Beyond The Tribe - alternative and parallel stories by the fans

Blaze

Episode Twenty One

Ebony paused not sure what to say, but then Danni jumped in. ‘Look you can’t just come in here and tell us to release people if you say so. That’s hardly constitutional!’
‘Constitutional?! Constitutional?! You haven’t even got a constitution! If you kids are going to play at adults then at least get it right!’ she shouted. There was a silence, all eyes remained focused on Briar. She took a deep breath to calm herself, ‘OK, I’ll put it in your terms shall I? What charges are you holding him on, Ebony?’
‘Assault.’
‘Of who?’
‘A guy in the street.’
‘Called…’ prompted Briar. ‘I… I don’t know. That’s not the point,’ she said quickly.
‘How do you know this guy wants to press charges?’
‘Of course he does.’
‘Wrong,’ she smiled. ‘That’s where you’re wrong. He doesn’t.’
Danni was furious, ‘You can’t say that!’
Briar swung round, ‘Oh can’t I? Well Danni, just suppose I’m right, suppose this guy – his name’s Rick by the way - suppose Rick doesn’t want to press charges? Will there still be a trial?’
‘I er.. um…’ stuttered Danni. There was no Bray to stand up for her this time.
‘Its not in the constitution!’ Briar taunted her. ‘You should know Danni. Come on; think!’ she waved a piece of paper at her, poor Danni was speechless. In theory there should be a trial because he’d still hit someone, but she knew by the old laws that it didn’t work like that and after all, these were the new laws! Her mind whirred round and round and she couldn’t think with that girl shouting at her.
Suprisingly it was Lex who came to her rescue. He got up and snatched the piece of paper from Briar. The he realised it wasn’t such a good idea, the words written on the cover meant nothing to him so he just calmly handed it Danni with a solemn face. ‘The Bill of rights…’ murmured Danni in amazement.
Lex realised that’s what it was and turned to Briar, ‘How did you get this?’
Briar just smiled, ‘In my line of work I come across a lot of interesting people and a lot of interesting things. Anyway, will you release Kurt? All joking aside you have no right to detain him.’
Ebony had found her tongue, ‘Wait a minute. We need proof of this Rick guy.’
‘Ebony! How long have you known me? Can’t you just trust me?’
‘No,’ said Lex firmly. ‘Ebony, take her to see the prisoner. If you produce the witness in the morning then we’ll consider it.’ Briar shot him a death stare before Ebony led her away, downstairs to the sewers.

Episode Twenty Two

Murmuring broke out among the rest of the Mallrats and, drama over, things returned to normal. Lex, still standing near Danni, ushered her to a seat and then sat at the same table. ‘Jeez. What’s her problem?’ commented Lex.
‘Thanks, Lex.’
‘What for?’
‘For standing up for me.’
‘Oh, that’s fine. If Bray was here he would have done it for you. I’m just filling in in his absence.’
Danni broke in, ‘He’s hardly absent - he’s just in the next room.’
‘Yeah, I guess, but he might as well be miles away. It’s not like we ever see him.’
‘Well most of us do, Lex; you would if you visited him,’ put in Danni, half teasing.
‘Me?! Visiting hours with Bray? I can just picture it!’ he said, half-laughing but in a good humoured way.
And Danni laughed too for the first time in a while.

‘Oh come on Ebony! Give me a break!’ said Briar, sick of the silent treatment.
‘Why should I? You embarrassed me in front of everyone,’ spat Ebony. "What’s happened to you? You’ve changed.’
‘Ebony, when are you gonna learn this isn’t a popularity contest any more, this is real. You Mallrats sit up here and say ‘Lets have laws! Yes, we need laws! That would be fun!’ but you don’t think them through. Even if Kurt had been convicted what would you have done with him? Have you read this bill Ebony? It’s just an outline of ideas. No, they’re not even ideas they are ideals and what we need is solutions.’
‘Oh and you think you can do better?’ retorted Ebony.
‘That’s not the point. The point is that YOU could do better. Just review it Ebony, you can work it out with Danni if you try. But is working with your rival for Bray all too much for you?’
Ebony was going to protest but then she realised that there was no point, it was true and they both knew it.
Briar laid a hand on her shoulder. ‘Just try Ebony. You’ve got a unique chance here. Don’t blow it.’ Again, she was tempted to add. ‘Here he is.’

