Part 1
"Bray if they know the truth about us, they're bound to throw us out. I can't let that happen to Brady," Trudy said.
Bray sighed.
"I know that Trudy. But they've been so kind to us, well most of them," Bray said thinking of Lex. "I hate lying to them. They made us part of the Tribe didn't they?"
"Yes they did. And I hate lying to them as well, but we can't say anything to them. They have already told us that they don't want anything to do with the Loco's. Heck, Lex has already accused us of that," Trudy said sighing.
Three weeks had gone by since Bray had first stepped into the Mall, looking for a safe place for pregnant Trudy to have her baby, and for them to live in this twisted world.
Place's like this were hard to come by, and he had spent day's searching.
* ~ * ~ *
"It's ok, I'm a friend," He said, with his hands up.
"Who are you?" Amber asked, her weapon poised, ready to fight if necessary.
"I'm Bray, I was just looking for a safe place to stay," He said.
"He looks ok," Dal commented.
"Yes well, we can't be too careful these days Dal. You know that," She replied, but lowered her arm, agreeing with Dal.
"I'm Amber, this is Dal," She said.
Bray nodded.
"Why have you been spying on us?" Amber asked.
"Like I said, I needed a safe place to stay. I had to make sure, sorry if I scared you all."
Dal nodded in recognition.
"We thought you were the Loco's," He said.
"Come up here," Amber said, jerking her chin towards the stairs, behind her and Dal, leading to the mall.
"Thanks," Bray had said, and followed with out another word.
* ~ * ~ *
He felt guilty about lying to the Mall Rats.
But he didn't really have a choice. If they knew his and Trudy's connection to Zoot, they wouldn't want them staying, and the world outside the Mall, wasn't a place for a baby.
He knew for the safety of the others, that they should tell them. But he was torn between the two.
The Mall Rats were in great danger just by being near him, how was he suppose to explain that?
Oh yeah hi guys, there's something I want to tell you. You see Zoot's my little brother, and he wants to kill me. Brady isn't my kid; she's Zoot's. Trudy was Zoot's girlfriend before he went mental. Basically Zoot wants to search and destroy me as such, which makes you all in danger.
Sure, that would go down well, he thought.
He knew that they already suspected that he was lying. Him disappearing every now and then.
When Brady was born, they had thought that he had abandoned Trudy.
But he had just gone out to get some baby supplies.
When he got back, Amber had stood up to him, and had a good go.
He had been so close to breaking down and telling them.
But he had got angry, and had stormed off telling her and the others to mind their own business. Amber needed to leave him alone. He was glad he had said it.
Now every time he bumped into Amber, they would both just ignore each other.
Not the ideal situation, but it was better than out on the streets.
* * *
Amber walked into the Cafe area and saw Salene staring over towards the room where Bray and Trudy sat.
"Salene?" Amber asked.
"Uh, Salene?" She said again, this time waving her hand in front of her face.
"What? Oh, did you say something Amber?" Salene exclaimed, breaking out of her trance.
"You've got it bad," She said shaking her head.
"What?" Salene said again.
"You fancy him rotten," Amber said, this time laughing, as Salene's face suddenly turned pinkish.
"No I don't. I was just..."She started, but trailing off at the look of Amber's face.
"Ok, so what if I do?" She protested.
"He's got a girlfriend; he's got a daughter. Any more reasons? Oh, and he often disappears leaving us to believe he just took off with out Trudy and the Baby. Then when we ask him about it, he storms off and disappears again," She said.
Yeah, that's right, storms off and tells me to mind my own business. Well it is my business. This tribe is my business.
"He goes to get stuff for the baby!" Salene said, jumping to his defense.
"Yeah, then he comes back empty handed. Look Salene, you're to blinded by his looks or whatever to know that something's up," Amber shot back.
This girl is clueless.
"I believe him Amber. Maybe he's not the problem around here, maybe you are," Salene said, sending Amber a look.
"Well if you feel that way about it," Amber said, and stormed out of the room, grabbing her bag on the way and headed for the stairs.
"Why do you even care?" Salene shouted after her.
Amber ignored her question, and walked down into the sewers.
Lets see how she handles it.
She lifted the cover off the hole, and climbed up.
She started walking but stopped suddenly when she heard a voice.
"Where are you going?" said the person and she whirled around to face them.
"I should've known," was all she said.

Part 2
"What are you doing out here then?" Bray asked her.
"What are you doing out here?" She questioned.
Great, so I come out here to think about what to do about Bray. And the man himself turns up.
Salene's question was bugging her.
'Why do you even care?' She had shouted at her.
Why do I care?
I'll tell you why I care Salene. The Guy walks off whenever he wants, leaving them to deal with a mother and child. He doesn't say where. He just goes. When you ask him about it, he yells at you, and then avoids the question, or makes a big show out of it!
It seemed as though; she was the only one who was really concerned about this.
It was definitely bugging her.
Definitely.
And she was getting sick of Salene staring at Bray instead of doing something useful.
She turned to her right, and came to an enclosed, dead end street. At the end, was a little park with swings.
She walked over to the playground and sat down on one of the swings.
Leaning on the cool, metal pole, she closed her eyes.
She could almost imagine in her mind, that it was before the virus. When all she had to worry about was getting good grades at school, and kicking the other schools butt in hockey.
But a lot had changed since then. Now she had to worry about surviving.
* * *
Bray ducked behind a crate.
Sirens were wailing in the distance.
"Ding-dong. Little brother calling," He said under his breath, as he saw Zoot's car coming down the street.
They passed him, and Bray sighed in relief.
He needed to talk to Zoot alone though. About the Baby, about Trudy. But he didn't fancy his chances.
He started walking in the same direction as the car. He knew that they were probably chasing some helpless kid, and wouldn't be looking around.
He got on top of a high fence by using the crate he had been crouching behind.
The car was heading down the next street.
If they turned to the right, they would go down a dead end. If they turned to the left, they would probably head back to their hotel.
He looked over once again at the dead end street, and saw someone sitting on the swings.
Whoever they are, they don't have a chance, I have to help them.
He jumped off the fence, and started to walk toward the dead end street, on the other side. He started to run towards it.
Standing up he peered over the fence.
The Loco's car was now about 10m behind him.
Running faster, he found the fence, which backed onto the little playground.
It was quite high, but Bray was quite tall. He knew he could get over it.
Pushing himself up, he saw the back of the person on the swing.
By then though, they had heard the sirens and had pressed themselves up against the slide.
"Amber?" he called out.
He looked franticly up the street, and saw that the Loco's had obviously spotted Amber before, and were heading towards them.
"Power and Chaos!" Bray heard them chanting.
"Bray!" She said, she was scared. He could see it on her face.
* * *
Amber looked up at him, then back down the street.
Bray jumped over the fence and ran over. He grabbed her hand, and rushed over towards the fence.
"I can't get over Bray, I'm too short," She said.
"I'll lift you. On three, one, two three!" He lifted her up, and she clambered over the fence.
Once she was over, she saw Bray jump up and over.
She heard the angry voices of the Loco's.
"Go!" He shouted and ran down the street that he had come.
Amber didn't know if she had ever run that fast in her life.
When they were a safe distance and on their way back to the mall, Bray turned to Amber. He looked angry.
"What the hell were you doing there?" He said sharply.
She didn't reply. Her heart was pounding.
If Bray hadn't come...no, she didn't want to think of what would've been done to her.
"Look, it's not safe out here. You know that. Remember, you said that the first time we met," He said. He had looks of concern on his face now.
"How was it you were so close by then?" She asked him.
"I heard the sirens. They past me. Usually it means they've spotted someone. I like to try and help that person, if I can. I never expected it to be you," He shot back.
"Lets go back to the mall," He said and stuck out his hand, pulling Amber to her feet.
Amber shivered. It was getting dark
I'm always so careful, how did this happen? God, wait until Lex hears about this. Even Salene.
Bray looked back at her.
"I'm not going to say anything."
Amber felt relieved.
"Thanks," She mumbled, giving him a small smile.
"Right place, right time," He said shrugging.
"So that's what you do when you're out then. Help other kids," She said.
"Not all the time," He said. "Only if I'm there, I can't play superman."
"Next time, watch where you're thinking. Or at least tell someone what sector you're going too."
Amber nodded. She felt like a little kid being told off, and she didn't like it.
"I'm not stupid you know. It was just a mistake."
"You can't make mistakes like that around here Amber. Unless you want to end up in the Loco's basement."
"What do you do all the other times then?" She asked.
Bray was silent as he opened the sewer top. He looked back at her.
"None of your business," He said, and jumped down.
No lady's and gentleman, your eyes didn't deceive you, that was her foot going into her mouth. Nice one Amber.
Back to square one, she thought, and jumped down behind him.

