Chapter Six

It was quite late, or rather, quite early, by the time Amber made it back to the mall, her clothes a mess and her face and hair in worse condition. She had spent all night wandering the streets of the City trying to clear her head, trying to banish all feelings for Lex, however she was still frustrated and confused when the first rays of sunlight had begun to peek their golden crown over the eastern horizon. Amber knew she had to get back. The rest of the Mall Rats would be worried enough as it was – at least what was left of them.

As Amber was slowly becoming accustomed to, the mall was deathly still and quiet when she slipped back inside, taking the sewer entrance. Her boot heels echoed loudly on the tile, though thankfully did not disturb anyone’s rest. Before heading upstairs to the sanctuary of her own bedroom, Amber hesitated outside Lex’s room, fighting the urge to peek in and make sure he was sleeping soundly.

‘Knock it off, Amber.’ She thought to herself, her hand hovering over the privacy drape that hung across Lex’s doorway. ‘You’re over him, remember?’ The fact was, her head did remember. It was her heart that was hanging on.

Letting out a weary sigh, Amber turned away from his room, her spirits sinking lower than they already were. She slowly made her way up the staircase to the upper level of the mall where the majority of the Mall Rats had their bedrooms. It, like the lower level, was still and quiet and Amber began to wonder if her absence had even been noticed.

As she silently crept down the corridor towards her own room she noticed something odd. The curtain to Cloe’s room was slid wide open, something Amber knew her young friend would never allow. Forgetting any hesitancy she had when standing outside Lex’s room, Amber stepped inside the fourteen-year-old’s bedroom and bit back a gasp when she saw what was inside, or rather, what was not inside.

Cloe was no where to be seen. Her bed had not been slept in, though it had been turned down. Her street clothes were hanging in their proper place on the small bar that Cloe had set up in the far corner to serve as a closet and her bright aqua blue jacket that Cloe had just traded for a few days before lay crumpled on the ground, seemingly forgotten. It did not take a genius to figure out what happened.

Amber quickly spun on her heel and stormed down the hallway, no longer caring if she disturbed anyone’s sleep. She almost hoped someone would wake up, that way they could come with her to confront those damn Technos and demand the return of their friend.

~*~*~

The Techno prison was not nearly as awful as the Chosen prison had been. Whereas the Chosen prison had once actually been a prison and everyone who was held there was assigned to different cells, the Techno Omega Base had once been an office building with a laboratory, or rather a workshop, on the top floor. Each of the prisoners was assigned one roommate and were given quarters in an old office that had been conformed into a bedroom. The doors were not locked and the prisoners were allowed free access throughout the entire building, just as long as they stayed away from the top floor.

After her conversation with Mega the day before, Silver had been escorted to her quarters that she shared with a rather peculiar girl by the name of Casey. She was probably only thirteen years old and rather short with a bit of left over baby fat. Her hair was cut in an uneven style that Silver could tell was on purpose and dyed a mixture of purple and jet black. She could not be sure what color Casey’s hair had been naturally.

Silver had tried to strike up a conversation with Casey several times, however the younger girl had remained sullen and quiet, only speaking when a Techno came in and then she only shouted obscenities at them. For the most part both Silver and the Technos ignored her.

That morning Silver had awoken quite early, even before the first traces of dawn showed on the far eastern horizon. She had quickly dressed in the tight fitting soft gray uniform that had been assigned to her, cut in a style similar to the Technos uniform, just with black accents instead of red. She had quietly tiptoed out of her room so as not to disturb the obnoxious younger girl then set out to explore her surroundings, this time without a Techno supervisor.

Silver had not gotten far, though, before she heard the all too familiar voice of Trevor behind her. He had called her name three or four times before Silver could be bothered to stop and turn around and see just what it was that he wanted.

“What is it?” Silver asked coldly, sparing no sympathy for this sellout. “What do you want, Techno Trevor?” She said the words mockingly, knowing they bothered him, just as being labeled had always bothered him in the past.

“You are not in your room.” Trevor stated simply, not making mention to the fact that Silver had ignored his first several calls. “Why?”

“Mega told me I could come and go as I pleased, just as long as I remained in the building and away from the top floor.” Silver answered smugly. “In fact, he encouraged me to familiarize myself with my surroundings. Is that a problem, Trevor?”