Kurt squinted up into the darkness. ‘Briar?!’
‘Yep: it’s your guardian angel here to save you… again.’ The smile left her face as her eyes focused on his bruised face. ‘Oh my God what happened to you? Was it Rick?’
‘No. It was the militia and I think my arm’s broken too.’
‘Right, that’s it. Ebony give me the keys,’ demanded Briar.
‘What?!’
‘Unlock these handcuffs- if he’s got a broken arm then you’ve no idea the damage you’re causing.’
Ebony grumbled and reluctantly took off the hand cuffs. Briar helped him to his feet and back up to the dining room.
Ebony followed behind them at a distance, still sulking. Now she remembered exactly what the argument she’d had with Briar before she’d become leader of the Locos was all about. Briar could always defeat her with logic. Briar was the sensible, conscience which Ebony lacked. And the only way to get rid of the conscience was to get rid of her, but Ebony couldn’t bring herself to do that so she just had to forget she’d ever existed. There was another thing which she didn’t like to admit. She was jealous of Briar. Briar always got her own way and she knew exactly what she wanted. There was always a logical reason and with that she could bind other people to help her. The only way Ebony could get what she wanted was ‘Power and Chaos’. Mind you, it was still pretty effective.
But Ebony was right. She had changed; Briar no longer had time for Ebony’s insecurities about trivial things. Briar had always been a realist but the things she’d seen at the clinic had given her a more real, more brutal perspective.

Episode Twenty Three

Briar helped Kurt up the steps into the dinning room with Ebony following behind. Kurt was aware of all the eyes on the room turned on him. He knew he looked a mess - his clothes were still covered with dirt and so were the bruises on his face and his cut lip.
Seth got up and showed Kurt to a seat, ‘Hi Kurt, you look awful I hope the ******* looks worse.’
Kurt smiled, ‘You know Seth, I’m not even sure about that. Before I could do any damage those thugs dragged me off.’
‘It’s lucky my thugs stepped in then isn’t it?’ commented Ebony.
Briar went to her bag and got out a bandage. She took Kurt’s wrist in her hand.
‘And then,’ he continued, ‘They didn’t even ask me my name or tell me where there were going. They just punched me in the face a couple of times to shut me up. Oww!’ he cried as Briar pressed a tender spot on his arm.
While Briar was stretching his wrist around Danni shot a death stare at Ebony. Briar started to wrap the crepe around Kurt’s wrist. ‘So do you want the good news or the bad news?’ she said.
‘I er.. don’t mind.’
‘The good news is your arms isn’t broken The bad news is that your ligament is ripped to shreds. How did it happen? It’s pretty bad.’
‘He was probably resisting arrest,’ put in Ebony.
‘Well when two Loco look-a-likes run at you and start hitting you, you don’t just sit there and wait for ‘justice’ to take it’s course,’ he retorted.
Briar looked towards Salene, ‘Can we stay here tonight - have you got a spare bed?”
‘Er sure…’ answered Salene, not liking to be drawn into all this.
Seth sat back and laughed to himself. Only then did he realise that Ellie - about a table away from him - was scribbling furiously. Then he remembered the newspaper, this gossip must be hot. He leant forward and snatched the pad out of her hand. She looked up in anger and then surprise when she it was him.
‘Give it back!’ she hissed. ‘What are you doing?’
‘You can’t write this story.’
‘Why not?’
‘Don’t you get it?!” he said as he drew his chair backwards and got up.
Briar was still talking to Danni and Ebony. Danni, backed up by Lex, was venting her frustrations but Briar had a good answer for everything. ‘Look, I don’t see what the problem is? Kurt won’t run off and if he does then you can charge me instead.’
Ebony was only half listening – she’d noticed Seth exiting the room. Now was the time she’d planned to speak to him, she felt the opportunity slipping away her.
‘Let me stay, I’ll be here in the morning to defend Kurt.’
‘Sure , OK, whatever,’ said Ebony, looking over Briar’s shoulder to the place where Seth had gone.
‘What?!’ exclaimed Danni. Ebony had been on her side all the way, why was she suddenly relenting?
‘Just leave it Danni. Briar’s right it’s easier. I’ve got to go.’ And she left the room leaving the others standing slightly confused.

