Episode 15
SCENE 1
(As the sun rises over the forest, raindrops are dripping from the leaves and the noise of breaking wood is heard. Some of the Harpies are chopping big branches from the trees with Crow standing behind them watching them work.)
Crow: Good, but we need much more than that. I want at least two cages, but four would be best.
(Robin turns to look at her and pushes the hair out of her sweaty face.)
Robin: You mean one on each side of the camp?
Crow: That'd be ideal, but mostly we just need something to hold people in.
Robin: But our camp is secret, don't you want to keep it that way?
Crow: Kaelem knows where it is. He came to see Kestrel a couple of months ago.
Robin: Why don't we move the camp then?
Crow: Because I want the Consilium to come. These cages are special made for them, with an extra cosy spot for Kaelem.
(A mischievous smile plays around the corners of her mouth as she turns to leave.)
Crow (mumbles to herself): You're going to pay, Kaelem.
SCENE 2
(Outside in the park of the hospital Kayla has forced KC to help her with her vegetable garden again. The earth is wet and both of them are dirty already. Triumphantly KC pulls out a carrot and holds it up in his black hands.)
KC: Ha, I got one!
Kayla: Must have been a difficult ordeal if you're so proud of it. You sound like you just caught a fish.
(KC rolls his eyes and throws the carrot at her. She shrieks in surprise and glares at him, which just makes him laugh.)
KC: Come on, lighten up, Kay. If you absolutely have to make me work, then let me have some fun while doing it.
Kayla: Fine, have fun over at your patch and don't throw the food.
(Grumbling she picks up the carrot and puts it into a basket between them. Giggling can be heard and loud voices as Darryl and Gel turn the corner of the hospital and walk up to them, holding hands. KC is quickly on his feet, happy to have a distraction from his work. Thinking it'd be rude if she didn't, Kayla also gets up and walks towards them. Gel glances over them and wrinkles her nose in disgust.)
Gel: Don't come any closer, you're nasty.
Kayla: We're not nasty, Gel, we're just dirty.
Gel: Same thing!
KC: You could help us.
(Gel looks at him as though he'd just asked her to strip naked and forcefully shakes her head. Grinning KC inches closer to her with his dirty hands outstretched and she jumps to hide behind Darryl.)
Gel: Darryl, do something! Be useful for a change.
Darryl: Hey! Just for that I should let him touch you.
KC: Yea, buddy, step aside.
(Of course he doesn't. Laughing Darryl fends KC off getting dirt on his face and shirt in the process, but KC eventually stops and instead smears his hands all over Kayla's face who know looks as though she had dived head first into the vegetable patch.)
Kayla: Oh no you didn't, KC! This means war!
(She flings herself at KC, grabbing a handful of dirt and rubbing it in his face. Darryl watches the two of them rolling around on the ground and bursts out laughing, while Gel watches them in disbelief, but eventually she also starts laughing. She puts and arm around Darryl's waist and stands on tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.)
Gel: Thanks for protecting me.
Darryl: Any time, babe... Although I bet you'd be cute with a little dirt on your face.
(She eyes him warily, but he has already grabbed her around the middle so she can't escape as he now rubs a little dirt between his fingertips and smears it on her face like tribal markings. Gel cries out and punches him until he lets her go. When he sees the furious look on her face his grin falters.)
Darryl: Come on, it was just a little fun.
Gel (yells): To you maybe! Do you even know what this stuff does to my skin? I hate you!
(She storms off leaving him to stare after her dumbfounded. KC and Kayla get up from the ground and brush the dirt of their clothes as good as they can.)
KC: Man, what have you gotten yourself into?
Darryl: She really is a handful.
Kayla: That girl just needs to relax.
SCENE 3
(A mass of technological devices all neatly set dissected into their individual parts is strewn on the floor of Ram's room with him and Jack hovering over them, looking for a specific piece. Jack is deep in thought, running a finger over the edges of a small plastic part.)
Ram: You've never built a camera, have you?
Jack: No, makes me wish you grabbed that thing from the hotel before it blew up.
Ram: This just makes me wish we had a news station around here somewhere. A hospital doesn't have much of the needed material to build one.
Jack: This better works, when we're done.
Ram: I'd rather wish for us getting done at all.
Jack: Don't say that! The others are already getting impatient, breathing down our necks.
Ram (shrugs): I find I work better under a little pressure.
Jack (grumbles): Well, I don't.
Ram: HA!
(With a huge grin on his face he holds up a tiny metal plate between his thump and index finger. Jack sits ups straight again and stretches, while Ram puts the new piece into their project that hopefully soon should be a real camera.)
Jack: When this is done, I'm going to need a new back. Can you build something like that, too?
Ram (chuckles): Don't you have Ellie to give you nice massages... Siva used to be so good at that.
Jack: I don't think a massage can fix my back, when I have to hunch over this pile of crap for weeks.
Ram: Get used to the idea of working on an artificial spine afterwards then.
(Jack lets out a groan as Ram starts explaining to him the the next piece their looking for.)
