Chapter Eight
That evening the three of them sat in the make shift arrangements that were the Loft. Siria had brought them here because soon after finding each other it started to rain. Siria sat comfortably reading in a love seat, Lev was sprawled out on a couch staring distantly at the ceiling, and Aravinda stood in front of an old mirror primping and smoothing out the outfit she had just changed in to. Coming back to his surroundings Lev looked at Aravinda. "What are you all dressed up for?"
"Going out"
"Where?"
"The Casino, I hear it's pretty lively about now."
Siria looked up from her book. "If you see a shady guy by the name of Lex, tell him to go back to Siva."
"I'll make a note of that." Aravinda walked toward the window and giving a final wave slipped out.
Lev turned to Siria who had went back to her book. "So, what do you want to do now?"
Siria shrugged her shoulders. "I'm reading, but you can catch up with Aravinda I'm sure"
Lev looked at the window his body longing to leave but turning he felt like a chain was holding him prisoner. Lev shook his head. "Nah not really, not unless you want to give me a tour of the City."
"It depends on what you want to see." She was afraid he would want to see the Mall.
"Anything you want"
Siria smiled laying down her book. "I'll get my coat."
Aravinda walked confidently down the street. She had passed the Casino blocks ago and was heading toward the Mall. She had to talk to Amber; get that city-leader idea out of her head. She didn't tell the others where she was really going because she knew there would be protest, particularly from Lev.
Aravinda turned the corner and looking down the almost abandoned street she saw the Mall. As she looked at the building her confidence faltered, but then assuring herself this was something she needed to do she continued walking. As Aravinda walked into the Mall and toward the grid, a loud siren went off. Putting her hands over her ears Aravinda screamed for someone to turn it off. The siren stopped. She looked up and paused. She stared at Jack who despite the unhappy look on his face seemed very handsome. "Who are you?" He asked.
"Let me in and I'll tell you." She was too late her auto-flirt response had been issued. This annoyed her a little.
Jack didn't find this flirtatious having just been woken up. "Do I look like an idiot; what's your name?"
"Yeah" Now she was just annoyed
"Your name is 'Yeah'."
"No...yeah, you look like an idiot now let me in I need to talk to someone."
"Whatever," Jack walked away from the grid.
Aravinda panicked. "No wait, it's Amber; I need to talk to Amber."
Turning around Jack smiled. "That's more like it."
Siria and Lev walked an empty alley. Siria had not bothered to tell Lev where they were going only mentioned that it was surprise. Lev didn't ask questions for some strange reason he would trust Siria with anything. She had a quality that Lev didn't understand but wanted to explore. Siria turned giving Lev a reassuring smile. "Not much longer."
Lev smiled. "I'm not in a hurry."
Siria walked a few minutes longer then came to a stop near a building. The building had an old look to it with chipped paint and dust filled windows. No kid had bothered to come near this place. Siria walked along the building till she came to a gate a bit rusted, she nudged slightly letting it fall open to reveal a park.
Aravinda stood in the middle of the café. She was trying to think of what she would say to Amber; how she would explain things. She shivered slightly. What would she say? Aravinda's mind suddenly drifted to jack. Who does he think he is? He couldn't possibly be much of a person let alone a Mallrat.
"Aravinda what are you doing here?" Amber's rang out in surprise
"Just picking up some things"
"No, I mean in the Mall; you never drop by."
"Um...I need to talk to you."
"What is it?" Amber noticed Aravinda giving Jack a suspicious look. Oh, it's ok, Jack can probably help with your problem. He's pretty smart."
"So that's what it is." Aravinda muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing, but Amber, it's Hawk."
"What? What is happening?"
"Nothing—for the time being, but I just needed to know if the rumors are true; are you running for City-leader?"
"What kind of kid were you before the virus?" Lev asked as he pushed Siria in an old rusted swing. Siria had taken Lev to an old court yard that tenants had turned into a park. Siria explained about how her grandmother lived in the building and the park was her favorite place to be as a kid.
"Why don't you tell me what I was like as a kid."
"Ok...um—you very smart, serious, studied a lot. Do I have you down?"