Episode Twenty Four

Meanwhile Lex and Ebony were tucking into their neglected meal while Salene lead Briar and Kurt off to one of the spare rooms. Lex laughed to himself.
‘What?’ Danni turned to him, a curious smile on her face.
‘Just Ebony.’
‘Yeah. The way she just gave out and walked out, so much for her iron fist of justice, I don’t get her at all.’
‘You didn’t see why she went?’ Danni shook her head. ‘She ran straight out after Seth.’
‘Seth?! You don’t think there’s something going on with Seth and Ebony do you? I haven’t noticed anything.’
‘You rarely do with Ebony.’
‘Well I guess that’s true.’
‘But Seth hasn’t said anything to me. We were up all night the other days and when you’re a little bit ****ed things tend to come out. He didn’t mention anything.’
‘Either that or you can’t remember,’ teased Danni.
‘It’s a possibility,’ said Lex, smiling.

Ebony ran up behind Seth and grabbed his arm.
A smile spread over his face as soon as he saw who it was. ‘Ebony! Good to see you, I thought you’d been ignoring me,’ he said, only to infuriate her.
‘You know damn well I haven’t been avoiding you. I need to talk. I..’
‘Go on then. Talk.’
‘I was talking until you interrupted me.’
‘Sorry, carry on.’
‘I.. I…’ she had the speech all planned out but it wouldn’t come. She saw Seth smirking. ‘What are you laughing at?’
‘Your dramatic pause.’
Ebony shot him a death stare.
‘What were you going to say then? No wait, shall I say it for you? Let me guess, yesterday was a mistake you never meant to let it happen.’
That really threw Ebony. ‘Yes, and I never want to see you again,’ she added indifferently.
‘Oh Ebony, I’m hurt,’ said Seth melodramatically. ‘How could you do this to me?’ Then his tone changed and he stepped closer to her. Ebony felt her heart beat faster and was angry for it but her feet wouldn’t move her away. She found herself staring up into his brilliant face. ‘If you don’t want to see me, the you should really shut your eyes.’ And he leant in and kissed her. Ebony wilted, just like before and soon she forgot all about the words she’d said just a few seconds earlier.

Lex and Danni had finished their meal a while ago, with no windows in the mall they hadn’t noticed the darkness creeping up on them. Patsy and Chloe came up the stairs and were surprised to find them still there. ‘We’re going to bed now. Goodnight Danni… Lex.’
‘Goodnight girls. See you in the morning,’ said Danni. ‘Are you coming to the trial tomorrow?’
‘Are we allowed?’
‘Sure - it could be over before it’s started though if Briar produces the accused. Are you guys really going to bed now?’
‘We were going to visit Bray but he’s asleep. At least we think he is, we couldn’t find Seth anywhere.’ Lex shot Danni a meaningful look. ‘Anyway, we’re going to bed. Good night!'
‘Oh Bray! I forgot completely, I said I’d visit him after supper,’ Danni put her hand up to her forehead.
‘I’m sure he won’t mind,’ put in Lex. ‘You spend most of your time there anyway, you’ve got to have some fun, you know.’
‘Visiting Bray is fun!’ protested Danni, rather unconvincingly.
Lex got up. ‘Well in that case let me show you some real fun! Come back to my end of the Mall and we’ll have something to drink. What do you say? Will you keep me company?’
‘Lex, I don’t think I should I mean with the trial in the morning and …’ Her tone was more serious.
‘Oh come on Danni! Give me a break, I won’t try anything. I’m clean now,’ he said, half teasing.
‘What about the drink then?’ she asked suspiciously.
Lex grabbed her by the wrist and tugged at it to go. ‘You’d better come and ‘supervise’ me then. Come on! Just one drink?’
‘Oh, all right but I’ve got to go to bed soon, I’ve gotta be up early and..’
‘Yeah, yeah, yeah.’ said Lex as he led Danni down to his room…

Episode Twenty Five

The sun rose outside and the inhabitants of the Mall had only their body clocks to wake them. For nearly everyone it was the morning after the night before…

Ebony woke up with a strange feeling of well being, then she rolled over to find an empty space in the bed where Seth had been and the feeling vanished. For an instant her mind raced. Did she really sleep with him? She wondered if she’d dreamt it. Then as she became more conscious she became fairly sure she had. And if that was the case, then where the hell was he? She got straight and tried to clear her head as she changed quickly, it was already late. She couldn’t deny it any more, whether she liked it or not there was one hell of an attraction between them. Or at least on her side. She’d never met any one who’d made her feel like this. She was sure that it was only was physical, she hated the way he spoke to her, the way she crumbled under him, no one made her feel like that. She was used to repressing her feelings, but this one wouldn’t be dragged away kicking and screaming. She decide that she’d softened with the Mallrats. Hardly surprising she though as she applied the last coat of mascara. Then she stepped out into the mall just in time to see Seth heading for the back door.