Trevor shook his head, a strange light flickering in his eyes. “No, Silver, it’s not.” He said softly, his voice reminding her of the kind and gentle young man she had once believed him to be. Going out with him for three weeks had quickly demolished that theory, though. “It’s just that you’re up rather early. I never knew you to be such an early riser.”

“There a lot of things about me that you don’t know, Trevor.” Silver glared at him wishing that Mega would come around the corner and save her from yet another confrontation with Trevor. Every time she saw him she was forced to deal with the realization that the entire world had been changed by the Virus, not just one little City. She had always clung to the hope that somehow she would find a way off the island and get back to New York where she would discover her home perfect and in order, just as she had left it.

“Look, Silver,” Trevor said kindly, “Be careful, that’s all. Mega may seem like a really great guy and all, but he’s not. None of us are.”

“What do you mean?” Silver furrowed her brow in confusion. Mega had seemed very genuine and honest, showing her everything the Technos were working on, save for the top floor, but he had assured her that there was nothing of consequence up there.

“I mean, there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. That’s all. I just want you to stay on your toes.” Trevor stared at her, his expression sober. “Please.”

“You’re just jealous.” Silver spoke the words without really thinking as she folded her arms against herself, eyeing him coldly. “You were always like that, flirting with me and leading me on then as soon as we got together you’d completely ignore me. Of course if any other guy paid attention to me—“

“Silver!” Trevor cut her off abruptly, “We’re not in high school anymore. This is real life, Silv. Real life. I have to go now. I’m on duty in five minutes. Just please, please remember what I said, okay?”

Silver said nothing, not giving him the satisfaction of knowing that he had completely unnerved her. The truth was she hadn’t been on guard. Sure, she had been while in the truck and traveling to this Techno base, but the moment Mega had talked to her, seducing her with his honeyed words Silver had stopped questioning everything like she normally did. She had accepted the Techno base for what Mega had told her it was. Now, however, Silver realized that there had to be more than meets the eye. There always is, no matter what the situation.

“I will.” She said at last, allowing herself to smile slightly at Trevor. “Thanks for the heads up, Trev. I appreciate it.”

Trevor nodded, then turned and briskly walked away, all the demeanor of a Techno going to duty slipping back into place, causing Silver to begin to wonder just why Trevor had joined up with such a lot. It was so completely different from the Trevor she had known so long ago, and she was determined to find out why.

~*~*~

Jay stifled a tired yawn as he stared at the security monitors, his eyes glazed over from lack of rest. He had not been able to sleep the night before so he offered to cover for the Techno on watch duty. Jay knew he would suffer for it in the morning, but at the moment he didn’t care.

‘Oh wait.’ Jay chuckled humorlessly. ‘It is morning.’

The next Techno should be coming to relieving him any moment now for their fun-filled eight hours of staring at a computer monitor searching for any sign of movement outside the stadium. So far the Virts had been either too stupid to figure out where the Technos had set up base or too scared to dare approach. Well, other than those damn Mall Rats and Ebony.

Jay shuddered inwardly at the thought of the beautiful young woman who had somehow managed to push her way to the top and become elected city leader. After learning the truth, Jay had kept his ear close to the ground and learned there was quite a bit of controversy behind Ebony’s election. Apparently she had paid off one of the popular candidates, a girl by the name of Jet, to drop out of the election and encourage her supporters to vote for Ebony instead. Then after Ebony had been elected she promptly banished another of her chief opposition, a man named Bray, though he had not run in the election.

“Same ol’ Ebony.” Jay muttered as he shook his head, his eyelids growing heavier by the minute. Suddenly, something in the corner of the far left monitor caught his eye. He had to look twice just to be sure, but there it was again. A movement. The first excitement during his entire shift.

Jay quickly punched in a code to position the camera at a better angle to capture whatever it was that had alerted him. The slowly began to shift until Jay was quite certain he could make out a figure hiding behind several abandoned trash containers. They were dressed in a dark cloak, a hood over their head to hide their features, but something deep inside Jay told him he knew exactly who it was.

