bad isn't it?" he whispered, the words lined with pain as he bravely looked down seeing the blood soaked cloth. Pride wasn't one to give up hope, but he knew that if this injury didn't kill him, the Technos soon would.
"No," she lied, "No, you'll be fine," her eyes were watering as she recognized that her fear was coming true. To her surprise, he smiled.
"You'd cry for me?" he gave a weak laugh.
"Of course I would, and you know it," this couldn't be happening, it just couldn't be happening, not now, not when they were getting so close; screw the argument, screw Ram and his technology, it didn't matter now.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't talk Pride," this was too painful, "Save your strength."
"You were right," he ignored her request, "I was being pig headed, I shouldn't have-"
"Don't say things like that," sobs broke into her voice, "Don't talk like you're dying, don't try to make amends with me, you don't need to, I'll forgive you for anything," he placed a hand on her cheek and wiped away the tears.
"I was scared before," he admitted, "Scared that if I cared for somebody I would lose them, and now that time I spent in fear was wasted," another look of pain crossed his features, "I always appreciated everything you did," she really wish that he would stop talking in past tense.
"What are you trying to say?" she knew all to well what he was trying to say, but she wanted to hear him say it, before he- No! He wasn't going to die.
"I should have told you a long time ago," he whispered, "Salene, I love you," with these words she cried even harder, so happy he had said it, but so miserable at the circumstance.
"I love you too," she managed a smile, but it didn't last long; his eyes fluttered, wanting so much to close, wanting to go into that place of serenity and peace that could never exist on this world, "No!" she shouted, taking one hand off his wound and shaking him, "Don't die Pride," she looked down, completely destroyed. Pride's eyes became steady, but unfocused, "Don't go, don't leave me alone!"
"It's gonna take more than that to get rid of me," his voice was barely audible, but she heard him, and silently thanked whatever force there was up there, the force that had taken away her parents, Ryan, and so many that she had loved away, that they didn't take Pride away. "Do you hear that?" he asked, eyes sharpening. There were no more sounds of battle, only footsteps approaching their hiding place. Salene placed his hands on his wound, knowing that she would have to be the one to fight, and she had to fight.
Quickly she stood up, ready to charge at the attackers, and maybe if they thought Pride was already dead from the wound, and she wound up being deleted, they would leave him alone. What she saw when she looked towards the source of the footsteps wasn't menacing figures though, but they belonged to Ebony and Jay.
"Oh thank god they didn't get all of you," Ebony exclaimed striding over to her, "I had no idea this was going to happen, Ram was just so angry when Amber had escaped, and then somebody spotted her here," she was rambling again, "I never thought he would do something like this, I-"
"Ebony!" Salene raised her voice, "Enough! Pride is hurt badly, we need to get him some help, and fast."
"But how?" she asked, "There aren't any medical supplies in the city, we can't-"
"I can get you the supplies you need," Jay interrupted, "We have medical supplies at headquarters," he walked over to where they were hiding and crouched down to see Pride, "I just need to get an idea of what we need," he lifted Pride's shaky hands so that he could see the wound. His eyes flickered; it was bad, but he couldn't tell them that.
"Well?" Ebony asked anxiously coming up from behind. Jay quickly put Pride's hands in their previous position.
"He'll make it," it wasn't necessarily a lie, from what he saw, and mind you he was no doctor, Pride's well being was up in the air, "Come on, help me get him to his room," he carefully pulled Pride up, taking his right side while Ebony took the left.
"Wait!" called Salene, "What about Amber? Is she-"
"I'm here," the roughed up form of Amber came limping towards them.
"Are you okay?" Jay asked in a concerned voice, which made Ebony give him a "look."
"Yeah I'm fine, banged my head a little but nothing serious" she leaned against the counter, "Just get Pride to his room, don't worry about me," Jay nodded to her and proceeded to Pride's room.
Salene urgently opened a drawer and took out as many towels as she could. Jay might be able to get the medicine and supplies that Pride so desperately needed, but she knew that she came extremely close to losing him. Who knew how long it would take for Jay to come back?
