What If...?

Disclaimer: I don’t own The Tribe.
What If...
The Reunion...
...The Mall Rats were in shock. Amber was stood before them, a solitary tear rolling down her cheek. No one could bring themselves to speak, let alone ask the question they all so badly wanted to know the answer to - how? To them she was dead, a fond memory of the past. However here she was, months on, still alive. Bray’s jaw was practically hitting his feet, in his head the same words were running around over and over - my true love’s returned to me! Amber was also thinking, it had been so long and there was so much she had discovered, so much she needed and wanted to tell her friends, but where to start? There were a lot of things she needed to catch up on though, having lost contact with her tribe for all that time, it felt like an eternity had passed since she had last stood in the Mall - her home. Dal, Jack, Cloe and Patsy were also there, just staring in disbelief. They had all seen the grave, had it all been one big lie? So many questions needed to be asked and answered, but still no one could find their voice. Suddenly a voice broke the silence “What’s going on guys?” Danni asked as she wandered down the stairs to where they were all frozen. She looked at Bray and then at Amber, whose expression changed from one of joy to one of complete amazement. Danni’s face changed also, her eyes widened with shock. “Danni, this is...” Bray began slowly “Abi?” Danni asked cautiously “Danni?” Amber asked with the same amount of caution in her voice. The others looked at one another in confusion “Wait, you two know each other?” Patsy asked. Suddenly the two girls ran towards each other and hugged. “It’s been so long!” Danni exclaimed, tears in her eyes “I thought I’d never see you again!” Amber said with delight “Erm, hello? What’s going on? Who’s Abi?” Jack asked. They looked at their friends and grinned “You’re never going to believe it, but we used to be best friends!” Danni exclaimed “Dal, does this mean you knew Danni before?” Bray asked “No, I haven’t known Amber all my life actually” Dal told them. “I suppose I’d better explain” Amber said. “Let’s go and sit down and I’ll tell you the story.” Soon the rest of the tribe had joined them in the cafe as Amber prepared to tell her and Danni’s story. “First of all I’d better tell you why Danni called me Abi” Amber began “My real name is Abigail Bernstein” “What? Why did you change your name to Amber?...” Tai-San asked “Everything will be explained soon, I promise, just let me tell you the story without interruptions, please?” Amber asked, everyone nodded “Thank you. OK, my father was a professor, and worked with Danni’s father a lot. That’s how we know each other, we practically grew up together.” “We went to the same school, stayed at each other’s houses nearly every week and played games together” Danni added “We were like sisters.” Amber also added “Anyway, my father also worked with another scientist who wasn’t as nice as Danni’s dad. He framed a huge error that could have caused a lot of people to be sick on my dad. You might have seen the story in the papers a lot about a year before the virus.” “It was called ‘Project Silverstorm’” Dal told the others, most of the older ones nodded as they recognised the name. “A lot of people were angry, and sent threats to our family. Mum and dad decided it would be best if we moved away and changed our names, for my sake as I was terrified.” Amber told them “That’s when we lost contact.” Danni said sadly, Amber nodded “We moved to the suburbs from our big house in the country, I hated it because I felt we were too near the city, and also I had to start a new school, which was scary at first” “But then we met in one of the corridors” Dal smiled, thinking back. “We became good friends straight away and we’ve been friends ever since.” Amber smiled as well “I think that’s about it, any questions?” “How did you come up with the name Amber?” Bray asked her “It was quite easy actually, not long before we moved I was doing some German homework. I happened to be flicking through my dictionary when I found the word Bernstein, which just happens to be the German word for amber, so it was the first name I thought of when it came to changing names!” Amber explained “Cool!” Cloe exclaimed “I’m glad you think so!” Amber laughed “So does this mean I’ve got to call you Amber, or has everyone else got to start calling you Abi?” Danni asked “I think we’d better stick with Amber” she decided “I still can’t believe that you happen to be with these guys, the tribe I made!” “It must be fate” Tai-San announced “You two were destined to meet again, and fall in love with the same person” “What?” it was Amber’s turn to be confused “You’re in love with Bray?!?” “Yes, sorry.” Danni admitted “Look, I think he’d sooner be with you than me, wouldn’t you Bray?” he looked at both of them, but everyone could see that when he looked at Amber, it was her he wanted to be with “You’re right Danni. Amber I love you so much, will you be with me again?” he asked her, looking at her hopefully “Oh Bray, you know I will!” she said softly and threw herself into his embrace. As they all celebrated her return happily none of them noticed Danni, one of Amber’s best friends, slip out sadly. She may have been happy to be reunited with her dearest friend, but she had sacrificed the one thing that meant the world to her - love...

