Laigh’s hair was sweeping off of her face as she stood on the hill, it was totally purple with silvery streaks, her eyes were transfixed on something on the horizon, what, she didn’t know. She was wearing a beautiful lilac dress that flowed around her ankles and the long train at the back was fluttering in the gentle breeze. Suddenly her legs felt weak and she started to roll down the hill, faster and faster until she reached the bottom. She felt dazed as she stared at a pair of boots, she looked up at the boot-wearers face, however she couldn’t see it as the sun was directly behind his head and so it blocked out his features. She got up and gasped as she looked into Max’s eyes. “Laigh, come home please, I need you.” He took her hand. Her head was throbbing and she could feel something trickling down the back of her neck, she put her hand on it and looked - blood? All of a sudden everything started to spin, she hear Max say “Laigh? Laigh are you OK?” but then she fell to the ground as everything around went black...
“Laigh? Laigh are you OK?” She sat up quickly, gasping for air. A cold sweat covered her forehead and made her shiver. Jack was sat next to her, his hand on her shoulder. She looked at him with wide shocked eyes. “You were having a nightmare. I was just checking on Lucy when you started tossing and turning. You worried me.”
Laigh relaxed a little and whispered to him - “It was awful, I died.”
He put his arms around her and she began to cry, she was so scared. What happened in that dream? Jack wondered, why is she so upset? Laigh then remembered about Lucy “How is she?” she asked, going up to her bed where Lucy lay in a peaceful sleep “How’s Josh?”
“They’re both fine, actually Josh’s up, eating breakfast with the others.” This made Laigh smile, she ran to the cafe where Josh was sat eating his breakfast.
“Josh!” Laigh exclaimed. He looked at her and jumped up, they threw their arms around each other “How are you feeling?”
“Much better, thanks” he let go of her and they sat down together. Salene and Trudy smiled at them.
“How’s Lucy this morning Laigh?” Salene enquired.
“Fine, just fine, thank goodness” Laigh answered, blowing a strand of hair away from her eyes.
“What do you mean, thank goodness?” Trudy asked.
“I just mean that I would have felt so bad if she had...” her voice trailed off as she looked at Josh. He placed his hand on hers.
“It’s OK Laigh, it wasn’t your fault. If it was anyone’s it was mine,” he said guiltily “We should never have left.”
“Why did you leave Josh?” Bray asked. Laigh looked at him inquisitively, she needed to know what had troubled them so much.
“It got too much at the warehouse, something happened which shocked Lucy and left me feeling so sorry for you...”
“What?!?” Laigh was bewildered.
“Lucy walked in on Max and Harley... in bed. I’m so sorry.” Josh could hardly say the words. Laigh was shocked. So it hadn’t been a misunderstanding, Max and Harley HAD been sleeping together. She was about to open her mouth when -
“Hey Laigh! Josh! Lucy’s awake!” Jack rushed in, looking happy. Laigh’s anger turned to joy. She jumped up and kissed the first person she came to, which happened to be Jack. He blushed and turned very shy “Well, erm, I...” he stammered. Laigh and Josh could the laughter of the others echoing through the mall as they ran to Lucy.
“Laigh? Is it really you?” Lucy asked weakly. She couldn’t believe it, they’d found Laigh. Laigh threw her arms around Lucy and so did Josh.
“Woah, be careful, don’t squash me!” Lucy said. Laigh laughed and pulled back, she sat on a chair nearby and Josh sat next to Lucy on the edge of the bed, his arm around her.
“Well, what have I missed?” Laigh winked at them. Both of them began to blush and Josh took his arm away. “Nothing, honest” Josh tried to worm his way out of the situation. “I was just pleased to see her awake, that’s all.” Laigh just smiled.
“Laigh, did Josh tell you why we left?” Lucy asked gently. Laigh sighed, she didn’t want this to come up again. “Yes, I should have guessed really that it was something to do with them.”
Lucy could see that Laigh didn’t want to talk about this and so quickly changed the subject. “So, you seem to have landed on your feet. What tribe is this? The only person I’ve seen is the guy with the red hair. He’s cute, isn’t he?”
“You mean Jack? He is sweet. This tribe’s the Mall Rats. Oh I’ve just realised I haven’t introduced you to Bray!” Laigh brought her hand up to her forehead.