"Salene calm down," Amber said soothingly, but to no avail.
"I can't calm down!" she shouted, still bustling around the kitchen, filling a bowl with warm water, "If Pride dies, it will be my fault, he took the blast for me, and I can't lose Pride!" she was coming close to tears again. Amber went over to her and grabbed her by the shoulders harshly.
"Pride is not going to die, he's strong, and he won't die," she shook her sharply, "Even if he was going to die, which he ISN'T, it wouldn't be your fault. Pride knew what he was doing, and it was the same thing that you would have done for him. Do not blame yourself for this, got it?!" all Salene could do was nod.
"We're going to get the medicine," Jay announced as he walked back into the room and headed out the door, closely followed by Ebony.
"Both of you?" called Amber causing Ebony to turn back around.
"No, I'm going to make sure nobody else attacks this place, they'll listen to me," she too walked out the door.
"Salene," the attention was redirected to her, "I want you to take care of Pride, I'm going to find Mouse, it isn't safe for her to be alone in the city right now."
"I completely forgot about Mouse," her voice was sounding critical again with worry, but Amber stayed calm.
"Don't worry, I'll find her," she gave a comforting smile before leaving. Salene made her way to Pride's room with the towels and bowl, trying to ignore the bodies sprawled out all over the floor. Her friends and enemies lay destroyed, and though she hated the Technos, in a way she felt pity for them. Who was going to cry for them, and morn them? Nobody would remember them, not like the Mall Rats would remember those who had fallen. She tried to push those thoughts out of her head, now wasn't the time for contemplation.
"Pride?" she said meekly as she entered the camouflaged room, holding her breath as she awaited an answer or the utter silence of death.
"I'm still here," it was as if he had read her mind. He didn't lift his head though, he made no signs that he was alive, the only thing that confirmed it was his voice.
"Oh thank god," she set the things on his nightstand and kneeled next to his bed.. Pride let his head fall to the right to see her, in return she gave a forced smile. His hands were no longer on his injury, perhaps he was too weak from the blood loss to apply a sufficient amount of pressure to it. Quickly she removed the bloodied piece of material from his body and carefully removed his interfering shirt.
"It's funny," he said quietly, "In a way this battle helped."
"How do you mean?" she asked as she wet one of the towels with the warm water.
"I mean-" he cut himself off with a small groan as she dabbed his burden. She immediately stopped and gave an apologetic look, "It's okay," he swallowed hard, pushing down the pain, "I meant that the battle set things in perspective, and now we know that they aren't harmless, it just gives us something to build on against them."
"Yeah," she said slowly knowing all to well that they wouldn't be fighting or rallying anytime soon, at least not until he recovered.
"And we aren't arguing now," he was obviously trying to brighten her mood, but every pained, weak word he spoke just jabbed at her heart, "And we finally got things out in the open."
"Yeah," she repeated, but she couldn't help giving a smile, a REAL smile, but it faded as a far off look came over her.
"What are you thinking?"
"Maybe," she paused wondering weather or not to continue, "Do you think that once this is all over, when you get better and the Technos are gone, that we could leave here?" she looked into his eyes and quickly looked away, "Never mind, it was a stupid thou-"
"Where would we go?" he reached his hand for hers on his stomach, "Where would we go?" he repeated.
"I don't know, it's just that after all that's happened here in the past, and now this, I just don't think I can take all the bad memories," she took her hand away from his to put the wet towel on the nightstand and replaced it with a thick white one, "Maybe we could stay with the Eco Tribe? Go with Amber when she heads back."
"You'd like it there," he said with a smile, "It might be the best thing for both of us."
"Really?" she couldn't believe that he was agreeing with her on this.
"Yes. I don't think I could stay here either," there was a long silence, where both just smiled at each other's comments.
"I'm going to get you some water okay?" Salene stood up.
"Don't be long," he replied softly.
"I won't," she left the room with an even larger smile on her face, in a way, this attack was a miracle.
To Be Continued.
Well? The second half of it was better than the first no? Well please r/r, it really encourages me to write more (