Without waiting for the next Techno to come on duty, Jay signed out of the station and hastily made his way to the area that particular video camera taped. It appeared deserted by the time Jay arrived there, but he knew better. She was there, he could just sense it.

He quickly took a look around, checking behind all the trash receptacles before he proceeded in the direction he figured she would head. He wanted to call her name, let her know that he knew she was there, but he held her tongue. It was better to come up on your enemies from behind, using the element of surprise.

After he traveled only a short distance around the perimeter of the stadium he spotted her, hunched over and hiding behind yet more waste barrels. He would have to send a crew to clean those up. They could not risk people sneaking up on them, much less her. It was obvious that she was looking for a way inside the stadium, for a breech in their security net so she could sneak in. Jay was not about to let that happen.   

“You there!” He called out, his voice ringing with authority as he quickly charged his zapper. “Halt.”

The female whirled around, her dark cloak whirling with her. The hood fell back exposing not golden copper braids but rather golden blonde hair knotted up in a very peculiar fashion. The woman appeared familiar to him, but Jay could not place from where. It was quite possible she was one of the individuals who had come with Ebony the day before during their meeting, however Jay had only had eyes for Ebony, barely even noticing anyone else in the crowd.

“Oh, it’s you.” A nervous smile flickered across her lips. It was clear that she was quite terrified yet somehow she remained strong and composed, not loosing her cool. “I thought it was, well, someone else. Though I don’t know who.”

Jay narrowed his eyes at her, keeping his expression stoic. “What are you doing here?”

The woman hesitated, studying him with cautious greeny brown eyes that he knew did not miss a single thing. She was clever, that was for sure, and observant. Jay would not be surprised if she had some sort of military training.

“I’m looking for my friend.” She said at last, her voice ringing loud and clear, no trace of the previous fear lingering. “She went missing last night and I assume you and your kind have her.”

Jay frowned at her scornful reference to the Technos, but he would not make an issue of it now. “Our quotas have been filled, Virt-“

“Amber.” She interrupted him, not showing the least bit respect for him or his position. “My name is Amber. You can stop calling me Virt.”

“Right.” Jay gritted his teeth, a little annoyed by this woman’s audacity. He was used to the Virts cowering before the Technos, terrified. This woman was different, very different. It annoyed and intrigued him at the same moment. “Amber, as I was saying, we have filled our quota. We would have no need to take your friend.”

“All the same, she is gone and I know the Technos took her.” Amber remained firm as she eyed him coolly. “Perhaps you remember her. She’s the girl who delivered your message to Ebony, the city leader.”

Ebony! There was that name again. Did she know every last person in the city? “I don’t remember her.” Jay told Amber honestly. He had never met the girl that Ved had picked up to work as a messenger for Lord Ram, just heard him mention her once or twice. Ved had seemed fascinated by her, which was never a good thing as far as Jay was concerned. “She was released to deliver the message to your city leader. The Technos had no further use for her.”

“Don’t lie to me.” Amber took several steps forward, her eyes flashing with intensity. “I know you have her, just like I know you have many of our friends. You may think that you and your tribe can—“

“We are not a tribe.” Jay cut her off smoothly. “We are an elite group of highly trained professionals.”

“Right. Whatever.” Amber rolled her eyes, waving off his words. “As I was saying, you and your elite group of highly trained professionals that walk, talk and act a hell of a lot like any tribe I’ve ever seen, think that you can come into our city, push us around, take us captive and basically do whatever you please, but you’re wrong. Dead wrong.

“This city,” She continued, her voice increasing in volume as she grew more passionate and angry, “Has faced adversity before, many times. We are not about to let a uniformed group of techno geeks push us around. Is that clear?”

“Crystal.” Jay felt his lips tug up with a smile. This woman had spunk, had fire. She reminded him a bit of how Ebony used to be, so easy to get riled up.

“Good.” Amber glared at him. “Now give us back our friends then get out of our city. Now.”

Jay shook his head slowly, mulling over his words before he spoke. Finally, he gave a heavy sigh and smiled at the beautiful and fiery young woman. “I’m sorry, Amber, but I really can’t do that. We have a mission here in this city and we cannot leave until we see it accomplished. Believe me, you don’t want us to leave.”

“Oh yeah?” She challenged him.