Part 3
Bray entered the mall just in front of Amber.
Everyone was up in the cafe eating their dinner.
"Bray! Hi, do you want something to eat?" Salene said jumping up before he got all the way up the stairs.
Lex smirked; Trudy scowled, Brady gurgled, Zandra laughed.
Bray ignored them.
"I can get it thanks Salene," He said, puzzled by the goofy look on her face. Like he was someone famous.
Salene looked disappointed and sat down, a faint red color creeping up her neck.
He went to take a plate, but saw that they were all dirty. The sink was piled high.
"Let me do that for you," Salene said rushing over.
"I know how to wash the dishes Salene," He said, again puzzled over all the attention, and a little frustrated.
"God Salene. I leave you in charge for half the friggin day, and this is what I come back to..." He heard Amber mutter behind him.
"It's ok Amber, I can do them," Bray said.
"Nothing will ever get done unless they learn," She said, and crossed her arms.
"They can do them tomorrow; I know we can work out a roster tonight. I'll wash a few plates, you go heat up some spaghetti or something," He said.
Amber looked at him for a moment.
"Tonight then," She said and turned sharply.
Bray turned back to the sink and thought about how the roster could work.
He then realized Salene was still behind him so he turned back around to face her.
"Did you want something?" He asked.
"No, but uh, I could help you with the roster tonight?" She asked.
Bray shook his head.
"It's a two person job I think," He said and finished drying another plate for him and Amber.
* * *
After dinner, Amber had retreated to her room that she shared with some of the others. She was still a little shaken up from the afternoon, and she knew she shouldn't be taking it out on the others, so she had apologized.
They had asked her where she had gone? And why she came back with Bray? Well Salene had asked that question.
Amber had just said that she needed to go out for a while to think, which is true. As for how she met up with Bray? They had just said that they had met up at the trap door. The answers seemed to satisfy the tribe.
Amber noted that Lex had looked a bit disappointed.
Yeah, that would please him. That would cause some problems with the tribe. Especially for her, Salene and Trudy had both now been shooting her looks every now-and-then, as if they think something is going on between them.
Not happening.
That definitely wouldn't be happening.
She was sick of it. Bray this, Bray that, Bray's so great, she thought. He's a good guy, a little annoying. A bit of a loner. But Salene is already talking about him like they're married or something.
Not that she cared.
She had to admit that he wasn't all that bad to look at.
But Bray and her couldn't even be in the same room without having an argument, or one storming off.
She heard a knock at her door, and saw Salene there. Her face looked deadly serious.
"Uh, come in Salene. What's up?" She asked.
"You tell me. You like him don't you," She said.
"Who? Bray? No. I don't like him."
Salene stared back at her, not convinced.
"God Salene, there are other things to worry about. I don't like Bray, nothing happened this afternoon. Why don't you just talk to him or something? Just please don't involve me in your little crush," She said, and finished the conversation.
Salene scowled and walked out the door.
The sooner they get that sorted out the better, She thought. It's quite pathetic.
* * *
"Bray, could you give Brady her bottle please, I'm really tired," Trudy said, her eyes drooping.
"Sure look, I'll take her with me, and sleep in another room tonight, that way you can get some rest," Bray said.
"No! I mean you don't have to move into another room," She exclaimed.
"I think it'll be easier."
Trudy nodded, looking a bit disappointed.
"Look Trudy, I was thinking. Brady's just about three weeks old. I think we should tell Martin," Bray said, taking Brady and her bottle.
"How Bray? He hates you remember? He probably wants to kill you right now! And he would never agree to meet you by yourself," Trudy said.
"We have to try. Look I'll go out tomorrow, I'll see if I can get a message to him or something, now get some rest, I've got to do this roster thing with Amber," He said and turned to leave the room.
"Be careful then Bray," She called after him.
"Be careful of what?" Amber asked walking up to him and Brady.
"Uh, nothing. Lets go get some of this stuff done, then I've got to find somewhere to sleep," He said.
Amber looked puzzled.
"Trudy needs a lot of rest, so I'm taking Brady to stay somewhere tonight."
"We could set you up a bed in one of the other rooms. To be honest, I think it would be easier if we all had our own rooms ya know?"
"It would probably be easier. Plus it would give us a bit more space. At the moment it's like we're on camp," Bray agreed.
"Well, I'm planning on moving into the old clothing shop down the end. Well, once I get it sorted out."
"Yeah, I had my eye on the hat shop," Bray said.
"What about Trudy?" Amber asked suspiciously. "I mean it's not very big."
Damn it, he thought. She doesn't need to know this.
"Um, well, I'll figure that out later, let's just do this roster," He said, quickly changing the subject.
"Sure," She said, glancing at him.
What are you hiding?

Part 4
Working on the rota, Amber felt more relaxed. The rota meant that there was going to be some order around the mall. She planned to make sure that Lex didn't bully anyone else into doing it.
"Pairs? Or threes?" Bray asked.
"Um, threes, that's even then. Lets say, Patsy, Paul and Salene. And Cloe, me and Dal."
"Ok then, that leaves, Zandra, Lex, Ryan, Me, Jack and Trudy," Bray said, nodding along. One thing he was always good at before the virus, was organizing groups. He had been the captain of the school champion basketball team, and the coach had always respected his decisions on were the players would take position. Like now, it was the best combinations that would work.
"Trudy, um, since she has Brady to look after," Amber started.
"Yup, don't put her with Lex. Um, probably not with me either, she needs to get to know the others better. How bout Jack and Zandra?" Bray suggested.
Amber looked a bit confused.
"All right then, but that leaves you Lex and Ryan, sure you can handle them?" She asked.
Lex and Bray didn't really get on, it was common knowledge. Amber didn't know if that was the best decision.
"We'll be fine. No fighting in front of the kids," Bray said.
"No fighting at all," She said firmly.
"We can change it if we don't get along well enough to wash some dishes and clean the kitchen," He said.
"We're finished then. So where are you going to sleep?" She asked.
"Um, which one is less crowded?" Bray asked back.
"Mine I think. The bed under mine on the bunk is free, and the one next to Salene. Cloe and Dal stay in my room too. Oh, and Bob," She said laughing.
"If that's fine then. Um, but I think it would be safer for me to sleep on the bottom bunk. Ah, Salene seems to be, I don't know, attached?" He said.
"Um, yeah, she does seem that way. I'll protect you. Come on," She said chuckling to herself.
"I'll go grab Brady's cot then, could you...? He asked, holding Brady out.
"Sure," She said settling her in the curve of her arm.

"Hey Trudy, I've come to get Brady's cot," Bray said walking into Trudy's room.
"Oh yeah. So where are you staying?" She asked, propping herself up with a few pillows.
"I'm in with Amber, Dal, Cloe, Bob and Salene," He replied.
"Salene," She said dryly.
"Yeah. It's ok though, Amber said she'd protect me," He said laughing at Trudy's expression.
About two weeks ago, Trudy had told Bray that she had only loved him. Not Martin/Zoot. But that was sorted. Trudy was just a little bit confused about Bray, and how she felt. Really she didn't love him, well not like that. Bray had saved her life more than once, and after a long talk with Bray, those feelings she felt, were really those of friendship. Now Bray knew that Trudy was just looking out for him.
"She's probably asleep anyhow. See you in the morning," He called and walked out of the room.
He quietly made his way down to his room for the night, trying not to make a sound, just incase he woke one of the little ones.
Or Salene, he thought. I really need to do something about that.
"Bray over here," Amber whispered. Around them everyone was asleep.
"Right. Thanks," He said as Amber laid Brady in the cot.
"Well, goodnight then. Thanks for the help on the rota," Amber whispered again and started to clamber up the side of the bunk.
"You need a hand?" He asked softly.
There was no ladder on the bunk, so he thought he'd better ask.
"I'm fine," She said, and hoisted herself up, and took off her vest. Then she pulled the covers over her lied down.
She was still awake though, an hour later. Her palms were sweaty, and she was really hot.
Weird, It's freezing.
Admit it, you feel weird about Bray, She thought.
Amber turned over and shoved the side of her head in her pillow, forcing her thoughts back to the younger ones.
She awoke in the early hours of the morning, like she usually does, and pushed back her covers stretching. As usual, everyone was still asleep.
She swung down off the bunk and chucked on her vest.
She moved around quietly as she forced on her shoes that were about a size too small.
I really need to check out the shoe shop.
She was just about out of the room when she heard a soft cry from behind her. That soft cry, started to get louder.
Brady, She thought. I'd better get her out before she wakes everyone up.
She knew that Lex, and a few others, still weren't too sure about having a baby to look after.
"Come here," She said as she picked her up.
She quickly grabbed a bottle and exited the room.
"Shh, come on Brady, you'll wake everyone up," Amber said in a quiet, soothing voice.
She walked over to the kitchen, and started heating up some water, for the baby's formula.
Bray awoke sharply. He knew he had been dreaming about before the virus again.
It took him a moment to register where he was lying.
He looked around the room of sleeping people, and his eyes rested on the cot in front of him.
"Brady?" He said and jumped out of bed.
She wasn't there.
"Oh God."
Someone's probably got her, He thought, trying to be rational.
He looked over towards Salene, but she was still in bed. Everyone was in this room.
He moved quickly out the door, and stopped at the others room.
Everyone was there.
But, Salene and Zandra are the only ones who look after her.
Amber! He thought.
He hurried back towards his room, and checked the bunk.
He slid back down onto his back sighing with relief. Amber must have her.
Bray walked around the obstacles of beds as he thought.
Amber? But Amber's not that kind of baby person. Is she? Sure, she's great with the kids. But she never really seemed interested before.
Still, I guess Salene and Zandra have never really given her a chance. And there are others to look after.
Bray walked into the kitchen and saw Amber talking to the baby, and giving her bottle to her.
He smiled. Amber looked really comfortable where she was, so he just stayed where he was and watched.

