Thank you, serenityskywalker, for the review. Here's a new episode like I promised you =)
Episode 10
SCENE 1
(Sun is shining through the curtains into the room Slade formerly shared with Ebony. Two figures are lying in bed. Slade has one arm around Dove, who slowly starts to wake up. She blinks a few times, before she turns around to face him. She nudges him gently and kisses him on the lips.)
Dove (softly): Slade, wake up!
(He groans and groggily opens his eyes. He moves away from Dove, who just grins.)
Dove: I guess, you're hung over?
Slade (grunts): What happened?
Dove: Oh so you don't even remember. Well, you were sweet talking me and you were so good at it, that we ended up here.
Slade: But... Ebony.
Dove: You told me everything yesterday. You love her and you want her back, I know.
Slade: But...
Dove: Don't worry, I don't want a relationship with you. Although you have the qualities.
(She gets up and puts her clothes on, while Slade is watching. He still looks really confused at the beautiful girl, who now leans over him again and gives him a quick peck on the lips.)
Dove: See you around, I guess.
Slade: Uh... yeah, I guess.
(She then leaves and the camera fades to black.)
SCENE 2
(The scream of a baby is heard and Jay runs into view with Bray Jr on his hip. He has a worried look on his face, as he storms into the café. Only a few people are up already. Among them are Salene, Lottie, Sammy and Ebony. They look at him curiously.)
Jay: Have any of you seen Amber? I haven't seen her since last night.
Salene: No, not after you asked yesterday.
Ebony: Has mommy run off again and left you with the brat? This seems to get common, huh?
Salene: Shut up, Ebony!
Jay: Where could she be? I don't think she's in the hospital.
Sammy: Maybe she went with the Harpies.
(Lottie rolls her eyes at him and Ebony snorts.)
Lottie: Why would she do that?
Jay: I don't care. I want her found!
Salene: Maybe she slept at Trudy's or something.
Ebony: Why? Do the lovers have a fight?
Jay (shouts): Shut it, Ebony! She had no reason to do so.
(Salene gets up and takes the crying baby from him. She takes him to the kitchen to make a bottle.)
Salene: Calm down, we'll find her. She must be around somewhere. There are no Technos, no Chosen, who should have taken her.
Jay: I hope you're right.
(Camera fades out on his worried face.)
SCENE 3
(A shout is heard through the hospital and soon many footsteps are heard.)
Dove OS(shouts): I need some help here!
(A moment after that she comes to the entrance to the café, a passed out Sparrow in her arms. Lottie and Sammy rush to her and as soon as they grab her, Dove runs off again followed by Jay and Ebony. Sammy and Lottie carry Sparrow to a chair and place her in it.)
Lottie: She has a nasty bump on her head.
Sammy: She looks horrible!
(Salene comes rushing to them, while holding Bray Jr. She pushes the baby in Sammy's arms and takes the temperature of Sparrow.)
Salene: We need some medical help and she needs to lie down. Lottie help me bring her into my room.
(Just as the two girls are picking her up. The other three appear in the entrance with Dove and Jay supporting a badly beat up Kestrel, who's conscious though.)
Jay: What happened?
Salene: Jay, not now! They need to lie down. We can use my room.
(With that they all bring the injured Harpies into Salene's room. Sammy looks after them, then picks up the bottle and follows with the baby.)
SCENE 4
(Groaning Gel wakes up and turns in her bed. She still has messy hair and smudged make-up on her face. Moaning she puts a hand to her forehead, then her glance falls on her clothes on the floor. A quick look under her sheets tells her, that she is naked. Suddenly she sits up.)
FLASHBACK
(Gel is lying outstretched on her bed and motioning for Darryl to get closer. He crawls up next to her, expecting her to whisper in his ear. Instead she leans in and kisses him. Surprised he pulls away and she scowls at him.)
Darryl: What are you doing?
Gel: Kissing you, stupid.
Darryl: But why?
Gel: Because I want to.
(She then kisses him again, but she pushes him away again although he keeps his grip on her arms.)
Darryl: Are you sure about this?
(She nods and smiles at him. He then gets up and closes the door, before returning to her. He crawls on top of her, cupping her face and kissing her, while she puts her arms around his neck again.)
FLASHBACK ENDS
(Gel scans the room, but can't find any trace of Darryl, she then starts to cry.)
SCENE 5
(Lottie is standing in front of Ruby's door, knocks and enters without permission. The blonde girl is doing her hair, but is already dressed.)
Ruby: Normally you wait for an answer, when you knock, Lottie.
Lottie: No time! Jay said I should get you and Ram.
