Chapter 6

May and Salene were sitting by themselves, on a bench, talking quietly. “How does
it feel to finally have Ryan back?” May asked softly. Salene looked at her friend for
a moment, before responding. “It feels weird, as if this is some kind of dream, and
the time Pride and I had together, seems as if it was fake. Like it was something I
needed to believe so I could just get through each day. Does that even make sense?”
Salene asked, feeling stupid as she spoke her inner thoughts aloud. May shook her
head no. “What it sounds like, is a woman trying to decide what she wants. Which
is a good thing. Because that is something that you need to figure out.” She said.

Salene looked at May silently for a few moments, before speaking. “What if I’m not
sure of what I want?” She asks, feeling a wave of uncertainties wash over her. May
smiled. “Well, you have time to find out. We probably won’t be reaching land for a
long time now.” May said reassuringly. Salene smiled at her friend. “Thank you for
being here for me. I know that it can’t be easy, with the way you are feeling.” She
said, before reaching over and hugging May. “Thanks for being my friend.” Salene
said. May nods quickly. “In all honesty, it’s me who should be thanking you, Sal.”

May said. “You were the one who stuck up for me and brought me back to the Mall,
even though I betrayed all of you.” She said, and then fell silent. Salene turned May
around to face her. “As I said that day, I’ll say it again. We all make mistakes, and
then we learn from them. That is all that matters.” Salene said, and May realized
that she meant it. “What would I do without you?” May asked. Salene shrugged.
“You would probably be in the city still, trying to outrun the virus or something
like that.” Salene said. She was glad that things were okay between them now.
--------
Chapter 7

Lottie looked at Ruby for a few minutes. Then she looks at Ram, knowing that
he would tell her the truth, and not try to hide things from her, just because of
the fact that she is a kid. Lottie walked over to Ram, and she sat down next to
him. “Ram, are we in trouble? How long are we going to be on the boat? When
are we going to get off the boat again, and when we get off the boat, what are
we going to do?” Lottie asked, worried. Ram glanced at Ruby, trying to decide
what he should say to Lottie. A few moments later, he decides to tell her what
he is thinking. “I don’t think we’re in trouble, not yet at least. We’re just busy.”

Ram said, trying to speak as honestly as he could Lottie, without trying to worry
her. “I think that we may be on the boat for quite a while, or until the gas runs
out. I’m not really sure when we will get off the boat a second time. However,
I do know that when we all finally get off of the boat, that we will find a really
big place to live, and we all will live there. Or, we will find several places nearby
each other, and we will all split up, and we will live there until we are sure that
the city is safe for us to go back to. That is, if we're even going back to the city.”

Ram said, as he thought about how long it would take for the virus to leave
the city. He looked at Ruby, as he saw a tear slip down her cheek. “What are
the tears for, Ruby? Everyone’s safe, and no one was left behind. Except for
those who didn’t make it.” Ram said, as he thought about how much he had
loved Java, and how he was missing her right now. Lottie looked at the two
adults. “Don’t cry. We still have each other. And for some, that’s more than
they started out with.” Lottie said softly. Ruby nodded, and she wiped away
her tears, before motioning for Lottie to come and sit next to her and Ram.
--------

Chapter 8

Ellie smiled at Jack. “I’m glad that I’m back to normal. I was afraid, when I
first came back. I didn’t know anyone, only you and that kind of scared me.
But then, when all of it came back, I was so happy, to be able to recognize
everyone, and not have to feel so alone anymore.” She said. Jack nodded.
“I’m glad too, that you’re back to normal. It was strange, when you couldn’t
remember anyone else. What was also strange, was you kind of remembered
Jay. Why do you think that is?” Jack asked. Ellie sighed. “Java and Mega were
looking for Jay. I heard them arguing all of the time, about trying to find him.”

Ellie said. Jack nodded. “How did they treat you? Ebony, Java, and Siva, when
you first came across them, before they took you in?” Jack asked. Ellie shrugs.
“They treated me like a maid. I was to clean all of the rooms in the school, and
I was never allowed be around Ebony. I never knew why, though. Until one day,
I walked by Ebony’s room, and Java had placed one of the head sets on her. A
moment later, Ebony started to freak out. And I knew something was wrong. I
just didn’t know what. Java saw me, and she told me to stay away from Ebony.”

Ellie said. A moment later, the door to their room opened, and Jack and Ellie,
as one, turned to see who was there. Ellie smiled, when she saw Cloe. “Cloe,
how are you?” Ellie asked, pulling out of Jack’s embrace, and walking over
to the younger girl. Ellie hugged her. Cloe smiled, as Ellie hugged her. Then,
she looked at Jack. “Hi Jack. I missed you.” She said, and waited to see what
he was going to do. Cloe was relieved when Jack walked over to her, a second
later, and hugged her. “You’re almost all grown up.” He said, and looked Cloe
over. “How are things with Ved?” Jack asked. Cloe smiled. “Things are great.”
--------
Chapter 9

Tai-san smiled, as she looked out the window, and saw May and Salene talking.
“How is Salene? I heard about Pride, and I wanted to tell her that I’m so sorry.
Tai-san said softly. Lex nods. “She and May have started to become real good
friends, it seems.” He said, with an edge of uncertainty in his voice. Tai-san
looks at Lex. “What do you mean they have become real good friends? Are
they… together?” She asked, looking at Lex curiously. Lex nodded. Tai-san
paused for a moment. Then she just shrugged. “So, what’s so wrong about
that? If they really care for each other, what does it matter? Tai-san said.

Lex stared at his wife in disbelief. “Are you serious? Having some… Um, you
know.. People like that in our tribe, doesn’t bother you? Don’t tell me that it
doesn’t. Because you’re a female too.” Lex said, as if that made his point.
Tai-san shrugged. “How someone chooses to live their life is up to them.
However, if it comes right down to it, I will support them in their decision.”
Tai-san said, and she waited to see what Lex was going to say to her remark.
Lex sighed. “Fine. But I don’t really like this.” He said, before motioning for
Tai-san to sit down. Tai-san nodded. “I that thought you were gonna say that.”

Tai-san said. “But what Salene and May choose to do, is their business. And
since we are their friends, then we should be behind them, to support them
no matter what.” Tai-san said. Lex nodded. “You’re right. I’m just not used
to it. I’m not sure if I ever will be, either. I’m just used to Salene being with
Ryan.” Lex admitted. Tai-san nodded. “But what if Salene didn’t love Ryan
anymore? Would you want her to stay with him, and live a lie?” Tai-san asks.
Lex shook his head. “It’ll take me awhile to get used to it, I guess.” He said.