Part 5
"You're a very lucky baby you know Brady. You've got a really nice mother, and a caring Father. Too bad you have to grow up in a world like this," She told the baby, placing her bottle on the table and rocking her slowly.
The baby looked content and happy in her arms, and she reached up and grabbed a stray piece of hair that had come out of one of Amber's Zulu knots.
Amber laughed and touched her little nose.
"'Morning," Bray said, and she looked up and blushed.
"I uh, well she was crying so I brought her through here. I hope you don't mind," She said, looking a bit embarrassed.
"No, no. That's fine! Actually it's great. Thanks for the help, I hope she wasn't too much trouble," He said walking over and sitting opposite her in one of the seats.
"Do you want to hold her?" Amber asked holding Brady out.
Bray shook his head.
"You know, I haven't really had much time to see her. But, Bray, you have a beautiful Daughter. And you and Trudy are great parents."
Bray shifted uncomfortably.
"Um, thanks," He said.
"Are you alright?" She asked him, shifting Brady into the other arm.
"Yeah fine. Um, do you want something to eat?" Bray asked moving towards the kitchen.
"Sure. The others should be up and in here soon, so we could start now," She said.
"And see if our brilliantly planned out rota will work," He said.
"Well, Lex, You and Ryan are on today. Try not to kill each other please?" She teased.
"Morning Amber, morning Bray," Dal called as he stepped into the kitchen followed by Cloe, Patsy, Paul, and a not so happy looking Salene.
"Morning everyone. We've started heating our breakfast," Amber said handing over Brady to Bray, and standing up.
"Great what's on the menu?" Jack said walking in, followed closely by a sleepy Lex, Ryan and Zandra.
"Lets see. Bake beans, Spaghetti, or oatmeal with no milk," Amber said.
For the past few weeks that's all they had been eating.
Even she screwed her nose up at the thought.
"I know it's food Amber, but we really do need to find some more," Zandra said.
"I've worked out that if we keep to our rationing, we have enough food for about half a week. That's it," Dal said.
"That's not a lot," Amber said frowning.
"Me and Ryan can go and get more tomorrow. Right Ryan?" Lex said.
Ryan looked up.
"Uh, right," He said.
"Good then, Ok, last night, Bray and I worked out a rota for our cleaning up system. If it's going to work, we need your co-operation," Amber said, looking at all of them.
"Sure!" All called up apart from Lex and Ryan. To be expected.
"It's women's work," Lex snarled.
"God your so predictable Lex!" Amber said.
"First up today for breakfast, are Ryan, Lex and Bray. That's final. If you don't do your share, you don't get your share of food. Is that clear?" She stated.
There was a wave of groans, then acceptance.
Even Lex reluctantly agreed. He knew Amber kept her word, and if you didn't do your share, you definitely wouldn't be getting any food.

Everyone took their share of food for breakfast, and after they had eaten, had piled their plates up in the sink for the boys to wash.
"Ok, I'll wash, Ryan, you dry, and Lex you put away," Bray said.
"Fine by us," Lex said.
Bray was amazed. Then suspicious. Lex never agreed with him.
Sure enough after the third plate, Lex had a go.
"So, what did you and Amber get up to last night then?" He asked smirking.
"Nothing. We just finished the rota and went to bed.
"Oh, I'd be saying that too, if I'd been alone with her."
"What are you getting at Lex?" Bray asked, as he scrubbed harder at the dishes.
"It's obvious that you two like each other. Just do me a favor. Save me a little piece," Lex said.
Bray was furious.
He grabbed Lex by the shoulder and punched him clear in the chin, then took off down the stairs and into the sewers.
"I think I hit a nerve," Lex said, smirking, rubbing his jaw.

Amber walked into the kitchen 5 minutes later with Salene and Zandra, to see Ryan and Lex laughing. But no Bray.
"Where's Bray?" She asked the two boys.
"Oh, Loverboy's gone out to cool off. It seems I hit a nerve," Lex said, pointing to his swollen jaw.
"Lex! Can't you get along for 10 minutes!?" Salene said.
He just smirked.
"He wasn't too open about talking about you two," He said shrugging, looking at Amber.
"What? Amber and Bray?" Zandra cried out.
Salene looked like she could kill.
"There's nothing to talk about Lex, that's why," She said coolly.
"Oh yeah, I've seen the looks that you've been shooting at each other," He replied, just as coolly.
"Get real Lex," Amber said and started walking down the stairs.
"Where are you off to then?" Zandra called after her.
"Trudy needs to talk to Bray. Unless you want to go out and find him," She called back and threw her jacket on.
Trudy didn't actually need to talk to Bray, but Amber couldn't of said anything else.
I hope he hasn't gone far, she thought silently to herself as she switched off her flashlight, and climbed up the rungs to the hole.

Bray pushed past another tree branch. He needed to get to the train yard soon, or else he would've blown his chances of meeting with Zoot.
He broke into a run as he could see it in the distance.
When he got there it was netted off. He scanned along the fence for about 20 meters before he came to a bit that had been cut.
"I didn't think you were going to show," Zoot said, jumping out from one of the cars.
"I didn't think you were going to show," He answered back sharply.
"What's this about then, I'm a busy man," He said leaning up against the nearest container.
"It's about Trudy, Zoot. And your daughter," Bray said.
"What is this? Some kind of set up," He said standing up straight and looking around.
"No, its not. But Trudy wants to see you. And she wants you to meet with her and the baby."
Zoot was silent for a minute.
"How do I know it's my kid?" He said.
"It's yours Zoot, and you know it. It's your responsibility now," Bray said.
He was silent again.
"Just meet with her. You need to talk,"
"Fine then. When, where?" Zoot replied nodding.
"We should meet again here somewhere, after I've talked to Trudy." Bray asked.
"That won't be a problem," Zoot answered back.
"You'd better go," Bray said.
"Right," Zoot replied and slunk off between some vans.
Bray lent up against the same train.
He hoped Trudy and him would work something out, but he didn't want his niece to grow up in the Loco's environment.
Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a bush shudder.
When he looked again it had stopped.
Must of been the wind, he thought and slipped back underneath the wire.

