Lily and Bray sat in a building near the food store. They were looking out of the window and watching the Chosen patrolling around the building. Lily sighed as she watched.
"What's up?" Bray asked.
"I just can't believe that we're on stake out duty again. I hate just sitting here. Nothing interesting ever happens." Bray watched Lily and nodded.
"You're right but we don't have the connections Ebony or Lex have and it would be worse staying at the HQ."
"I guess you're right," Lily admitted. "I just hate being stuck here with nothing to do." Bray put his arm around Lily.
"Don't worry," Bray told her. "When all this is over I'll make it up to you." Lily turned to face Bray, taking her eyes off the food store. As she did several guards walked up to the entrance and walked into the building.
"How are you going to do that?"
"I'll think of something," Bray said, smiling as he gave her a kiss.
--
Ebony and Lex moved unseen through the city streets. Whenever a Chosen patrol came near they would duck into one of the many alleys which crisscrossed the city. When the virus came, and the loneliness came, everyone who was a part of the city quickly learned to become invisible, learned to use the streets to their advantage, ducking and weaving, dashing from one doorway to the next, running from street to street. Everyone who was left in the city knew the city, could feel the city when they moved and Ebony and Lex were one of the few who knew the city deeply, knew its ways and knew when it was working with them. Sector seventeen was not far away but instead of taking the long route, Ebony and Lex decided to head straight through the city but this did involve moving through sector ten, the Chosen stronghold. They would be forced to pass the mall and Chosen guards would be swarming everywhere. As they neared their former home Ebony began to fell uneasy. She knew how unstable Lex could be and was unsure how he would react being so close to Tai-San but not being able to see her, talk to her, touch her. All of a sudden the mall loomed ominously over them, casting a shadow into the alley they were hiding in. Lex looked at the building and he felt as if his heart was stretching though his chest, trying to reach out to his wife and daughter. He closed his eyes and touched his wedding ring, turning it around on his finger. The cold metal seemed to calm him and his heart returned to its normal rhythm.
"We need to be careful, Lex," Ebony told him, eyeing the Chosen guards flanking the entrance. A few minutes late two patrols walked past their alley. A guard stopped and looked into the darkness but, seeing nothing, he moved on. "One wrong move and we're done for."
"I know," Lex grumbled. Ebony shook her head and looked back at the entrance to the mall, the patrols once again out of sight.
"We'll need to go back out of this alley and round the other side as soon as the guards pass by. If we don't time this right we'll be caught." Lex smiled.
"No chance."
"Cool it, Lex. No heroics. I'm not getting busted so you can play the hero." Lex just smiled and focussed on the guards. A few seconds later the patrol came by again and a guard looked down the alley. The guard turned and started to leave. Ebony and Lex watched as the guard stopped, tilted his head and looked back into the alley. Both of them knew what was happening and started to back slowly out of the alley. The guard saw the movement and began to shout.
"Strays!" He called out then, taking a second look, he cried out again. "It's the rebels! Attack!" Ebony and Lex began to run as hordes of guards poured into the alley. Both ran into another alley and, as they came out the other end, they split up, without saying a word to each other.
--
Amber and Jay sat on the roof of their HQ, watching the streets for any movement. They saw a few strays but nothing else. Jay watched the ground as a stray wandered from door to door, hiding from any possible threat. As the girl ran to one door she looked up and saw Jay and Amber. Her eyes grew wide and she turned quickly, her pink skirt flew up around her waist as she ran back down the street. Amber sighed.
"I don't know why I ever came back here," Amber said, watching the girl run round a corner.
"I'm sure we will function again."
"What once all the crazies are destroyed? That will never happen," Amber said. "But I will always be here, trying to fight for what is right."
"So why did you come back? Why leave your idea of paradise for this decay?" Amber paused and looked down. She thought for a moment but knew the answer immediately.
"Bray," Amber said simply, looking into Jay's eyes.
"He was that special?" Jay asked.
"You called living with the earth my paradise, living outdoors, sleeping under the stars, growing food, making friends. The truth is Bray was my paradise. I left everything behind for him but the truth is that he was all I ever needed. Then he was gone. Taken by the Technos while I was giving birth to our son. I haven't seen him since. How do you survive when everything you need is taken from you?" Jay though for a moment. He remembered the day that Ebony had been taken from him. He remembered raising Lily alone and how hard it had been. But mostly he remembered how he had managed to survive when everything that he needed was taken from him.
"We had to survive," Jay said. Amber looked up at him and back down to the street.
"But is that enough?" Jay was silent. He knew that he was not in a position to comment. After a few moments he broke the silence.