“Yes.” He confirmed, looking deep inside her eyes trying to search her to see what it was that made this amazing woman tick. “Contrary to popular belief, the Technos are only here to help you. I admit that kidnapping your friends and family may not seem like we are helping you, but I assure you, they are well taken care of. They will be returned as soon as our goals are accomplished.”

“And just what are those goals?” Amber demanded, her expression not relenting in the least.

Jay smiled. This would win her over, he was certain of it. “Electricity and power restored. Running water, sterilization. Hospitals, schools, libraries, newspapers. We want to help this city get back on its feet. Teach it the skills it needs to survive. Move it out of the stone ages and back into the age of technology where it belongs.”

“We don’t need your technology.” Amber hissed though it was clear that his words had affected her, “We were doing pretty good on our own. We might not have electricity or running water, but we had a newspaper and discussions for restarting a school system had begun. As far as hospitals go, we have been relying on herbal medicines for the most part, but there are several clinics throughout the city and we were going to build more. We were doing fine without you, so why don’t you just go?”

“I’m sorry, Amber, but we can’t do that.” Jay apologized sincerely. “Trust me. This is for the good of the city and whether you want to admit it to yourself or not, you know that.”

Amber said nothing, the fire slowly going out behind her mesmerizing eyes. She held his gaze for several long seconds, watching him carefully, searching him for any sign of a hidden agenda, any lies. When at last she was satisfied she nodded, her lips drawn together in a firm line.

“You’re probably right.” She admitted at last. “We could use a little help. I’m just not accustomed to help arriving with both pistols blazing, fighting its way into our lives, taking our friends and oppressing us.”

“There was no other way, Amber.” Jay said gently, reaching out and touching her shoulder. “We did what we had to do to get your city to accept us. We have been watching you for some time, watching you as you battled the Chosen. We knew that if we just entered the city, offering you all that we have to offer you would have chased us out immediately. You may deny it, but we know its true. We’ve tried before with other cities… It never works.”

“I think our city might have surprised you.” Amber replied, her expression wearying.

“Maybe.” Jay agreed. “But I guess we will never know now. The only thing that matters now is that we are here and we are here to help. All I ask is that you have a little faith in us, don’t judge us so harshly. We will return your friends, all of them.”

“Even Cloe?”

“Is that your friend’s name?” Jay inquired, the name sounding familiar to him now.

“Yes.” Amber nodded, her eyes filled with concern. “She is about fourteen a little shorter than me with dark hair, dark skin and dark eyes.”

“I’ll tell you what, Amber,” Jay smiled warmly at her, “I will look for your Cloe, ask around and see if any of the others might have picked her up. If I hear any word, I will contact you.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.” Jay nodded then added with a sheepish grin. “I just need to know where I can find you or get word to you. Contrary to popular belief, the Technos really aren’t all knowing.”

“Right.” A grin crossed Amber’s face, illuminating her natural beauty. “I am almost always at either two places, the Phoenix Mall in the center of the city or at the Horton Bailey Hotel just one sector over. My tribe is the Mall Rats and if you speak to any of them they can give me a message.”

“I’ll do that.” Jay stifled a yawn, his lack of sleep catching up with him rather quickly. “I need to go now, but you can expect to hear from me soon. I swear it to you.”

Amber nodded, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of pink. “Thank you… Uh,” She hesitated, “I’m afraid I don’t know your name.”

Jay chuckled. “Jay. My name is Jay. Any Techno will know me.”

“Jay?” Amber’s eyes widened and her cheeks drained instantly of all color. “Jay?” She repeated. “Your name is Jay?”

Jay nodded, worry creeping inside him. “Is something wrong, Amber? You—“

“I’m fine. Just fine!” Amber gasped out, cutting him off. “I need to go. I need to talk to…” She trailed off, looking at him still with a shocked expression. “I just need to go. I’m sorry.” And with that she hurried off, not once looking back.

~*~*~  

The corridors of the temporary Techno base were still and quiet, just as they should be at such an early hour of the morning. The regular shifts would not come on duty for another forty-five minutes or so and the entire stadium was functioning with a skeleton crew which meant about three Technos monitoring over ninety screens. The chances of one of those Technos watching the exact corridors Ved was leading Cloe through at that precise moment in time were slim to none, but just to be on the safe side, Ved had disabled the cameras and programmed them to play back a continuous loop until he was finished with what he was doing.

