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.

me, I’ll show you how to survive here, I’ll help you in any way I

the same sentiment they’d expressed to Sophie. “We

where is home?”

not pausing to wonder when he’d stopped thinking of the Dark Moon territory as his home. The moment they found Paisley

away.” Fabian assessed, his

pup-napped” Riley shared. “And we appreciate you

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

of the 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, “but we just

the pups scattered throughout the

Paisley answered softly. “We’re

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

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

not a choice, it’s

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

them his

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

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

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

contributed, “but I still don’

way he looks at us. Like we’re some

just met us.” Riley added, “so

creepy” Ryder

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

do haves to eat and sleep, an’ he’s offering us a place

stay” Riley put forth, “but

way he looks at us, but I dunno what else

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

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

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

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.

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

cuteness?” Riley repeated,