Beyond The Tribe - alternative and parallel stories by the fans

Tribal Instincts

Episode 1

Enna nodded. "Yes," she thought, "it's perfect." She looked up at the tall building and a smile spread over her face. "Don't worry" she said to the two guys standing by her, "It'll be a breeze…"
"Goodbye Rob, I'll miss you." She embraced her brother, then turning to Shaun. "I'll miss you too, but as actions speak loader than words…" she pulled him close to her and gave him a long kiss that she hoped he wouldn't forget. Well, not for a couple of weeks anyway; she knew he wouldn't stay faithful, he just wasn't that kind of guy. But hey, she thought, when I get back I'll just have to remind him.
She pushed him away 'Go, go on!'
'Haven't you forgotten something?' he asked cautiously.
'Oh yeah.' She said. She dripped water from her bottle over her hand and dragged it across her face, smearing the black and silver make-up. 'Yeah, and the other thing, do it.'
'Are you sure?' he raised an eyebrow, sure he believed in looking the part, but this was going too far.
'I said, do it.'
'OK, brace yourself.'
Enna took a deep breath and shut her eyes. She took the blow well, she heard her skull crack and felt her neck whip backwards. She could still feel the imprint of his knuckles on her face when he took her hand.
'Are you OK? I didn't mean to hit you that hard.'
She painfully opened her eye. 'Go now, I've gotta psyche myself up for the part.'
They kissed once more then Rob dragged him away by the arm. "Leave her, she's gotta do this.'

As they walked off down an alley Enna slumped to the floor and made herself cry. It wasn't difficult considering everything she'd been through. But that's the point, she thought, I've got through it so far and after this everything will be fine. A triumphant tear rolled down her cheek. As the tears flowed she put her hand up to her eye, it was already beginning to swell, she must look a real mess. 'Perfect" she thought.

Episode Two

Lex had come out of the mall just in time to witness these strange events. He was amazed, he'd never seen anything quite like it. First there was the kiss, God was he envious; he hadn't had one like that in a long time. Then she stood there, the bloke punches her and then they kiss again. And now she's crying! Lex had always thought he understood what women wanted, but this was beyond him. She was sobbing violently no, he had to go over; she could be really hurt. She was sitting in a doorway with her knees pulled up to her chest and her face was buried in her arms.
'Are you OK?' he asked, 'I saw what happened.'
The girl jumped, she hadn't realized there was anyone there. 'Yeah I'm fine, just get lost alright?' she meant to sound aggressive but it came out tearful.
'Are you sure? Can I help?'
'Look, if you don't get lost in the next ten seconds, I'll scream rape and those guys you saw me with? They'll come running.'
'Whatever,' said Lex. God, was she a psycho or what. He backed away and walked off slowly. He turned and headed for his friends at the gambling den.

Again, she looked up at the building, but this time more practically. She thought she'd follow the antidote signs round the back and see if she could find a way in. As she walked, she put her hand up to her face. It was really swollen now, her eye was beginning to close up and she could only imagine the colour. She smiled at the thought of her appearance, just right, she'd even managed to fool that bloke in the street. She walked up some dark steps towards a lit hall. When she got there, to her dismay she found a metal grill blocking her way. Then she had a stroke of genius- 'This will look great', she thought. Just then someone strolled along the balcony. Enna took her chance: 'Help me, please, someone help me!' The figure on the balcony looked round. Enna closed her eyes and let the situation overwhelm her. Her knees gave way and she fell, harder than she had intended, cracking her head against the marble floor of the mall.
Trudy heard the cry for help and the scream as the girl fell, cracking her head against the floor. 'Quick everyone! Bray! Help!' she screamed. Immediately everyone ran out of their rooms. 'Quick, there's a girl and she's hurt.'
Bray leapt down the stairs to see Enna lying in a growing pool of blood streaming from her fore head. Salene, still on the balcony, shouted: "Ryan, KC! Lift the grill!'
The guys wound up the grill while Trudy and Bray dragged Enna's unconscious body into the mall. Blood dripped from her head as Bray carried her up the stairs and into the nearest bedroom.
'What's up?' said Jack running into the room, 'Is it the virus?'
Bray turned her unconscious head to one side to reveal the huge black eye, still swelling. 'That's no virus I've ever seen. Jack get Dal quick."
He held the sheet against Enna's head to stop the bleeding. Salene sat on the bed and took her limp hand. 'It's gonna be alright' she said.
'Poor girl. I can't imagine what she's been through,' said Trudy.
'A hell of a lot at any rate,' said Bray noticing the torn shirt she was wearing and the bruises and cuts on her bare arms.