The Truth Is Out...
Two months had passed since the unexpected return of Amber. The city had become more peaceful since Amber had been voted back in as leader, much to the annoyance of Ebony. No one had seen Bray this happy since before the incident on Eagle Mountain. To him it felt like his world was complete again. Meanwhile to Danni it felt like her whole world had been turned upside-down. Why had she let Bray go? Just because Amber used to be her best friend? Danni now realised that she should have done what was right - what was right for her, not Amber. She should have kept hold of Bray, not handed him to Amber on a platter. Danni was stood on the second floor of the Mall, glaring jealously at her ex-best friend, who was giving out orders to the others.

“Dal, are you going to the farm?” Amber asked, “Yeah, do we need anything?” he asked “No, not at the moment. I was just wondering, that’s all.” she told him. As Dal left Bray crept up silently behind her and grabbed hold of her by the waist “Oh!” she jumped and the clipboard she was holding crashed to the ground, “Bray! Don’t do that!” he just laughed and kissed her. Danni felt her cheeks burn with rage,

“It should be me down there with Bray, not her.” she muttered to herself. She didn’t realise that Ebony was stood watching her, with a smile on her face. “Don’t you know that talking to yourself is the first sign of madness?” she told Danni casually. Danni spun around angrily

“Don’t you know it’s rude to eavesdrop?” she retorted. Ebony took a step back

“Tou-chy” she remarked and began to walk off slowly. She suddenly stopped and said over her shoulder “If you ever want to talk, you know where I am...” Danni snorted - as if she’d ever want to talk to her! She went back to spying on Bray and Amber when she felt someone tap her lightly on the shoulder.

“Danni! Here you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Amber exclaimed. She seemed excited about something, Danni could tell by the sparkle in her eye. Danni put on her best fake smile and replied “Well you found me! What can I do for you?” Amber beamed at her

“I’ve gotta tell you something, I can’t believe it!” she was practically jumping up and down with excitement, something which Amber never did. “What is it?” Danni asked, wishing she was somewhere else

“Bray asked me to marry him!!!” Amber screamed. Danni’s jaw dropped, this was too much for her to take. She felt the flames start to rise inside of her again. She tried to hold them back and said unconvincingly

“Well congratulations, I hope you’ll be very happy.” and walked off quickly. Ebony’s offer of a chat seemed awfully inviting now. Amber just stared as she walked away.

“Ebony?” Danni called to her, she was stood on the roof thinking. Danni had noticed that she had been doing a lot of that recently. Ebony turned and smiled “So, you’ve changed your mind, have you?” she commented in her usual, spiteful manner.

“Bray’s asked Amber to marry him!” Danni blurted out. Ebony her eyebrows.

“Well, I didn’t think she was into all that commitment stuff” she said

“Well she is, obviously!” Danni snapped. Why couldn’t she feel happy for Amber? Because in her eyes Amber was to blame for everything! If Amber hadn’t come back, then she would still be with Bray, and perhaps it would have been HER going around telling everyone that she was marrying Bray! Ebony noticed how angry Danni was getting - she liked it. She didn’t used to think much of Danni - too much of a goody-two-shoes for her liking. However, now that she was seeing her in a new light, she was beginning to grown quite fond of her...

“Danni, I think that you and I should stick together. I mean, Bray’s chosen Amber over both of us” Ebony looked at Danni with that evil glint in her eye. “What do you mean, Bray’s chosen Amber over you?” Danni retorted

“Oh well, I can dream...” Ebony sighed “Anyway, I’ve had a thought about how we can split up those love birds...” Danni felt a shiver run down her back, she didn’t like the way Ebony had said that.

“Wh-what do you mean?” Danni stammered

“I mean that I know some things about Amber that even Bray doesn’t know...” Ebony said vaguely. Danni was puzzled

“What things?” she asked suspiciously

“I know why she came back to the Mall, that’s all”

Ebony was driving Danni crazy, she wanted to know what she was talking about desperately

“TELL ME!” she exclaimed loudly.

“OK, keep your voice down, and make sure that no one hears about this...” Ebony took a deep breath and sat down, so did Danni. “Right, this is what I’ve heard through the grapevine. After the explosion Amber found herself alone, so she wandered off, trying to find shelter for the night. She found a hut not far away from Eagle Mountain and stayed there. When she woke up the next day she found that she wasn’t alone, there was a guy there. Anyway he seemed friendly so she stayed with him. Several months later he declared his love for her, however she turned him down, and told him about Bray. He seemed OK about it however the truth was he was angry and went crazy. The next day Amber tried to leave but he said that he wouldn’t let her go until she fell in love with him. She said no and he attacked her..”