(Ruby puts her brush down and goes to stand in front of the younger girl.)
Ruby: Why?
Lottie: Something happened. Two of the Harpies are injured. They need your help treating them.
Ruby: Okay, let's go!
(She takes Lottie by the hand and drags her along to get Ram.)
SCENE 6
(In the warehouses the healthy members are running around checking the security. Bray walks up and down the fences with a worried look. Noel is a little further away instructing someone, then walks up to his friend.)
Noel: Hey, what's up?
Bray: I'm worried. Crow wanted to be here first thing in the morning.
Noel (shrugs): Don't sweat it. Her tribe probably needed her, wouldn't be the first time she's late, right?
Bray: But Hummy and the other girls aren't here either.
Noel: They probably have a hang over from the party. Bray, relax! Your girl knows how to take care of herself.
Bray: Maybe so, but the city has been dangerous the past days. The Consilium have gotten violent.
Noel: It's not the Consilium, it's the kids they teach.
Bray: It's violence centring around them, defending their believes and that's just as bad.
(Noel sighs and nods. After her glances around, he puts a hand on Bray's shoulder.)
Noel: You should get your mind of that girlfriend of yours and try helping out. There's a lot to do, if we are supposed to house more people around here.
Bray: Sure, what do you want me to do?
(The guys start walking together discussing their security plans.)
SCENE 7
(In Salene's room, Sparrow is still lying unconscious on the bed, while Kestrel sits on it. Ruby gently disinfects a wound over her left brow, while Ram checks the medical supplies. Jay and Salene are there, too, while Sammy and Lottie had to leave and take care of baby Bray.)
Jay: What happenend, Kestrel? How long have you been lying out there?
Kestrel: Most of the night. Someone jumped us right after we left.
(Salene turns to Ram.)
Salene: Any luck on something for the young one?
(He turns around with bandages, some ointment and painkillers.)
Ram: This will have to do. She'll probably have a concussion when she wakes up, but there are no magic pills for that.
(She takes it from him and start applying ointment and bandages to Sparrow's head, while the others now listen to Kestrel explain.)
Kestrel: I don't know who they were, it was dark and they wore dark clothes. Everything happened so fast and I was pushed to the ground and blacked out. When I came to only Sparrow and I were left.
Ram: How many did they take? Who did they take?
Kestrel: Uhm... Crow, Hummy, Robin and Vulture, I guess.
Jay (blurts): What about Amber? She was last seen with Crow.
Kestrel: Oh yea... They were outside talking. I guess, they took her, too. I'm sorry.
(All colour drains from Jay's face. The room is silent for a while, he then gets up and storms out of the room. Ram is quick to get up.)
Ram: I'll better make sure, he doesn't do anything stupid.
Salene: Good idea. Lock him in his room, if you have to.
Kestrel: He can't go out and cause trouble!
(Ram mockingly salutes them and then rushes after Jay.)
SCENE 8
(Darryl and KC are sitting in the café drinking coffee and having cereal for breakfast. They're talking in hushed voices since they both got a hang over from last night. After a while Gel walks in with perfect make-up and hair. She stops in her tracks when she sees Darryl, but then puts her usual arrogant smile on and gets a glass of water.)
KC: How was your first time drinking, Gel? You look great.
(He sounds very surprised when he says it and she just flicks her hair.)
Gel: I feel like I'm gonna puke, but that's so nasty so I'm keeping it down.
(Darryl's eyes are all over her, but she avoids his gaze. KC doesn't see any of this.)
KC: Do you wanna sit with us?
Gel: No! I have to find Lex. I hope he hasn't hooked up with one of those Harpies.
(She then quickly leaves. With a wide grin KC turns to Darryl.)
KC: That was awkward, huh?
Darryl (shrugs): Maybe.
KC: If I remember right, you carried her out of here last night. Did something happen?
(Darryl blushes a deep red now and takes a sip of his coffee.)
Darryl: I just put her to bed.
KC: Yeah right, and gave her a nice goodnight kiss, I bet.
Darryl: Did not!
(The camera turns to Gel, who's standing next to the café door and listens. Her lips tremble again and she storms of.)
SCENE 9
(Lottie and Sammy are sitting in Sammy's room. Bray Jr is lying on his back and Lottie is dangling some old keys in front of him. The sound calms him down. Sammy just sits next to them, starring into space. Chester and Dylan walk past, and when they see someone's home, they enter the room.)
Chester (grins): Are you two playing family?
(Sammy jerks around and quickly shakes his head.)
Sammy: No!
Chester: You say that now. Don't make Dylan jealous!
Dylan: I'm not jealous!
Chester: You kissed her yesterday.