Part 6
Ambers heart pounded as she raced back to the Mall.
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! She kept repeating over and over again.
How could he? I trusted him! We brought him in, gave him and his kid a home.
He was with the Loco's the whole time.
She felt tears fill her eyes. Tears of anger.
How could he? she thought bitterly.
She ran faster and faster.
She wiped the tears away, and pushed off the cover to the sewers.
Lex was right. He had been right all along.
She jumped down the hole and slid the cover back over her head.
Flicking on her flash light she ran as fast as she could through the sewers and into the Mall.
"Everybody get up her now!" Amber yelled as soon as she was climbing the stairs.
"Amber what's wrong?" Dal asked.
She saw the other coming out of their rooms.
"Just sit down and listen," She said sharply.
"We're all here," Salene said.
"Yeah, what's all this about then. I was busy," Lex said.
"Just sit down and shut up," She said but she stared at Trudy.
"How could you? How could you come in here," She asked Trudy.
"What? How?" Trudy stuttered.
Amber opened her mouth to speak again, but was interrupted by a loud bang.
"What the hell?" Lex said, and ran over to the banister.
"Why hello everyone. Sorry, did I interrupt something?" A voice said from below.
Trudy looked horrified.
"It's the Loco's!" Salene screeched.
"That's right honey," Said the girl in the front.
"Ebony," Trudy whispered.
"What do you want?" Amber asked.
Ebony started walking up the stairs towards them. Followed by three tough looking Loco's. Her guards.
"Lets get em'," Lex said to Ryan and they ran towards them.
Ebony just laughed and waved her hand.
Two of the guards raced forward and caught Lex and Ryan and pinned them down against the banister.
"Salene, get the kids out of here!" Amber yelled.
"You better get her too," Ebony said, with a bored tone, as the last big goon grabbed Amber.
"Get off me!" She said, and tried to kick him, but he hit the side of her face, hard.
"Trudy, Trudy, Trudy. I've just heard some interesting things about you," Ebony said, and she positioned herself so Trudy and Brady were squashed up against the wall.
Trudy pulled Brady close.
"Get away from me Ebony," She said, but her voice failed, and trailed off, as Ebony held up a threatening hand.
"Ebony, if you lay one hand on her, you'll be sorry," Came Brays voice as he dodged the guards on the stairs who held Lex and Ryan.
"Bray," She said and moved towards him.
"How's it going?" She asked him and pressed her body up next to him.
"Get out of here Ebony."
"I wasn't going to hurt her Bray. Just a warning," She said and ran her hand down his arm.
He pulled away.
"Get out of here," He said again.
"We were just leaving," She said playfully and walked back down the stairs.
She signaled for the Guards to drop the others.
As she was walking out the door. She turned to face Bray again.
"You could come and stay sometime. When you get sick of these losers," She said.
"Not if you were the last monster on earth. And their not losers," He said, and turned back to Trudy, who was shaking.
He heard the grates slam against the floor, as Jack had run to the controls.
"Are you ok?" He asked her.
Trudy nodded.
"I told you! I told you all! He's with the Loco's!" Lex yelled running towards him.
"No I'm not! I've been telling you that!" Bray shouted back, and caught Lex's hand.
Amber marched up to them and pushed Lex away.
"You're lying, and you're out of here. All of you," She said. Ambers heart pounded. "How could you Bray?!" She yelled. "I saw you. I saw you with him. With Zoot. We took you in. We feed you. We gave you a place to stay, and you were with the Loco's all along."
The others looked stricken. Cloe started to cry.
"No, wait! It's not like that. Let me explain!" He said.
"Oh, so now you want to explain. Explain what Bray?" She said coldly.
"Please just listen," He said quietly.
"Why? So you can tell us more lies?" She said.
"They're not lies Amber. I've wanted to tell you, to tell you all. But it was too dangerous. I'm not going to hurt you," He said, looking her straight in the eyes.
"It's too late for that Bray. You've hurt all of us, and I don't want you anywhere near us ever again." She turned and started ushering everyone out of the kitchen.
Lex and Ryan started moving back towards him.
"I knew it. I knew it all along," Lex snared.
"I'm not Brady's father."
They all stopped dead.
"What?" She asked, looking up at him. "We all thought that..."
"I was the father. But I'm not."
"Amber, I was meeting with Zoot because, he needed to know about his daughter."
"His daughter?" Amber asked.
"It's true," Trudy said looking up at her.
"So you are with the Loco's" Jack said.
"No! We're not. I've been trying to tell you that."
"So tell us. The full story this time Bray," Amber said looking him straight in the eye.
"Look, Trudy ran away from the Loco's and Zoot," Bray paused and looked at Trudy. She looked back at him and nodded.
"I found her, looked after her. And brought her here."
Everyone was quiet, apart from Trudy's whimpering.
"We wanted to tell you. But I was afraid that you would throw us out," Trudy said.
"And we still are," Lex said.
"No we're not! We can't!" Zandra and Salene cried.
"We can't just throw them out Lex. It's too dangerous," Amber said.
With that she turned and walked out of the room, not looking back at the people who had lied to her.

Part 7
"This looks cosey," Said Salene as she lent against the door frame.
"Uh yeah. It's going to be my room, once I get it fixed up," Bray said, as Salene made her way into the room.
* ~ * ~ *
It had been three days after Trudy and Bray had told the truth about Zoot. Well half of the truth. They still didn't know that Bray was Zoot's brother, but he knew he would have to say something soon. Salene seemed to be more attached to him everyday. He wasn't sure how he felt about this.
Mostly it had just gone back to normal. The only changes were that Lex hated Bray and Trudy 10 times worse, and Amber, Amber couldn't even look at him.
* ~ * ~ *
"Need any help?" She said toying with some of her hair.
"No, I'm fine," He replied quickly.
"You sure?" She asked taking a step towards him.
Bray stepped back again, now he was up against the wall.
"You look tense," She remarked, and smiling she lifted her hand to his face.
"Um Salene, I uh," He started to say but Salene stepped closer, closing the gap between them, and kissed him.
This is not happening, Bray thought as he tried to push Salene off, but she clung to him.

Amber walked down the hall. Heading to the old hat shop, where she new Bray was.
She had been quite rude to him the past few days. All she had needed was a few days to cool off though; still it must've been hard on him and Trudy keeping such a big thing a secret this whole time. Amber had thought about this a lot. She knew now why they had kept their involvement with Zoot a secret, and she realized that if she were in their shoes, she probably would've done the same thing.
So she was on her way to apologies.
"Uh, here I thought you could do with a drink Bray," Came Ambers voice from the door way.
"Oh!" She cried out as she saw Salene and Bray, then she went red.
Salene let go of him and glared at Amber.
"Can't you see you're interrupting something?" She said coldly.
"Oh, sorry, I'll come back," Amber said. Slightly taken back by Salene's tone.
Talk about bad timing, she thought.
"No! Um, you weren't interrupting anything. Uh, thanks for getting me a drink," Bray called out, just a little too loud.
He looked straight at Amber. His eyes pleading for her to stay.
She was puzzled by his tone, but seemed to take his hint.
"Oh, ok then," She said, turning back into the room.
"Salene!" Screeched Pasty's voice up the stairs. "Your supposed to be help me and Paul with the cleaning up!"
Salene shot one more look at Amber walked out of the room.
As soon as she was out of ear shot Amber spoke.
"God if looks could kill," She said lamely. Feeling a bit awkward.
"Sorry. She was throwing herself at me. I mean don't get me wrong, she's a nice girl but..."He said babbling, trying to explain.
Why am I explaining? I haven't done anything wrong, He thought.
"Here's that drink you so desperately wanted," She said, handing him a glass of water.
"Thanks, after that, I defiantly need it," He replied taking the glass from her.
There was an awkward silence, then Bray spoke up.
"Um, was there anything else you wanted to talk to me about?" He asked.
"Oh, um yeah. Look, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry I was avoiding you these past few days, but, well, I'm kinda one to hold a grudge if a person lies to me," She admitted.
"I understand that."
"Yeah well, I'll let you get back to doing this. It's looking great," She said.
"Thanks Amber," Bray called after her.
As Amber walked away, she felt a pang of jealousy as she saw Salene.
What is my problem? I'm not jealous of Salene, she thought.
Moving towards her bed, she lay down.
She pictured herself walking in on Bray and Salene again. But when Salene turned around, she wasn't Salene. It was her.
Wow, no way!
I must've dozed off, she thought, snapping her eyes open.
I don't like Bray, but then, why do I wish I was the one kissing him?
Amber rubbed her face, trying to get the picture of Salene and Bray out of her head.
She headed towards her bedroom. She had fixed up the old clothing store down the end, and she needed to go somewhere quiet to think.
Everyone seems to love Bray, she thought sighing, and I don't want to be one of them!
Confused, she sunk into her bed, and curled into a ball. Channeling out to laughter and crying that was going on in the mall. But no matter what she did, she couldn't get Bray's face out of her mind.
Then she drifted off.

Bray slopped some more spaghetti on his plate and grabbed a fork.
Around him, looks of disgust showed as the others did the same. They were short of food, and they were sick of eating the same things over and over again.
He felt Salene slid into the both next to him, and basically sat in his lap.
"Uh, hi Salene," He said, trying to move away, but he was right next to the wall.
This is going to be awkward.
"Hi to you too," and she kissed him on the check, in front of everybody.
She seemed oblivious to everyone's stares, but Bray noticed every single one of them.
He looked around the room, and saw Trudy giving Salene a disapproving look. Pasty and Cloe had burst into a fit of giggle, Zandra looked shocked. And Lex was smirking.
Then there was Amber, who seemed to have just walked into the room when Salene had kissed him, and the staring had started.
Bray saw a flicker of something cross over her face, then she got a plate like the rest of them, and busied herself with scooping out what was left in the pot.
Bray turned away, as everyone started to sit down, starting their own conversations.
"Salene, we need to meet somewhere later," Bray said to her.
"I know," She said smiling and running her hand up his arm.
Bray looked at her.
"To talk," He said.
She winked at him.
"All right then," She said and giggled, in the way a schoolgirl would. Bray grimaced.
Amber would never 'giggle' while I was trying to be serious, he thought. Hold up, what does Amber have to do with Salene?
Confused he went back to his food. But every now and then, his eyes flicked across at Amber.
"Bray I need to talk to you. It's important," Trudy said as she grabbed his arm away from Salene straight after they had finished eating.
"Let's go to your room," He said instantly and followed her down the hall, leaving Salene opened mouthed.

