Disclaimer: Harry Potter and The Tribe do not belong to me. I make no money from this. :(
Chapter 7: Put away the toys it's time to grow up
Harry, Greg and Lex headed to the woods. The forest was about half a mile from the back of the mall so they had a small hike. In the woods they didn't need to be as quiet as before so they struck up a conversation. Just mundane things like how Greg wanted to decorate his room or how Lex would love if they could find a strawberry bush. But Harry was really deep in thought about all the different types of people at the mall and how to get them to be productive as they grew up.
From the looks of things Dal would make the best apprentice for remedies and farming. Zandra would love to be an interior designer or even make clothes. Salene a house maker or house mom. Jack would make a great inventor or someone to make stuff that was already been thought up but now we needed. Now Amber was a mystery, he really needed to sit down with her and talk. Bray, he would figure would want to stay a wanderer but he wasn't sure. Trudy was another one he wasn't sure of she could do many things but he thought she might just want to be a mom for a time, but he could probably teach her like he was going to teach Dal, to brew remedies. Cloe was maybe the easiest she wanted to be with animals no matter what. He would have to have a sit down with Patsy and Paul to even contemplate what they would like to do. And Greg he knew Greg but the big guy had never told him what he would really like to do other than protect him. Lex and Ryan what to do with the two of them. They both seem to have some military training but he doesn't know how, they are only fifteen, and if they were it wasn't much training.
So many different strengths it should be volatile but Harry knew one thing and he knew it was himself that was keeping them together. He could only hope that if he left the group in any way they would stick together as a family.
They found a couple of blackberry bushes and more herbs and the aloe vera that Harry knew would come in handy, and weirdly enough a marijuana plant about two feet tall. Harry didn't want to keep it but Lex said it was practically gold to the tribes so they dug it up and promised each other they wouldn't let any in the tribe use it. Harry wanted to keep looking but the guys were starting to get hungry and threatened to eat the berries if they didn't get back soon. So they headed back to the mall with the plants in their own buckets to be transplanted into five gallon buckets on the roof when they got the dirt the next morning.
The trip back was more exiting then the trip out. The Lokos were out patrolling their territories and so they had to hide many times. Harry couldn't understand what could drive a group of people to act the way they are. So he asked Lex.
"I don't know little healer, it could be a way of covering fear." the 'like I did' was unsaid but Greg and Harry knew it was there. "Or they could have just gone crazy with all the death around them." That was a good explanation for at least the leaders out there. "your different Harry, I know I'm not the smartest person out there but you have a presence that just draws people to you. A sureness that shows people that you know what is best for them but that you need to be protected." He looked embarrassed.
"That is a good way to put it Lex. Harry also has an innocence that while not naive is quite refreshing." Greg said to him. Harry blushed at their praise so they let the conversation go.
They were at the pulley in the back of the mall so Greg gave a whistle to get someones attention and Dal looked down with Cloe from the other side. Harry gave a wave while the guys looked around to see they if anyone else was around. There wasn't so they slowly lifted the plants to the roof and went down to the sewers.
Once inside they heard an argument coming from the cafe. It sounded like Amber was on a war path.
"What is it with you Bray you come and go, you don't tell us you were leaving, for all you knew the baby or Trudy could have gotten sick or hell one of any of us. I thought you were here to help. I thought you were going to be the gatherer the one who went out to the city that got helpful things that we don't have here?" Amber berated Bray.
"I couldn't find anything okay? I was looking for new areas to get stuff. I was almost caught last time when I went out for the baby stuff by the Demon Dogz." Bray said in a calm manner back to her.
Trudy was up and about it seemed and was standing behind Bray holding the baby. Harry almost swore he couldn't leave them alone for two hours with out an argument breaking out.
"Amber what's wrong?" Harry asked as he got to the top of the stairs.
"He came back like Trudy said but all he will tell us is that it's dangerous out there. He has been gone most of the day but has nothing to show for it. All I want to know is what the big secret that he is keeping. It would have to be big or else he wouldn't mind sharing. If it impacts this tribe we should know!" she said heating up again.
