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

another cave-in, which took out a large part of the Nest, so we’re to get whatever cruddy supplies the Uppers don’t want and bring them to the survivors.”
    “The Nest, huh? That’s going to be interesting.”
    “Yeah, what will the Uppers do for cheap entertainment now?”
    The cynicism in his brother’s voice was understandable, so Teddy ignored it. He had his own disappointments and issues to sort out. True, his goal was to save the rest of Undercity, but now he had to spend the day delivering mothy blankets and loads of potatocakes.
    “Jolon, take your bath,” Ma ordered, bustling about mixing potato flour and water. “You stink like an old shoe.”
    “The orphans won’t mind, Ma,” he said as he stood and licked his fingertips clean. “In fact, the odour might help them be more comfortable.”
    She thrust her spatula at him. “Wash yourself.”
    Teddy laughed until she turned her utensil in his direction. “You get to your father. There is much to do and few who are willing to assist, so go.”
    He turned to escape, but she stopped him with a fling of her spoon, which almost covered him in potato batter. “And get the lump out of bed too. We need all hands today, strong ones.”
    “How true, how true,” Mrs. Fish said as she entered their home.
    A stringy lady with little muscle and warm, tawny skin, she had lots of head and mahogany hair. It was an odd picture that left him wondering how her neck could support so much, but she was kind despite how much she liked to talk. She swept her floor-length cloak, with its fading red flowers, around her.
    “It is a horrible tragedy. I don’t know what we’ll do. The elder Underlings are talking of organizing their own government again to address such events. They plan on sending a delegation to meet with the council of Upperlords to ask for some aid and extra water. Doubt they will help. They seem to be determined to exterminate the Underlings, but they’d be in a stew, wouldn’t they? Who would do their work for them? They’d need to get dirty and dig for themselves.”
    Taking up a spatula, she set about turning potatocakes with impressive efficiency. “A few of the other ladies are gathering some rat goop to take as well, but we’re short on bandages.”
    Ma jabbed her spoon at him. “He and his brother can get that together if he ever gets over his wonderful imitation of a statue and gets on with things.”
    Teddy got the hint and left to get Henri. His mother was one of the kindest, happiest people he ever met, but when serious work needed to be done, she became stern and efficient.
    “Hey, Hen, we need you,” he said and kicked at the bed. The brute grunted and continued to snore. He kicked harder. “Heeennnnrriiiii, wake up, up, up,” he shouted. “My Ma is on her way armed with a spoon, and her skirt’s in a knot, so we’ve got to get going.”
    “Huh, uhhnm?” he said, yawning with a smile on his face as though he was leaving a good dream.
    “Come on; we’ve got to get moving. There’s been a cave-in and they need assistance.”
    That got him started. He bolted upright, still clothed from last night’s adventure, and almost knocked Teddy over as he rushed to get out the room.
    “Hey, wait up,” he called, scrambling after him. “You need breakfast first.”
    Ma stepped in front of Henri and stuck her spoon under his large nose. “Eat; help after.” She tapped her utensil on a fresh plate of potatocakes. “Devour those, and then you two take these containers of food to the wagon. Pa is filling it with blankets and other supplies, and we’ll leave as soon as we can.”
    Jolon ventured out of the bathroom somewhat cleaner than he was before. “Done, Ma. Water’s still warm.”
    She flicked her spoon and showered the floor in remnants of potato. Her wild hair floated about her with a life of its own. “Later. You and Teddy cut up those rags in the bin by the stores of odd statues.” “Ma, you told me to take the