Part 8
"Listen Bray, I've had time to think. I've decided that I want to see him. He has a right to see his daughter."
"Trudy that's great!" Bray exclaimed.
He knew that his little Brother loved Trudy.
"But I'm not leaving the Mall. He comes here," Trudy said.
Bray nodded. "Ok then."
"Those are my terms, take it or leave it."
"I think it would be ok to bring him in here. Tomorrow would be great actually. I know some of the others are still scared. Lex would probably try and kill him, but Lex and Ryan are going out to look for food tomorrow. Look I'll go talk to him now."
"Now? What you mean go to the Loco's motel? I don't want you going there, Bray. Zoot still doesn't like you very much, and Ebony. Well, you know how I feel about her," Trudy said.
"Promise me you won't go there," She said looking him straight in the eye.
Bray hesitated.
"Promise me Bray."
"Fine. I promise I won't go inside. But he told me where to go to get him."
"Just don't get caught. Are you going to go right now before it gets dark?" She asked him.
"Yeah. Oh damn it. I promised I'd talk to Salene," He said.
"That's another thing. Salene. You too seemed quite cozy at tea," She said plucking at her blanket.
Bray sighed.
"I don't like her. Well not like that. That's why I wanted to see her," He explained.
"I'm sure a certain someone will be glad about that," She said, her lips turning up into a small smile.
"Who?" Bray asked.
"Now that would be telling," She said. "Plus I don't think that person has worked it out for themselves."
Bray looked puzzled.
Trudy shook her head laughing.
"You've always been dense there," She said, but then turned serious again.
"Will you see Zoot for me tonight, Bray. Please?" She asked.
"Of course I will. God, I've been looking for a reason to put Salene off. I don't think she thought of my visit tonight...well, in that way," He said.
"Thanks Bray, for everything. Now listen, you might want to tell someone where you're going because they might get a bit suspicious. One of the older ones. Like Dal or Amber or Zandra. No not Zandra, she'll tell Lex. Try Amber first. She'll understand I think," Trudy said thoughtfully.
"Right," Bray said, a little weary of the thought of talking to Amber, after what she had walked in on that afternoon.
"Are you ok?" Trudy asked.
"Oh I'm just wonderful," He said sighing and stepping out of the room.
He looked along to the cafe. Amber was in there washing up with Dal and Cloe.
They should be finished in a minute, he hoped.
He lent up against the wall and waited.
Only 2 minutes had passed until Amber shooed Dal and Cloe out of the kitchen.
He watched as Dal joined Jack in Jack's workshop, and Cloe joined Patsy and Paul in a game of catch.
He walked over to the kitchen, and tried to act casual as he talked.
"Hey Amber," He said.
"Oh, hey Bray. What's up?" She asked, not quite looking at him.
"Uh, well, I'm going out for a while. Trudy thought it would be a good idea to tell one of you."
"Ok then. Um if you don't mind me asking, to do what?" She asked, throwing the dish cloth down on the bench.
"To see Zoot. That's another thing, but I've got to go before it gets too dark. Could you go talk to Trudy about the rest?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'll go now."
"I'll see you later then," Bray said giving her one last look, then he turned and took down the stairs two at a time.
Amber figured it must be something important that Trudy wanted to talk to her about.
She knocked on the door, and saw Trudy look up from a magazine.
"Amber, come in."
"Bray said you had something to tell me. It had something to do with him meeting with Zoot?" She asked, sitting on the chair next to her bed.
"Right. I've been doing a lot of thinking, you know since you all found out about the baby, and I want Zoot to meet his daughter."
"Of course, he deserves to meet her. No matter what kind of person he is,"Amber said.
"That's what I don't get. He was so gentle before the virus. Now, being near him and his Loco's is dangerous. Which is why, I want him to come here. To the mall."
"Wow. That's a pretty major decision."
"Bray's going to go talk to him tonight..."
"He's going to the Loco's?" Amber cried out.
"That's what I said. But he promised he wouldn't go inside. Look alls I now is that last time he met with Zoot, he told Bray some where to go to contact him."
"Right. I don't have any objections to him coming here. But only, and I mean only, if he's alone, and un-armed. And, if I get to stay with you while you talk. It's not that I don't trust you, I just don't trust Zoot."
Trudy nodded.
"I guess that's reasonable. He will be alone. And if he tries anything, he will never see his baby again," She said.
"Don't let him force you to go anywhere. You have a home here; don't go unless you really want to," Amber said.
"Thanks Amber. And I'm really sorry about lying," Trudy said.
Amber smiled to reassure her that it was fine now, and left the room.

"Those are her terms Zoot. Take it, or leave it,"Bray said.
He had gotten into the Loco's hotel easily and Zoot had come out with out any protest, eager to learn of what Trudy had said.
Zoot thought for a minute about Trudy.
"How do I know it's not a trap?" He said.
"You don't. But it's not. Lex and Ryan will be gone, and all the others are 14 and under. Well except for Salene, Zandra and Amber. But they'll be all right about it. So do you agree then?" He asked.
Zoot was quiet.
"All right then, no weapons, no one else," He said finally.
"Definitely no Ebony," Bray said firmly.
"No one."
"Good then. If you can get out, come at about 3:00pm tomorrow afternoon. Lex and Ryan are leaving at two, and they won't be back until around 6. Come to the place where I showed you by the sewers."
Zoot nodded, then turned around and walked back into the back of the hotel.
Bray watched until he disappeared from sight then headed back to the mall.

Part 9
"Hey Trudes. How did it go with Amber?" Bray asked as he picked up Brady out of her cot, and cradled her in his arms.
"She's fine with it. But she's insisting that she has to be in with us. In the room. I told her it wasn't a good idea, but, well I couldn't refuse."
"I suppose it's ok then. As long as we keep her away from him. Just incase. It's likely, that if he does want to hurt someone, it'll be me or her," Bray said cringing.
"Look, if he even tries to hit you, he will never see Brady again. I hope he understands that."
"I told him what you had said, and he agreed. So lets just leave it at that until tomorrow. He's coming at about 3:00pm."
"Will Lex and that be gone by then?" She asked, frowning.
"Yeah," He replied.
"Look, Ill give Brady the rest of her bottle, and go to bed, I'm whacked. I think you should go explain to Amber, then go to bed," He said.
"Yes Mam!" Bray said, with a mock, salute, grinning like an idiot, as he left the room in search of Amber.
He walked down the hall towards her room being as quiet as he could. Everyone else were in bed, asleep, or in Lex's case, snoring.

Amber turned over towards the door when she heard a knock.
"Yeah, come in then," She said sitting up.
As the door opened a flood of light came in.
"Sorry did I wake you?" Bray asked.
"No, you didn't. Actually I was waiting till you got back so you can tell me what's happening tomorrow," She admitted.
"Yeah, that's what I came to talk to you about. I told him what Trudy said, and he agreed, so he's coming tomorrow to the sewers at about three, Lex and Ryan should be long gone by then," He explained.
"Did Trudy tell you that I wanted to stay in with you guys, you know just incase," She said.
"Yeah, and you can, it's just that..." He said looking away.
"It's just that, what?" She asked.
"Well, I don't want you to get hurt," He said, looking at her.
"I'm a big girl Bray, and if you told Zoot everything that Trudy had said, if he really loved her and the baby, he wouldn't lay a hand on anyone."
Silence followed. It wasn't an awkward silence, a comfortable silence. You know, how you can just be in the room with someone you know really well and just do other things.
"Yeah I suppose. Anyways I'd better get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning," Bray said standing up, he was about to leave, when Amber spoke up.
"What's going on with you and Salene?" She blurted out, then slapped her hand against her mouth.
"Sorry. That's none of my business," She said, apologizing.
Bray just sighed.
"I don't know myself."
Then he left, leaving Amber to roll over, staying awake the whole night think of what he had said.
Bray didn't get to sleep until early the next morning, and when he woke up, Amber had decided to tell everyone what was going on. The little ones were a little bit scared; the others just didn't want to be near him. He, Amber, and Trudy had decided to talk to them in the cafe. After the meeting they had all gone to do their own things, leaving the cafe clear for Bray to think.
He had been just going over what had happened lately, and how he was going to deal with it.
Apart from Zoot and Trudy, Salene was high on the list.
He still didn't know what he was going to do. She was a sweet girl, but he really didn't feel the same way as her.
She's not really my type. And I don't feel anything when I'm around her, he thought.
I'll meet her tonight, he decided.
He finished his mug of hot chocolate and washed it in the sink.
He didn't really have anything to do now, he just had to wait until two, then he would go out and wait for Zoot.
Lex and Ryan were getting ready to go, and it was about lunchtime, maybe one o'clock.
They were going to leave and go as far as they could to get lots of food, or what they could find. Bray didn't really trust them though; they'd probably find food and keep half of it for themselves.
Still he couldn't really do anything about it. And he really didn't want to be thinking about that on top of everything else.