Lottie: Stop teasing him!
(Chester laughs at her comment and Dylan blushes)
Dylan: What are you doing with the baby?
Sammy: Trying to change the subject, huh?
Chester: No, really, why are you two on baby duty?
Lottie: Have you slept all day? Something happened and Amber is gone.
Dylan: What happened? Did the Technos get back?
Sammy: Don't be stupid! The Harpies were attacked.
Chester: By who?
Lottie (shrugs): Don't know
Dylan: I bet it were the Technos!
(The other three look at him annoyed, but the younger boy looks really scared, so Chester puts an arm around his shoulders.)
Chester: No, Dylan, they're gone. They can't snatch up people.
Lottie: Exactly!
Dylan: But who is it then? Maybe they are worse.
Sammy: But you are with the Mall Rats now. We always come out on top! We have Lex and Jay and Slade and Ebony.
(Lottie puts the keys back into her pocket and picks Bray up. The baby starts crying again, but she ignores it and walks to the door.)
Lottie: Come on, let's find out, if we know something new.
(The boys nod in agreement and follow her.)
SCENE 10
(In a dark room, sit five figures. Some of them are still unconscious, but others are starting to move. The camera zooms in on Amber, two of her zulu knots have come apart and her make-up is smudged. Her lower lip is swollen and there's crusted blood on her lip and chin. Her eyes flutter open and she takes her surroundings in. Quickly she scurries to the wall behind her and pulls the knees up to her chin. Suddenly a voice comes out of the dark.)
Vulture VO: Is someone awake?
(Amber hesitates, looking around scared.)
Amber: Y-Yes. Who's there? Where are we?
Vulture VO: It's me, Vulture. You're the Mall Rats, right?
(Amber lets out a sigh of relief.)
Amber: Yes, I'm Amber. Are you okay? What happened?
(There's a movement in the dark, then Vulture comes into view and sits down next to Amber. Her silvery hair is messy, she has a black eye and limps. When she sits down, she inhales sharply.)
Vulture: I'm fine. Someone jumped us, but so far no one has been here. I've been awake for a while now.
Amber: You don't think it could be the Technos, do you?
Vulture (shakes her head): No, we'd probably be in Reality Space, if it were the Technos.
Amber (shudders): I never want to go through that again.
Vulture: They got you?
(Amber nods)
Amber (hoarsly): Yea... let's not talk about that. (pause) What's with the others?
Vulture: Hummy is fine, but scared to death, so I'm happy she finally fell asleep. Crow has been unconscious ever since, she has a really nasty bump on her head. Robin isn't that bad, she'll just rest and be fine.
Amber: But Crow is going to be fine?
Vulture: I don't know. Hummy might know, but she won't be able to do anything here.
(She takes a deep breath and winces, holding her side. Amber gives her a concerned look, but Vulture waves it aside. They then hear footsteps.)
SCENE 11
(The Mall Rats and Kestrel are sitting in the café of the hospital. They've all been told about the incident and that Amber is gone missing. The kids are having breakfast and Trudy is encouraging them, while the rest is trying to figure out a plan.)
Lex: We should just find the bastards and show them, how we deal with people attacking our tribe!
(Most of the Mall Rats are rolling their eyes, Kestrel snorts, KC and Ebony nod in agreement.)
Ram: And how are you going to find out, who's responsible? Kestrel didn't know and I suppose the other girl, didn't see much either.
Ebony: Well, what do you want to do? Go around and ask nicely if they've seen some birds lying around?
Ellie: What do you wanna do, Ebony? Beat all the little kids up until they give you a lie, you believe?
Ebony: Maybe.
(The two girls glare at each other and some other Mall Rats mouth their opinion on that.)
Kestrel (shouts): Shut up! First of all, I have a huge headache, so keep it down.
Lex (mumbles): Like I care.
Kestrel (cont.): And second of all, most of the kids in the city are now affiliated with the Consilium and although they have their strength in their heads, you don't want them on your back.
Ram: I'd say this is the best weapon you can have.
(He taps his forehead with two fingers and smiles cockily.)
Ebony: Yes, but not everybody uses it to create a computer Zoot and release a deadly virus.
Ram: That was Mega's virus.
Slade: But your damn program!
(Jay then steps up.)
Jay: Shut up! No one cares about that now. We have to find Amber!
Lex: Who made you leader anyway? You haven't even been part of the tribe before we came here.
Trudy: Salene did a good job, when you all were gone off to Liberty.
Ellie: Do we really want to discuss this now?
Lex: Exactly! While Amber is gone, I should be acting as leader.
Salene: I don't see a problem with that. We're democratic after all. Go on lead the discussion, Lex.