SCENE 4
(Meanwhile in the school, the older tribe members sit in an empty classroom. On a table in their midst lies a letter, Joanne and Jim look worried, while Kaelem looks about to punch someone in range and Dima seems just not to want to be that person.)
Joanne (softly): So what do we do? We have to get control over the city. Maybe if you talked to them, they'd all relax a little.
Kaelem: No! Who do they think they are? The Mallrats are nobodies here in the city, they have no power and yet they think they can blackmail us?
Jim: We did take their leader. Revenge would be only natural, especially when they're friends with the Harpies. You know those girls have a short temper.
Kaelem: Do I look like I care what's natural? It's not acceptable.
Joanne: So what do you do? We can't just let Liam rot there, who knows, what they do to him.
Dima (snorts): They won't do anything to him, they don't have it in them.
Kaelem: We can't be sure about that, but if Liam dies they have nothing what we want and as long as no one attacks the stupid hospital, he's safe.
Jim: Safe? They could do all sorts of stuff to him that doesn't kill him.
Kaelem: Oh come on. He'll be fine.
Joanne: But why don't you want to get a grip on the city?
Kaelem: I already have one, don't I? If the Mallrats wouldn't tell their lies, they'd be safe. They brought this on themselves.
(Angrily he grabs the letter that is signed with Amber's name and rips it to pieces, before he storms out of the room.)
SCENE 4
(The holding cell is dark as most of the window has been boarded up and only lets little sunshine in. No one has bothered putting a real bed inside, so Liam lies on a mattress on the floor. There's not much else in the room, but a few books next to the mattress, a blanket, a bucket and a bottle of water. The sound of the bar sliding away from the door, makes Liam sit up and look at Alice expectantly, who walks in with a tray of food. Most of his face has healed from the punches Vulture gave him, but it is still slightly bruised. She sets the tray down next to the door and remains there as she talks to him. Liam doesn't move, he knows she will just leave if he tries to come closer.)
Alice: How's your eye?
Liam: Good. How are you feeling about me today, Alice? Am I still despicable to you?
Alice: Why do you ask that every time I come in here?
Liam: Because I think you might change your mind.
Alice: Don't count on that.
Liam: Since you're on such a high horse morally, why don't you explain to me what makes you do this? Hold me captive instead of letting me go.
Alice: Because you deserve it.
Liam: Who decides that? You wouldn't put yourself higher than other people and judge them, would you, Alice?
Alice: You are guilty of the crime, aren't you? A crime that deserves punishment.
Liam: So you punish a crime with a crime? Interesting.
Alice: What the hell are you getting at, boy?!
Liam (smiles): I'm just trying to show you that I'm not a bad a person. That in fact you and I aren't so different from each other.
Alice: Save your strength.
Liam: For what? There's nothing else to do. (pauses) You know, we all are guilty of something in these times. If all I'm accused for is sticking with my friends, I'm okay with that.
(Alice looks at him long, then leaves and bars the door again. As she walks off a smile appears on her face.)
SCENE 5
(As Alice walks past the bathroom KC emerges with wet hair and a towel slung over his shoulder, while he walks he picks the dirt from under his fingernails, not looking up as he pushes the door to his room open. He throws the towel on the floor and finally looks up. When he sees Sparrow sitting on his bed watching him, he jumps.)
KC: What are you doing here?
Sparrow (scowls): What a nice welcome.
(He grins ad sits down next to her, placing a hand on her knee.)
KC: Sorry. You surprised me.
Sparrow: Well, that was the point. Crow sent me here to see how far you are on the camera, though.
KC: See, I knew you wouldn't come by just for me.
(Sparrow rolls her eyes at him, before she gets up and straddles his lap with a mischievous grin.)
Sparrow: Right, because I didn't do that the past few days.
KC: If you put it that way, I reckon you could do something useful for your tribe at the same time.
Sparrow: So I take it you've missed me?
KC (teases): A little maybe, but then it completely slipped my mind.
Sparrow: Is that so? Maybe I should go looking for a better boyfriend then.
KC: Don't you go getting any ideas.
(He moves one hand up her thigh and slides the other one up her shirt. Sparrow giggles before gently biting his ear then placing small kisses until she reaches his mouth.)
SCENE 6
(Meanwhile at the warehouses Noel walks around clearly on the lookout for someone. In the distance he finds Bray sitting on the concrete picking at the grass growing through the cracks. Noel lets out a sigh before jogging over to him. Standing over him he looks down at Bray.)
Noel. There you are. I was looking for you.
(Snapping out of his thoughts Bray looks at his friend.)
Bray: What for?
Noel: Sorting out what to do with the handicapped and organizing who's going into the city with us. You really haven't been much help lately.
Bray: I've had a lot on my mind.
Noel: I know. You're spending a lot of time with the Mallrats and when you're back here, you just wander off.
(Bray sighs, throwing the grass in his hands on the ground as he gets up.)
Bray: I'm sorry. It's just...
Noel: Your son?