Amber sat in front of her mirror and twisted up the last of her golden hair in a Zulu knot.
She was a bit nervous about what was going to go on when Zoot got here, but she felt comforted by the fact that Bray was going to be there, she was just making sure nothing went on, and if Zoot did start getting physical, she new a few moves, but she was hoping it wouldn't come to that. She hoped that he loved Trudy and the baby enough to respect Trudy's conditions, but Amber wasn't betting on it.
At least I know that the others won't be up here, she thought.
They had arranged for Salene, Dal and Zandra too look after the others for those few hours, probably in one of the downstairs rooms.
Amber couldn't help but notice the deathly stares from Salene when she had announced she was going to be the one to be with Bray and Trudy when he came. But then when Bray had asked if anyone could do him, and them, a favor and look after the kids, she jumped at the opportunity to show off to Bray.
Amber also couldn't help but notice the lack of interest that Bray had showed in Salene that morning.
Maybe he doesn't like her?
Stop it Amber. There's more important stuff to think about than Bray.
Amber rubbed her eyes. She wasn't sleeping, she wasn't thinking right, and she wasn't looking after anyone like she had been, and it was all because of Bray.
Her heart pounded every time he came in the room. Every time they talk, every time he smiles at her. Every time he laughs. Everything about him.
I need to talk to someone. Trudy maybe? Tonight after we meet with Zoot.

"I don't like this," Zoot said as he slipped down into the sewers after Bray.
"This could be a trap."
"What do you take me for Zoot? It's not a trap. Trudy wants to see you. You want to see Trudy, I'm just there to make sure nothing happens."
"You think I'm going to hurt her!? "Zoot exclaimed.
"No, I don't. But I don't want her leaving with you to be with the Locusts if she doesn't want to."
"Lets just see how she feels," Zoot replied hotly, then stopped.
"Well, where is she then?" He asked.
"She's up in the Cafe, with Amber. Amber's going to sit in with us. She's like the leader, and the others are only agreeing to this if she's there."
Zoot looked at him.
"You expect me to talk in front of her. With her listening? Now way," He said then turned around.
Bray grabbed his elbow.
"Don't go. You've come to see your Daughter remember. And Trudy. Amber's not going to say anything. I don't even know if she really wants to be there. But she will be. Deal with it."
"Does she know about us?" Zoot asked.
"No she doesn't know. No one does."
"So big Brothers got a secret. I can't believe these losers haven't figured it out."
Bray turned sharply.
"Don't you ever. Ever call Amber a loser. Or the rest of them."
"Whatever. Are we just about there then, I'm a busy man."
"Just up there. Now if it's possible, could you not scare the little ones?" Bray asked.
Zoot laughed.
"The weak ones of the tribe."
Bray clenched his fist, then let it relax. He wasn't going to let him wind him up.
"Just be quiet."

Part 10
Trudy stood up and started to pace.
"What if he doesn't come? Or what if he does something, Amber?" She said, breathing quickly.
"Trudy, you need to calm down! Here, sit down, and I'll get Brady her bottle," Amber said reaching up and gently pushing Trudy down in the chair she had been sitting on.
Amber sighed, and started heating the formula.
She was worried too, but not so much. She couldn't believe that someone could be so afraid of the person they loved. But Trudy had had it rough. Maybe Zoot was ready to change his tune.
Not likely, she thought.
She walked back out of the kitchen and gave the bottle to Trudy.
"Thanks Amber. For everything. You've been great to all of us. And if you don't want to be here, you don't have to."
"No, it's ok. I want to be here."
Do I? Do I really want to be here?
She lent over the banister and started to look for Bray.
"Follow me," Bray said as the emerged from the sewers.
He looked up and saw Amber looking over the banister.
For a moment he stopped, and just watched her.
"Why are we stopping man?" Zoot asked.
Bray shook his head and started up the stairs.
Amber watched as they made there way up, and Trudy walked out to Amber.
"Hi babe," Zoot said softly to Trudy.
"Zoot," She said, quivering just a little.
"I think we should all sit down," Bray said, and guided them over to the seats.
Amber walked unsurely behind him, and took a seat down the other end.
Bray gave her a little smile, then took a seat himself.
"Is that?" Zoot asked pointing to Brady.
"Yes. It's your daughter. Her names Brady," Trudy said, hugging her close.
"Can I, can I hold her?" He asked.
Trudy looked at Bray, who nodded. Bray stood up and walked over to Trudy, who handed him the baby, and Bray took her around to Zoot.
Zoot just stared at his daughter for a while.
"What are you going to do?" Bray prompted.
"What do you mean?" Zoot asked.
"I want you to be able to see her, and me. But I'm not going back to the Loco's. It's too dangerous for her," Trudy said.
"It's safer for you with me than here babe. We Loco's. We're going to take over the city."
Trudy shook her head.
"No. I don't want to be there. My homes here now."
"Zoot, you could leave the Loco's. Come live here. If you change you ways of thinking," Bray said.
"No way. I'm not leaving. Trudy, she's my daughter," Zoot said.
"That's right. And if you want her," Trudy said, and walked around and took Brady from his arms. "You have to come and see her. Here."
Zoot and the others were quiet.
"That's the terms," She said quietly.
Amber had sat listening to them talk, not saying anything. But a problem had arisen. If Zoot had to come here to see her. Lex and Ryan would be here. And one of the younger ones were bound to blab.
"Um, do you guys want something to drink?" She asked standing up.
"Sure, that would be great. Thanks Amber," Bray said.
Amber was glad that she could do something away from them. It was getting intense, and she knew that someone had to budge soon.
She stood up and walked into the kitchen. Then she stopped short.
"Come one Ryan. We got enough," She heard Lex say.
She bolted back out into the Cafe.
"You have to leave. Right now!" She said sharply to Zoot.
"What??!?!?!" He said back, loudly.
"Amber what's going on?" Bray asked, confused.
"Bray, Lex and Ryan are back!" She said.
Bray turned pale.
"We have to get you out of here," He said and grabbed Zoot's arm, and started leading him down the stairs, they turned, and stood staring into the eyes of the boys.
Zoot turned and ran back up the stairs.
"What the hell is this! You let the Loco's leader in here!" Lex screamed.
Lex leaped forward onto Bray and started to attack him.
Bray tried to fight back, but Lex had the upper hand.
"Lex no!" Amber yelled, and started down the stairs.
Everyone else had come out of there rooms as they had heard the yells.
"What's going on?" Dal asked.
"They let the Loco's in here," Ryan said running up the stairs.
Lex followed him.
"No! Lex you don't understand!" Amber said lifting Bray up.
"Oh yes I do. He let them in. I knew it was going to happen!" Lex yelled back.
"No stop!" Bray said hobbling up into the cafe.
"Just stop it. Yes I did let him in, but he came to see..." Bray said, but was interrupted by Lex.
"You admit it! Did you hear that everyone!" He said and started to beat him up again.
"Leave him be! If you want to fight someone, fight me," Zoot said coming out of the hiding place, ripping Lex off Bray.
Lex jumped back towards the banister.
Zoot started sprinting towards him, yelling.
Lex flipped him up, and he fell over the edge.
Trudy's scream echoed in the mall, as everyone was dead quiet.
Tears sprung to Bray's eyes as he shrugged off Ryan and jumped down the stairs.
He slid over next to Zoot and put his hand to his neck. He didn't feel anything.
He saw Trudy behind him, holding Brady, looking as pale as ever.
"He...He's dead," He said looking up at her.
"No, no he can't be dead!" Trudy screamed.
"Trudy! He's gone," Bray said jumping up and running over to her, he hugged her tight.
He felt tears in his eyes. His little brother, his little brother was dead.
Amber stood on the stairs shocked.
She couldn't move, she couldn't speak. It was only a minute ago she had been talking to him, and now Lex had killed him.
She shifted her eyes over to Bray and Trudy, refusing to look at Zoot's body lying on the floor.
They were both crying. Trudy was hysterical. Bray was just letting the tears run down his face.
Her heart went out to Trudy.
She looked around, the others were paralyzed.
Then she saw Lex coming down the stairs with a smirk on his face.
"I showed him! No one messes with Lex," He said walking on down.
Amber found her voice.
"Shut up Lex!" She said, glaring at him.
"He was in here. He could've killed you!" Ryan said.
"He wasn't going to hurt anybody!" Bray yelled.
"We arranged for him to come Lex, while you were away," Amber shot back at him. It wiped the smirk off his face.
"Yeah well, I didn't know. Anyway, he was probably going to kill you," Lex said nastily.