Episode Three

Enna slowly regained consciousness to the sound of Dal's voice. 'I've managed to stop the bleeding and the swelling on her eye will go down in a few days.'
'Ss she'll be OK?' asked Trudy anxiously.
'Yeah, as soon as she gets her strength back.'
Enna remembered where she was and why she was there. She flicked her eyes open and murmured.
'She's regaining consciousness look!' said Trudy.
Enna flicked her eyes open suddenly and on seeing the boy leaning over her pressing something on her forehead she screamed and used all her strength to fight and kick him away. Trudy and Salene held her down until she fell calm again. Dal stood in the corner and looked very confused. Enna gripped onto tightly Salene's hand. "Don't let him touch me,' her panicking eyes implored her.
'No, no it's OK. Calm down. Everything's gonna be OK.'
Enna lay back on the bed her eye, still wild, roamed around the room. Bray moved over slowly and sat down on the edge of the bed. Enna flinched again and sat up gripping onto Salene. 'Get him away from me!' she screamed and started to sob into Salene's shoulder.
Bray stood up startled. Salene hugged the shaking Enna, rocking gently. She looked towards at the guys standing around. 'Bray, Dal if you could…' she nodded towards the door. Enna fell back on the bed as if asleep. Salene looked across at Trudy and laid Enna's head back on the pillow. 'Come on,' she turned to Trudy. 'We'd better go. She needs her rest.'

Most of the mallrats were sitting outside in the dining room listening to what was going on. 'She just freaked,' said Dal, 'she just took one look at me and freaked.'
'Hardly surprising,' put in Lex. He sat in his corner with his feet up on the table. He just couldn't believe it, they'd done it again, another helpless vagrant wanderer they'd picked up off the streets.
'Give us a break for just one minute can you Lex? This is serious, she freaked when she saw me too.'
'Well, something must be wrong with her then,' sneered Lex sarcastically. 'Not liking you.'
'As I was going to say. This is serious. I think she's been raped.'
There was silence. Everyone stared at each other in horror. Even Lex didn't come up with some clever remark this time. Trudy broke in: 'I can't believe it. Who would do such a thing?'
'You seem to forget,' Lex said, 'living here in your cosy sheltered little mall that there are a lot of nasty people out there.'
'That would explain the Bray and Dal thing,' said Salene. 'She's scared of men.'
'Yeah, that's what I think too,' put in Bray. 'So guys, stay out of her room.' There was another silence, everyone looking at the floor not quite knowing what to say. 'So girls can you sort out some new clothes for her and see if you can talk to her and er.. find out what happened.'
Standing in the doorway, Tai-san said 'I'll bring her some soothing incense and oils. The mental signs of this ordeal will be much deeper and take longer to heal than the physical signs.'
'Not if she's pregnant.' said Lex from his corner.
The girls looked up. They hadn't thought of that.