"Nope, way wrong; I was a bit of a free spirit and didn't care for authority."
"Lev stopped the swing looking down at her. "Went against the grain?"
Siria looked up. "Exactly," Siria looked into his eyes. They were playful, content, but had something in them she couldn't explain: a sparkle that mimicked the night sky. Siria hesitated. "It's getting late, we should get back."
Amber looked concerned as they all heard the rolling thunder of a coming storm. "So you're saying this whole Eco-tribe thing is a lot bigger then Hawk said."
"Yes."
"But why didn't he tell me?"
"He didn't want you to worry.'
"Who didn't want her to worry?" A Voice came from behind Aravinda. She turned and watched Jay climb up the stairs. She didn't notice any kind of acknowledgment from him of having seen her early and she didn't say anything either.
"Jay, this is Aravinda; she is a Gaian." Jay nodded going over to the kitchen area. Amber continued. "She doesn't want me to run for City- leader."
"You're our best bet of winning, why shouldn't she." He asked turning to Aravinda.
"She needs to be available to do her duty to the Ecos."
"So that's means not running?"
"At this point, yes"
"So when would it be a good time?" Jack chimed in.
Aravinda faced him, "When the Ecos stop fighting!"
Jay looked at her. "The Ecos are actually fighting?"
"Yes, that's what I've been saying. There's a new tribe and everyday they get stronger and stronger by swallowing up the smaller tribes."
"Like the Gaians," Amber sighed. "But how can I help?"
"Eagle is practically a legend to all the Eco-tribes; just like Amber is to the City. You can get the tribe together in the resistance."
"And that's what hawk is trying to do now?"
"Yes." Aravinda sighed in exhaustion. Lying back in her chair she took a look at her tea mug. She didn't think it was going to be this hard. Turning she glanced at Jay. He was watching her intently, something just on the tip of his tongue. Then with another crash of thunder the lights went out.
Siria and Lev climbed into the window of the Loft just as the rain began to pour. Instinctively Siria switched on the lights, but stopped when the room wasn't flooded with the usual glow. "The lights must have gone out."
"Very observant"
She smiled in the darkness. "This just means we go to bed early." Siria walked calmly across the room. Lev could hear movement as Siria felt her way around the shelves for some spare candles. There was silence and then with the flash of a small spark Siria had lit the candle and was walking back toward Lev. "Here, I'll show you where you can sleep." Grabbing his hand they walked down the stairs.
Making her way though the hallway, Siria, came to the door and gentely pushed it open. The room was dark like all the other rooms but decorated in a sandy earthen tone. "Who slept in here?"
"A Friend" Siria letting go of Lev's hand walked to the chest of draws and lit a three wick candle on top. "That should give you enough light to change by." She walked past him toward the door.
Lev grabbed Siria's hand holding her back. "Where are you sleeping?"
"My room, last one down the hall if you need me"
"Night, Siria" He whispered. She gave a weak smile he was looking at her the way he did in the park. Before she realized it he leaned in and kissed her. She pulled back in shock and mumbling goodnight she walked back to her own room.
Aravinda sat quietly in the dark. Amber had stood and was trying to make her way around the café. "Jack, come with me and let's see what we can do. Jay, There are some candles over where you are light them and find Aravinda a room." Movement continued and then Aravinda heard footsteps moving down the stairs.
Jay started looking for matches and candles. His mind was drifting as he did this. Aravinda was from the Gaians and he had this feeling she was lying when she said she didn't know Siria. Finding the candles he lit them and placed one on each table. He turned to Aravinda. "We need to talk."
"I know that."
Just as Jay was ready to talk Salene rushed in. "I thought—where's Amber?"
"She's down stairs with Jack trying to get the power back on." Jay answered.
"Well it isn't going to work they just came on City-net before it went off to say that they were turning it off to avoid power damages."
"Go tell Amber then."
Salene nodded and turning on the flashlight she was holding headed down stairs. Jay sighed in frustration at being interrupted again. Turning back to Aravinda he spoke, "Who are these Ecos anyways?"
"The Bellowinds, I believe"
"Do you know where they came from?"