Cloe had put up quite a fight as they had made their way from the Phoenix Mall to the Techno stadium, but Ved had managed to keep her under control by frequently threatening to shoot her with his zapper. Of course Ved knew he would never actually shoot her, but letting her believe he would served his purposes for the time being. Maybe later after Cloe had learned to trust him Ved would tell her the truth, but somehow he doubted it.

“Where are you taking me?” Cloe hissed a little too loudly for Ved’s liking. She had been asking him the same question all morning, since the moment they had emerged from his private quarters.

“Someplace.” Ved muttered, trying to ignore the stiffness in his neck and soreness in his back. The little brat had made him sleep on the tiny sofa the night before instead of sharing the nice big bed with her. He had almost threatened to shoot her with his zapper if she didn’t share, but thought better of it at the last minute. He had never had to force any girl to let him in bed with him before and he wasn’t about to start now. Unfortunately he was paying for that decision this morning.

“I’m not going another foot until you tell me where, Ved.” Cloe stopped in her tracks, folding her arms against herself and glaring at him. Ved had given Cloe one of the female Technos uniforms, selecting one that would be a little snug on her on purpose. The normally skin-tight lycra smoothed over her lean body, accentuating her womanly curves sensually. It was enough to drive any man mad.

“Knock it off.” Ved glared at her, beginning to loose his patience with her. She had piqued his interest because she had been such a feisty little firebrand but now that he was actually having to get her to do what he wanted her to do, he was discovering that sometimes he much preferred the quiet placid women. “I’ll tell you when we get there.”

“No.” Cloe shook her head, her long rich dark brownish black hair slipping out of the low ponytail she had secured it back in earlier that morning and cascading over her shoulders. “You will tell me now Ved or else I will raise such a ruckus that you will wish you had left me back at the mall.”

“Believe me,” Ved grumbled quietly to himself. “I already do.”

“What was that?” She asked him sharply, her voice rising in decimals.

“Uh, nothing.” Ved quickly brushed it off, forcing a smile to his lips. “Look, its in both of our best interests if you stay quiet and stop being so difficult.”

“Why is that, Ved?” Cloe arched an eyebrow, her lips forming into a pert smile. “Are you doing something you shouldn’t be, Veddy boy? Were you lying to me when you told me that Lord Ram had further plans for me? Hum?”

Ved glared at her. Why did he always have to like the impertinent ones? “Alright, Cloe, I give in. You’re right. You’re not supposed to be here. Ram wanted you released to deliver the message to Ebony and then we would have no further use for you. However I happen to think he’s wrong. I think you are a very valuable asset to the Technos and he will thank me for this later. Alright? So now are you happy?”

A sly smile spread across Cloe’s lips, unnerving Ved. “So what you’re saying is that if I do raise the alarm I’ll get you into trouble, right?”

“Um,” Ved gulped nervously, scanning the long corridors nervously for any signs of his fellow Technos. “No.” He quickly lied. “Not even a slap on the wrist for me. I am Ram’s favorite, you know. But as for you, Cloe, you’ll be shipped off to the Virtual Realty prisons and believe me, you don’t want to go there.”

“Virtual Reality prisons.” Cloe’s eyes narrowed. “Is that where you sent KC and the others?”

“KC?” Ved looked at her in confusion.

“My friend!” She nearly shrieked as flames leapt up in her eyes. “Remember? The one you shot.”

“Oh yeah, him.” Ved frowned. He had completely forgotten about the younger boy with the green spikes that had been with Cloe when he first apprehended her. The truth was, he had no idea where KC had been sent to. He could have been a any one of a number of bases, some of them virtual reality testing sites and others places not quite as pleasant. “No.” He answered quickly, forcing a smile to his lips. “Your friend KC was sent to a farming facility. Yeah, that’s it. He’s, uh, testing food.”

“He’s a food tester?” Cloe arched her eyebrow, clearly not believing him.

“Yeah. The Technos have got to eat too, you know.” Ved glared at her. “Now shut up and just walk, okay? We’re almost there.”