Episode Four

Enna awoke to the sweet aroma of Bergamot and Sandalwood, courtesy of Tai- san. For a moment she was back in the warehouse enjoying a lazy lie-in with Shaun then everything came flooding back to her. Painfully she heaved herself to sit upright. She turned her head to see the blood stained pillow. Next time she'd remember not to do her fainting act on a marble floor. Oh well, she thought, at least it's authentic.
'How are you?' Enna looked up into the face of a red haired girl.
Enna suddenly looked panicked. 'Where am I?'
'Don't worry, you're safe, you're with the Mallrats now.'
Enna breathed a sigh of relief.
'What's your name?'
'Enna.'
'I'm Salene. If you'd like we can go for a quick walk about in the mall. Get your bearings.'
'No,' stuttered Enna the frightened look back in her eyes. 'I'd rather stay here.'
'Of course.'

Salene drew up a chair and tried to get to know Enna a little better and to find out what had happened but she avoided the subject, only willing to talk about her life before the virus and to ask Salene questions. Salene told her the story of the tribe, how everyone had come to be here, about finding the antidote on Eagle Mt. And the death of Amber and Zandra. Enna was sympathetic and Salene soon found herself confiding in her about herself and about other members of the tribe. Enna was keen on that one, she wanted to know everything about everyone. Salene was happy she'd found a friend and somebody she was so comfortable with. But Enna seemed at little distant still, thought Salene, but after what she'd been through it was understandable.
Over the next few days Enna saw only Trudi and Salene. They bought her food and talked to her, they both liked her she was a good listener and had a sweet sense of humour, only noticeable as she began to lose her shyness.

A few days later Trudi, Salene and Danni were all together in the kitchen washing up. A pale faced and shy looking Enna appeared in the door way. 'Can I help?'
'Don't be stupid. Come and sit down,' said Trudi, glad to see Enna had finally plucked up the courage to come out of her room.
Salene gestured to Danni. 'And this is Danni.' "I thought so. Hi Danni. I've heard what you're doing about the bill of rights and I think its great.'
Danni looked a little surprised and smiled. 'Thanks I'm pleased you like it, I could show you if you'd like that.'
'Yeah sure, I'd love to see it.'
'I'll bring it round to yours later.'
Salene and Trudi joined them at the table. 'Enna,' said Salene, 'Trudi, Danni and me have put some clothes together. We don't know what you like really but we just thought you'd like some basics.'
'Thanks everyone, you've been so kind. I've got nothing now, no home, no possessions, they burnt everything,' she stared down at the table, not being able to face looking at the others.
'Who did it Enna? Tell us what happened,' prompted Trudi.
'It was the Demon dogs, they just came and burnt it all that's when they… they…' Enna trailed off and the tears started to flow. She was getting good at that now.
The girls recoiled in horror. Their minds raced. So that's what had happened. Enna looked up at there shocked faces. They'd completely swallowed it. Enna could hardly restrain a laugh but now was not the time for that. She laid her head in her arms and started to sob. Trudi put her arm around her and Enna sniffed; 'You've all been so good to me. Nobody's ever done anything like this for me before.'
Ryan strolled into the dinning room. 'Salene?'
His eyes met with Enna's and both had a look of panic. Enna flinched and started sobbing again, trying hard to control herself. Ryan, still startled said, 'I'm sorry… I'll leave.'
Enna wiped her eyes and looked up. 'No, stay, I'm sorry, my name's Enna.'
'Er.. Yeah.. I know.'
'I'm sorry I shouldn't have reacted like that, it's just a kind of reflex for me.'
'That's OK, I'm Ryan,' he smiled nervously.
'I'm sorry I've got to go.' Enna stood up, 'Nice to met you Danni, Ryan.' She ran out of the room with tears running down her face.
Trudi shrugged, 'I guess it was all too much for her.'

Out of the dinning room Enna slowed to a walk. It was all going so well! She laughed and started to run back to her room.
'Oi! Watch where you're going!' said Lex as she ran round a corner straight into him. Lex trailed off and a look of recognition spread over his face and a look of horror over hers. 'The girl in the street,' he smiled, ' How's the eye?'
'Don't you breath a word of this to anyone or I'll…' she took a menacing step towards him and desperately tried to think of something to say…
'Or you'll what?' sneered Lex. 'Cry rape? It's getting a bit old don't you think?'
Enna looked nervously around her to make sure no one was watching. She lowered her voice, 'Look, we can't talk here, come to my place. No, that's not safe, can we go to yours?'
Lex smiled and led the way.