(Jay sits down again, but has a sour look on his face, while Lex takes his place looking very pleased with himself.)
SCENE 12
(Noel stands outside the warehouses and watches a group of people coming near. Some of them are old faces, but they have three other people with them. Interested Noel steps closer and they present the new kids for him.)
Noel: Who are they?
Girl1: This one (points at girl about 14 years old) was sneaking around the warehouses and the other two got chased by the school kids, because they don't go to school.
(Noel inspects the young girl caught sneaking. She has long blonde, orange and red hair, but the lower left side is shaved off. She has brown eyes, pale skin, and a thin flame on her forehead and all the way up her left arm. His glance she meets with both a stubborn stare and a small smile.)
Noel: Who are you? What were you doing, sneaking around?
Yara: My name is Yara. I was just looking for a place to hide from the Consilium and I saw people coming from this direction, thought I'd see for myself.
Noel: So you're not spying for anybody?
(She firmly shakes her head.)
Noel: Can you keep a secret and are you willing to help out here?
Yara: Everything is better than getting beaten up on the streets.
Noel: Wendy, show her around and give her some work.
(Girl1 and Yara walk away and the others scatter, too, leaving Noel with the other two new kids. The first one is a boy, 18 years old, short blonde hair, blue eyes and blue tribal markings. The second is a familiar face. Mouse has grown a lot and gotten sickly thin, but it's clearly her.)
Wren: I'm Wren, this is Mouse. I met her when we both were chased by those crazed kids out there. Saying we should praise some Consilium and that we should go to school.
Noel: You're too old anyway. I take it, you're not from here?
Wren: No, I came here yesterday, but I'm definitely not staying here.
Mouse (softly): I've been here a few days... can I stay? Like Yara?
Noel: Sure you can. About you... Maybe we can get you to the edge of the city by nightfall and you can go on from there.
(Camera zooms in on Mouse, before fading to black.)
SCENE 13
(Camera fades back into the café, where the Mall Rats are still discussing the incident.)
Jay: We can't just sit around and wait. We have to find Amber!
Jack: Sure, but how are we going to do that?
Slade: Wouldn't it be easier just to wait for the kidnapper to contact us.
(Kestrel shakes her head frustrated and jumps up.)
Kestrel: You don't get it, do you?!
(Everyone falls silent and look at her.)
Kestrel (cont): This is not even about Amber. She was just at the wrong place to the wrong time. Clearly they were waiting for us to go home. Maybe you'll even have her back really soon.
Ebony: Or they saw their mistake and got rid of her.
Salene, Trudy and Ellie: EBONY!
(She gets disgusted, furious and shocked looks from the other, but just shrugs them off.)
Lex: Well, who hates your tribe, Kestrel?
Kestrel: Something like this happened before with Crow. The Astros wanted to burn her for being a witch.
Jay: Where do those Astros live? I'm going there now!
Lex: Oh no you don't! Someone has to stay behind.
Jay: Not me! This is Amber we're talking about.
Salene: Which is exactly why you should stay here.
Kestrel: I'm not taking either one of you. The Astros are a little weird.
Ruby: You can't go, Kestrel, you're injured.
Kestrel: I'll be fine. I'm the leader, so I have to deal with it, when someone attacks my girls.
(She stands up again and runs a hand through her hair.)
Kestrel: Sparrow can stay with you for now, I hope?
Ruby: Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her.
Kestrel (smiles): Thank you.
(She then eyes the Mall Rats and points at Ryan, Slade and Alice.)
Kestrel: I'll take you, provided you can keep your mouth shut.
Lex: Good luck getting Alice to shut up.
Alice: Don't listen to him, I'll go with you.
Ryan: Yeah, me too.
Slade (shrugs): It's not like I have anything better to do.
(He shoots Ebony a look, who ignores it and the four of them prepare to leave.)
SCENE 14
(Camera fades in from black to the dark room where Amber and the Harpies are hold captive. We can hear the footsteps, and Amber and Vulture look curious and scared to the door. The door swings open to reveal a hooded figure with a food tray. She puts it near the door and then turns to leave.)
Vulture: Oi, wait up!
(The hooded figure turns around again.)
Vulture: Who are you? What do you want with us?
Figure: Have a little patience.
Vulture: What about the others? She needs medical help.
(She points at Crow. The figure kneels down beside her and checks her pulse, then shakes her head.)
Figure: She'll be alright.
(She then walks out and Vulture gets to her feet and limps over to the other Harpies. Hummy and Robin are slowly coming to, but Crow is still out. Amber follows Vulture and kneels next to Crow. She gently pushes the messy dark hair out of her face.)