“Oh no!” Danni exclaimed, suddenly feeling sorry for Amber “What happened next?”

“She managed to push him off and she ran out of the hut, he chased for a little way then stopped, he shouted that he would come here and kill Bray if she didn’t come back. So she came back here to stop him.” “So why hasn’t he come? And why hasn’t she told Bray?” Danni asked

“I think she’s too scared because there was something else...” Ebony told her

“What?” Danni asked

“He also said that if she came back to the Mall and told Bray about him he’d kill the baby...”

“Baby?” Danni was puzzled.

“About two months after the explosion Amber found out she was pregnant with Bray’s child.” Ebony explained “When she escaped she didn’t have time to grab hold of the baby, so as far as she knows the baby’s still with him.”

“How do you know all of this? Are you lying Ebony?” Danni got up, her head was swimming, why didn’t Amber tell anyone?

“I’m not lying, not this time, anyway. I have sources everywhere.” Ebony spread out her arms, indicating the city and surrounding countryside. “Anyway, do you want to hear my plan?”

“No! I don’t want anything to do with you and your evil schemes Ebony!” Danni shouted angrily and went back inside. She needed to talk to Amber. Ebony sat and smiled. She’ll change her mind soon enough, she thought to herself.

Danni found Amber sat in her room with Salene. They were talking eagerly about the forthcoming wedding. Amber looked up at Danni and then at Salene

“I’ll see you later Amber” Salene said quickly and left. Amber invited Danni to sit down with her “So, what have you been doing Danni?” Amber asked “I’ve been talking to Ebony” she admitted “Amber, is it true?”

“Is what true, Dan?” Amber asked worriedly “About what happened after the explosion, about that guy, what he said and did... And about the baby...”

Confessions and Disturbances...
Amber’s face turned pale.

“How did she find out?” she asked weakly

“She said that she’s got contacts. Amber, why haven’t you told anyone?” Danni asked

“I’m too scared to.” she sighed and looked ashamedly at the floor “If I tell the others about Frankie and they go and attack him I’m scared he may harm Honesty.”

“Is that the baby’s name?” Danni asked gently, she suddenly felt guilty about everything she’d thought about Amber.

“Yeah, stupid, isn’t it?” she smiled half-heartedly “I mean, calling my daughter Honesty in a world full of lies.”

“It’s not stupid, it’s beautiful, really.” Danni told her “Why won’t you tell Bray about her, she is his child.”

“It’s because he said ages ago that he wasn’t ready to be a father.” Amber said sorrowfully, Danni noticed a tear fall and hit the ground

“Amber, that was ages ago, you just said so!” Danni exclaimed “He may have changed his mind by now!”

“And what if he hasn’t?” Amber sighed miserably

“He will as soon as he finds out he’s a dad, I promise!” Danni begged her. Amber shook her head “Sorry Danni, I can’t.” she sighed. Danni felt angry, if Amber wasn’t going tell him them she would have to. “That’s it Amber, I’m going find Bray!” she said defiantly. Amber jumped up

“NO! You can’t, please!!!” Amber pleaded. Danni just gave her a look and walked out.

Bray was sat in the cafe with Ellie, Jack and Lex. Ellie was interviewing Bray for a story about his forthcoming marriage to Amber for The Amulet. Lex was sat in the corner making stupid comments as usual. “Bray? I’m sorry Ellie, do you think you could interview him later? I’ve gotta tell him something urgently...” Danni apologised.

“Sure, I’ve just about finished now. Thanks Bray!” Ellie thanked him and left with Jack. Danni sat down “Bray? There’s something I’ve got to tell you...” she began, but then remembered that Lex was still sat in the corner. She looked at him, he shrugged “Hey, don’t mind me!” he said

“Do you mind Lex?” she said between her teeth “This is private!”

“Oooh Bray, sounds like Danni’s going to confess her undying love for you!” he walked over and thumped Bray on the back “Rather you than me!” he said and walked out whistling to himself. Danni narrowed her eyes at Lex and then turned back to Bray. He looked at her with concern

“Danni, please tell me you’re not here to say what I think your going to say...” Bray begged her

“And what would that be?” she asked

“That you love me, and don’t want me to marry Amber? Because if you are it’s no good, I love Amber with all my heart and nothing could change my mind - nothing.” Danni felt her heart sink, did Bray really think she’d stoop that low? Obviously so.