"Alright I think I see the problem. Amber your upset because you think Bray is not contributing right?" She nodded. "Alright then how about you write a list so he knows what we need and Bray when ever you go out to get some air you look around and see if anything on it you can find. But mostly I think we three need to have a sit down. Actually I need a sit down with everyone to figure out what the best thing for each of us to do to contribute. That is if you and Trudy are staying, you are aren't you?" He looked at the two, Bray and Trudy shared a look and Trudy nodded but Bray looked like he needed to talk to her in private.
"Well you two get back to me in the morning with your decision. And Trudy if you want to stay you can with or without Bray okay?" She nodded and they headed out to her room. "Lex, Greg can you two go and tell Dal about our special plant and why we brought it back."
"Sure not a problem." Lex said while Greg just nodded, "Amber can I talk to you?" Harry asked, she gave her consent and he motioned for her to follow him. As they walked to his room the one that was originally given to both he and Greg before Greg moved in next door to him. He was pleasantly surprised to find a green divider at the entrance and a lot of his room decorated by Zandra. It looked nice and he would have his next talk with her to thank her.
"Amber what is up with you and Bray. I had thought you two were going to get along?" Harry looked her in the eyes while holding one of her hands in both of his.
"Yes I mean no, I, I don't know there is something about him that just seems strange. It's an air of mystery that surrounds him and I just want to make sure it is not a threat to the rest of us!" She went to stand up but Harry kept a hold of her hand so she flopped back down.
"Amber how old are you?" he asked her when she settled.
"I'm not sure, thirteen or fourteen does it matter?" Harry nodded.
"You remind me of my best friend, so smart and always wanting everything to be fair. But Amber this new world we are living in isn't fair. There is no more equal rights. The world has been sent back to the age of tribes not countries. If you want to lead then you have to do it with fear or friendship and you can't do it with fear. It's not in you. You are a good person and if you want to be treated right then you need to act the way you want to be treated." He squeezed her hand in sympathy.
"I know but I am just so angry that these brutes can just take over where I live it doesn't seem right." Amber bowed her head. "I don't know what I'm doing Harry it's all, I don't know, just, I wish things didn't fall so far."
"What you need is some control of what's going on here. What was your favorite thing to do before the virus hit?" She looked at him sharply and gave a questioning look but all Harry did was keep his eyes steady on hers.
"Not much I just liked to skate and draw." She gave a depreciating laugh. "What can I do with that?"
"Do you like to paint?" He asked her. She nodded. "Then why don't you paint the walls, you know first a solid color then start making murals make this place a home." Amber smiled at him then and nodded.
"Yeah I used to drive my parents crazy when I did that to my bedroom." Harry laughed then.
"Well now it is a necessary skill. Don't worry about anything else alright I think I have it covered." They both stood up then and Amber surprised him by giving him a hug.
"You know you make a better leader here then any of us would." With that she walked out.
By now Harry was starving so he made his way to the cafe. The whole tribe was sitting there and Harry realized that it was already dinner time and he had missed lunch. He didn't join them though they all seemed to be happy. Trudy with new clothes and make-up sitting next to the pram with the baby in it laughing at something Dal said, and Zandra cooing over the baby. Patsy and Paul signing to each other. Probably thinking up some mischief. Salene cooking at the stove carrying on a conversation with Ryan and Amber. Cloe petting her cat she found on the streets. The big shocker was Lex talking with Jack, Bray and Greg about about the watch at night and if they could make an alarm at the entrances. He so wanted it to stay like this, everyone getting along so well. With a happy smile he went to join Zandra cooing at the baby.