Episode Five

Lex lead the way down one of the dark corridors to a dimly lit room. Once inside Enna relaxed, it was nice not to have to put on that sweet act that the girls liked so much.
'So what's going on?' Lex distrusted her instinctively but he couldn't get the image of that kiss he'd seen out of his head. Her swollen eye had gone down to reveal a striking face and piercing green eyes. She had heard all about Lex from Trudi and as soon as she looked at him she knew it was the best way to handle him. She confidently stepped closer to him and tilted her head to one side to whisper in his ear. 'You don't really care about that now do you?' she asked seductively.
Lex smiled. She was right; he didn't.

Bray and the girls sat around a table in the dinning room. 'So how is she?'
'Much better, I think,' said Salene uncertainly, 'But I still can't get through to her.'
'Yeah,' sgreed Trudi, 'But she still had a fright when Ryan came in, but it was clear she was trying hard.'
'If only she could talk to you guys,' Salene was exasperated. 'I mean Ryan's hardly anyone to be afraid of.'
'She seems really nice,' said Danni, 'I only met her today but she was asking about the bill of rights and I said I'd show her later.'
'Maybe I should come along and met her. What d'you think Trudi, Salene? Would she go for it?' Bray appealed to them.
'I think it's worth a try,' Salene sounded more positive. 'But better still, why don't we ask her what she thinks?'
Everyone agreed so Salene left the room to ask her. As soon as she was out of sight Trudi leaned forward. 'Bray are we going to let her stay?' she asked.
'That's difficult. I mean, you know what Lex and Ebony will say and it's not like many of the tribe have even met her, let alone know whether they'd like her in the tribe. I'll tell you what, , we'll let her stay a few weeks, let her meet everyone and then we'll see.'
Salene appeared in the doorway looking a little flustered. 'I can't find her. She's not in her room.'
'Where else could she be, I thought you said she was scared to go out,' Bray asked, confused.
'Oh my god.' Trudi stood up, 'I hope she's alright.'
The four of them started asking if anyone had seen her and looking all over for her. On her way to the roof Salene met Ryan. 'Ryan, I don't suppose you've seen Enna, she's missing.'
'That girl? No sorry. Can I help?'
Salene explained the situation and sent him off to ask if anyone had seen her.
'Sure. I'll try Lex.'
"I hope she hasn't bumped into him, if she was scared of you Ryan imagine what she'd be like with Lex.'

Ryan walked down the dark corridor to Lex's room. He knocked on the door.
'Hang on a minute! I'm just…' Lex sounded a little flustered.
Ryan furrowed his brow. 'Are you alright?'
'Yeah, fine man,' said Lex realizing who it was. 'I'll be out in a sec.' Lex opened the door just enough to put his head through. 'Hi what is it?"
'Um… we were just wondering if you'd seen Enna.'
Lex tilted his head to one side. 'Er… who?'
'You know the girl they brought in, the one who's afraid of guys.'
Lex stifled a smile. 'Um.. no, haven't seen her before.'
'Fine, OK.' Ryan looked at Lex and noticed his black tear drop make-up. 'Er… Lex, your make-up's smudged.'
'Really? Right, bye!'
Lex slammed the door. Ryan stood there, a little confused before wandering off.