“What about me?” Bray and Amber entered, Amber was carrying a tray with a cup of tea on it for Lucy.
“I thought you’d like a drink Lucy” Amber handed her the cup. She took it and sipped it.
“Lucy, this is my cousin Bray! And this is Amber, his girlfriend. They’re getting married!” Laigh introduced Bray and Amber to Lucy. She smiled at them.
“So you finally found him! It’s nice to meet you at long last, I’ve heard lots of good things about you” Lucy said politely. Bray smiled at her.
“That’s great to hear!” he laughed “I’ve heard some good things about you two as well. Laigh really missed you both.”
“I did!” exclaimed Laigh. “But we’re back together now and that’s all that matters.” With that, Josh, Lucy and Laigh hugged each other.
Amber and Bray crept out silently. When they were out of hearing distance Amber said “It’s good to Laigh back with her friends, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Bray sighed contentedly. “I wonder what they’ll do now? Shall we invite them to stay?”
“Let’s wait for a while, I mean they might decide to go and start a new tribe together, far away from the troubles of Max and Harley” Amber replied.
“Do you think they’ve heard the last of those two?” Bray asked her, as he had noticed how unsure she had been when she’d mentioned them.
“I don’t think so, but only time will tell,” Amber said distantly.
Laigh, Josh and Lucy were still talking. They had been joined by Salene, who was sat on a stool next to Laigh. “So what are you two planning to do next?” Salene asked.
“Well if it’s alright with Bray and Amber we’d like to stay here for a little while. They are the leaders, right?” Josh asked.
“Yeah they are. So’s Lex though, and he’s a harder nut to crack,” Laigh said.
“You’re right about the ‘nut’ part!” Salene joked.
“Yeah he’s crazy!” Laigh laughed. “I mean, who else would think that us three were trying to take over the mall!”
“Excuse me, that’s my husband you’re talking about.” Zandra walked in, having heard everything.
“Oh sorry Zan, we didn’t know you were out there,” Salene looked at Laigh, they both started to snigger, trying to hide their laughter. Zandra looked disgustedly at them both. She rolled her eyes and said to Lucy “Hi, I’m Zandra. We haven’t been introduced yet.” She put her hand out, Lucy took it. “So you’re married to this Lex? I haven’t met him yet.”
“Oh you will be soon, I promise,” Laigh said. “He’ll make himself known.”
At that moment Patsy and Cloe waltzed in, they were wet through and were carrying a huge bunch of flowers which they handed to Lucy. “These are for you.” Patsy announced.
“We’re glad you’re feeling better,” Cloe added.
Lucy smiled at them, “What are your names?” she asked.
“This is Cloe and this is Patsy,” Laigh presented them to Lucy.
“Can you sing?” Cloe asked. “Laigh’s got a really pretty voice.”
“I know she has. I can’t sing at all I’m afraid. I wish I could though” Lucy said a little wearily.
“Talking of singing, it’s time I gave you guys a lesson,” Laigh could see Lucy was starting to feel a little overwhelmed by all of these visitors. “C’mon everyone, let’s leave Lucy to rest. You too Josh.” She could he was going to object. They all left the room, Lucy sighed. It was wonderful to be back with Laigh.
Later that day. The rain had finally stopped and Laigh went up onto the roof, there was a rainbow arching across the sky and Amber was stood looking out at the city. “Amber?” Laigh asked. She jumped. She’d been thinking deeply about something. “Oh Laigh it’s you, how are you feeling?”
“Fine. Where’s Bray?” Laigh asked, she hadn’t seen him for a while.
“He’s gone foraging for food,” Amber sighed. “I worry about him, you know.” She looked back out towards the city.
“Why? He’s a big boy, I think he can look after himself,” Laigh thought Amber was being a bit over protective.
“It’s just that we’ve been through so much, I don’t think I could bear to lose him.” She sighed again. Laigh could tell there was something else bothering her. “What’s really wrong Am? I can tell you’re hiding something.”
Amber fell to the ground and started to cry. Laigh was worried. Had they fallen out again? She put her hand on Amber’s back “Come on, you can tell me.”