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That night he thanked Zandra for fixing up his room and asked her if she wouldn't mind doing his make-up and dressing the kids, because what was a real tribe if they didn't take care of the younger ones and making sure everyone else was presentable. She was ecstatic of course and she said she would make sure that everyone knew they were the best dressed tribe around. He didn't think that made much since because they didn't want to let the other tribes know they existed but if it made her happy who was he to tell her no. He just wanted everyone to be happy with how they looked because he knew with his childhood that the way a person looked was how they were treated and he wanted everyone to be treated nice.
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It was late when Harry heard Bob barking, he stood quickly and shrugged his shirt on. He met Greg out side of his room and they ran down stairs where they heard the dog bark again.
"Bray we trusted you, Harry trusted you and you brought Zoot the leader of the Lokos here." Lex sounded pissed. So Harry quickened his pace but Greg grabbed him up and told him to get back up stairs. "Where are the others?"
Bray said something but it was to soft to hear and a fight broke out Greg ran down to them but someone ran up the stairs from the other side that Greg ran down, and pushed Harry down them trying to get passed. Harry screamed when he fell and was so stunned he didn't move from the bottom but the damage was done and Lex was pissed. Greg ran straight to him but Lex kept going everyone was screaming wanting to know what was going on. Greg picked him up and made sure he was fine. Ryan was telling everyone that the Lokos were here but Lex he was in a rage and Bray had finally caught up to him.
"It was him, Bray! He let Zoot in here and the first thing he did was hurt Harry! You let him in here!" He yelled.
"Just let me explain!" Bray yelled back out of breath.
"Why so you can tell us more of your lies!" He hit Bray then and Zoot came out of hiding.
"If you want to fight then fight me!" He said before he ran towards Lex but he must have not realized how close he was to the edge and when Lex dodged Zoot went over the side. Harry watched with horror. He heard a deafening thunk and Zoot didn't move. Harry wiggled down from Greg and ran towards the body. He touched him but Zoot didn't move.
"No no no no! Come on work stupid powers work!" he started to shake him but he knew Zoot was dead on contact, he must have broken his neck. He kept trying until Bray pulled him back and gave him to Greg to hold.
Bray felt for a pulse one last time but there wasn't one. "He's dead." He stood up then to hug a crying Trudy with the baby.
"Harry are you alright?" Lex questioned making his way down. Harry gave him a wide eye look but nodded. Bray and Trudy were still mourning Zoot. But the rest of the tribe was in a stupor.
"Salene bring the kids to the cafe would you?" she asked once she saw the kids were at the top staring.
"Why we've seen dead bodies before?" Patsy questioned.
"Yes of course you have but just go with Salene now, okay? Please?" Amber said up to them. Salene and the kids went to the cafe then.
"Let's get him out of here and those two with him." Lex said spitefully, Amber yelled no and looked to Harry. Harry walked up the stairs to Lex and whispered to him.
"I am fine the only ones hurt now are Trudy and Bray alright. Remember I heal to fast to be hurt for to long and they deserve a right to be heard." Harry hugged him around the middle.
"Fine, yeah I want to know why Bray would bring in Zoot and what the hell he was thinking. But only because your not hurt." Lex hugged him to his chest and Zandra came over to hug them both.
"He didn't come here to hurt anyone! He came here to see me and his baby!" Trudy yelled through her tears.
"His baby?" Amber questioned quietly.
"Zoot's her father." Trudy confirmed.
"But what about Bray we all thought." She looked confused. Harry knew what she was thinking they had all assumed that Bray was the father but looking back neither actually confirmed this.
"Bray found me after I ran away from the Lokos. He has been taking care of me that's all." Trudy replied, she looked to be going in to shock so Harry went over to them. First he touched Bray on the face to heal the bruises he knew were forming under his clothes and looked Trudy in the eyes.
"Trudy did you want to go with him?" Harry questioned, but she shook her head.
"No, I wanted him to quit the Lokos and come here. I loved him but the way he ran the Lokos scared me so much and being pregnant I couldn't stay there. I was so scared all the time. I just wanted Martin back. The guy I fell in love with before he went crazy." She broke down in tears again so Bray pulled her back to his chest.