"It has to be, Amber. For Bray's sake." Amber looked up at Jay and thought of her son and the love of her life. She had never loved anyone since Bray and she knew she never would but she also knew that the love for her son was so great that she had to survive, for him.
--
Ebony ran through the streets. She could hear the guard's feet pounding the ground behind her as she ran. She didn't look back, just kept running, ducking this way and that trying to lose them. But no matter what she did they stayed on her. Ebony skidded around a corner and ducked behind a green dumpster which was wedged to the wall at an angle. She knew that this move would either allow her to get away or she would be caught. It was a risk but she knew that she had to take it, she was running out of breath and her heart was beating faster; she knew she couldn't keep up the pace for much longer. Ebony listened as the guards came around the corner and stopped. She heard them at the other side of the dumpster and held her breath. One of the guards lifted the lid and looked inside but saw nothing. He quickly closed the lid again and looked to his left, straight into Ebony's blazing eyes.
--
Lex laughed as he ran through the streets. He turned and looked at the guards, who were falling further and further behind him.
"Come on you wimps," he shouted as he continued to run backwards. "The great Zoot would not be pleased with your efforts." He said loudly and laughed to himself. Lex ran around a corner, then another and another before ducking into an empty building. As Lex closed the door to the building and headed further into it, the Chosen guards rounded the first corner and looked around helplessly. All they could think about was the punishment they would receive and all they could hear was Lex's laugh echoing through the city streets.
--
Ebony stared into the guard's eyes for a few seconds more and, before he got a chance to call out, she stood up and pushed with her remaining strength against the dumpster. She was surprised as the dumpster moved quite easily and toppled onto the guard who had seen her and another guard who had been standing beside him. The guard beside him was a girl Ebony remembered as a former Loco and she watched as the dumpster fell onto her back, crushing her with a sickening crack. The girl's scream rang out into the streets but she was quickly silenced. The two remaining guards simply stood and watched Ebony run off before they turned to their friends and tried to life the dumpster off of them. The guard who had seen Ebony was crying out in pain, the dumpster crushing his legs, causing sever breakages and, when the wounds healed, he would still be left with limp that would remain with him for the rest of his life. Ebony could still hear the wails of pain from the boy and as the cries were left behind she could hear the crack the girl's spine had made as it shattered under the weight of the dumpster.
--
Amber and Jay watched as Lex strolled down the street. He was smiling happily, as if he didn't have a care in the world. Amber watched him suspiciously and stood up.
"He's been up to something," Amber said as she continued to watch Lex.
"Where's Ebony?" Jay asked, jumping up. "If he's hurt her..."
"He wouldn't..." Amber started. "He has always had a score to settle with Ebony but he wouldn't do anything. I mean he knows how important she is to this."
"To this?" Jay asked. "To me." Jay rushed towards the door with Amber following.
"Jay he wouldn't do anything," Amber called after him as he ran down the stairs.
--
Bray and Lily sat watching the storehouse. They had been there for hours and night had just fallen. Dark clouds rolled over the sky, blocking out any moon or stars. They would have to get back to the HQ in complete darkness since it was too risky to stay where they were, so close to Chosen and patrols.
"I guess we should make a move," Bray said standing up. Lily nodded and held out her hands. Bray held them softly and pulled her up. "The rota hasn't changed so far. So they are working on the same system as before."
"Seems that way," Lily said, dusting herself down. "At least there won't be any surprises." Bray nodded and grabbed his jacket. The two walked quietly down the stairs. They stood at the door and peered out into the darkness. They looked at the food store, which was illuminated by torches. The heat radiated from the torches and Lily felt as if her face was on fire. Both Bray and Lily could easily make out the guards at the front door and saw guards passing by on patrols. Lily nodded to Bray who slipped out of the door and moved along the building to an alley. As the next patrol passed Lily ran to the alley to meet Bray. The heat faded but the light was still visible.
"Say goodbye to the light," Bray whispered as he watched the flames flick into the sky. Lily watched for the guards to pass by the torches again then grabbed Bray's hand. She stood up and pulled Bray down the street, back towards the HQ.
--
Jay saw Lex in the kitchen and ran over to him.
"Where's Ebony?" Jay asked, coming to a stop next to Lex. Lex just smiled and opened a bottle of water. Jay grabbed Lex around the throat. "Where is she?"
"Hey," Lex yelped. "Calm down mate. I don't know where she is." Amber walked into the room.
"Jay!" Amber called out and Jay slowly let go of Lex.
"We got caught by some Chosen at the mall and we had to split up. I haven't seen her since then."
"Sorry Lex," Jay said slowly. "It's a...tough time." Lex shrugged and took a drink of his water.
"Whatever," Lex said, walking to the door. "Didn't make it to sector seventeen by the way. We'll try again tomorrow." Lex grabbed an apple from a bowl and took a bite before heading out of the room.