Bray: Yes. It's so weird, you know. Amber told me he took his first steps a few days ago. There's so much I missed.
Noel: You do remember now though, don't you?
Bray (nods): Everything until the Technos got me. I remember going outside after I helped Amber deliver the baby and getting zapped by one of them, but then the next thing I remember is Crow's face hovering over me, when I woke up from the coma.
Noel: Maybe that's for the best. I don't suppose you forgot anything important.
Bray: Probably not. I'm just so confused about all of this.
Noel: Are you thinking of going back to them?
Bray: It has crossed my mind, but then there's Crow and a lot of things have changed.
Noel: Crow? I thought you two had broken it off. She seems so distant when she comes by.
(Bray turns away by the mention of the change his girlfriend has gone through.)
Bray (quietly): She hasn't been the same since Kestrel died. I think she hurts a lot more than she shows and I don't know how to help her.
Noel: Maybe she doesn't need your help, but just the girls' support.
Bray: Maybe...
Noel: I know this is really not the time for you, but I actually need your help right now.
Bray (brisk): No, really not the time and really insensitive, too.
Noel: I can't help it that everything's happening at once.
(He walks off and after a while of Bray watching him go angrily, he finally follows him.)
SCENE 7
(In the room which Sammy now shares with Mouse all the kids are assembled. Sammy lying on his bed, one leg lazily dangling from the edge, Chester sitting on the floor in front of him, Mouse and Dylan sitting on her bed and Lottie near the door.)
Chester: Something is going on.
Sammy: Duh!
Mouse: The city kids are being scary that's it.
Sammy: So? What has that to do with us?
Mouse: They're fighting about the Technos.
Dylan (scared): Technos? I thought there were no Technos any more.
Chester: There are none, must be something else.
Sammy: I wish they'd just let us go into the city again. We're no little kids any more.
Lottie: But you can't look out for yourself either. If someone jumps you, you'd be useless just like Gel.
(Sammy props himself onto one arm and glares at the girl, who stares back at him. There's no teasing between the two any more. Chester lets out a quiet groan and Mouse and Dylan make faces at each other, as there has been an ongoing fight between Lottie and Sammy in the past days since Mouse joined them.)
Sammy: Shut up, Lottie!
Lottie: Why? Because I'm telling the truth?
Sammy: You couldn't do anything either!
Lottie: I couldn't fight them, but I wouldn't let them get me. I can sneak around.
Sammy: Yea, because you're a thief.
Lottie: And you're a jerk!
(Sammy slumps down on his bed again, clearly considering the short conversation over. Lottie waits a few moments for him to say something and as he doesn't and nobody pays her any attention, she grabs Sammy's blue plastic cuffs from the shelf next to the door and sneaks out. After a short time of silence Mouse notices she's gone and turns to Dylan.)
Mouse (softly): Is she always like this?
Dylan (shakes his head): No. Lottie's actually really nice. She and Sammy have just been fighting a lot.
Mouse: Why?
(Chester who's overhearing the conversation, shrugs.)
Chester: No idea. She's a girl.
Mouse: Hey!
Sammy. You're not that kind of girl yet, Mouse.
Chester: Yea, when you get older you get totally weird and act like that.
Mouse: I won't!
Chester: Every girl does, it's in your nature.
Mouse: So what's in your nature?
Sammy: Nothing. Boys don't change for the worse.
Mouse (shrugs): Well anyway, I can understand Lottie being angry. Sammy can be mean.
Sammy: Not true!
Mouse: So true! You always call me names for being with the Eco tribe.
(Dylan and Chester exchange a quick look and flee the room as another argument now between Sammy and Mouse breaks lose.)
SCENE 8
(In the café Ryan and Lex sit together at a table eating lunch as Kayla walks in with her basket full of fresh vegetables, but she has also cleaned up. Salene takes the basket from her and starts putting the food away, while Kayla gets herself something to eat. Lex watches her and then nudges Ryan.)
Lex: What do you think?
Ryan: About what?
(Only then he follows Lex's gaze and shakes his head.)
Ryan: Oh come on, Lex.
Lex: What? She's young, she's single and she's hot... kinda.
Ryan: Just last week you told me that you miss Tai-San, forgot about her?
Lex: No, but I'll probably never see her again. So meanwhile I could hit that.
Ryan: I don't think she'll be interested.
Lex: Why not?
Ryan (shrugs): I think she's into KC.
Lex (grins): Even so he's got himself another girl. Kayla could need some cheering up then.
Ryan (rolls his eyes): Have you ever talked to her before?
Lex: Sure.
Ryan: I mean really talked.
Lex: You sound like a girl. I don't want to marry her, I just want to hit that.
(Ryan shakes his head again and goes back to his meal, while Lex still watches Kayla.)
SCENE 9
(In her room Amber has lain her son on the bed to change him. He gurgles and smiles as she tickles his bare feet.)
Amber: Are you happy, little man? You are, aren't you? mummy is happy. We miss Jay though, don't we? The room is so empty with just the two of us. (pauses) Then again, you don't mind too much. You have your daddy now and you like him. Yes, you do.