Harry looked at Greg and he nodded so he looked at Lex and saw he looked really disturbed.
"Trudy, I am so sorry this happened it was all just one big mistake after another. No one wanted this to happen. We will make sure he has a proper send off okay?" Trudy nodded and Amber led her back up stairs to her room. Bray closed his eyes and Harry could see he was holding back tears. He motioned for Lex and Greg to join him while everyone else went to the kitchen to talk things over.
"Bray, are you all right?" He asked once the guys got to him. Bray shook his head hard.
"He was my brother, my kid brother." And with that he finally broke down. Harry moved to hug but Greg beat him to it and pulled him into a manly hug which turned into them slapping each others back.
"I, I didn't mean to, it was an accident he ran at me but I didn't touch him. He killed himself." Lex stuttered out. Lex had never killed anyone before he hadn't meant for it to happen that way. He knew Zoot, Martin, whatever was a bad person but he had never been directly involved with someone dying. He had hurt people before and he betrayed Glen, his ex-tribe mate, but that was before he tried to change, before Harry.
"Shh Lex, no one blames you we all saw it. It was one big cluster fuck but we know you meant well you were trying to protect us. Everything will be fine." Harry held him when Bray looked over at the two of them he nodded and Lex relaxed knowing that Bray didn't blame him for his brother's death.
That night Amber slept with Trudy, Bray and the baby. Lex, Greg and Zandra piled onto Harry's bed with him and each group comforted each other through the horror of the night.
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The next morning Bray, Trudy, Amber, Dal, Jack, Harry and Lex all dressed in black with silver face paint to mark there mourning. Lex was mostly there for an apology and Jack for directions to a graveyard. Harry was giving out last minute instructions. He wanted the kids to do there morning routine of getting cow food and water. He asked Salene if she wouldn't mind making sure everyone ate because they were leaving to early for Harry to do so. Greg would keep an eye on the kids and Zandra and Salene would keep watch for the baby. And Ryan would stand guard over the mall and let everyone in and out of the doorways.
Once the instructions were out of the way Bray and Trudy led the way downstairs were Zoot was wrapped in a sheet and put in a shopping cart.
Greg found Cloe praying so he stopped to listen to her.
"I'm sure Lex didn't mean to hurt Zoot. Even though he was a bad man. So please forgive him and look after Trudy and the baby. And look after Bluebell." The dog Bob whined so she looked at it. "and Bob too, but most of all look after Zoot." Greg walked the rest of the way in to Cloe's room and sat next to her on the floor.
She looked at him in surprise but went into his arms when he opened them.
"Cloe, I am sure God is looking after all of us and Zoot too. But what happened last night was a lack of communications. Lex didn't mean to hurt Zoot and Bray didn't let Zoot in to hurt anyone, it was a mistake and it wont happen again. So we need to start telling each other things and remember to trust each other. So no more surprises happen. Alright." She nodded into his big shoulder. "Alright then lets go Get bluebell some food kay and this time you need to stay with us. Ryan is staying inside to guard the mall so I have to keep up with the three of you."
"Alright. Let's go then." She jumped up and ran out of the room to get her bags and her jug to carry water. Greg was amazed that she could just bounce back from things like that and was reminded again of how young she really was.
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Outside the funeral party was following Jack's directions.
"How much farther?" Bray questioned Jack.
"A kilometer maybe a bit more." Jack said with his lisp.
"We better get a move on then. Who's territory is this anyway?" Amber piped up pushing the cart. Harry and Lex were behind the group holding hands to comfort one another while Trudy and Bray were doing the same next to Amber. While Jack and Dal were walking ahead keeping a look out.
"I wouldn't worry to much none of the tribes get up this early." Bray said trying to be reassuring.
"All the same" She told him back still worried.
"Jack and I'll scout up ahead." Dal offered.
"Good idea, we don't want to be caught on the streets with this." Amber said reminding them all they had Zoot's dead body with them. Jack and Dal ran ahead then.
