Down and Out: A Young Adult Dystopian Adventure (The Undercity Series Book 1) by Kris Moger Page A

It’s a surprise for you, and we’ll show you once you’re better, so rest and get well so you can join us.”
    “Is that a pep talk? ‘Cause it sucks. Why Henri? He’s just a brute, a stranger.”
    Teddy licked his fingers. “Yeah, but he’s pretty good. I mean, yeah, he’s all soft inside; he cares.”
    “We don’t need a caring brute. They’re not supposed to possess feelings or anything human. He’s an enormous, overstuffed kitty with no claws. What good is he if we need to protect our home?”
    She started coughing, and he gave her a tumbler of water.
    “Don’t think of those problems. Doesn’t do you any good; won’t help.”
    His sister dragged up her blanket and gave him a glare that was more hurt than annoyed. “What should I do, talk about bunnies and flowers as though I know what they are? I’m not you, Teddy. I can’t read books and make them come alive in my head. I haven’t got the imagination.”
    “I’ll make them live for you,” he said though he wasn’t sure what he meant. It seemed to be the best answer he could give. “I’ll read to you, I’ll sketch them with you, I’ll dig holes in this wretched world until I find utopia for you.” He grasped her hand and stroked it. “Get better ‘cause you’re family, and I’m keeping my family. I’ll not lose any one of them.”
    Caden stared at him for a second before she chuckled. “Jeepers, you’re a dose of drama, aren’t you? Next thing you know you’ll be as mushy as our brute.” She snatched a slip of paper by her desk and showed it to him. “That was on my pillow this morning when I woke up. Little creepy to think he was in here when I was sleeping, but it was kinda, and I do mean kinda, sweet.”
    It was a card with balloons floating in a blue sky and the words ‘Get Well’ over the cream paper. Henri’s signature was scrawled in childish letters across the bottom. He must have found it when they were in the mall.
    “Sweet,” he said with a grin.
    She tossed the card aside. “Guess so, but don’t ever think I want more of this. In fact, you tell him I’m not in any way interested in his kindnesses. They freak me out.”
    “If you want me to,” he said as he went to get up. The fatigue of his night out was beginning to weigh on him. He ached to snag a little more sleep before his father came looking for him.
    Caden grasped his arm as he went to leave. “Well, tell him not to be too mushy.”
    He laughed. “Yeah, I know; no bunnies.”
    “What about bunnies?” Deb chirped as she bounced in the room looking fresh and sweet in her new little dress. “They sound cute. What are bunnies?”
    “They’re the monsters living under the bed and nip at your toes when you won’t lie still at night,” Caden told her and Teddy hugged her as she squealed in terror.
    “Don’t pay attention to her, Deb. Bunnies are adorable little creatures with long ears and fuzzy tails.”
    “Pa’s looking for you,” Deb said and stuck her tongue out at Caden. “He says you are to meet him in the tank section by the tunnel door.”
    He stifled a yawn and left them with a wave. So much for catching a little more rest. Still, they would be going back again, which meant exploring the sunshine area in full daylight. Full daylight with all those sky windows, the prospects fired up his spirit, and he quickened his pace.
    “How can you be so hyper?” asked a disheveled Jolon as he sat at the table playing with a pancake.
    “Pa’s going back in the tunnels,” he replied as he slung his stash on his back. His oxygen tank needed recharging, and Pa would question him on that. He guessed he could say he didn’t recharge it from the other day.
    His brother shook his head as he slathered a heavy dose of jam on his potatocake. “Nah, he’s not.”
    Teddy stopped in his tracks. “What do you mean? Ma said he wanted to spend most of the day there.”
    “Change of plans. ’Parently, Mrs. Fish was here this morning going on about