"Well they've been around since before the virus it wasn't until recently that they became militant. Why do you care anyway?"
"Because if amber does not run I have to and right now I have other things on my mind."
"Well I'm sorry to interrupt your complex thoughts, but my tribe—Amber's tribe—is in danger and that definitely over rides the trouble in your love life." Aravinda stood hardly noticing her slip up, but Jay noticed. He kept quiet. "Aren't you supposed to be showing me to my room or something?"
"I guess," Taking two candles he handed one to Aravinda and with the other led her out of the café.
Walking behind him Aravinda wondered why Jay hadn't tried to bring up Siria again; it made her question his love. She knew it was none of her business and instead tried to take in the dark Mall. Suddenly something caught her eye and holding up the candle she had, she noticed the pink of a small, even tiny, room.
Jay sighed. Aravinda was from the Gaians the girl who was with that Lev guy, but yet neither of them knew Siria. It didn't make any sense; Siria was the fried of amber their tribe leader. She had to be lying about knowing Siria, or else she wouldn't have known about him and Siria. Jay turned to ask Aravinda again if she knew Siria but she wasn't there. He walked back calling her name softly. When he came to Siria's room he saw Aravinda standing in the middle of it taking it in. "What are you doing?"
"You can tell a lot about a person by their room; not so much by a duffle bag."
"So you do know her?"
Aravinda smiled. "She's my roommate."
"Why didn't you mention this earlier, like today in the marketplace?"
"Because Lev doesn't know about you and Siria; he's very protective and thinks of her as a sister." Aravinda bit her lip; at least she thought he did, but lately....
"I just want to know how she is, is she ok."
"She's doing fine."
"Do you think she'll come back?"
"I never excelled at mind reading, but...maybe."
"That's all I need to know, thanks."
She smiled. "Great, well I'm through being nosy so you can show me where I'm supposed to sleep."
Jay took Aravinda to a scarcely furnished room where she easily fell asleep, and Jay went to his own room relieved to hear news of Siria.
WOW...I think this is my longest chapter to date.
That evening the three of them sat in the make shift arrangements that were the Loft. Siria had brought them here because soon after finding each other it started to rain. Siria sat comfortably reading in a love seat, Lev was sprawled out on a couch staring distantly at the ceiling, and Aravinda stood in front of an old mirror primping and smoothing out the outfit she had just changed in to. Coming back to his surroundings Lev looked at Aravinda. "What are you all dressed up for?"
"Going out"
"Where?"
"The Casino, I hear it's pretty lively about now."
Siria looked up from her book. "If you see a shady guy by the name of Lex, tell him to go back to Siva."
"I'll make a note of that." Aravinda walked toward the window and giving a final wave slipped out.
Lev turned to Siria who had went back to her book. "So, what do you want to do now?"
Siria shrugged her shoulders. "I'm reading, but you can catch up with Aravinda I'm sure"
Lev looked at the window his body longing to leave but turning he felt like a chain was holding him prisoner. Lev shook his head. "Nah not really, not unless you want to give me a tour of the City."
"It depends on what you want to see." She was afraid he would want to see the Mall.
"Anything you want"
Siria smiled laying down her book. "I'll get my coat."
Aravinda walked confidently down the street. She had passed the Casino blocks ago and was heading toward the Mall. She had to talk to Amber; get that city-leader idea out of her head. She didn't tell the others where she was really going because she knew there would be protest, particularly from Lev.
Aravinda turned the corner and looking down the almost abandoned street she saw the Mall. As she looked at the building her confidence faltered, but then assuring herself this was something she needed to do she continued walking. As Aravinda walked into the Mall and toward the grid, a loud siren went off. Putting her hands over her ears Aravinda screamed for someone to turn it off. The siren stopped. She looked up and paused. She stared at Jack who despite the unhappy look on his face seemed very handsome. "Who are you?" He asked.
"Let me in and I'll tell you." She was too late her auto-flirt response had been issued. This annoyed her a little.
Jack didn't find this flirtatious having just been woken up. "Do I look like an idiot; what's your name?"