Amber: Is there some water? I think, we should wake her up.
Vulture: Let Hummy see to that.
(Shortly after that the ginger haired girl, sits down next to her with a bottle of water in her hand. There are dried tears on her face. Silently she checks for vital signs and the state of her pupils, then props her up and pours some water into her mouth, forcing her to swallow.)
Hummy (quietly): I guess she has a concussion or something. In that case rest would be the best for her.
Amber: Okay. Did any of you see who attacked us?
(Hummy just shakes her head. Robin, who is a girl a little older than Hummy but still younger than Amber and Vulture, with pitch black hair, dark eyes and tanned skin, takes a sip of water.)
Robin: Not really, it happened so fast and everything. There was a girl though, I could see her black braid.
Vulture: Very helpful, Robin. There are probably a hundred girls with braids out there.
Robin (shrugs): She asked.
(She then grabs a piece of bread and eats it, handing the bottle of water to Amber.)
Amber: This makes me sick. We don't even know what we're waiting for. The others are probably worried.
Vulture: You should worry about yourself. They are cosy in the hospital. Why the hell didn't you have any security?
Amber: We have security, but not outside the building.
Vulture: Yea well, probably should think about that the next time.
Hummy: Guys, stop!
(She looks really tired, huddled together with Robin and the older girls shut up and eat in silence.)
SCENE 15
(In Salene's room Sparrow is still unconscious. Dove is sitting next to her, watching the younger girl worriedly. She looks up, when Salene enters.)
Salene: Is she any better?
(Dove shakes her head)
Dove: No, but she'll be fine. I have to go now. Kestrel wants me to look after the girls, while she goes to see the Astros
Salene: Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on her.
Dove (smiles): Thanks. I'm really sorry about Amber.
(Salene gives her a reassuring smile and gently touches her shoulder.)
Salene: It's not your fault. We're going to find them any ways.
Dove: Of course we will.
(She then leaves the room. Salene sits down next to Sparrow and pulls the sheet up over her. There's a bowl with water and a cloth next to the bed, and she dabs her swollen brow gently. Sparrow stirs and lets out a groan.)
Sparrow: Ow...
(Salene quickly puts the cloth away and leans over her.)
Salene: Are you in pain? Do you need something?
(Slowly Sparrow opens her eyes, but closes them quickly.)
Sparrow: Too... bright!
(Salene gets up and closes the curtains.)
Sparrow (softly): Where am I? What happened?
(When the curtains are closed, Salene sits down next to her again.)
Salene: You got jumped, but you're safe now. Do you need anything?
Sparrow: I feel like I'm gonna throw up.
Salene: I'll get a bucket for you then.
(She gets up and leaves the Harpie alone. Sparrow blinks a little, takes the room in and falls back into bed with a groan.)
SCENE 16
(The Mall Rats have gone to their own devices again, but Lex is pacing in the café with Jay and Ebony looking on.)
Lex: I can't believe this! I should be going with them.
Ebony: And do what?
Jay: You heard her, Lex. You need to be careful with the Astros.
Ebony: Exactly! You're not really the diplomatic type.
Lex: I don't care!
(Ebony rolls her eyes at him.)
Lex: Like they're going to confess if we ask nicely. This is so stupid!
Jay: They won't confess, if we beat the shit out of them either.
Lex: I wouldn't be too sure about that.
Ebony: Hey guys... What was that girl doing here anyway? The blonde Harpie?
(The two guys look at each other then at her. A smug look crosses Lex's face, but Jay only shrugs.)
Ebony (annoyed): What do you know, Lex?
Lex: Oh, now you want to hear, what I have to say?
Ebony: I always love to hear you rant, now spill!
Lex (shrugs): She left with Slade last night. Seems like she spent the night.
Jay: Wait, did you break up?
(Ebony glares at them both, her hands are clenched fists now.)
Ebony: He's a free man. He can do, what he wants!
(She then rushes out. Jay looks after her interested, while Lex snickers and sits down, putting his feet on the table.)
Lex: Nothing makes me happier, than a pissed off Ebony.
Jay: Do you think she'll be okay?
Lex (snorts): What do you expect her to do? Cry her eyes out and eat a box of ice cream? That's Ebony we're talking about. She'll be fine.
SCENE 17
(In the entrance hall of the hospital Jack sits on guard duty. He has an old baseball bat lying at his feet and a whistle around his neck. He sighs and looks around bored until KC and Kayla walk up to him.)
Kayla: Hey there.
Jack: Hey... what do you want? No one's supposed to go out.
KC: We just thought you could do with a little company.
Jack: It is kinda boring, yea...