(She finishes putting clothes on Bray Jr. and then carefully sets him on the ground, holding his hands as he wobbly stands on his own feet. Proudly she watches him take a few steps.)
Amber: That's it. Slowly one foot in front of the other. You're so good at it, Bray.
Ellie: He's getting big now.
(Amber turns around to see the younger girl standing in the doorway watching them with a smile on her face.)
Amber: Yes. It's happening so fast.
Ellie: Soon he'll be talking, too, and then he'll be quite a handful just like Brady.
Amber (laughs): Oh dear god, two small children running around the hospital.
Ellie: I came to tell you that Bray's here.
Amber: Good. Would you mind taking the little one to see him? I have some stuff to do.
Ellie: Sure.
(She walks over to pick up the baby, while Amber walks off as soon as her son is safely in Ellie's arms. Gently Ellie strokes the head of the little one.)
Ellie: So shall we go see your daddy? I wonder why your mummy didn't take you. Except Jack and Ram nobody's really busy around here lately. You know, we can't do anything until they finish the camera.
(She rambles on as she takes Bray Jr to meet his father and the young boy seems to like it as he babbles on along with her.)
SCENE 10
(Laughter is heard as Ram leaves his room looking exhausted. Curiously he pokes his head into the room next door to see Slade and Ruby playing cards on her bed. With a grin Ram steps into the room.)
Ram: So you two have finally kissed and made up?
(Ruby looks up, quickly hiding the smile on her face as if he just caught her in something forbidden.)
Ruby: He's still on probation.
(Slade scoots over so there's a place for Ram to sit on the bed.)
Slade: Come sit, buddy. Haven't seen much of you lately.
Ram: Building a camera from scratch isn't practically an afternoon activity. It takes time. Jack isn't much help either.
Ruby: I thought you two worked great together.
Ram: Maybe, but he doesn't know anything about cameras.
Slade (teasingly): You must have such a hard time bossing him around and telling him what to do.
Ram (smirks): Delegating is hard work. We're lucky I have some experience in that field.
Ruby: Stop boasting about being leader of the Technos! You did nothing good with your stupid Paradise and Virtual Reality.
(At this Ram is clearly offended, his eyes widening.)
Ram: Now now, Ruby, nothing good? I gave the city electricity, didn't I?
Ruby: Yes and at what cost? Don't try to hide it, Ram, we all know you've done very bad things.
Slade: She's right.
Ram (snaps): Oh so now all the Technos did is my fault? As far as I remember Mega wasn't innocent either. He was the one creating the new virus.
Slade: Josh is dead. He died trying to right his wrongs.
Ram: But he didn't right them. Here I am helping out once again and I'm still the bad guy.
(Ruby puts down the cards she's still holding and rolls her eyes at Ram.)
Ruby: You're not the bad guy. You just shouldn't boast about being the Techno leader, it's nothing to boast about.
Ram: I wasn't boasting, I was joking.
Slade: It's not a joking matter either.
Ram: Oh you two are just so stuck up.
(He childishly takes the cards from Slade and throws them on the pile between them ruining their game, before he leaves the room. Slade and Ruby share an uncertain look, before they start laughing at his action.)
SCENE 11
(Doing her make-up in front of her mirror, Gel ignores the knock on the door. This doesn't stop Darryl from entering anyway. She watches him through the mirror then puts down the lipstick in her hand and turns to him.)
Gel: I didn't say you could come in.
Darryl: Come on, babe, you can't still be mad. It was a joke.
Gel: How is getting dirt on me funny?
(Darryl inches closer, but stops as Gel stares him down.)
Darryl: I'm sorry. I was just looking at KC and Kayla and how much fun they had and thought we'd join in.
Gel: Rolling around in the dirt like animals. There's no chance I'll ever do that.
Darryl: Gel, it was only a little dirt, relax.
Gel: Why should I relax, when you're the one being inconsiderate?
Darryl: I didn't really do anything bad and I apologized. What do you want me to do?
Gel: I want you to treat me right.
(He opens his mouth to say anything then decides against is, anger rising in him now. )
Darryl: I treat you the way you deserve!
(He spins around and leaves, Gel staring after him. She grabs a brush from the table in front of her and throws it angrily after him only hitting the doorway.)
Gel (yells): Yea, you just run... Don't come back!
SCENE 12
(Ellie gently knocks on the door left ajar to Trudy's room and pushes the door open. Brady lies on the floor colouring on a piece of paper while Bray and Trudy sit on the bed talking. When Bray sees Ellie entering with his son, he quickly gets to his feet and takes the young boy from her.)
Bray: Thanks for bringing him, Ellie.
Ellie: No problem.
(She hands Bray Jr. over and leaves. Smiling Bray bounces his son before turning back to Trudy.)
Trudy: You two look good together.
Bray: That's because he's such a handsome young boy.
(Brady looks up from her colouring and studies the two Brays together.)
Brady: mummy, why is he always here?