Most of the others were in the dining room eating breakfast. Ebony grabbed a bowl of cereal with milk (one of the big advantages of the farm) and sat herself next to Briar, hardly even remembering the evening before or the face of Kurt glaring at her suspiciously. ‘So... er.. where’s Seth gone?’ she asked, trying to sound casual.
Briar smirked, ‘Why? From what I’ve seen he’s public enemy number one?’
‘Yeah. Well…’
‘Anyway, he’s gone to get Rick.’
‘Who?’
‘The guy I attacked,’ filled in Kurt.
‘So you admit it?’
‘Of course. I’ve got nothing to hide.’
‘I guess we’ll hear the rest of it in the trial. When are we starting?’
‘About an hour?’ suggested Briar. ‘As soon as Seth gets back.’
At the mention of Seth’s name Ebony tried not to blush, but Briar and Kurt caught the strange look and exchanged glances.

About a quarter of an hour later, Seth arrived back with another bruised guy in tow.
‘So if everyone’s here can we start?’ called Ebony.
‘Shouldn’t we wait for Danni?’ suggested Alice. ‘After all, she’s the person who drew up the rules.’
‘Yeah, where is she? She’s usually up by now,’ commented Ellie, all ready to go with a new notepad.
‘She’s probably with Bray. I’ll just go see,’ said Salene and she walked off to find her.
Seth caught sight of Ellie and the notepad and casually went to sit next to her, ‘Hi.’
Ellie clutched the notebook to her chest, ‘This is my last one. You can’t take it.’
Seth laughed, ‘Relax. I won’t. And I’m sorry about yesterday, I was in a hurry and there’s a very good reason for you not to write this story.’
Ellie sighed. ‘There always is. But I can’t see the problem with this. I mean, it’s law and order.’
‘Yeah, but if you publish this story you’ll have to mention the background.’
‘What’s the problem with that?’
‘You’ll mention the clinic.’
‘So?’
‘Don’t you see? We have enough patients already: there’s no way you could advertise it, we’d be overrun! People who weren’t even really sick just like before the virus, it would all go pear-shaped. This way, the real emergencies will get treated.’
‘Yeah but people have a right to know; this is an issue that concerns them!’
‘How can you be so selfish and naïve? If you really want to help people then do something useful like working at the clinic, don’t make things worse for us there!’
Salene arrived back from the balcony, a worried expression on her face. ‘She’s not there,’ she said breathlessly.
‘Have you tried her bedroom?’
‘Yeah and I don’t think her bed has been slept in.’
Ebony was furious. ‘Typical! The one time justice is meant to be served and she’s out partying.’
‘That er.. doesn’t sound like her,’ put in Jack.
‘’You’re right,’ said Ellie. ‘When was the last time anyone saw her?’
Patsy and Chloe, all dressed up for the occasion, were glad to help. ‘We saw her last night, before we went to bed,’ said Patsy.
‘Yeah she was in the dining room talking to Lex,’ added Chloe.
Ebony turned to Ryan. ‘Can u go and see if Lex has seen her?’

Danni was dimly aware of a strange but comfortable bed. She clutched at the thick, warm duvet and pulled it up around her neck. It reminded her of her duvet back home, before the virus - yes it was just like that one; big and fluffy and gold… Gold?! She woke up with a jolt. Lex’s duvet! This was Lex’s duvet! This was Lex’s bed! What the hell was she doing in Lex’s bed?! She sat up and was relived to find herself alone and fully clothed but with a raging headache.
She tried hard to remember how she’d came to be here but the memories just wouldn’t surface. She glanced down at her watch and to her horror it was 11am. The trial! She hauled herself out of bed and staggered towards the door, the room swaying in front of her. She was so busy trying to walk straight that as soon as she was out of the doorway she bumped straight into a very surprised looking Ryan.
‘Danni?!’
‘Morning Ryan. Oh god, this isn’t what it looks like I was just… just… erm…’ She thought hard but she couldn’t, for the life of her remember what she was ‘just’ doing here. ‘Look don’t say anything to the others; it will only encourage gossip. Don’t worry its entirely harmless… I think. Anyway, I’m late for the trial; gotta run!’
‘Er... sure,’ said Ryan as Danni swept past him trying to smooth her ruffled hair with her hands.

Episodes 26 - 30
Back to the Fan Fiction index
Back to The Tribe's Shopping Mall