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.

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

Paisley repeated the same sentiment

where is home?”

he’d stopped thinking of the Dark Moon territory as his home. The moment they found Paisley and Ethan, home became wherever their family was, and he wasn’t

his brow wrinkling with confusion. “How

we appreciate you letting us hide here, but we don’ wanna

pressed. “You could have

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, “but

the pups scattered throughout the space

Paisley answered softly.

“Either way you’re going to need some money in order to make it back home. And there’s only one way for pups

Ryder said, trying not to offend their hosts, but

scoffed. “It’s not a

we has a minute?” Riley asked him, not sure why she was deferring to a teenager’s authority, but realizing it was the

his blessing to consult each

together, exchanging worried expressions as they contemplated their options. “Is not as simple as he’s making it seem.” Parker

for us. lf we’re caughts, we’ll be taken

pups worry ’bout being caught.” Riley reasoned. “It seems like they get away with their schemes,

I still don’ like it. Fabian seems

does.” Paisley confirmed, “l don’ like the way he looks at us. Like we’re some kinda trophy

us.” Riley

creepy” Ryder

do we do?” Parker cut in, trying to reassert

haves to eat and sleep, an’ he’s

Riley put forth, “but I don’t thinks

agree.” Ryder said, “I don’ like the way he looks at us, but I dunno

up to his full height- technically the oldest of his siblings, he was also the most dominant, if not the most mischievous. So in times like 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 we have to do?” He asked

Sophie. “Let’s set them up with their own corner, and then we can

cute as they are, they’re bound to bring in

a narrow street in the village, nervously looking around for signs of the shepherds or the police. “What do we

money, but it’s only your first day. Tomorrow I’ll teach you how to pick pockets so sneakily that no one will ever suspect they’re missing their wallets, but today let’s just focus on testing your

Riley repeated, crinkling