This theory is based on the assumption that Durai was killed.
IF he was killed, then maybe, just maybe, that was the reason the mallers had deserters. With no strong sense of leadership they would feel unsafe and would not want to follow Scratches crazy iron fist. with fewer people, and almost no weapons, they would be forced to move from the strip mall as it would be too big to secure by the few they had left. It would make them move someplace smaller and more secure where they could chill out for a while, while they looked for deserters to get back. Although there was a part that scratch said something to the guy that was going to rape Lizzy that he needed to be meeting up with the others. Now I don't know if this meant they're all in one area scouting the place out, but it seems like they're actually on the move splitting up then regrouping. I may be wrong it all depends on if Durai was killed or if hes still alive.