Part 11
"He was here to see Trudy Lex!" Salene squeaked.
Amber glanced up and realized everyone was there for the first time. The younger ones looked petrified.
"Salene, could you take the kids to the cafe or something?" She said.
"Of course. Pasty, Paul, come with me, you too Cloe," Salene said taking Patsy's hand.
Cloe looked down once more at Zoot then Amber.
Amber nodded, and Cloe followed the others up the stairs.
She turned back to Bray and Trudy.
Lex was still smirking.
"So aren't you going to thank me?" He asked everyone.
Amber was furious.
She opened her mouth to say something, but Bray got there first.
"Oh yes. How stupid of me, we forgot to thank Lex. Yes, thank you Lex, Thank you for killing Martin!" He yelled, tears streaming.
"Get him out of here," Lex sneered and walked up the stairs and disappeared, Ryan and Zandra following.
"Dal, Jack, could you find, a blanket or something?" She asked them. The two boys nodded and walked off, murmuring to themselves.
Amber stood there another minute, then made her way unsurely over to Bray and Trudy.
It's all my fault! I should've never agreed for him to come here, I should've got him out of there faster. But now he's dead, and Brady will never have a father, she thought, getting angry with herself.
"I'm so sorry," She said softly, placing a hand on Brays shoulder.
He looked up. He wiped some tears away, and pulled away from the sobbing Trudy.
"I think, I think we should get him out of here. And tomorrow, I think we should give him a proper burial. For Trudy and the baby. Tomorrow morning when none of the other tribes are up."
"Of course. I'll get the boys to move him somewhere tonight, maybe down by the cage," Amber replied, not quite looking him in the eye.
"This shouldn't of happened," Bray said quietly.
"I'm sorry, I should've" Amber said looking down at the floor.
"It wasn't your fault Amber! Don't think that. It just happened. It shouldn't of, but it did, if it's anyone's fault, it's Lex's," Trudy spoke up for the first time.
Bray looked at her.
"I think we should all go to bed. It's getting quite late, and I really don't think anyone will want any tea," Bray said.
"Sure. I'll come and see you later, to make sure your ok," Amber said.
They stood there for a minute, then Bray let go of Trudy and gave Amber a hug.
"Will you be ok?" He whispered.
"I'm the one supposed to be asking that. But, I think I'll just go to bed for a while."
"'Night then," He said, then put his arm around Trudy and guided her up the stairs.
Amber lent up against her wall in her room.
Nothing was helping her get to sleep. But it wasn't surprising. Everyone else had gone to bed with out anything to eat, well all apart from Lex and Ryan.
Sometimes she wondered how Lex was still here. He was even proud of killing someone today.
It was awful.
Then there's Trudy. Her and the baby, no boyfriend, no father. Sure they would all look after them, but she knew that no matter what, nothing would replace a baby's father.
I can't believe this has happened. I just can't believe it. Here I was more worried about the fact that I have strong feelings for Bray, and if he felt the same way. Now, God, now there isn't any time to think about that.
Amber slid down onto her back and propped her neck up with a pillow.
The younger ones must be petrified, she thought. They didn't need to see him die. None of us did.
She forced her eyes shut and tried to think of happy things. It didn't work though. Dead Zoots face flashed past. Trudy crying, Bray crying. The look on Lex's face. Then her parents.
Tears slowly slid down her face as she drifted into a fitful sleep.

She awoke the next morning feeling cramped and sore.
Suddenly the events of yesterday came flooding back.
Her head was pounding, and she was so exhausted. But she had to be strong today. For Trudy and Bray.
She got up and walked out of her room.
Only a few of the others were up. Jack and Dal. Then around the corner came Bray.
He looked awful. But it wasn't surprising.
She walked slowly over to him.
He only noticed her when she was a meter away.
"Oh. Hey Amber," He said in a tired voice.
"How are you doing? How's Trudy?" She asked, stepping closer so she was walking next to him.
"I'm doing OK. Trudy's not so great. But she has to do this. You know, to let him go," He said quietly.
"You don't have to explain Bray," She said and slipped her arm around his back.
She wanted him to know she was there, there whenever he wanted to talk, there for anything.
He seemed to appreciate the hug, and they slowly walked towards the cafe.
When they got there, Jack and Dal looked up from laying out the plates.
"Morning Bray. Hey Amber," Dal said.
"Morning guys," Amber replied.
"I just want to thank you guys for what you did last night for us. And what your doing this morning," Bray said.
"It wasn't a problem," Jack said, speaking up.
"Yeah, it was the least we could do. How are Trudy and the Baby?" Dal asked.
Amber looked up at Bray.
"She's not doing so good. But this morning will help I think," Amber said, answering for Bray.
She heard a bang in the kitchen.
"Salene's making breakfast," Dal explained.
She saw Salene pop her head around the corner, and frown.
"Bray you sit down with the boys, I'll go help Salene," Amber said guiding him into the seat.
She moved towards the kitchen and stepped out of the boys sight.
"Do you need any help?" She asked Salene.
"Not from you I don't" Salene replied coldly.
"What's the matter Salene?" Amber asked a little taken a back from her tone.
"You're all over him, that's what."
Amber started to get angry.
"SALENE HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT?!?!?" She spoke sharply.
"Zoot just died. Bray knew him somehow, and he's not doing so great if you hadn't noticed. I'm his friend Salene. Friends are there for each other in bad times. But I don't think you'd know anything about that," She finished glaring over at her.
She grabbed the pot of beans off the stove and walked back to the table.
While Amber had been in the kitchen Bray had just been sitting there. Staring into nowhere. He knew that the others were a bit worried about him. They just thought he was a friend to Zoot, maybe not even a friend. They had no idea that he was his brother.
"Trudy," He heard Dal say, and he looked up.
Trudy had just walked over cradling Brady in her arms.
Bray jumped up and rushed over.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
Trudy glanced up, her eyes shining with tears.
He didn't need to ask anymore.
"Come over here and sit down. Amber and Salene are cooking breakfast, then we'll go out," He said.
Trudy nodded, unable to speak as she sat down.
Bray sat beside her.
"Do you want something to eat Trudy?" He heard Amber asked coming in.
Once again she nodded.
Bray looked at Amber and rubbed his tired face.
"Here, I cooked some beans," She said placing some on a plate for her, then dishing some more out to the others.

Part 12
For a moment Trudy just stared at it, like she had forgotten what it was, then she raised her fork to her mouth. Bray started eating.
Amber sat down next to him, still a bit angry with Salene's selfishness, but she put it aside.
"Where are we going to bury him?" She asked.
"A cemetery I suppose. There's one near here," Bray replied, not looking up.
"The cemeteries will be full," Dal spoke up.
"One more body, won't make a difference," Bray said.
"I'm going to go and get ready, so I think we should meet back here in 20 minutes," Amber said pushing her plate into the middle of the table.
"All right then," Dal said and he took his and Ambers plates into the kitchen, Jack doing the same.

