Chapter 11

Lex and Ebony both tried to catch their breath.

"That was fun," panted Lex.

"Yeah real good" replied Ebony wiping the sweat from her face. "Wooo… I haven't had to run that fast in awhile."

"Yeah me neither. Lets keep going before they find us." Having ditched the guards Ebony and Lex continued their investigation of their new surroundings.

Amber put Baby Bray down into the play pin in the common room. Alana and two others had come to visit them again earlier that day and of course had come bearing gifts. They had brought baby toys, bottles, prams, and cribs. Things that Amber and Trudy had never needed for their children before. Alana also came as a messenger. Lourdes would not be able to meet with Amber as soon as she thought, but would try to this evening.

"Can you mind the baby?" Amber asked Lottie. Lottie and Sammy were sitting playing cards.

"Yup. Go fish Sammy!" replied Lottie.

Amber left the room.

Time to make the rounds. I haven't seen Lex or Ebony today. Amber peeked into Gel and Ebony's room. Gel was the only one there and was lying in bed with orange slices over her eyes.

"Gel, What are you doing?" asked Amber almost afraid of the answer.

"Giving myself a facial. There weren't any cucumbers but I read once in a magazine oranges are just as good. It's the acid you know?" explained Gel without even rising from her spot.

"Right…. Well have you seen Ebony or Lex?"

"No, I can't see a thing with these on."

Amber went back into the hallway and was almost knocked over by Slade who was wet and clad only in a towel.

"Whoa" Said Amber trying to steady herself.

"Sorry 'bout that. I better get to my room"

"Yeah I think so" smiled Amber. "But before you do that have seen Lex or Ebony?"

"Nope, 'fraid I haven't. I'll tell them that you're looking for them though."

"Thanks" smiled Amber and headed towards Ellie and Jack's room. She put her ear to the door and then decided against bothering them.

I don't even wanna see what is going on in there. Amber left and went to Lex and Ram's room. She knocked but there was no reply. She cautiously opened the door and peeked in. Nobody was there. Finally she went to Ruby's room. Ram was sitting in his chair staring out the window. Amber cleared her throat trying to get his attention.

"Can I help you?" said Ram looking up at the Amber. He seemed peeved that she had disturbed him.

"Yeah have you seen either Lex or Ebony?"

"No but if you follow the scent of trouble you'd probably find them."

"Ha. Yeah that's what I'm worried about" Amber replied a bit somberly. "How is she doing?" Amber said turning towards Ruby's direction.

"She's fine. Just exhausted." He looked at Amber expectantly as if he was waiting for her to leave.

"Well thanks" said Amber awkwardly and left the room. She headed back to her and Jay's room. And slumped down on the edge of the bed. Exasperated she flung herself onto the bed, stared at the ceiling and let out a big sigh. At this time Jay walked in the door. He was shirtless and had a towel slung around his neck. He too had decided to take advantage of the facilities.

"That bad huh?" said Jay with the smirk only him and Ved could produce. He plopped down on the end of the bed next to Amber.

"It depends. Have YOU seen Ebony or Lex?"

"No but they'll turn up." Jay comfortingly but his hand on Amber's knee. Amber sighed.

"Yeah I hope so."

"Is that all that is bothering you?" probed Jay.

"Well No. Yes. I dunno." Amber sat up. "It's just this place Jay. I mean Lourdes has been very generous and kind but why? I mean they keep bringing us all these gifts. Just because of the antidote and some stories they heard? But then why fight it? Am I so jaded that when something good happens all I can think of is what can go wrong?" Amber leaned in to Jay as he wrapped his arm around her.

"We all feel uneasy but we have to take our time. We've all been through so much. We have to just keep alert. After your meeting with Lourdes things might be a lot clearer."

"Ugh don't remind me." Amber buried her face further into Jay's neck. "Jay?"

"Yeah" he replied absentmindedly intertwining their fingers.

"Do you love me?"

"Yes I do. I love you very much," he said starting to get worried. Amber looked up at him grinning sheepishly.

"Then will you go to the meeting with me?"

"Sure" Amber grabbed Jay's face and gave him a passionate kiss.

It was now afternoon and the sun was glaring down on Ebony and Lex. They had been walking around but hadn't found anything worth their while. They saw a few of the locals who only stared at them before going on about their business.

"Dang it's hot out here. How bout we go back and get a cool drink?" Lex said saucily to Ebony.

"YOU can go get a drink." Ebony replied inviting Lex to leave.

"I'm not the type that likes to drink alone," Lex said. Ebony just rolled her eyes and headed over a grassy knoll. When her and Lex reached the top the looked down and saw a river. Ebony glanced over at Lex mischievously. Lex smiled back at her and they both took off running towards the river.

Ruby pushed herself up into a sitting position.

"Hey" she said quietly looking over at Ram.

"Well if it isn't Rip Van Winkle" smiled Ram sitting up in his chair. "How are you feeling?"

"Hungry" Smiled Ruby.

"That's a good sign" said Ram and got up from his chair. "I'll go see what there is"

"Thanks"

Ebony and Lex splashed through the water back towards the shore.

"Wow. That was fun. I'm soaking wet but that was fun." Said Ebony spreading out on the grass to dry. Lex lay down too and turned to face Ebony.

"Yeah this day can't get any better. It's a beautiful day, I'm refreshed and laying next to a beautiful girl." As Lex said this last part he pulled Ebony's face close to his and leaned in for a kiss.

"Don't even think about it!" snapped Ebony tightening her grip around Lex's throat.

"I won't" Gasped Lex.

"Shut up. Someone's coming" hissed Ebony.

Lex and Ebony stood up and saw the guards they had lost earlier.