"Yeah" Now she was just annoyed
"Your name is 'Yeah'."
"No...yeah, you look like an idiot now let me in I need to talk to someone."
"Whatever," Jack walked away from the grid.
Aravinda panicked. "No wait, it's Amber; I need to talk to Amber."
Turning around Jack smiled. "That's more like it."
Siria and Lev walked an empty alley. Siria had not bothered to tell Lev where they were going only mentioned that it was surprise. Lev didn't ask questions for some strange reason he would trust Siria with anything. She had a quality that Lev didn't understand but wanted to explore. Siria turned giving Lev a reassuring smile. "Not much longer."
Lev smiled. "I'm not in a hurry."
Siria walked a few minutes longer then came to a stop near a building. The building had an old look to it with chipped paint and dust filled windows. No kid had bothered to come near this place. Siria walked along the building till she came to a gate a bit rusted, she nudged slightly letting it fall open to reveal a park.
Aravinda stood in the middle of the café. She was trying to think of what she would say to Amber; how she would explain things. She shivered slightly. What would she say? Aravinda's mind suddenly drifted to jack. Who does he think he is? He couldn't possibly be much of a person let alone a Mallrat.
"Aravinda what are you doing here?" Amber's rang out in surprise
"Just picking up some things"
"No, I mean in the Mall; you never drop by."
"Um...I need to talk to you."
"What is it?" Amber noticed Aravinda giving Jack a suspicious look. Oh, it's ok, Jack can probably help with your problem. He's pretty smart."
"So that's what it is." Aravinda muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing, but Amber, it's Hawk."
"What? What is happening?"
"Nothing—for the time being, but I just needed to know if the rumors are true; are you running for City-leader?"
"What kind of kid were you before the virus?" Lev asked as he pushed Siria in an old rusted swing. Siria had taken Lev to an old court yard that tenants had turned into a park. Siria explained about how her grandmother lived in the building and the park was her favorite place to be as a kid.
"Why don't you tell me what I was like as a kid."
"Ok...um—you very smart, serious, studied a lot. Do I have you down?"
"Nope, way wrong; I was a bit of a free spirit and didn't care for authority."
"Lev stopped the swing looking down at her. "Went against the grain?"
Siria looked up. "Exactly," Siria looked into his eyes. They were playful, content, but had something in them she couldn't explain: a sparkle that mimicked the night sky. Siria hesitated. "It's getting late, we should get back."
Amber looked concerned as they all heard the rolling thunder of a coming storm. "So you're saying this whole Eco-tribe thing is a lot bigger then Hawk said."
"Yes."
"But why didn't he tell me?"
"He didn't want you to worry.'
"Who didn't want her to worry?" A Voice came from behind Aravinda. She turned and watched Jay climb up the stairs. She didn't notice any kind of acknowledgment from him of having seen her early and she didn't say anything either.
"Jay, this is Aravinda; she is a Gaian." Jay nodded going over to the kitchen area. Amber continued. "She doesn't want me to run for City- leader."
"You're our best bet of winning, why shouldn't she." He asked turning to Aravinda.
"She needs to be available to do her duty to the Ecos."
"So that's means not running?"
"At this point, yes"
"So when would it be a good time?" Jack chimed in.
Aravinda faced him, "When the Ecos stop fighting!"
Jay looked at her. "The Ecos are actually fighting?"
"Yes, that's what I've been saying. There's a new tribe and everyday they get stronger and stronger by swallowing up the smaller tribes."
"Like the Gaians," Amber sighed. "But how can I help?"
"Eagle is practically a legend to all the Eco-tribes; just like Amber is to the City. You can get the tribe together in the resistance."
"And that's what hawk is trying to do now?"
"Yes." Aravinda sighed in exhaustion. Lying back in her chair she took a look at her tea mug. She didn't think it was going to be this hard. Turning she glanced at Jay. He was watching her intently, something just on the tip of his tongue. Then with another crash of thunder the lights went out.
Siria and Lev climbed into the window of the Loft just as the rain began to pour. Instinctively Siria switched on the lights, but stopped when the room wasn't flooded with the usual glow. "The lights must have gone out."