Cloe nodded her head and said nothing as they quickly made their way down the corridor. They had wasted precious time lollygagging back there, time that Ved knew they could not make up. He was certain the first shift of Technos would be arriving at their stations shortly and there was no way Ved could hack into the system and place Cloe on the roster as one of the active Technos on duty.

“Okay, Plan B.” Ved murmured to himself as he hesitated in front of one of the few vacant reprogramming stations. He snatched up the clipboard with the information on the Virt who would be moved there later that week, a girl by the name of Tai-San. He glanced over at Cloe. She could look pull off a Tai-San.

“Plan B?” Cloe came up behind him, trying to peer over his shoulder to read the paperwork he was looking at. “What’s Plan B?” 

“Reprogramming.” Ved grinned then glanced back down at the paperwork. He memorized Tai-San’s current location so he could later go back into the system, change her into Cloe and have ‘Cloe’ sent to one of the virtual reality testing facilities. No one would know the difference.

“Reprogramming?” Cloe frowned. “I don’t think I like the sound of that.”

“Don’t worry.” Ved chuckled. “I won’t really reprogram you, though it does sound sort of tempting. I could give you a better personality, curb that nasty attitude of yours. Or heck, maybe even reprogram you to like me.”

“I do like you, Ved.” Cloe rolled her eyes. “I just think you’re as obnoxious as hell.”

Ved felt his heart give a little leap, though he tried to ignore it. “You do, do you? Then you’ll agree to go on a date with me?”

Cloe shot him a scornful look. “Heck no.” She shook her head. “You’re much to young for me, Ved. I prefer my men out of diapers.”

Ved rolled his eyes, punching in the code to open what would become Cloe’s new room until he deemed her fit to join the ranks of the Technos, questioning himself and his motivation in the back of his mind. Cloe was proving herself to be much more trouble than she was worth. Perhaps Ram was right, perhaps she had already been as much use to them as possible, but somehow when Ved looked deep into her eyes his heart told him something different. He had to hang onto her, at least for a little while. No matter what.

“Get yourself acquainted with your new room, Cloe.” He said softly. “Get some rest too. I know you didn’t sleep much last night. I’ll be back in about six hours to take you to your first reprogramming session.” He turned to leave, then hesitated. “And by the way, your new name is Tai-San. Hope it’s to your liking.”

~*~*~

Ebony stared down at the empty surface of her desk, tracing the wood grain pattern with her finger as she tried to find something or someone to think about other than Jay. She should have known or at least suspected that she would see him again. Her dreams had warned her, yet seeing him yesterday, standing so cool and crisp, Ebony had been taken completely by surprise, even more so when he had refused to acknowledge her as anything more than a stranger.

“Oh Jay.” She murmured, squeezing her eyes shut tightly, wishing that somehow she could just forget about him completely, forget that he was the first man she had ever loved, the only man who she had ever wanted to be with. Not a day passed since they had parted ways so long ago that she did not think of him, at least in the far corner of her mind. It was so difficult, so hard, and now knowing that he was in the same city as her made it even worse.

“Ebony?” There was a crisp knock on her doorway and she looked up in surprise to see Amber standing there, her expression stormy. Amber was still dressed in the same clothing she had worn the day before and it looked as if she had not slept in weeks.

“Amber? What’s wrong?” Ebony quickly masked her emotions, shoveling all thoughts of Jay back into the deepest, darkest corner of her heart and mind where they belonged. “You look tired.”

“I am tired.” Amber agreed as she stepped inside Ebony’s office, taking a seat in one of the luxurious chairs opposite her desk. “But that doesn’t matter right now. The only thing that matters is that you lied to me.”

“Lied to you?” Ebony stared at her in surprise. She had lied to Amber on many occasions, though none recently. Ever since they had made their pact with each other on Eagle Mountain Ebony had tried to be honest with Amber on every occasion, even if it was not always in her best interest.

“Yes, lied.” Amber stated, her eyes flashing with a fire that made Ebony feel highly uncomfortable. “One word, Ebony.” She paused. “Jay.”

Ebony stared at Amber in shock, her body suddenly going cold. “Oh, him.” She murmured, her voice wooden. “What about him, Amber? I thought I told you everything about him already.”

“Yes, but you failed to mention that he is the leader of the Technos.” Amber stated icily.