“No, I’m not going to say that.” she told him. Bray breathed a sigh of relief “But it is something to do with Amber though...” he looked witheringly at her. He couldn’t be doing with this

“What is it Danni?” he asked

“It’s about what happened after the explosion...” she began, Bray began to look more interested when suddenly a scream ripped through the air.

“Amber!” Bray and Danni exclaimed at the same time. They jumped up and ran to her room, she was being held from behind by a crazy looking guy that could only be Frankie.

“Don’t move!” he ordered and Bray and Danni froze. Amber had tears in her eyes as she was led from the room. Danni noticed Amber mouth to her.

“I’m sorry.”

The Mall Rats were rushing around panicking when the news of Amber’s kidnap had got around. Danni had finally managed to tell them all what she had been trying to tell Bray. However she had not mentioned Honesty, she’d decided that it wasn’t her place to tell them.

“Bray, what are we going to do?” Salene asked worriedly “We’re going to find where this Frankie lives.” he said “I don’t think he’ll be there, it’s too far away.” Lex replied, looking angry. Danni stood up

“I’m going to go to the roof, perhaps I’ll see something.” she told them and left.

Just as she had been hoping, Ebony was sat on the roof. “What have you done?” Danni demanded. Ebony spun around and looked innocently at her

“What do you mean?” she asked

“I mean, you got Frankie to come and take Amber away!” she exclaimed

“Well, that was quick!” she smiled. Danni grabbed hold of her

“How could you?” she asked, her eyes narrowed

“Oh come off it Danni, you wanted her to leave as much as I did!” Ebony told her knowingly. Danni let go of her and sighed - she was right, she had wanted Amber out, but surely there could have been a better way than giving her to a psycho?

“Where is she Ebony?” Danni asked

“You’ve changed your tune Danni, you’ve gone back to being a goody-goody again.” Ebony sighed “What a shame, I liked you so much when you were nasty...” “Shut up Ebony and tell me where she is!” Danni, in a fit of rage, found herself grabbing Ebony by the throat and pushing her against the railings, making her head dangle over the edge

“That’s more like it!” Ebony laughed cruelly “See? I knew you still had it in you!” Danni pushed her further back and squeezed her throat harder. Ebony began to choke

“She’s in one of the warehouses!” Ebony started to feel a little scared. Danni let go of her and ran down the stairs.

“Bray!!!! I know where Amber is!” Danni exclaimed. Bray jumped up and grabbed hold of her

“Where?” he asked hopefully

“In one of the warehouses!” she exclaimed. He grinned and kissed her gratefully. She felt a shiver run down her spine, she’d missed the way that Bray kissed her. Bray ran down the stairs, followed by the others. He had thought nothing of that kiss, all he wanted was to find her beloved Amber.

Friendship Wins Through...
Half an hour had passed since the search party had left the Mall. Salene had volunteered to look after Patsy, Cloe and KC and Trudy had decided to stay with Brady. So it was upto Lex, Tai-San, Jack, Ellie, Ryan, Dal and Alice to help Bray, Danni and Cloudy look for their kidnapped friend.

“This is the last warehouse everyone!” Bray announced. He looked terrible - he was exhausted from running non-stop to the warehouses and also worried about Amber’s safety. Danni was wringing her hands nervously - what if something awful had happened? What if Frankie had... No, it was too hard to think about. Everyone else was just as worried, even Lex seemed to be showing some kind of emotion. Cloudy was going crazy, she ran upto the door of the warehouse and started scratching at it and barking loudly. The Mall Rats looked hopefully at each other. Ryan and Lex stepped forward.

“Well, here goes nothing...” Lex took a deep breath and he and Ryan kicked the door open. Bray ran in, stopped, then looked pained.

“Damn!” he shouted, kicked a crate that was next to him “Nothing!” he suddenly broke down and Danni rushed to comfort him, he just sobbed pitifully.

“Where is she? Why do I always seem to lose her?” Danni held him in her arms, that tingling sensation ran down her spine again.

“Don’t give up Bray, please” she begged.

“Shhhh, you guys, listen!” Dal suddenly exclaimed, he put a finger to his lips and everyone fell silent. They all heard shouting coming from a room at the other end of the warehouse. Bray jumped up with renewed energy and sprinted down to the door. He put his ear to it and grinned.