(They smile and sit down on both sides of him.)
Jack: Did you tend your hang overs already?
KC: It wasn't that bad, but have you seen Gel today? She looks a mess.
Jack: That doesn't happen often. When I think about it, that might be a first.
Kayla: I can't blame her, she had a lot to drink and it's disgusting.
Jack: Why did you drink it then?
Kayla: Mister KC here made me. We have this stupid game going on.
KC: It's not stupid, I like it.
Kayla: Just wait 'till next week.
Jack: What's next week?
Kayla: Well, this week I have to do, what he considers fun and next week he has to do, what I consider fun.
Jack (laughs): And you agreed to this, why?
Kayla: I didn't know him very well.
(The three of them laugh.)
KC: So you and Ellie are still going strong, huh?
(Jack blushes and refuses to meet their eyes.)
Jack: Uhm... yeah... I guess so.
Kayla: Stop it, KC, you're embarrassing him. (pause) Although it's quite cute, when he blushes.
KC: Oh don't say that too loud or the Mrs will make you pay for it.
(The pair of them snicker, and Jack fumbles with the whistle round his neck.)
KC: Why are you on guard duty, any ways? Shouldn't you be working with a computer or something.
Jack: Well, we have Ram for that now and Lex doesn't trust the girls with the task. You're free to take over though.
(KC quickly puts up his hands.)
KC: Nah, I'm good.
Kayla: Are you guys not worried about Amber?
Jack: Course we are, but there's nothing we can do, is there? We can only wait.
KC: Amber is strong. Where ever she is now, she'll be okay.
(Camera zooms in on Kayla's unconvinced look and cuts to the next scene.)
SCENE 18
(Trudy sits in her room, reading a book, when a soft knock is heard. Just a second after that Gel comes in closing the door behind her. She looks better than before, but isn't as dolled up as she used to be. Trudy looks surprised and puts the book down.)
Trudy: Gel, to what do I owe this pleasure?
(Gel stands in the room, her fingers fumbling with a ring, eyes fixed on the ground.)
Gel: I...I might...Something stupid happened.
Trudy: What do you mean? Something bad? Do you know something about Amber and the Harpies?
(She quickly shakes her head and sits down next to Trudy on the bed.)
Gel: I know, we're not the best of friends, but I didn't know who else to talk to. I thought you might understand with Brady and all?
(Trudy raises an eyebrow, looking very confused and suspicious)
Trudy: I don't understand. What has this to do with Brady?
Gel: Well, not her especially, but … you know.
Trudy: Gel, just spill the beans. This is frustrating!
Gel: Yesterday I was drunk for the first time and I did something really bad. I don't even really remember. Only that Darryl helped me to my room and then I guess I kissed him and then I woke up today completely naked.
Trudy: Wait a second... are you telling me you slept with Darryl?
(Tears form in the younger girls eyes and she buries her face in her hands. Awkwardly Trudy puts an arm around her to comfort her.)
Trudy: Shh... It's okay. I didn't even know there was something going on between you two.
Gel (muffled): There isn't! He used me and then he didn't even stay. He's probably embarrassed it happened.
Trudy: Why would you think that?
Gel: He was gone this morning and he didn't say anything or look at me this morning. This is a disaster.
(She sobs harder and leans into Trudy. There's a worried look on the older girls face.)
Gel: This is not how it was supposed to be. I wanted it to be with the boy I love and it should be beautiful and romantic not like this...
Trudy: It's not beautiful. The first time is awkward and can even hurt, maybe it's a good thing, you don't really remember it.
Gel: It probably was so bad, that he laughed his ass off. I bet he told KC everything about it and they had a blast or he didn't tell anyone and wants to forget it, because he slept with me.
Trudy: There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Gel. You have your quirks, but you're a very beautiful young girl.
Gel: He doesn't think so!
(She sniffs and sobs again, then curls up into a ball next to Trudy, who gently strokes her hair.)
Gel: Promise you won't tell any one!
Trudy: I promise.
SCENE 19
(In the dark room, where Amber and the Harpies are being held hostage, Hummy is cradling Crow's head in her lap. The other girls look worried. Hummy gently strokes her forehead, then softly slaps her cheeks.)
Hummy: Crow! Wake up!
Vulture: Just shake her!
Hummy: No, if she really has a concussion, that'll only make it worse.
Amber: Slapping her isn't that good either.
(Hummy sighs and just strokes the older girls hair now.)
Hummy: Crow! Crow! Wake up, girl!
Vulture: Come on, girl, wake up!
(After a few more shouts from the others, Crow finally opens her eyes, just to roll over and puke. Hummy holds her hair, while the other three girls back away.)