Episode Six

Back at the dinning room, the girls were really starting to worry about Enna's vanishing act. 'We've got to think logically about this – she can't have disappeared,' Bray put in.
Brady had started to cry, Trudi rocked her gently in her arms. 'But where can she have gone? She said the Demon dogs burnt her home, we've looked everywhere in the mall and she's too scared to go outside.'
Everyone was in the dinning room now, tucking into their supper. Everyone that is except Lex, which made a change.
'Hi Salene, Trudi.' Enna was standing in the doorway.
Everyone stopped eating and looked around, for most of them it was the first time they'd seen her, conscious and a little less bloody at least. It was clear Enna was aware of everyone staring at her, she bit her lip and looked at the floor. Bray gave the tribe a frown and gradually they all went back to eating.
'It's OK Enna, come and sit down, I'll get you something to eat,' Trudi laid Bray down in his pram and went to get some food for her.
Enna had just started off towards the table when a voice behind her made her jump.
'So this is the mystery woman. I wondered when we'd all get properly introduced.'
The scared look came back to Enna's eyes and she shifted from foot to foot, not quite knowing what to do. Salene went up to her and showed her to a seat giving death stares to Lex, how could he be so insensitive!
'Are you sure you can hack this?' Enna nodded to Salene.
'No, he's right,' she cautiously pulled out her chair and stood up. 'Hello everyone. My name's Enna and… and… 'she faltered desperately trying to grasp the words. 'I just wanna thank you all for looking after me these past few days, I don't know what I would without you.'
Looking after, thought Lex, so is that what she calls it. The rest of the tribe smiled encouragingly. She was just sitting down again when she heard a voice from the back. 'Hold on a minute,' said Ebony, 'You still haven't explained where you've been.'
Lex smiled to himself. Enna's mind raced desperately searching for an excuse. 'I… I just needed to be alone.'
'Sure, but where?'
Enna still hadn't thought of anything when Ebony tipped her head into view. Immediately the act dropped and the scared, timid innocent look on her face changed to one of hatred and pure aggression. 'What are you doing here, you bitch.' Enna said menacingly.
Everyone looked round. This wasn't the Enna they'd heard about.
'I'm sorry?' asked Ebony defensively.
'You heard,' Enna's voiced raised to a scream as she appealed to the tribe in horror. 'Don't you people know who she is?!???'
Enna stopped. Everyone was silent, staring. She suddenly realized what she'd done, she ruined the act she'd been working so hard on. She had to do something fast so she did what she always did; burst into tears and ran out of the room. There was another stunned silence. Salene got up to go after her but Bray stopped her. 'No I'll go. I want to get to the bottom of this.' He left the room.
Ebony slumped into her chair looking confused. 'Look's like your evil past is catching up with you Ebony,' put in Lex.

Episode Seven

Enna lay on her bed, tears running down her cheek. They were real tears now, not like the fake ones she'd been producing for the last few days. Bray sat on the edge of the bed. Enna looked up and recognized him from Trudi's description, she remembered what she'd said about his girlfriends dying and how he'd taken over the tribe now she was dead. She decided, from what she'd heard about him, that honesty was the best policy, after all if she wanted sympathy, then this was a real sob story.
'So what have you got against Ebony?'
'I didn't realize it was her. Salene had told me a bit about her but it didn't realize it was THE Ebony.'
'So you recognize her. The Locos was a long time ago, she's different now,' said Bray comfortingly trying hard to believe his own words.
'That doesn't make up for what she did to us.'
'To who? What happened?'
Enna closed her eyes. She'd never wanted to go back there, to relive that moment but she had to now. She forced up the memories which she'd tried to lock away. 'After the virus hit and all the adults died I was living with my older brother Rob and my kid sister Leanne…'