“I... I think I’m pregnant!” she wailed. Laigh was confused, what was so wrong with that?
“That’s great! Isn’t it?” Laigh asked.
“No! He doesn’t want children yet, and neither do I!” she sobbed. “I mean, we’ve already got Brady to think about, and Zandra’s pregnant, we can’t cope with three babies, can we?”
“I think you’d better tell him,” Laigh said gently.
“Not yet, after the wedding,” she replied. “Could you leave me on my own now?” Laigh got up and walked away.
Max walked into the warehouse, he was freezing from the rain and, for once, was glad to be back. He’d only just got through the door when - “Max, I’m so glad you’re back! I was so worried!” Harley came running out of her room when she heard the door close. She threw her arms around him, but he just pushed her off. “Get off me Harley, I’m not interested in you or your little dramas.” He stormed off to his room. Harley was upset, why wouldn’t he listen to her? They were the only two left now and they really needed to sit down and talk about what they were going to do. She sighed, he’d never understand after everything. He’d just think that she was playing another one of her games, but she wasn’t. She loved him really and also if they didn’t sort everything out they wouldn’t last much longer...
Laigh was sat thinking about the day’s events, the last couple of days had been different, a little more interesting. She sighed, how could she think of this as one big adventure? This was real life and boy, was it ever tough. She though back to Amber, stood on the roof. I hope she’s OK, she thought to herself. Zandra walked in, and looked at Laigh “Hi, what’s wrong? You look troubled” she asked. Was Zandra being sensitive?
“Just thinking, that’s all,” Laigh said, vaguely.
“Well it looks as if there’s something wrong to me and I know the best way to stop you feeling troubled,” announced Zandra. She sounded like a person off of a television advertisement. “Let me give you a make over.”
“A what?” Laigh was amazed, Zandra was offering to give her a make over?
“C’mon, it’ll be fun, and you’ll look great for Amber and Bray’s wedding,” Zandra urged her.
“OK, OK I’m coming.” Laigh thought she better be polite, especially after what she had said about Lex earlier.
“Great.” Zandra smiled satisfactorily...
...”Ta da! All done!” Zandra couldn’t help but be pleased with herself. Laigh was looking at her face and hair in the mirror when Bray, Amber and Salene walked in. “Wow! You look amazing! Salene exclaimed. Laigh DID look fantastic - she had lilac and silver patterns on her cheeks and a silver star in the centre of her forehead. Her hair looked great too, after much persuasion Laigh had let Zandra take out her bunches (that was a great sacrifice for Laigh) and now her hair was totally purple with silver streaks. However, there was something about it that seemed familiar to her...
“Zandra you did a great job, thanks! You were right as well, I do feel a lot better,” she smiled happily.
“Told you so, didn’t I?” Zandra said smugly.
Laigh looked at Bray “So what do you think?” she asked him, giving a little twirl.
“You look stunning, is it for the wedding?” he asked.
“Yeah, hey Amber, maybe you should let Laigh be your bridesmaid, I mean she looks so good!” suggested Zandra.
“Would you like to, Laigh?” Amber asked.
“Well I thought that Patsy and Cloe would be your bridesmaids,” Laigh replied. “I mean they are younger and I bet they’d love to dress up.”
“They did for my wedding,” Zandra said. “They looked good too.”
“Yeah, because you did their make up,” Salene said back.
“Naturally,” Zandra replied.
“Hey, have you got a dress yet Amber?” Laigh asked her.
“No, not yet. Shall we go and look for one now?” Amber answered. Laigh nodded, “OK, let’s go. We’ll see you guys later!” she called over her shoulder as she and Amber walked out of the room together.br>
Bray followed behind, Laigh noticed him and turned to stop him “And where do you think you’re going?” she asked.
“To help?” he said cautiously.
“I don’t think so! Go away!” Laigh ordered. He walked away, leaving Amber and Laigh alone. “So, have you told him yet?” Laigh asked. Amber looked at her confusedly but Laigh knew that she knew what she was talking about, Laigh gave her an appalled look and said “Amber! You HAVE to tell him! You can’t keep this a secret, it’s too important!”
“I told you,” Amber said apologetically. “I can’t, not yet anyway. I don’t even know for sure if I am or not. Let me wait until after the wedding, please.”