Vulture: Well, at least she's awake.
Hummy: Robin, hand me the water.
(She then forces Crow to drink some more and sit op. Crows eyes are unfocused, but she grabs her forehead and lets out a groan.)
Crow (hoarsely): What happened? I feel awful.
Hummy: You need to rest, it'll get better.
Crow: I don't remember anything. We were supposed to go to a party.
Robin: We did, but we got dragged off afterwards.
Crow: The party has already started?
Amber: Crow, the party was yesterday.
(Crow throws her a confused look, before leaning over and throwing up again. When she comes up again, she wipes her mouth with her sleeve.)
Crow: No way. I was just at the warehouses.
Vulture: Hummy, what's going on?
Hummy: Sometimes a concussion can cause amnesia. Although it's usually just from the time of the accident. It's no big deal.
Robin: We'll just fill you in then...
(With that she proceeds to tell Crow everything that happened from the party until the moment, where they got jumped.)
SCENE 20
(In the meantime Kestrel, Alice, Ryan and Slade have made their way to the old cinema. The door is open, leading into the darkened entrance hall that is only lit up by a few candles. The Mall Rats hesitate, but Kestrel just walks in and then waits for something to happen. After a while a girl in a darkblue robe enters, as she pushes back the hood, we see it's Camille.)
Camille: Kestrel. And the Mall Rats. What are you doing here?
Kestrel: Don't give me that! Where are the others?
Camille: Meditating. You're disturbing the peace around here.
Kestrel (snorts): You are the ones disturbing the peace. Where are my girls?
Alice: And Amber! What have you done with them?
(Camille frowns and shakes her head.)
Camille: I don't know, what you're talking about.
Kestrel: Sure you do! Who else would kidnap my girls? Remember the last time you tried to burn Crow? Give them up!
Camille: That's in the past. We don't wish the Harpies any harm.
Kestrel: I demand to talk to Cloud!
Camille: He's leading the ceremony, but you're welcome to wait.
(She points at some chairs in a corner and then leaves, before anyone can say something. Kestrel glares, but then takes a seat, massaging her temples.)
Ryan: You okay?
Kestrel: I will be, when we have the girls back.
Slade: So who's this Cloud?
Kestrel: Their leader.
Ryan: I don't understand, why you couldn't take Lex with you. She seemed nice enough.
Kestrel: Maybe, but Cloud has a short temper. He'll do something rash, when you upset him.
Alice: Like burn the girls?
Kestrel: That or something else. He's creative, he'll think of something.
(Slade nudges them and points to the curtains beyond which Camille had disappeared.)
Slade: We might want to change the subject.
(They nod and the camera fades out.)
SCENE 21
(Ruby sits in the café with a glass of water as Ebony walks past. She shoots the blonde girl a bad look, then decides to talk to her. She positions herself in front of her and places her hands on her hips. Ruby looks up at her with disgust.)
Ebony: Tell me, Ruby, what are you able to do?
Ruby: What do you want, Ebony?
Ebony: You get what you want and then you can't even see it through. It's just like I told you. I'm not the problem.
Ruby (snorts): When are you ever not the problem?
Ebony: I broke up with Slade last night, but did he go to see you? No! He went and got it on with that Harpie.
(Ruby's eyebrows shoot up in surprise.)
Ruby: You actually broke up with him?
Ebony: Not because you said so. I got bored of him!
Ruby: Yea right...
Ebony: It doesn't matter, does it? He's not with you, just like I predicted.
(She then whirls around and leaves the café. Ruby stares at her glass of water and then pushes it angrily down the table, where it scatters. Camera zooms in on the mess, before cutting to the next scene.)
SCENE 22
(Jay sits in his room, staring off into space. Bray jr is laying next to him on the bed crying. After a moment Trudy enters.)
Trudy: Jay, he's crying!
(She then picks the baby up and starts changing his diaper, while Jay looks on.)
Trudy: What's the matter with you?
Jay (snaps): If you haven't noticed, Amber has been kidnapped!
Trudy: She won't thank you, if you neglect her son.
Jay: She might not come back, Trudy!
Trudy: Don't say that! It's probably the Astros and she'll be back in no time.
Jay: What if Kestrel's wrong? What if she's not there?
(Trudy finishes cleaning Baby Bray and sits down next to Jay, rocking the baby.)
Trudy: Don't give up hope, Jay. We're all worried about her, but she'll be back.
Jay: If I find out who did it, I'm going to make them pay!
Trudy: Maybe you should get out of here. Get your mind of things.
Jay: And stop worrying? Forget that Amber ever existed?