“Leader of the Technos?” Ebony repeated, her heart breaking inside her. The leader of the Technos was cruel and heartless, a man who had ignored any past that they had together. That was not her Jay, not the sensitive and caring young man she had fallen in love with. “No, Amber. Jay is not the leader of the Technos.”

“Oh he’s not?” Amber arched an eyebrow. “Then why, pray tell, does he strut around in a black uniform, wear a silver mask, shoots people with a zapper and kidnaps our friends?”

“Different Jay.” Ebony said the words softly, ringing true in her ears though she knew she was misguiding Amber, her best friend. Her first friend. “The Jay I loved is dead, Amber. I know that now.”

Amber’s hard expression immediately melted away and was replaced by one of complete sympathy. She got up from her position in the chair and crossed behind Ebony’s desk, kneeling down in a crouched position near to her. “Oh Ebony,” Amber mumbled softly, giving Ebony a hug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. That’s why you’ve been acting so strange lately. When, when did you find out?”

“Not long ago.” Ebony wiped at the tears that had begun to form in the corner of her eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Amber. It was just too difficult. Too hard. I’m sure you understand.”

“Yeah.” Amber nodded, squeezing Ebony’s hand gently. “I do. I’m just sorry I wasn’t there for you like a friend should be. I’m sorry for saying that evil jerk of a Techno was your Jay. I should have known better.”

“Evil jerk.” Ebony chuckled and hiccupped at Amber’s description of the man who had once been the man she loved. “That’s an apt description of him.”

Amber nodded again, her lips twisting up in a grim expression. “I have to tell you, Ebony. I spoke to him only a few minutes ago. Cloe’s gone missing and—“

“What?!” Ebony jumped up, alarm and dread filling her. “She’s missing? Where? When?”

“I don’t know.” Amber admitted. “That’s why I went to talk to him. Actually, I didn’t go to talk to him. I wanted to break into their stadium and find Cloe myself, but he stopped me. He gave me this entire speech on how the Technos are good, how they just want to bring us electricity and power, better us. But honestly, I can’t see how that is possible when they cart over half of us away.”

“Exactly.” Ebony quickly agreed, her heart still sick inside her as she thought of their young friend gone missing yet again. “Did he tell you where Cloe was?”

“He said they didn’t have her, but I don’t trust him.” Amber said softly, pursing her lips together. “He did tell me he would look for her, though, and contact me if any sign of her turned up. I don’t know if I believe him though.”

“Don’t.” Ebony shook her head vehemently. “All men are liars. Liars and pigs.” Adding silently to herself, ‘Especially ones whose names end in ay.’

“Yeah.” Amber said softly. “I just hope that he’s not lying. I’m scared for her, Ebony. Scared real bad. I know she thinks she can take care of herself, but she can’t, not really. She so wants to fall in love and I’m afraid that her heart is extremely vulnerable right now. One of those Technos could—“

“Don’t fret, Amber.” Ebony assured her with a tight-lipped smile. “And don’t underestimate Cloe. She has a good head on her shoulders and I’m sure she knows what’s what. She’ll be okay, and we’ll find her. I promise you that.”

Amber nodded, taking hope in Ebony’s confidence. “Yeah.” She whispered, a faint smile touching her lips. “I just keep forgetting that she’s the same age we were when we were suddenly thrust into the world all on our own. I keep seeing her as that lost little girl who didn’t know better than to get out of the street when the Locos siren sounded.”

Ebony chuckled, then her expression darkened at the mention of the Locos, more specifically the man that the word ‘Loco’ brought to mind. Zoot. He had been in her dreams again last night. “You look tired, Amber.” She said at last, breaking the mood. “Why don’t you go get some rest. I could really use your advice later on but I need you with a clear head and mind, alright?”

“Okay.” Amber smiled and nodded. “Mind if I crash here?”

“Not at all.” Ebony winked. “Take any room you want. Just not mine. That’s off limits.” They both laughed and Amber turned and walked out the door, leaving behind a troubled and heart-broken city leader.   

