Chapter 6

The Mallrats beached their boat on the coast off of a peninsula. It was late afternoon and they were having trouble finding anything worth eating. Night soon came and they built a fire on the beach. They made a small meal of their left over rations. Everyone sat in silence around the fire.

"Now we're hungry and have no boat. Great thinking guys.", mocked Lex.

"Lex just shut up!" snapped May.

"We don't know there isn't any food. We haven't had time to really look the place over. Why don't we just all try and rest. Ok?" Said a very tired looking Jay, who was holding baby Bray in his arms. Amber had already fallen asleep next to him. Lottie, Ruby and Salene were also fast asleep huddle against each other. Ebony got up and started to walk away from the fire. Slade jumped up and ran after her.

Ram went and sat next to Lex.

"Are you keeping an eye on Ebony?" Asked Ram.

"Yeah, I guess… why?" said Lex while poking the fire with a stick.

"Lex you need to stay close to her. We don't know what she could do next. We're all vulnerable right now."

"Yeah I know. I've been watching her. What else do you want me to do? Seduce her?" snapped Lex.

"Ha! Lex seduce Ebony? Even sexy Lexy couldn't charm the woman with a heart of stone" Said Ram.

" What does an ex-gimp know about women's hearts?" said Lex and he got up and left, before Ram could reply.

Slade soon caught up with Ebony on the beach.

"Where ya headed?" Slade asked with a smile on his face.

"For a walk" said Ebony matter of factly.

"Well May I join my lady on this walk?" asked Slade still grinning ear to ear.

"I'd rather you didn't," said Ebony. Slade stopped smiling.

"Ebony what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing I just want to be alone."

"I don't believe you. There's something wrong and you won't tell me"

"Maybe you're what's wrong with me Slade. If you would just leave me alone I'd be fine. Stop trying to meddle in my business" said Ebony starting to lose her temper.

"Ebony, it's my job to be in your business"

"Well then it's not your job anymore then. If that's how you want things we shouldn't be together." Said Ebony and walked away from Slade.

"Ebony!" Shouted Slade after her. But she didn't respond and just kept walking.

Ebony continued to walk along the beach leaving Slade behind. The only light was from the moon and stars. The moon was all alone just like her. In the past she had always risen back to power after she had fallen. But she had always done it by climbing over others. There was no one left for her to use. It was just her and the Mallrats. Stuck on this deserted Beach. Even if there were other tribes nearby what did she have to bargain with? Nothing! Ebony heard steps in the sand behind her.

"SLADE, GO AWAY!" Shouted Ebony.

"Is that how you greet your man? Poor guy", chided Lex.

"What do you want Lex?" sighed Ebony.

They heard a baby's cry coming from where the rest of the Mallrats were sleeping. Then there were shouts and screams. Ebony and Lex started to run back but were knocked to the ground.