"Very observant"
She smiled in the darkness. "This just means we go to bed early." Siria walked calmly across the room. Lev could hear movement as Siria felt her way around the shelves for some spare candles. There was silence and then with the flash of a small spark Siria had lit the candle and was walking back toward Lev. "Here, I'll show you where you can sleep." Grabbing his hand they walked down the stairs.
Making her way though the hallway, Siria, came to the door and gentely pushed it open. The room was dark like all the other rooms but decorated in a sandy earthen tone. "Who slept in here?"
"A Friend" Siria letting go of Lev's hand walked to the chest of draws and lit a three wick candle on top. "That should give you enough light to change by." She walked past him toward the door.
Lev grabbed Siria's hand holding her back. "Where are you sleeping?"
"My room, last one down the hall if you need me"
"Night, Siria" He whispered. She gave a weak smile he was looking at her the way he did in the park. Before she realized it he leaned in and kissed her. She pulled back in shock and mumbling goodnight she walked back to her own room.
Aravinda sat quietly in the dark. Amber had stood and was trying to make her way around the café. "Jack, come with me and let's see what we can do. Jay, There are some candles over where you are light them and find Aravinda a room." Movement continued and then Aravinda heard footsteps moving down the stairs.
Jay started looking for matches and candles. His mind was drifting as he did this. Aravinda was from the Gaians and he had this feeling she was lying when she said she didn't know Siria. Finding the candles he lit them and placed one on each table. He turned to Aravinda. "We need to talk."
"I know that."
Just as Jay was ready to talk Salene rushed in. "I thought—where's Amber?"
"She's down stairs with Jack trying to get the power back on." Jay answered.
"Well it isn't going to work they just came on City-net before it went off to say that they were turning it off to avoid power damages."
"Go tell Amber then."
Salene nodded and turning on the flashlight she was holding headed down stairs. Jay sighed in frustration at being interrupted again. Turning back to Aravinda he spoke, "Who are these Ecos anyways?"
"The Bellowinds, I believe"
"Do you know where they came from?"
"Well they've been around since before the virus it wasn't until recently that they became militant. Why do you care anyway?"
"Because if amber does not run I have to and right now I have other things on my mind."
"Well I'm sorry to interrupt your complex thoughts, but my tribe—Amber's tribe—is in danger and that definitely over rides the trouble in your love life." Aravinda stood hardly noticing her slip up, but Jay noticed. He kept quiet. "Aren't you supposed to be showing me to my room or something?"
"I guess," Taking two candles he handed one to Aravinda and with the other led her out of the café.
Walking behind him Aravinda wondered why Jay hadn't tried to bring up Siria again; it made her question his love. She knew it was none of her business and instead tried to take in the dark Mall. Suddenly something caught her eye and holding up the candle she had, she noticed the pink of a small, even tiny, room.
Jay sighed. Aravinda was from the Gaians the girl who was with that Lev guy, but yet neither of them knew Siria. It didn't make any sense; Siria was the fried of amber their tribe leader. She had to be lying about knowing Siria, or else she wouldn't have known about him and Siria. Jay turned to ask Aravinda again if she knew Siria but she wasn't there. He walked back calling her name softly. When he came to Siria's room he saw Aravinda standing in the middle of it taking it in. "What are you doing?"
"You can tell a lot about a person by their room; not so much by a duffle bag."
"So you do know her?"
Aravinda smiled. "She's my roommate."
"Why didn't you mention this earlier, like today in the marketplace?"
"Because Lev doesn't know about you and Siria; he's very protective and thinks of her as a sister." Aravinda bit her lip; at least she thought he did, but lately....
"I just want to know how she is, is she ok."
"She's doing fine."
"Do you think she'll come back?"
"I never excelled at mind reading, but...maybe."
"That's all I need to know, thanks."
She smiled. "Great, well I'm through being nosy so you can show me where I'm supposed to sleep."
Jay took Aravinda to a scarcely furnished room where she easily fell asleep, and Jay went to his own room relieved to hear news of Siria.
WOW...I think this is my longest chapter to date.