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,

survive heres.” Paisley repeated the same sentiment they’d

is home?” Fabian

answered promptly, not pausing to wonder when 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 about to question

Fabian assessed, his brow wrinkling with

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

pressed. “You

was a thousand times better, but they

the space inhaled sharply. “You’re not

Paisley answered softly. “We’re just

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

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

steal.” Fabian scoffed. “It’s not a choice, it’s just a

a minute?” Riley asked him, not sure why she was deferring to

agreed, giving them his blessing to

exchanging worried expressions as they contemplated their options. “Is not

caughts, we’ll be taken

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

I

the way he looks at us. Like

us.” Riley added, “so it’s kinda

creepy”

Parker cut in, trying to

to eat and sleep, an’ he’s offering

think we should stay” Riley put forth, “but I don’t thinks

“I don’ like the way he looks at us, but I

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

to Sophie. “Let’s set them up with their own

like it, and as cute as they are, they’re

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

into their hands. “Just look really pitiful and beg for money. Some pups sing or put on little shows to try and bring in more 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,

cuteness?” Riley repeated, crinkling