“Well, when are you planning to get married?” Laigh asked.
“We were going to announce it at dinner,” Amber sighed. “But I suppose I can tell you beforehand. Tomorrow, hopefully.”
“That’s a bit short-notice,” Laigh said, a little shocked.
“I know, we just want to get it out of the way.” Amber was holding a long, embroidered dress up to herself as she looked in the mirror. It was totally not what Amber would usually wear but it looked great. “What do you think?”
“It’s perfect,” Laigh said with enthusiasm. “Now I need something to wear” they smiled at each other.
“Are you sure that Bray’s going to be OK about the baby?” Amber asked nervously.
“I’m sure,” Laigh said reassuringly. “Totally sure.”
“Well, let’s just hope so,” Amber sighed.
“Max? Are you in there?” Harley asked with a little caution. Max mumbled something that Harley couldn’t make out, so she just went in anyway. “Look we really need to talk about what we’re gonna do” she looked at him pitifully.
Max turned to look at her. “Actually, we don’t need to talk because it’s up to you what you want to do as you’re going to be the only one left.”
Harley was shocked, what was he saying? “What do you mean, I’m going to be the only one left?” Harley asked, hoping that he wouldn’t say what she thought he was going to say.
“I leaving, first thing tomorrow morning,” he explained.
“What?!? Where are you going to go?” Harley exclaimed.
“I’m going to find Laigh and make up with her, and then perhaps we can start again. Alone, without your interference,” Max said cruelly.
“No! Please, you’ve got to stay!” Harley pleaded.
“Why should I?” Max asked.
“Because, because I need you!” Harley replied. “We have to stick together now. Especially now.” She ran out of the room in tears. Why wouldn’t he understand her? She was in trouble, it was her fault as well. What was she going to do now?...
Laigh opened her eyes, she turned over to look at Lucy, who was making her bed. She sat up and exclaimed "Lucy! You're up!"
"Yeah, I was getting bored of being in bed so I thought I'd go and check out this place. It's big, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it's so different from when I used to shop here."
"Well I should think so, I mean it's used as a home now," Lucy smiled at Laigh. "Are you getting up?" she then asked.
"Yeah, I'm starving," Laigh said as she jumped out of bed. They walked to the cafe, talking about Josh. As they entered they realised that they'd walked in on the middle of an announcement. Bray was standing in the middle of the cafe, Amber was sat at his side, they both looked at Laigh and Lucy as they walked in.
"Good morning Laigh, Lucy. Did you sleep well?" Amber asked.
"Yes, thanks," Lucy replied. "Where's Josh?"
"He's gone for a walk with Patsy, Cloe and Trudy," Bray replied. "They decided to take Brady for a walk."
"Bray?" Tai San interrupted. "You were going to announce something?"
"Of course," Bray remembered. "I hope you lot are ready because Amber and I have decided to get married..."
"We knew that already," KC butted in.
"Well if you'd let me finish, KC, I would have said that Amber and I are getting married today," Bray finished.
"What?!?" exclaimed the others. "You can't be serious!"
"Well, I'm not bothered," Lex said nonchalantly. "The sooner it's over with, the sooner Laigh can leave."
"What do you mean by that Lex?" Laigh asked.
"I mean that you and your little friends can get out of here after the wedding," Lex said threateningly.
"Lex shut up!" Zandra warned "They can stay for as long as they want as far as I'm concerned. I like them!" She looked at Laigh and Lucy who was starting to look a little scared of Lex. "Just ignore him, he's being stupid."
At that moment Josh, Cloe, Patsy and Trudy, who was pushing Brady in a pushchair came in. "What's going on here?" Josh asked, standing next to Lucy and Laigh.
"Bray and Amber are getting married today!" Lucy exclaimed. "Isn't it wonderful?"
"Yeah! Congratulations guys," Josh said to Bray and Amber, who smiled at each other.
Laigh glanced quickly at Trudy, to see her reaction to the news. Once again she was looking very jealous. Just as I thought, Laigh thought to herself, she still has feelings for Bray. Maybe I should talk to her. Her thoughts were broken by Zandra, who pulled herself up out of her chair (she was looking very pregnant) and declared "Anyone who wants their hair and make up doing better come with me,. If those two are getting married today I'll have a lot of work to do."