Trudy (laughs): Don't you remember him, sweetie? That's your uncle Bray.
(The young girl just tilts her head to the side, clearly not understanding what it means.)
Trudy: Your daddy was his brother and he's little Bray's father.
Brady: But what's with Jay?
Trudy: Jay wasn't Bray's daddy. He and Amber just liked each other a lot.
(Bray's mouth twitches at the mention of Amber's past relationship, but doesn't comment on it. Instead he sits down next to Brady and lets his son crawl around the room.)
Bray: I know you since you were a little baby. Just this big.
(He shows her exactly how big with his hands and Brady frowns.)
Brady: That's little.
Bray: Yes, you had to fit into your mummy's tummy. You have grown a lot since I last saw you. You couldn't even talk yet.
Brady: I don't remember you.
Bray: Because I've been gone for a long time.
Brady: Where to?
Trudy: Away, Brady. He didn't want to go, but he had no choice.
Brady: That's silly.
(She then resumes her colouring and Trudy and Bray exchange an amused look.)
SCENE 13
(Jay walks into the café, where Amber and Lex are in a heated discussion. He sighs before making his way over to them.)
Jay: You wanted me for something?
Amber: Jay! Yes. Could you please explain to Lex why we shouldn't let Ram build zappers.
Lex: What else is there to do?
Jay: Zappers? He doesn't even have material to do it.
Lex: We could find some stuff for him.
Amber: He's busy with the camera. He has no time for any other projects.
Lex: Jack could do that.
Jay: Even if Ram could build zappers, it wouldn't do us any good. We're trying to convince the city we're not the bad guys, right? When we go in there wielding zappers like Technos, they all hate, we won't achieve much.
Amber: He's right, they'd probably just hate us even more.
Lex: So you want us to go in barehanded?
Jay: What's the matter, Lex? Are you getting scared of the city kids?
Amber: You used to boast about being a great street fighter, is that suddenly not good enough?
(Lex throws both of them a dirty look.)
Lex: Of course he agrees with you. He always has.
Jay: I'm agreeing with her, because she's right.
Lex: Yea, sure...
(Jay shifts uncomfortably, which just turns Lex's anger into amusement. With a big grin he looks from Jay to Amber and back again.)
Lex: Still a soft spot, huh?
Amber: Cut it out, Lex!
Lex: Just stating the obvious.
Jay: You're out of line.
(He turns on his heels and walks out of the café again. Amber watches him leave with a sad expression, while Lex only chuckles.)
SCENE 14
(Ellie and Alice are chatting in the room Ellie shares with Jack as an exhausted Jack walks in and lets himself fall onto the bed. Alice raises an eyebrow at her younger sister before she leaves giving them some space. Ellie moves over to Jack and runs a hand through his red hair.)
Ellie: What's up? Still the camera?
Jack: That thing is driving me crazy. Ram doesn't say much so I don't know if we're making progress or not and my back is killing me.
Ellie: Come here...
(She crawls on top of him and starts to gently massage his neck and shoulders.)
Ellie: Better?
Jack: What would I do without you.
Ellie: Talking to yourself, but then you do that already. If you weren't so smart, the others probably wouldn't have put up with all your complaining for so long.
Jack: Funny. You forget they put up with Lex and he's worse than I am.
Ellie: As long as you don't complain about me and I can tell you to shut up.
Jack: And what if I don't shut up when you tell me to?
(He smiles to himself, but lets out a short yelp as Ellie nags him in the neck.)
Jack: Ouw! What was that for?
Ellie (laughs): You asked what would happen, didn't you?
Jack: Well, I had something else in mind.
Ellie: Of course you did. So typical for men.
(A groan about the prejudice escapes Jack's mouth, but both of them remain silent, while Ellie massages him. After a while she rolls off of him and stares at the ceiling.)
Ellie: Jack?
Jack: Yea?
Ellie: Do you think we're ever going to have peace and quiet?
Jack: Dunno. Why? It's not so bad right now. We'll get it sorted out soon and maybe then.
Ellie: I'm just thinking. It would be nice if we could just focus on normal stuff for a change. Not having to save the city and just live.
Jack: But we are living, Ellie.
Ellie: I mean living in safety not having to worry all the time. It's exhausting.
(Jack moves closer to her and takes her hand into his own.)
Jack: You'll be okay, Ellie, I'll look out for you.
SCENE 15
(On his way back to his room, Jay runs into Bray, who's on his way to Amber with their son on his hip. The two of them study each other wearily. In the end it's Bray approaching the other man.)
Bray: We haven't had the time to talk.
Jay: I didn't know, you wanted to. Is there anything to talk about?
Bray: I wanted to thank you for looking out for Junior here.
Jay (stiffly): You're welcome.
Bray: You don't have to stay away, you know. Only because I'm here now, doesn't mean you don't matter any more.
Jay: He's not old enough to care and we weren't that close. Salene and Trudy took more care of him than I did. Well, and Amber.
Bray: Look, I don't know what happened with you and Amber, but I really hope, we can get along.