~*~*~

They had been camping out on the outskirts of the City for the past two days, watching and waiting before they went back to the place they had both once called home. Actually, Salene still considered it home, but Ryan was not so sure. It had been several months since he had been taken away by the Chosen, several long and excruciating months away from all his friends and family. Not a day had passed that he did not think of them, wondering what they might be doing. Yet now that he had the opportunity to actually see them again, see them in the flesh and not his dreams, Ryan was hesitant.

“Ryan,” Salene rolled over onto her side so she could face him. A beautiful smile crossed her lips and she gently began to dance patterns on his exposed arm with her fingertips, sending chills up and down his spine. “It’s been two days and we haven’t seen a sign of those invaders. Do you think maybe it’s safe to go back now?”

Ryan said nothing, his fear closing his throat. He couldn’t stop thinking about all his friends – Lex, Cloe, Patsy, Alice, Ellie… They would all be there waiting for him to return. He missed them and yet he was afraid. “Sal, I—“

Salene silenced him with a kiss. “I know you’re nervous, Ryan, but you don’t have to be. Everyone misses you, especially Lex. When I left he basically told me I couldn’t come back without you.” Salene laughed good-naturedly.

Ryan chuckled a little. He could imagine Lex saying just that. “I know, Sal, but at the same time its strange. I’ve been gone for so long and everything has changed. I’ve changed. What if they don’t like me anymore?”

Salene shot him a dubious smile. “How can anyone resist you, Ryan?” She giggled. “But seriously, Ryan. You’re their family. They love you and they want you back, almost as much as I did.”

Ryan nodded, slowly pulling himself into a seated position. He knew it was time to go back, to head home. It was time to close one chapter of his life and open another. “Alright,” He said at long last. “We’ll head into the city just after breakfast. We should make it back to the mall just before lunch.”

~*~*~

“Now there’s a sight I never thought I’d see again.” Ravenscroft chuckled as he and Danni stood on the edge of the city, taking in its breathtaking beauty, though his attention was frequently distracted by the stunning brunette at his side. They had traveled slowly yet steadily carefully making their way back to the city. Ravenscroft knew that Danni was apprehensive about returning to the city, a mystery that she still had not explained to him, but he had finally managed to convince her that the city was the safest place for them and her brand new daughter, even if the Technos were there.

“I’ve decided on a name.” Danni stated suddenly, pulling Ravenscroft out of his deep train of thought. “Well, mostly. I wanted to run it by you first, though.”

“Oh really?” A dopey smile crossed Ravenscroft’s face as he slipped his arm around Danni’s slenderizing waist and stared down at the sleeping angel in her arms. “And why is that? I’m not her father.”

“No, but I want you to be her daddy.” Danni looked up, locking gazes with him, her dark eyes shinning with beauty and intelligence.

Ravenscroft sucked in a deep breath, the whole of her words hitting him like a blow square in the chest. He had often thought and dreamed of standing by Danni’s side, helping her raise her young child but never had he actually imagined she would want him to. He still could not understand why such a lovely and talented creature could care for him, a man who drastically fell short of everything he hoped he would be.

“Danni,” He said carefully, not really trusting himself with words, “Are you-are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure.” Danni smiled up at him. “More sure about this than I’ve ever been about anything before in my life. I love you Ravenscroft. You are the only man I want to be with until the day I die.”

Ravenscroft felt his cheeks flush with color and his heart swell with pride. “Oh Danni.” He murmured softly as he met her lips with his own, he carefully positioning his body so that he would not crush the baby whilst in their embrace. “I love you too.”

“I know you do.” Danni stated, her eyes twinkling. “And I have a feeling that our little Raven is going to be just as crazy about her new daddy as I am.”

“R-Raven?” Ravenscroft choked.

“Um hum.” Danni nodded. “Raven Ella. Raven after the most amazing man I’ve ever met and Ella after my mother.” She hesitated, doubt flickering in her eyes for the briefest moment. “Do you like it? Do you think it suits her?”

“Like it?” Ravenscroft gasped out in awe. “Like it? Danni, I love it. It’s so perfect for her. So perfect and beautiful, just like her mother.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Danni smiled wistfully, her hand self-consciously touching the scar on her face that had been steadily fading.

“Yes, Danni. Perfect.” Ravenscroft assure her as he pressed his lips against the scar that he loved so much, even if she did not. “You will always be perfect to me.”