(He glares at her and Trudy gets up.)
Jay: Go away, Trudy!
Trudy: Fine, but I'm taking Bray Jr with me.
(She then leaves.)
SCENE 23
(Back at the cinema, Cloud steps through the curtains and greets the Mall Rats and Kestrel with a smile.)
Cloud: Nice to see you all.
Kestrel: Cut it out, Cloud. You know, why we're here.
Cloud: Camille said something about missing Harpies?
Ryan: And Amber.
Cloud: A Mall Rats? What would we want with a Mall Rats?
Slade: You seem well informed on us, why is that?
Cloud: We know about everything and nothing.
Alice: What's that supposed to mean?
(Kestrel shakes her head at her and steps up to him.)
Kestrel: As you're always so well informed, why don't you tell us, what happened last night?
Cloud: Someone was creeping about in the city.
Kestrel: And it wasn't you?
Cloud: We don't have business with the Mall Rats.
Kestrel: This is not about them. Amber was taken by accident. The Harpies were the target.
Cloud: You can't let it go, can you? The thing with Crow is in the past.
Kestrel: You tried to burn one of my girls on a stake, so no, I can't let it go.
Cloud: That's in the past. We have nothing to do with it.
Alice: Then who was creeping through the city?
Cloud: I don't know.
(They eye him suspiciously.)
Kestrel: I heard you were predicting a new danger for the city...
Cloud (nods): Yes, looks like it's here.
Slade: What do you mean?
Cloud (irritable): Don't tell me, you haven't noticed what's going on. The Consilium have poisoned the city.
Ryan: Do you think it was them then?
Cloud: Maybe.
Slade: It could just have been the city kids. They're around beating people up for not believing in the Consilium.
Ryan: So what do we do?
Cloud: Be patient. The stars told me to keep calm.
(Alice makes a lunge for him.)
Alice: I'll tell your-...
(Kestrel shoves her roughly aside and Ryan holds her back.)
Cloud (sharply): What?!
Kestrel: Nothing! So you promise, you haven't got them?
Cloud: Of course not!
(The two leaders stare each other down for a few seconds, then Kestrel turns to leave.)
Kestrel: We're going back.
Alice: What?! We're not going without Amber.
Kestrel: You heard the man, they're not here!
Ryan. But...
(Slade puts a hand on his shoulder and shakes his head. Defeated the Mall Rats follow Kestrel out.)
SCENE 24
(Kaelem paces his office frustrated. Dima and Jim are standing in front of him with bowed heads.)
Kaelem (angrily): I made it clear, didn't I? "Make sure to take Kestrel!" That's what I said, wasn't it?
Jim: Yes.
Kaelem: Then why isn't she down there with the others?
Dima: It was a mistake, Kaelem. It was dark and...
Jim: We thought she'd be with Crow.
Kaelem: So that's your excuse for leaving me with that Mall Rats? What am I supposed to do with her? She ruins the plan!
Dima: Maybe we can make a new plan?
Kaelem: Of course I can come up with something new, but I shouldn't need to! You screwed up!
Dima: We know and we're really sorry.
Kaelem: Well, sorry isn't going to fix it, is it? (pauses) GO! I'll deal with you later.
(Dima and Jim hurry out. Kaelem frustratedly kicks his desk and lets out a loud groan.)
Kaelem (mumbles): Amateurs! I'm surrounded by amateurs.
SCENE 25
(Sparrow is still lying in bed, but sits up straight. KC comes in with a tray and sets it on her lap.)
KC: Salene said to bring this to you.
(She gives him a small smile and picks up the fork.)
Sparrow: Thank you.
(He hesitates a little, but sits down on the end of the bed in the end.)
KC: How are you feeling?
Sparrow: Okay. I've got a head ache.
KC: Caused by the attack or the booze?
(They laugh, but she quickly gets serious again.)
Sparrow: You haven't heard anything from the others, have you?
KC (shakes his head): Nah, Alice and the others haven't gotten back yet.
Sparrow: I'm just worried. All this time we stuck together. Not even the Chosen or the Technos could separate us and now this.
KC: What do you mean? I didn't think you've been with the Harpies that long.
Sparrow: I haven't. It's my sister. Out of all the girls, they took Vulture. She's the toughest one, I hope she's okay.
KC: Oh, I see. Well, Alice is pretty tough, too, but she got taken by the Technos. She's fine now though so I'll guess Vulture'll be fine, too.
Sparrow: I hope so.
(She slowly starts to eat and KC gets up to leave her alone.)
Sparrow: KC, will you stay? It's so boring here on my own.
(KC turns around and smiles at her. He sits down next to her.)