Salene, Patsy, Cloe and Trudy followed her out of the cafe but then Zandra came back. "You too Amber," she said. Amber sighed and rolled her eyes. She then gave Bray a quick kiss and followed Zandra.
Laigh sat down with Bray he looked at her and smiled. "Are you sure you're doing the right thing Bray?" asked Laigh. "Y'know, getting married so soon?"
"Yes, Amber and I had a long talk about it last night," Bray replied, pretty sure of himself. "Anyway I have a surprise for her."
"What?" Laigh enquired.
"You wait and see where we're getting married!" He winked at her. Laigh laughed at him, he laughed back.
"I missed you so much, you know," she said gently.
"Missed you too. Do you still think of what may have happened if you'd stayed with Max?" he asked.
"I wish I didn't, but yes," she sighed. "I can't help but wonder if we could have sorted things out." Her heart was aching, did she still have feelings for him? Even after what he did?
"Laigh, you don't still care for him, do you?" Bray asked her slowly. She opened her mouth to reply when Patsy and Cloe came skidding in. "Laigh! Laigh! We have a surprise for you!" Cloe said eagerly.
"Come on, please!" Patsy had grabbed hold of Laigh's hand and was pulling her arm vigorously.
"OK! I'm coming!" Laigh giggled she looked at Bray as she was dragged out of the cafe by an impatient Patsy. "Now close your eyes!" Patsy was jumping around madly. Laigh did as she was told,. They led her into a room and Patsy let go of her hand.
"Now open!" Cloe said excitedly. Laigh opened her eyes and gasped. There, in front of her, was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. It was long and lilac with a long train.
"It's what you can wear for the wedding!" Cloe explained.
Laigh couldn't believe it."I couldn't!" she gasped "I mean, it's Amber's big day, she should be the one to wear it, it's gorgeous!"
"It doesn't matter about me, I've got my dress," Amber said from behind her. Laigh turned and gasped again, Amber looked stunning. She was wearing the most beautiful ivory coloured wedding dress, her hair was flowing down her back and she had a white veil on her head.
"Oh my..." Laigh couldn't finish her words. "Bray is going to go wild! You look so perfect!"
Amber laughed. "You think so?" she asked.
"I know so!" Laigh replied firmly.
"Try on your dress!" Cloe exclaimed once again.
"OK I will" Laigh said.
A few minutes later she was looking at herself in the mirror, Patsy, Cloe, Salene and Zandra were stood admiring Amber and Laigh's dresses. Then it came to her, Laigh realised where she had seen this dress and her hair and make up before - the dream. Was it going to come true? Was she going to die? Her eyes widened and she ran out of the room, almost in tears. The others were shocked. "Laigh! Come back!" Amber shouted after her, however she was so upset that she couldn't hear anything.
She ran into Josh and Jack, who were talking about the water filter.
"Laigh! What's wrong?" Jack asked as she flung herself into his arms. He looked at Josh, who took her off of him. "Sit down Laigh, and tell us what's wrong."
They sat, Jack looked Laigh up and down. "You look amazing Laigh, why are you crying?" he asked sympathetically.
"You remember that dream I had the other day Jack?" she asked him, in-between sobs.
"You mean the one where you... You..." He couldn't bring himself to say it. She nodded.
"This is what I was wearing in the dream," she wailed and put her head on Josh's shoulder. He put his arm around her. "It must have been a coincidence" he said, trying to comfort her.
"No, it can't have been it's too weird to be a coincidence," she sobbed. "I'm going to die, and Max is going to be there..."
"Is everyone ready? It's time to get married!" Bray was running around in a panic when Jack ran up to him.
"Bray, it's Laigh!" Jack gasped, exhausted from running.
"What about her? Is she alright?" Bray exclaimed, even more panicked by Jack.
"She's upset, she thinks she's going to die!" Jack said a little more quietly.
"What?!?" Bray was astonished.
"She had this dream the other morning," Jack explained. "She was on a hill and rolled down it, banging her head on something on the way. When she hit the bottom, Max was there. She said that was when she died."
"Well why does that mean that it's going to happen?" Bray said. "It was a dream!"