Jay (shrugs): Not a problem for me. You just treat them right or I might change my mind.
Bray: Don't worry, I will.
(But before he can finishes his sentence, Jay has already gone past him.)
SCENE 16
(Meanwhile in the city a group of older kids from minor tribes and strays are chasing two teenagers a boy and a girl down the street towards the school. They run towards an old garbage container in front of a high fence. The boy helps the girl up, but then struggles to get up before the group is on him and pull him back. The girl stares at him horrified as the group laughs at him and shoves him around. A short boy with broad shoulders and bright orange hair steps out of the crowd punches him hard in the face so he falls.)
Kierce: Thought you could run from us, didn't you? Not only did you think you don't need to be grateful to Kaelem and the Consilium, but you could also outrun us?
Boy 1: No, no it's not like that.
Kierce: How is it then? Because I know for sure you two lovebirds weren't in school today. Maybe you think you're better than the rest of us, huh?
Boy 1: No! Look, we don't want trouble, we were just passing through.
(Laughing Kierce turns to the rest of his friends.)
Kierce: Did you hear that? They don't want any trouble. So what should we do?
(The group breaks out in laughter and shouts asKierce turns around and kicks the other one still lying on the ground hard in the ribs. The girl on top of the container cries out for him to stop.)
Kierce: Oh, I could be nicer to him, if you're nice to me, sugar. Why don't you come down from there and we have a nice little talk about people passing through our city.
Boy 1: Kate, don't! Run!
(Kierce kicks him again.)
Kierce: I've heard enough of you. Let the lady talk now and wait till it's your turn.
Girl: Let him go! We didn't do anything.
Kierce: Exactly! Kaelem rules this city and he made it mandatory to go to his school, but you didn't.
Girl: We didn't know.
Kierce: That's not my problem, sugar. (turns to group) Get her down from there!
Boy 1: No! Kate, run!
Girl: I can't leave you!
Kierce: I'll make it easy for you.
(He pulls a knife from his pocket, snaps it open and cuts the boy's throat in one quick motion. The girl but also the group is shocked, but as she lets out one long wail the group gets into motion again and she has no choice but to climb the fence behind her and jump down, running from a similar fate.)
SCENE 17
(In the hospital Lottie is slowly walking down the corridor. From the open door to Sammy and Mouse's room laughter is heard and she pulls a face, looking into the other rooms with doors open or ajar. Her face lights up, when she sees Gel's room is completely empty. With a mischievous grin she sneaks in and takes some of her jewellery and her brush, before sneaking out again and quickly walking to her room, where the stashes the stuff in her pillowcase. Inside are Sammy's cuffs, other jewellery, a pen, a comic book and a gameboy.)
SCENE 18
(Trudy is brushing Brady's hair, while listening to Gel who sits on her bed and complains about Darryl.)
Gel (cont): And then he said that I didn't deserve to be treated right.
Trudy: So what you're saying is: He smeared a little dirt on your face and you two had a fight about that.
Gel: Yes!
Trudy: Gel, don't you think, you're exaggerating? He did apologize to you and he didn't mean to upset you.
Gel: But he got dirt on me, that's disgusting!
Trudy (rolls her eyes): It's just earth, there's nothing disgusting about it.
Gel: But it could have gotten on my clothes.
(Brady sniggers and points at Gel.)
Brady: You have pretty clothes.
Gel: I know right and they could've gotten dirty.
Trudy: Then you wash them, Gel. You really need to cut him some slack. Darryl is a good guy and he did nothing wrong.
Gel: Didn't he? (bursts out) He still got me pregnant!
(Trudy looks uncomfortably at her daughter and quickly puts some hair clips in her hair.)
Trudy: Why don't you go play with Sammy and the others, Sweetie?
Brady: Yippieh! Sammy!
(The little girl takes off as fast as she can go. Trudy smiles looking after her daughter but gets serious when she turns back to Gel again.)
Trudy: You can't say stuff like that in front of Brady unless you want the whole tribe to find out. Getting you pregnant is not his fault alone. You shouldn't have slept with each other being so drunk anyway. You're both to blame for that.
Gel: Well you're not better. Brady wasn't planned was she?
Trudy (warningly): Don't bring her into this! She wasn't, but that's a mistake I don't regret and I don't sit here and blame her father for it.
Gel: I don't even remember, how can I be to blame.
Trudy: Oh grow up! You shouldn't drink so much and take some responsibility for your own life, Gel. Darryl has done nothing wrong and you should cut him some slack.
(Gel storms out of the room at the words, runs into her room and slams the door. Crying she curls up on her bed, holding her stomach.)
SCENE 19
(In her room Kayla lays on her bed, twirling a strand of her auburn hair around a finger while reading the fairytales of the brother's Grimm. She doesn't notice Lex standing in the doorway watching her with a smirk. Only when he walks over to her and sits down on the bed close to her, she looks up from her book.)
Kayla: Lex?
Lex: Hey babe. What are you reading?