“It’s Amber! I’d recognise that shout anywhere!” the others rushed to join him and they opened the door carefully.

“Look, Frankie. I don’t love you!” Amber was telling him angrily, luckily she was stood facing the door and saw her friends before Frankie did. “You’re lying! Ebony told me that you loved me!” Frankie exclaimed, he was definitely crazy. Bray looked enraged, he couldn’t hold himself back any longer and slammed the door open. “She doesn’t love you!” he yelled. Amber looked terrified. “Bray! Don’t be stupid!” she shrieked. Frankie turned around, he had a wild look in his eye. “So, you’re the one who took my beloved away from me?” he said with a tone of insanity. “No, you took her away from me!” Bray replied “She loves me, not you!” Frankie smirked “Oh is that so? Then can you explain... this?” he moved to the side of the room, Amber’s eyes burned angrily as Frankie picked up a baby. Danni knew straight away that it was Honesty, and what Frankie was about to say. However Bray looked shocked. “Amber?” he asked. Amber shook her head. “Yes, this is Amber’s daughter - my daughter.” he announced and began to laugh crazily. Bray looked hurt, how could he trust Amber now? Much to Danni’s joy he was about to leave when Amber shouted. “Frankie! How dare you! Honesty is NOT you child!” Frankie shot her a murderous look, Bray turned around and saw how sincere Amber looked. She smiled dreamily at him and said softly “Bray, Honesty is YOUR daughter.” Bray’s jaw almost hit the ground. Danni, for a moment, felt angry that she’d managed to say anything, but quickly forgot those negative thoughts. Frankie put Honesty back down and howled. “NOOOOOO!!!! Honesty is mine! You said so!” Amber shook her head. “I never said she was yours!” she replied. Frankie was fuming, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a pistol. Everyone gasped as he pointed it at the gurgling child. “If she’s not mine, then no one can have her!” he yelled. Amber screamed and ran in front of her baby. “No! You’ll have to kill ME first!” she announced. The Mall Rats looked on in astonishment, all except for Bray, who ran in front of Amber. “And if you want to kill her, then you have to get through me!” he announced. “No Bray!” both Danni and Amber exclaimed together. Frankie’s eyes gleamed wildly again and he slowly began to pull the trigger. Bray, Amber and the other Mall Rats shut their eyes tightly, not bearing to watch what was happening. BANG!!!! The gunshot ripped through the silence. Bray opened his eyes in shock, he hadn’t felt a thing! He looked down and realised why. Danni was lying at his feet, bleeding. “No! What have you done?” he exclaimed. The others had opened their eyes and Alice and Ryan had grabbed hold of Frankie and disarmed him. The others had grabbed Honesty and got out of the warehouse as quickly as possible. Amber ran to Danni’s side and burst into tears. “You idiot Danni! It should have been me!” she yelled angrily. Danni put her hand up to Amber’s cheek “I’m sorry Amber.” she said weakly, Amber sighed. “It’s OK, I would have done the same for you.” “No, you don’t understand, I wasn’t protecting you, I was protecting Bray.” she managed to say. Amber’s expression didn’t change. “Oh.” was all that she said. “Amber, I’ve got to tell you. I was so happy at first when you came back, but I kind of... Resent you ever coming back now.” Danni sighed. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as she let it out she whispered “Forgive me.” and died.

...Or Does It?...
Amber was stood over Danni’s grave holding Honesty tightly. “I’ll never let you go again.” she whispered into her hair. Bray walked up slowly and put his arm around her. “Amber? It’s time we left. The other’s will be worried sick, and we’ve gotta get Frankie back for trial and we’re all tired.” he whispered. She nodded slowly and handed Honesty to him, he looked down at his child with tears of joy in his eyes. “You get going, I just want to... Pay my last respects to Danni.” she told him. He smiled and walked away. Amber knelt down and just stared at nothing for a few seconds, making sure that the others had gone before she spoke. “Danni, I can NEVER forgive you for what you said.” she said “I thought we were friends, really I did, but you hurt me by telling me what you thought. So you resented me? Well, maybe you should have thought about the consequences before you told me that I could have Bray back. You knew exactly how he felt about me. Don’t think I’ll come and visit you again, I won’t. Firstly this place will bring back bad memories for me and secondly why should I want to visit the resting place of someone who couldn’t care less about me? Goodbye Danni, I hope you’re happy.” with that, Amber stood up and walked away without looking back, and without one shred of regret.

A.N. Ta da! That’s it folks! Actually there is an alternate ending if ya wanna read it just let me know!!!