Bray watched Trudy in the mirror, as she put on some black lipstick.
His face was covered in silver makeup, the same as Trudy's.
A sign of respect.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
She nodded, picked up Brady, and followed Bray out of the room.
Bray saw Amber, Dal and Jack over in the cafe.
Amber was talking to Salene and Zandra, Dal and Jack were murmuring quietly.
As they walked over they all looked up.
"Lets go, before it gets too late," was all Bray said and he lead the way down the stairs holding Trudy's hand.
They were silent until they got out side.
Dal and Jack were pushing the supermarket trolley that held Zoot. It was the only noise that was made of the group until the reached the cemetery.
"Dal, Jack, could you go check that it's safe?" Amber asked.
The boys nodded and started off.
"Be careful," She called after them as they disappeared behind a tree.
Dal and Jack ran quickly towards each tree, just incase someone was in the cemetery.
Sure enough, they spotted the Demon Dogs asleep on some headstones.
The boys halted in fright.
"Looks like they found their place where they belong," Jack whispered.
"Lets get out of here, before they wake up. This place is giving me the creeps," Dal shuddered as they turned and ran back from where they had come.
As they rounded the corner they were out of breath.
"The Demon Dogs," Jack breathed.
"Oh no!" Amber said. "What are we going to do now!"
They were all silent.
Then Bray spoke up.
"Listen, you all go back, I'll...I'll figure something out," He said.
"No way Bray! It's too dangerous," Amber replied quickly.
"We came here to bury him Bray," She added.
"I want to be there," Trudy said.
"Well where can we go?" Bray asked, looking desperate.
"Wait. The beach!" Jack suddenly said.
"It would be too far Jack it's ages away," Amber said.
"No, there's a beach my Dad used to take me too, it's about 5 minutes away from here; we could give him a burial at sea." He said.
Amber looked at Bray, who looked at Trudy.
"What do you think?" He asked her.
"I'd like that," Trudy answered.
"Then lets go," He said, and stood back up.
As Jack predicted, it only took them 5 minutes to get there. They searched the beach for a while until they came across an old boat.
"Well, we could put him in here, and push the boat out to sea," Amber said.
"It wouldn't work, the tides coming in," Jack said.
"Well, then we have to get in the boat, paddle out to sea, and push him off the side." Bray asked.
"Too dangerous. That boat looks ready to fall apart," Amber said, shaking her head at the idea.
They were stumped.
Just then Dal came running out of an old fisherman's shed.
"Guys look what I found!" He called out.
"That's brilliant! We can get the motor running, and point it out to sea," Jack said, rushing over. Dal had found cans of petrol.
They looked over to see Bray and Trudy's reaction.
Bray frowned.
"I've got a better idea. Set fire to the boat," He said gesturing with his hands.
They looked unsure. Until Bray explained.
"Zoot thought of himself as a warrior chief. Lets give him the right sendoff," He said.
Amber smiled, looking impressed.
"Trudy?" She asked.
"He would've liked that," she said nodding.
They were silent for a few minutes, like no one knew what to do.
"Somebody should say something," Amber finally said looking up at Bray. Tears were streaking down his face.
He knelt down, and uncovered Zoot's face.
Then he took off his necklace he was wearing, his good luck charm he had worn before the virus too.
"Goodnight Martin. God bless. Have a safe journey to the other side. Everyone will be there waiting for you. Mum...Dad...everybody," He said, struggling the words out his mouth.
He covered his head back up, and they all, apart from Trudy, took hold of the boat and pushed it down the beach and into the water. Dal set the motor going, and Jack placed the torch in the boat, it caught on fire, and they pushed the burning boat out to sea.
Walking back up the beach, their eyes set looking at the boat as it went further, and further away and into the distance.
Amber watched Bray closely, and she had one question she was burning to ask.
"Martin?" She asked him. She had heard Bray call Zoot that twice now.
"Yes. That was his real name," He said his eyes still facing out to sea.
Of course. He knew him before the virus. But the way he had talked before "Mum...Dad...." Did that mean............
"He was my Brother. My kid Brother," He finished.
Amber was shocked. She didn't know why she had never asked before.
How could he have kept that a secret all this time?
They were all silent for a few more moments.
Dal and Jack hadn't heard what they had been saying, and Trudy, didn't look like she was there at all. Physically yes, emotionally no.
"Are we ready to go?" She asked.
Bray sighed and turned from the ocean.
The boat was now just a flicker in the distance.
The others turned as well and they walked back up the beach.

Part 13
On the way to the Mall, Bray lagged behind. Not by much, but enough for Amber to notice.
Dal and Jack were walking up front with Trudy, just talking to her.
So Amber stopped, and waited until Bray was level with her.
"Want some company?" She asked.
He looked up.
Amber took that as a yes.
"I wish you had told me," She said. Speaking of course about him being Martin's brother.
"I didn't really want anyone to know. I mean, Trudy knows of course. But I knew that there was a chance that you wouldn't want Zoot's Brother in the mall. Blood relation."
"Then why did you tell me?" She asked quietly.
She was glad that he had told her. But was curious about his reason.
He turned and stopped.
She stopped too.
He grabbed her shoulders with his hands, and stared into her eyes.
"I told you Amber. Because I..."He said, but was interrupted by Dal's shouts.
"Demon Dogs! We have to get back fast!" He yelled as the Tribe emerged from the cemetery they had just past.
Bray grabbed Ambers hand as they rushed after the others. Trudy was still weak. But with Jack and Dal's help, she was going quite fast.
Amber gripped onto his hand as they flew down the street. Behind them the Demon Dogs had only just noticed them and were in pursuit.
Yelling and waving their weapons and sticks they tore after them.
"You guys, their going to follow us!" Bray yelled out. "You all go back to the mall! I'll go the long way and try and loose them!"
"No way!" Amber yelled back, and tightened her grip.
"I have to!" He said back.
"Well then I'm coming too!" She said.
Bray started to shake his head, but they didn't have time to argue.
"Go Dal!" Amber yelled as she and Bray stopped for the Demon Dogs to catch up a bit.
As Dal, Trudy, and Jack ran out of sight towards the Mall, Bray and Amber took off running the opposite direction.
The Demon Dogs leader pointed at Amber and Bray.
Bray's plan was working, but they had to get out of there.
"We should go through the car park, into the front entrance. Jack will hopefully be there to lift the grates. We don't have any choice Amber!" He puffed.
She thought it over, then agreed.
"Lets go then!"
The Demon Dogs weren't very fast, but they weren't that far behind, they could still catch them easy.
They dived into the bushes and started sprinting towards the mall.
"Arghh!" Amber screamed as her left ankle went down a rabbit hole.
Bray ran back.
"What's wrong?" He asked, fear all over his face.
"It's my ankle! I think I've sprained it. Just go, Bray, there's no use in us both getting caught," She said, trying not to call out in pain.
"No way," He said quickly and looked up, the Demon Dogs were closing in, but hadn't seen them run into the bush. That bought them a bit more time.
"Take my hand, can you walk?" He asked, gently pulling her up.
"Arrrgghhh!" She cried out again.
"Don't put any pressure on your foot," He said, trying to think quickly.
The Demon Dogs had heard her scream and had started heading their way.
He knew they didn't have much time.
"Just go Bray!" She whispered through her pain.
They were getting closer, and there was no way he was leaving Amber.
So bent down and scooped her up in his arms, and started to run. He was slower, but Amber wasn't very heavy.
"God Bray," She murmured as they ran.
"It's not much further. Come on Jack," He said out loud.
"There they are, lets get em'!" One of the Demon Dogs yelled.
"Oh no," Amber groaned.
"There it is," He said, and they entered the entrance of the mall and meet metal bars.
"Jack! Somebody! Please hurry and open the gate!" Bray yelled looking over his shoulder.
As soon as he had said it the gates started moving up, and he saw an out-of-breath Jack at the controls, everyone else not far behind.
As soon as Bray thought he could fit under it, he slipped through with Amber.
The Demon Dogs came around just as the gates slammed back to the floor.
Their words of abuse rang out as they turned, and left, knowing they couldn't get in.
It was silent for all of a millisecond, then the questions started all at once.
"What happened?" "Why were they after you?" "How did you get away?" "Why are you carrying Amber?" "Oh no what happened Amber?"
Bray walked over and gently put Amber on the steps.
"Dal, we think she's sprained her ankle, can you take a look?" Bray asked ignoring everyone else.
"Right," Dal said rushing over.
"The questions started back up.
"Ok, Ok!" Bray called out over them.
"We were coming back from the beach, and the Demon Dogs came out of the cemetery. They didn't realize we were there till later but they came after us pretty quick. We figured if we were going to keep the sewer door a secret, we would have to split up, and hope like hell they came after me and Amber. We had them lost for a few minutes, but Amber got her foot trapped, and sprained it. I carried her back here, and that's about it, you saw the rest," He explained.
"Wow," Salene said, looking envious at Amber.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch," Amber said gripping the side of the stairs as Dal took off her boot.
It revealed a very red, very swollen ankle.
Dal touched it in a few places, as Amber winced every time.
"It's not broken. That's good. But it is badly sprained. It'll take about 3 weeks to heel," He said placing Amber's foot back down.
"Patsy, Cloe, could you run up to my room and get that bag under my bed, I have a bandage we can use," He said facing the girls.
"Ok Dal," They said and ran up the stairs.
"Come on guys, party's over. Back to work," Lex said turning his back.
"Are you sure your all right?" Zandra asked.
"I'm fine. Look, you guys should all go and do your jobs, once Dal's bandaged it I'll be back working with all of you," She said, leaning back.
"Oh no you wont. Bed rest for a few days," Dal said.
"You're kidding right?" She asked, looking horrified.
"No I'm not. Bray, I'm appointing you in charge of making sure she doesn't get out of bed," Dal informed him.
"Sir, yes, sir!" He said, with a mock salute and a grin at Amber.
Salene scowled.
"What about Trudy and the baby?" Salene asked. Obviously not liking the fact that Amber and Bray would be seeing a lot of each other.
"I'll be fine. Dal said he would help me," Trudy spoke up glaring at Salene.
Bray wondered about this for a minute.
"Are you sure you'll be ok?" He said taking her hands.
"I'll be fine," She repeated, and she gave him a friendly hug, to let him know that she really would be all right.
Just then Patsy and Cloe came back with the bag, and Dal started to wrap Ambers ankle. Trudy walked off towards her room, and Jack, Patsy, Cloe and Salene went to do their chores.
"That feels way better," Amber said and started to stand up.
"Nah-uh," Dal said grabbing her.
"You can't put any pressure on it Amber. You have to understand that."
"Fine, someone give me a hand then," She said.
"Here," Bray said pulling her up.
Gently he placed his hand around her waist, and steered her up the stairs.

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