She remembered it so clearly. She remembered feeling lucky that her smart older brother was there to take care of her. He thought practically and spent each day scavenging in the shops while there was still stuff left, he built up a collection of food and bottled water and goods which he realized would be valuable in the future; things like cigarettes, batteries and petrol. They always had to be careful though if it wasn't the demon dogs on their backs, it was the Locos. Everyday Enna and Rob would go out and bring back stuff and our kid sister would stay behind at home and tidy and things for us. She wanted to come too but it was too dangerous, they couldn't afford to look out for her and themselves.
One day, they'd gone into the most dangerous part of town to look for batteries. They hadn't noticed Leanne following behind at a distance. Suddenly they heard the Loco's siren and the police car appeared out of nowhere. Rob ran behind a crate and dragged Enna down with her, the looked round the edge of the crate to see what was going on. To their horror they saw Leanne screaming and running away.
'Get her!' Ebony ordered.
Leanne was quickly picked up by a Loco in rollerblades and brought back to Ebony and Zoot. Zoot took one look at her and shook his head. 'Leave her,' he said. 'She's just a kid.'
Ebony turned and looked at him. 'Are you joking?' she smiled, 'She's perfect. They said they wanted younger people, especially girls.'
Zoot wasn't sure. "She can't be more than ten.'
Ebony persuaded him and ordered one of the Locos to take her off to the slave camp. Enna tried to rush out and help her but her brother held her down tight with his hand over her mouth until the police car had gone. She had been furious with him but he was right, there was nothing she could have done.

Enna was sobbing again. 'I'm so sorry,' said Bray.
'She was only seven. Seven!' cried Enna. 'And it was all Ebony's fault, Zoot would have let her go. And now, now I'll never she her again!'
Her situation was helpless; she could hardly exact revenge on Ebony when she was trying to build up a sweet innocent character. She would just have to wait, to bide her time and when all this was over Ebony would get what she deserved. There was nothing Bray could do to comfort her so he left her and headed for his room. There was a big dilemma here; it was gonna be hard to convince Enna of Ebony's reformed character when she hadn't changed that much. He sat on his hammock his mind blank.
Danni walked in. 'Bray, got a minute?' 'Not now Danni,' he said.
'It's kind of important - its about the antidote.'
Bray looked up questioningly.
'Tai-san wants to release the formula.'
Bray lay back on his bed and closed his eyes; he couldn't believe it, that was all he needed.

Episode Eight

When Enna awoke it was late morning. She was dimly aware of someone moving around her room. She squinted, her eyes still adjusting to the light. 'Who is it?'
'It's OK, Enna, my name's Tai-san.'
Enna's mind leaped, so this is the one who makes the antidote! 'So it's you who's been putting the vaporizer on in my room. Thank you. I like the bergamot but better still, do you have any neuroli?'
'Yes, I'll get it for you later. Do you know about essential oils then?' smiled Tai-san pleased to find somebody who really appreciated her efforts.
'My mother was very interested in aromatherapy and shiatsu, I found it fascinating too,' Enna said happily remembering how she despised her mother, brainless bird always flapping and fainting and she remember how when she died she had only shed tears of guilt for not feeling any sadness.
Tai-san came up close and sat on the bed. 'Enna, ' she said, 'I see from your aura how troubled you are feeling right now and I see great inner turmoil.'
Enna looked sheepishly downwards. Tai-san continued: 'And I was wondering have you ever done any meditation?'
Tai-san would never suggest anything like this to the others, but Enna obviously had a far more open mind. To her surprise, the answer was positive. 'Yes, I used to do some but I haven't now for so long I'm sure I've forgotten how?' She smiled sweetly, 'Will you show me?' Enna was lying through her teeth but if she wanted to get in with Tai-san, this was a foot in the door.

Lex passed by Enna's room hoping to 'accidentally' bump into her again. Looking into her room he was surprised to see Tai-san on the floor, crossed legged with her back to him and Enna opposite, eyes closed, doing the same. 'Just relax,' Tai-san was saying, 'Breath in deeply, hold and let out slowly. Try to clear your mind…' Enna opened her eyes to see Lex leaning against the doorway smiling. She smiled too before blowing him a kiss and gesturing him to get out. Then she shut her eyes, took a deep breath to maintain her composure and tuned into what Tai-san was saying. God, this is boring, she thought, wondering how long the average meditation took.

Episodes 9-15
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