"It's because in this dream she was wearing a dress, and the others have just given her a dress that's exactly the same," Jack said. "I'm really worried about her, so are the others. You'd better go and see her."
Bray looked a little worried and went to Laigh's room, she was sat on her bed, her eyes were red but she had calmed down a lot. When Bray entered she stood up, he gasped. "You look beautiful!" he said gently.
"Thanks, oh Bray what am I going to do?" A fresh flood of tears started and she threw herself at him. He wrapped her in his arms.
"It's OK, Laigh, it was a dream. I promise I'll look after you," he whispered in her ear.
"You will?" she asked. She looked at him as he nodded slowly. She held him closer and rested her head on his shoulder.
Amber was stood behind them. "Bray? Are you ready to go?" she asked him. Bray turned to look at his true love, as he did his eyes almost fell out of their sockets and his jaw nearly hit the ground, he was speechless.
"I... I...." were his only words.
"What do you think?" Amber asked, spinning around so he could see the whole thing. However he was too lost for words and so grabbed hold of her and kissed her. The others watched on as he finally found his voice. "I'm ready when you are. But there's one thing."
"What?" she asked suspiciously.
"Close your eyes and you'll see soon."
She sighed exasperatedly and smiled as she closed her eyes. He put his arms around her waist and led her out "Follow me" he said to the others and they left the mall.
Max was packing his bags. He had wanted to get an early start but Harley had been in the way and so he was behind in his plans. Harley was stood in the doorway, she was distraught, she couldn't let him leave. "Please don't go Max!" she pleaded.
"Shut up Harley, you're driving me crazy!" Max fastened the final bag and picked it up.
He walked to the door, Harley blocked it. "Please no!" Harley moaned.
"Get out of my way!" Max pushed her out of the way angrily, she fell on the floor and burst into tears. "No, you can't leave me!" she wept. Max just carried on walking to the door. Suddenly she jumped up and ran towards it herself "If you go, I'll follow you" she threatened.
He laughed. "You wouldn't dare Harley" he said.
"You just watch me," she said boldly. He swung open the door and stepped out. Harley stopped, she decided she'd follow him in a minute, so he'd think that she'd given up, when really she hadn't. She needed some time to think anyway, she'd got something she really needed to get off of her chest, and she had to think of a way to tell him...
"Now open!" Bray announced to his bride-to-be. Amber opened her eyes and it was her turn to look shocked. They were all stood in a little clearing in the woods, there were flowers in bloom all around and the trees were swaying gently in the breeze.
"It's amazing!" Amber said softly, she held Bray close to her.
Tai San turned to them and asked "Are you guys ready?"
They looked at each other and nodded. Laigh noticed however how nervous they both looked, especially Amber, as she knew what she had to tell Bray soon. The group all stood behind Bray, Amber and Tai San.
"We are gathered today to celebrate the union of these two people" Tai San began...
"Max! Max wait!" Harley was running after Max, she had finally decided to follow.
"Oh so you changed your mind then," he said, unsurprised.
"I have to tell you something, if I don't it'll kill me!" she confessed.
"Here we go, another drama!" he said, annoyed.
"You have to listen to me Max, please!"
Suddenly he stopped and put his finger to his mouth "Shhhh, listen, I hear cheering" he whispered. Harley listened, he was right, just ahead there was something going on. Max started to jog towards it, closely followed by Harley.
"Max don't think you can get out of this that easily!" she said.
"For goodness sake, what is it!" he sighed as they entered the clearing where the Mall Rats happened to be.
"I'm pregnant!" she said loudly.
The cheering stopped and everyone turned sharply. Laigh, Josh and Lucy were shocked to see Max and Harley stood before them.
Laigh was bewildered. "Max?" she said softly.
"Laigh, Luce, Josh? What the..." Max was as equally shocked.
"Oh my..." Harley said.
"You're pregnant Harley?" Lucy asked. "Is it...?"
Harley nodded. Laigh felt like someone had punched her in the stomach, Max and Harley were having a baby? She turned to look at Bray and Amber, Amber looked pained. All of a sudden she wailed "I can't keep it to myself any longer! Bray I'm having your child!"
