Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I don't own The Tribe. Kinda wish I did but that's another story.

The mall was far too quiet. It wasn't silent by any means but it was still too quiet. Mouse wandered from room to room. Salene and Amber sat on the sofa together both reading. Sammy played videogames in his room and Jay typed away at his computer. Trudy gently rocked Brady telling her a story and Ebony silently comforted Siva. Every room was filled with tiny sounds, keyboard clicks and page turns. All but one room contained some modicum of tension filled white noise. The room where Lex sat at Rose's bedside was perfectly silent. Not even the sound of their breathing carried beyond the doorway. She was peeking in the room when a pair of strong arms picked her up and pulled her back.

"I think we should leave them alone, little one." Pride put her back on the ground a few steps away.

"Will she be alright?"

"Amber and Trudy have done all they can."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"It's the best answer I can give you." He saw the frustrated look on her face. "I was going to go up to the roof for a while, would you like to come?"

She nodded and took his hand. Mouse loved spending time with Pride. He always listened to her and answered all her questions. Out of everyone in the mall he was the only one that treated her like she was more than just a little kid. The wind was blowing lightly as the came out into the open. There were few clouds in the sky to block the sunlight that trickled down. It seemed the horizon was a million miles away.

"It's peaceful up here." She stepped up to the ledge and looked out aver the city.

"Yeah, that's why I like it here. It feels free." He stepped up beside her.

"Yeah," she was silent a moment at his side. "Is Siva going to break up with Lex?"

"I think so." He answered straightforwardly. Pride had learned that the best course with Mouse was just to answer her questions honestly. She was far more perceptive than many people gave her credit for.

"Why do they fight so much? I mean, if he loves her and she loves him."

He sighed. "Because nothing is ever that simple, Mouse."

"You and Salene don't fight."

"No, we don't but..." he was quite a moment. "I'm not sure how to explain it. It has to do with personalities and intentions and a million other things."

"And I'll understand when I'm older." She sounded very disappointed.

"Yeah. I wish I could explain it better."

"It's ok. Do you think he likes Rose?"

"Lex? I know he did. I think he hopes he still will."

"Does he love her?"

"I think he did. Very much."

"I think you're right." She looked down at her hands. "I was listening to him talk to her earlier. He sounded so sad."

"You shouldn't eavesdrop."

"I know but I couldn't help it," she looked up a Pride then back out over the city. "I think I'm gonna go back downstairs now." She turned and left after he nodded and turned back to the landscape.

Amber slipped quietly into the back of the room. Lex had rested his head on his arms on the bed next to Rose. She lightly rested her hand on his shoulder. He jumped and looked back at her.

"I know you don't want to hear this but," she whispered, "I think you need to talk to Siva."

He shook his head and looked back to Rose. "I think her fever broke."

She moved around the bed and rested her hand on Rose's forehead. Her temperature ad dropped noticeably. "Yeah, she might be out of the woods yet."

"When do you think she'll wake up?"

"I don't know. We're going to have a tribe meeting when she does."

He snorted a laugh and shook his head. "What so people can say how we should throw her out?"

"It won't be like that."

"Yeah, it will. You all already think I'm responsible for her being here."

"Not all of us do." She said emphatically. "Lex, the more you try to hide, the more some people are going to think you are guilty of something."

"I'm tired of trying to prove to everyone I'm innocent when I am innocent." He stood and stormed from the room.

She sighed and looked at the sleeping girl. "Was he always like this or it is just for us?"

Lex stood outside the door. He could hear Ebony speaking to Siva inside. Wonderful, he thought, the bitch is giving her advice now. He was there another few moments before Ebony emerged.

"What are you doing here?" she looked at him scornfully.

"Well, it is still my room."

She narrowed her eyes, "You're incorrigible, Lex."

"Thanks Ebony, I try." He watched her walk away before turning back toward the room. It was dark and he could hear Siva breathing. He took a deep breath and stepped inside.

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