Kayla: Fairytales. My grandma used to read them to me, when I was younger. (pauses) Is there something you wanted?
Lex: Just checking up on you. Everyone is a little on edge, you know.
Kayla: Checking up on me? Why?
Lex (shrugs): Just because. I thought maybe you need some help with relaxing.
Kayla: And you could help with that?
Lex: Sure.
(She looks at him with a face making clear, she doesn't believe a word he's saying. He smiles and puts a hand on her shoulder gently squeezing it.)
Lex: I'm serious. How about a massage?
Kayla: No thank you.
Lex: I also learned to meditate from Tai-San.
Kayla: You meditate? Doesn't that involve keeping your mouth shut?
Lex: You don't think I could be quiet? I could be real quiet.
Kayla: Is that so?
Lex: Yea, when I use my mouth for other things.
(Disbelief is shown on her face as it slowly sinks in what he's getting at.)
Kayla: Lex, are you coming on to me?
Lex (winks): Like it, huh?
(Gently he tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear and strokes her cheek. Kayla inches away.)
Kayla: Not exactly.
Lex: Come on, babe. You and me, think about it.
Kayla: I don't have to. The answer is definitely no.
(He frowns, but realizes he might be out of luck and gets up. The sweet tone of his voice is gone now as he addresses her a last time before leaving.)
Lex: You don't know what you're missing out on.
(She watches him leave, making sure he's really gone before she picks the book up again and resumes reading, chuckling softly.)
SCENE 20
(The back door to the hospital swings open as Ryan walks in. He tilts his head slightly to the side as a clearly pissed off Jay walks briskly towards his room. Before he can slam the door, Ryan follows him.)
Ryan: Hey, what happened to you?
Jay: Nothing.
(Ryan rolls his eyes at Jay and closes the door behind him as Jay moves over to the window looking out and ignoring his guest.)
Ryan: Don't give me that.
Jay: I don't want to talk about it.
Ryan: Talking is good, Jay. Get it out of the system.
(As Jay doesn't answer, Ryan walks over to him to stand next to him and continues.)
Ryan: It's Bray, right?
Jay: Of course it's Bray. Even Darryl could've figured that out. He got everything I wanted and doesn't even acknowledge it.
Ryan (incredulous): Are you mad because he's not with Amber?
Jay: No! It's just... I don't understand him. He has a son and Amber is clearly in love with him and yet he's still with Crow and living in the warehouses. Why?
Ryan: You don't make any sense, man.
Jay: I just don't want to be the idiot who broke up with her for nothing.
Ryan: Oh... But you did the right thing.
Jay: Have I?
Ryan: If you had stayed with her, you would always have asked yourself if she really loved you. You wouldn't be happy.
Jay: True, but I'm not happy now either.
(Ryan smiles at him and pats him friendly on the back.)
Ryan: No, that takes time, but you will be.
SCENE 21
(In another room Sparrow puts on her knee high boots as KC crawls over to her barely clothed himself. He puts his hands on her shoulders and teasingly bites her neck.)
Sparrow: KC, stop that! I have to go.
KC: Do you have to? It's already getting dark.
(She turns to him sceptically raising her eyebrow.)
Sparrow: Are you saying I can't look out for myself? I thought we had put that behind us.
KC: That's not what I'm saying.
Sparrow: So what are you saying?
KC: It's getting dark and you're probably tired. Your camp is far away. I'm just stating the obvious.
Sparrow: And what's that?
KC: Stay the night and go in the morning.
Sparrow: Mhm, Crow might not like that, Vulture surely won't.
KC: So? Come one, live a little dangerously.
(Laughing he pokes her in the ribs and she giggles.)
Sparrow: Fine, but I'm also getting hungry. So get out of bed and let's go.
KC (uncertain): You want me to cook?
Sparrow (laughs): Definitely not! Let's just find something in the kitchen and maybe I'll cook, if I have to.
(Grumbling he crawls out of bed and puts on some clothes.)
KC: My cooking isn't that bad.
Sparrow: I'd rather not try it.
SCENE 22
(As KC and Sparrow enter the café, Alice walks past them with a tray of food heading for the room Liam's hold captive in. After she puts the bar down and opens the door, she takes a surprised step back. Instead of sitting on the mattress as he usually does, Liam is standing right in front of the door smiling at her.)
Alice (shouts): Get back!
(He takes a few steps back and leans against the wall.)
Liam: Alice, I was waiting for you.
Alice: Already hungry?
Liam (shrugs): No, just nothing else to do. At least you talk to me for a while.
(Alice shoves the tray of food into his hands and points to the mattress indicating to him to sit down.)
Liam: You sure are bossy.
Alice: And you're a pain in the ass.
(He sets the tray down on the floor and sits just like she ordered.)
Liam: I heard that before, but this time I believe it.
Alice: How come?
Liam: I'm bored and I push you on purpose that could be considered as annoying.
Alice: And why do you push me?
Liam: Because you intrigue me, Alice. You have a strong opinion, but I don't think you consider other view points after you made up your mind.