Bray's eyes opened wide, "What?" he asked, but then he smiled and pulled he close to her "That's great" he said.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Sure as anything." he said reassuringly. They hugged, the others watched everything in amazement, then Zandra grabbed hold of her bump. "Ohhhh, that hurt" she groaned.
Lex dashed up to her. "Zan, what's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing, I'm fine really" she said unsurely.
"Max, how could you?" Laigh screamed angrily, she knew now just how much she cared about him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know..." he started. However that's all Laigh heard as she started to run away, sobbing her heart out.
Laigh stood on the hill, sobbing even harder. Why was she so upset over this? Her relationship with Max had finished over a month ago, yet she still felt betrayed. She sat down and put her arms around her knees and her head upon them and cried harder. Bray and Amber came running up, exhausted from the run up the hill.
Bray was panting as he said "Laigh, please don't cry! It was over between you and Max."
"It doesn't matter" Laigh turned to look at them, tears rolling down her cheeks "I still loved him."
"Loved?" Amber asked. "So those feelings have gone?"
"I don't know," wailed Laigh. "When Harley announced that she was having his child it was the final blow. It honestly felt like he'd ripped out my heart and stamped on it." She stood up and ran into Bray's arms "Where's the others?"
"We left them behind," he sighed. "So what do you want to do?"
"I want it to end," she said softly. "That's all I want. I want to start again, somewhere as far away as possible. Somewhere were no one knows what has happened to me and so won't feel sorry for me."
Jack, Cloe, Patsy and KC came running up to Bray and Amber, they were stood at the bottom of the hill looking down at something, they had their arms around each other.
"Bray, Amber you have to come quickly!" Patsy exclaimed. "Zandra's gone into labour, we need your help!"
Bray turned around, tears rolling down his face. Amber was the same when she turned around, they were both very upset.
"Hey what's wrong guys? Where's Laigh?" Jack could tell they were hiding something.
They parted to reveal the makeshift grave that lay behind them. The others gasped, they couldn't believe it.
"No! She can't be dead!" Patsy whispered, Cloe took hold of her hand.
Jack stepped forward to Bray and said "I'm sorry Bray, I can't believe she's gone"
He nodded, he was too upset to speak.
Amber cleared her throat "It's true, she slipped as we were walking and rolled down the hill, she hit her head against a sharp rock."
Jack was amazed. Just like the dream, he thought.
Amber continued. "She just had enough time to say goodbye and give Bray a gift." She looked at Bray, who was holding the feathered necklace that he and Martin had bought her. He stroked the feathers and whispered "I hope you'll be happy Laigh. I think you made the right decision. I love you..."
..."Hey we're almost there!" Cloe was dancing around.
"This tribe sounds really cool!" added Zandra, holding Lex Junior, her baby, in her arms.
The Mall Rats were off to see a new tribe, this tribe was no ordinary one though, it was a group of wandering performers who did special performances for food and other useful things.
Bray smiled at her then looked at Amber. "Are you alright?" he asked her worriedly as she was starting to look tired.
"Fine," she smiled back. "Just this little one kicking away as usual." She patted her slowly growing bump, he squeezed her hand and looked her gently in the eye. This performance was particularly special for them.
They finally reached the spot where the afternoon's performance was going to be. Jack and Dal gave the doorman some batteries, their payment for the show and they all went to sit down. They had just got comfortable when -
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Wandering Minstrel show!" announced a boy totally in green. Suddenly there was a giant puff of smoke and the show began, music was playing and a troupe of acrobat/dancers came cartwheeling in to the beat. They did a dance then when the music stopped they came into a crowd in the middle of the stage. Slow music started to play and they all scattered and left the stage. There, dancing beautifully, was a girl dressed totally in white with a white feathered mask on. The Mall Rats were entranced by this girl's movements.
Lucy whispered to Bray "If Laigh wasn't dead I would swear that was her."
He smiled at her, if only she knew the truth. When the music ended everyone stood and clapped loudly, the girl took a sweeping bow and leapt off the stage. She wandered past the Rats, smiling as she went, the only two who actually saw though were Bray and Amber, the others were watching the next act, which had started. Laigh pulled her mask off to reveal her face, she winked at her cousin and Amber, who waved back. Her secret was safe, for now...
--*Rest in peace Amber and Zandra - 'GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN'*--
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