The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

3rd Person

Riley, Ryder, Parker and Paisley gazed around the dimly lit underground chambers where they now stood.

Sophie had led them deep into the bowels of the old sewer system, finally stopping when they reached what could only be described as the headquarters of Alta Montaña’s unofficial orphanage.

The entire space was littered with old mattresses and discarded furnishings, with more than one half-starved pup looking on at the new arrivals with open curiosity. Sophie guided them forward through the melee, seeming completely unbothered by the unpleasant sights and smells.

For the quadruplets, who had only ever known comfort and safety, the sights were truly horrifying, but they knew better than to judge. Young as they were, they realized none of the children around them had chosen this life, but had been forced into it by circumstance.

All four offered shy smiles to the other pups in the dank sewers, even as they descended deeper into the eerie space. The other pups however, did not return there friendly expressions. “l don’ like this.” Paisley murmured in her sister’s ears. The other kids look really grumpy.”

“She’s right.” Ryder agreed. “| don’ feel good ’bout this.”

“We’re ‘ready in it.” Riley replied, taking Paisley’s hand and giving it a squeeze. “We can’t really back out now.”

“I mean, we could:” Parker countered, “and if they try to stops us, then we know is not okay.”

“You haves a point.” Riley conceded, leaning forward to tap Sophie on the shoulder. However before she could make contact, Sophie rounded the corner, leading them into a new corner of the sewers. There was a high vaulted ceiling, and an iron bridge over a steady stream of black water. On the other side of the bridge, a teenage boy sat in an ornate chair, watching their approach with bright eyed interest.

“What’s this, Sophie?” He asked. His voice was clearly in the middle of transitioning from child to adult, cracking a squeaking awkwardly.

“I found them in the alley.” Sophie announced, offering the boy a wide smile. They were hiding from the police.”

“And so young” The boy remarked, seeming pleased by this fact. “Quadruplets too – that’ll be good for business.”

“I thought you might appreciate them” Sophie blushed prettily, seeming suddenly much less jaded than before.

“What are your names?” The boy asked, looking between the pups.

“You first.”‘ Parker countered, leaning into his siblings for support.

“Im Fabian The boy stated simply, surprising no one. “I’ve been living here for more than five years now, i can help you with whatever you need- assuming you pay me my due respect.”

“And what ‘spect is that?” Riley asked, “We don’ know you, so is not like we owe you anything.”

The other pups in the room exchanged worried glances, which did not go unnoticed by Ryder, Riley, Parker and Paisley. The more they saw of this place, the less they liked it. Sophie had made it sound like a safe haven, but the other children here didn’t seem all that happy. In fact, they seemed rather intimidated by Fabian and his schemes.

smile never slipping. “If you stick with me, I’ll show you how to survive here, I’ll help

heres.” Paisley repeated the same sentiment

is

territory as his home. The moment they found Paisley and Ethan, home became

long way away.” Fabian assessed, his

pup-napped” Riley shared. “And we appreciate you letting us hide here, but we

you sure?” Fabian pressed. “You could have a good life

pups were old enough to know how to handle such an awkward situation. The truth was that their life in the NightFang pack was a thousand times better, but they didn’t want to insult their potential allies by pointing this out. “Thanks,” Parker murmured,

pups scattered throughout the space inhaled sharply. “You’re not orphans?”

answered softly. “We’re

decided, gesturing for the other children in the room to settle down. “Either way you’re going to need

trying not to offend their hosts, but not knowing how else to express this

one wants to steal.” Fabian scoffed. “It’s not a choice,

deferring to a teenager’s authority, but realizing it was the

giving them his blessing to consult each other in

options. “Is not as simple as he’s making

for us. lf we’re caughts, we’ll be

many of these pups worry ’bout being caught.” Riley reasoned. “It seems like they

point” Ryder contributed, “but I still don’ like it.

like the way he looks at us. Like

met us.” Riley added,

defintly creepy”

cut in, trying to reassert some order in their

eat and sleep,

Riley put forth, “but

he

these it was only right that he take control and speak for their small pack. Still, he’d never felt the kind of pressure he did now, for they’d never been in such a dire situation. “What do

them up with their own corner, and then we

eagerly. “I like it, and as cute as they

hour later, Riley, Ryder, Parker and Paisley were gathered at the end of a narrow street in the village, nervously looking around for signs of the shepherds or the police. “What do

Some pups sing or put on little shows to try and bring in more money, but it’s only your

repeated, crinkling her