Alice: Be careful or I might take that as a compliment.
Liam: It was intended as one.
(She eyes him suspiciously, but he just smiles at her and starts eating.)
Alice: So other than the boredom you enjoy yourself, huh?
Liam: It's not too bad. I do enjoy going where ever I want though.
Alice: Well, at least you have to reflect over the things you did.
Liam: Being a follower is wrong for you, I know. Actually I don't have to think about the kidnapping to know it was the wrong thing to do, but the Consilium are my friends and my family and it was the first time something like that was asked of me. I chose to overlook that so I could keep the people I care about in my life. It might be selfish and I'm sorry for what we put the girls through, but I'd probably do it again.
Alice: I figured as much. So I have to believe that you're really a nice person that's just been misunderstood.
Liam: You don't have to believe anything, but I guess you knew that already. Believe whatever you want, but be prepared to change your mind.
Alice: You're a really big talker.
Liam: Yet I was only the muscle of the Consilium. Funny, eh? I guess it's just because I have so much time to think.
(Alice sighs, then closes the door and sits down in front of it.)
Alice: No funny business, boy, understand?
(He nods)
Alice: Good, then tell me about your friends. How did you come to the Consilium?
SCENE 23
(The room is dark now as Gel finally gets off her bed. She walks to her mirror and checks her reflection in the little remaining light from outside. Her make-up is smudged so she takes it off, then she leaves her room and sneaks into the next one which is Darryl's. The boy is already in bed staring at the ceiling, but turns when he hears the door open. Without a word Gel crawls into bed with him, wraps her arms around him and nuzzles her head into his shoulder.)
Gel (whispers): I'm sorry.
Darryl: What was going on?
Gel: I don't know. I'm scared, Darryl.
Darryl: Of what?
Gel: Everything. (pauses) You.
(Only then he puts an arm around her and softly traces his fingers over the bare skin of her arm.)
Darryl: Of me? But I don't do anything. I would never hurt you, Gel.
Gel: But you could... so easily.
Darryl: So could you. This is what it's all about, isn't it?
Gel: What?
Darryl: Being with someone. You have to fully trust someone else.
Gel: And let them in like right under your skin. This is new to me, Darryl. I've never...
Darryl: I know. We'll figure it out.
Gel: I'm sorry for saying, you shouldn't come back.
Darryl: You didn't mean it, I figured as much.
Gel: Right, but I was scared you'd take me seriously. Walk away and don't come back. You know you can't leave me now, right? Not after you threw me completely off my track.
Darryl: I won't leave. Where would I go?
SCENE 24
(The night has fallen over the city, but still a few shouts and screams can be heard. Kaelem stands in front of the school watching the night sky. As always Jim is guarding the front entrance. He steps up to the tribe leader, who seems to be deep in thought.)
Jim: Everything okay? You seem stressed out.
Kaelem: I am. With this new situation there are a lot things to put into consideration.
Jim: What do you mean?
Kaelem: For one there is Kestrel and the Harpies who confuse me. My sister is careful, but she's also easily angered. By now I would have thought she was eager for revenge, but when they got their hands on Liam, they gave them to the Mallrats. That's so unlike her.
Jim: Maybe the Mallrats convinced her otherwise.
Kaelem: That's what I'm thinking, too. If the Mallrats are able to change Kestrel's mind though, maybe their lies will change the mind of the city kids and we'll be in trouble.
Jim: I see.
Kaelem: We can't have that. Tomorrow I'm going to give a speech in the school cafeteria.
(Jim is about to ask into it, but Kaelem turns on his heels and disappears into the school building.)
SCENE 25
(In Amber's room Bray has just put a very tired Bray Jr. to sleep and is now walking through the hospital, clearly looking for someone. Finally in the far corner of the entrance hall, he sees Amber looking out of the glass wall into the night sky. Quietly he approaches her and sits down. For a while neither of them says a word until finally Bray opens his mouth.)
Bray: Have you been hiding from me?
Amber: I guess you could say that.
Bray: Why?
Amber: Because everything is so confusing right now.
Bray: Tell me about it. (pauses) Please stop avoiding me, Amber. We have to deal with this sometime.
Amber: What's there to deal with, Bray? You have Crow and a lot of time has passed.
Bray: You're still hiding. I can tell.
(A sad smile crosses her face as she finally turns to look at him.)
Amber: You know me too well. (takes a deep breath) Look, I know it's been quite a while and that we both have been through different things and changed, but you always had a place in my heart. That's also the reason Jay and I broke up. I don't expect anything from you but that you're there for Bray Jr. I just need some time to adjust.
Bray: I only got together with Crow after Ebony told me about my past and said there was no one. I waited so long so I wouldn't feel guilty and now I do. My feelings for her are genuine, but like you said, I hold you in my heart. Since I remembered not a day has passed that I haven't thought about you and the others, but mainly you.
(They look into each others eyes as if they can read each others minds just by looking at each other. Then Amber reaches out to run her fingers through his hair and Bray pulls her into a passionate kiss.)