--
Ebony walked into the HQ well after dark. She had run into a few patrols and decided to sit it out in building which was normally used for strays. She was going to talk to them about joining their plight but changed her mind and simply waited for night to roll around. She met a few people that she knew but no one memorable. Ebony slowly removed her jacket as Lex walked by.
"Lover boy is looking for you," he growled at her. "Kitchen." Ebony sighed and put her jacket over a chair and walked into the kitchen. Jay and Amber were standing close together, talking. Ebony narrowed her eyes and cleared her throat. Jay looked up.
"Oh thank God you're ok," Jay said as he hugged Ebony.
"Yeah I'm fine," Ebony said edgily.
"Lex told us what happened," Amber told her. Ebony grimaced slightly at Amber referring to her and Jay as 'us'.
"Well I almost got captured but managed to escape get away. I'm off to bed." Ebony walked away, leaving Amber and Jay together. She slowly climbed the stairs thinking that Jay looked as if he hadn't been worried at all.
--
Jay climbed the stairs shortly after Ebony. He had said his goodnights to the other rebels and made his was to bed. He found Ebony already there, under the covers and facing away from the door. He sat down on the edge of the bed and started to remove his boots.
"So what happened?" Ebony was quiet. "I know you're not asleep so there is no point in pretending otherwise.
"Nothing happened. The Chosen spotted us and we had to run. That's all. What happened here?" Jay took off his other boot and turned to Ebony, who was still facing away from him.
"What do you mean?" Ebony turned around, facing the ceiling, but still not facing Jay.
"Well you and Amber seemed to be cosy when I got back."
"Not this again. Look Ebony I love you. It's always been you and always will. Amber and I are friends. I am not going to pretend otherwise, ok?" Ebony narrowed her eyes. She would accept what he was saying. For now. Jay climbed into bed and slid his arm around Ebony's waist.
"I've been having a bad day. Sorry."
"Apology accepted."
--
Guards rushed into the Guardian's office. The came to a stop at the Guardian's desk.
"Guardian the rebels were spotted by a patrol outside the Mall. They were not captured but they managed to kill one of the guards and injure another."
"They were not captured?"
"No Guardian. The rebels tricked the guards and caused an accident."
"I want guards doubled in this sector and the surrounding sectors. If anyone spots the rebels they have to be captured. If they get away the guards will be punished."
"Yes Guardian." The guards left to organise extra patrols. The Guardian sighed. The rebels were becoming troublesome. The Guardian stood up and slowly walked over to his shrine. He sat down and closed his eyes.
"What will become of the rebels?" The Guardian asked Zoot.
--
Brady lay in her bed thinking about her father. According to her mother she was exactly like him, how he was in the old days. She couldn't understand how someone like her could turn into a monster. Then she sighed. She knew that if she lost her family she may go mad as well. She looked up to the ceiling, to the heavens, and closed her eyes. She imagined her father and imagined talking to him. She saw her father come towards her.
"Brady," Zoot said slowly.
"Dad?" Zoot nodded.
"You've grown into such a beautiful young woman. I am sorry that I was not there for you." Zoot turned away. "I would have stayed with you if I had the chance. I truly loved your mother. I still do."
"I wish I could have gotten to know you," Brady said softly. "But I need your help. The Chosen. I don't know what to do. I'm not strong enough to fight them. They have taken my friends, my family and I just want to be back to my normal life, the way things were."
"My death has caused so many problems. For everybody. I didn't know this would happen. I didn't foresee it. I am not a God."
"Then what are you?"
"I'm me. I'm someone who lost his family and couldn't handle it. I did what I had to do to survive the virus and I did the best I could. Maybe Bray was right. His way was better. I'm the one up here and not him." Brady squinted at her father, but shook the thought away.
"But what do I do? I am not strong like you." Zoot turned to face her, grabbing her by the arms.
"You are my daughter and you are strong. Stronger than the Guardian and stronger than any of the Chosen."
"But I'm not..."
"Yes you are," he said shaking her gently. "Something will happen and, like me, you will feel the strength running through you. You will feel more powerful than ever before and you will fear nothing."
"But I don't want to change. I want to be me." Zoot let go of his daughter.
"You mean you don't want to be like me." Zoot shook his head. "Listen to me now. This will happen and you will finally feel strong. You have a good heart and, in the end, you will know how to use the strength. When the time comes you will know what to do. It will become clear and you will act on your strength. Trust me. You are strong. You are strong. You are strong."
Brady woke with a start, her heart beating furiously. She could hear her fathers words ringing in her ears and it was a sound that would not leave her. She knew she had been dreaming but she chose to believe in her dream and she kept her fathers words with her.