They all waited at the edge of the woods for Jack and Dal to get back from scouting out the cemetery. The both ran back out of breathe about ten minutes later.
"Demon Dogz camping in there." Jack said out of breath.
"Ahh no, what are we gonna do." Amber moaned looking at Harry. He put his hand on Trudy's shoulder before she freaked out.
"We will think of something, Lex any ideas?" Lex looked at them and mentioned that there had to be other ways to honor the dead. That gave Jack a brilliant idea.
"I got it the beach it's only about five minutes away. How about a burial at sea?" Everyone looked at Trudy and she nodded so they headed for the sea.
On the beach they all helped pull the buggy to a small rickety boat. Trudy was standing quietly just staring at the wrapped corpse with tears in her eyes. While Bray and Amber discussed the logistics of getting him out in the open sea to dump. Dal found a little bit or petrol and a portable boat motor. He told them they could use it to send him out to see, but Bray wanted to do it a different way he wanted to send his brother out with a real warrior chief's funeral. He wanted to light it on fire and then sent it out. So they gathered all the brush and flammables they could find. They put Zoot's body in the boat and when they were ready and Jack had a torch burning Bray prepared for a eulogy.
Bray took his brother's necklace off and said, "Good Bye Martin, God bless," he was crying again but no one was going to interrupt him. "Have a safe journey to the other side everyone will be there waiting for you. Mom, Dad, everybody." He covered Martin's face back up and Amber and Lex pushed the boat out and started the engine up. Then Jack set it aflame. They watched as the boat burned going out to sea.
As they were walking back to the city Harry tripped over a pieces of wood. When he looked down at it he saw that it was a part of Ron's old room. He would recognize it from anywhere. Ron had taken up making designs on his wall with a make shift wood burner. It wasn't a big piece just enough for harry to tell what it was and after watching the fiery funeral it brought back too many memories of his time on the ship.
Harry fell backwards holding himself he knew people were trying to get his attention but all he could see was darkness and all he could feel were Ron's hands on him.
/Harry was sleeping when someone laid down on top of him he was startled and tried to push them off. When he opened his eyes it was Ron. Ron kissed him and rutting against him. Harry kept telling him to get off but Ron was almost a head taller and weighed more than three stones then him. No, he could remember yelling while hands were trying to go down his pajamas but he wouldn't listen. He scratched him across the face but to his horror Ron healed just as quickly no blood even made it out. Ron hit him and Harry tried to scream he new he was going to be raped but the door opened then and Greg threw Ron into a wall then knocked him out with a punch to the face./
Lex looked back when he heard a moan, "Harry!" he screamed getting the others attention. They all ran back to him asking what was wrong but all they got from him were pleads to get off him and no let me gos. It took almost ten minute to get his attention.
When he came to Amber was holding his face and he was in Lex's lap. Amber was saying over and over that they wouldn't let anyone hurt him like that again. Never again. Harry fell apart then he didn't remember the walk back to the mall or Greg's explanation about why he freaked or Zandra cleaning his face and putting him to bed or even Trudy laying down with him. But he remembered the soft way he was handled and how Lex handed him over to the girls and knew he would never forget how protected he felt with this group of people, his tribe, and he loved them all just a little more.
Look into the future
what do you see
I really need to know now
Is there a place for me
tell me where do we go from here
take me as you find me
For what I am
When I make mistakes please understand
For as long as I know your near
There is nothing for me to fear
Out of the darkness the light shines
burning through the coldest night
We can find our way
Together we'll make it
with every step we take
we're closer together
if were going to survive
the dream must stay alive...
"The Dream Must Stay Alive"
Sung by
Rosalind J.
Written By
Simon May, Simon Lockyer,
Ben Robbins
AN: I so did not want to kill Zoot but for the Guardian to come into the city Zoot had to be dead. Also I had to put Harry's flash back here because I needed the whole mall to know who Ron is and what an a-hole he is.