Fablehaven Oneshots

VIP Lounge

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Set after
Keys to the Demon Prison
⟢ Warren & Seth ⟣
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Seth gets bored in an airport and Warren has to dig Seth out of the hole he dug for himself. Kendra's there, too.

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The first time the Knights of Dawn had enlisted Warren as a babysitter was horrendous. This second time around was even worse. He could feel his sanity fraying.

"I spoke to the attendant. He said our flight has been delayed." Warren took a seat across from the siblings. The windows of their seating section offered a view of the tarmac. Planes skidded to a stop and others took off to the skies as an insult to birds.

"Again?" Seth put down his phone. He pouted as if Warren could fix the situation once swayed.

Kendra leaned over her laptop. "How long?"

"He didn't know."

Seth groaned and slid down his seat. "I'm going to die."

"You're not going to die," Warren assured. "Otherwise, your grandpa would be at my throat."

"You've been 'about to die' six times since we sat down." Kendra pointed out, her fingers already tapping across her keyboard again. She was nothing if not motivated to finish her essay.

"And each time I get closer to death." Seth sat up straight. "Can I go explore?"

"What? No. Our plane will leave and you'll be wandering in a random terminal." Warren leveled a look at Seth. The teen didn't look convinced. This was one of those times Warren wished he could put one of those backpack leashes on Seth.  "No."

"All who wander aren't lost."

"When did you become a philosopher?" Kendra asked.

"Ever since I saw it on the gift shop's t-shirt display," Seth said, already putting his hands in a pleading gesture. "Please, Warren. I bet I could get into the VIP section."

Mentally, Warren weighed his options. It'd be a while before they'd board and the kid was restless. Besides, the likelihood that the kid would make it in was low. He could already feel himself cave like an aquifer after heavy rainfall. "Where is it?"

"Over there," Seth's finger pointed to a cordoned-off part of the terminal. "I'll bring you any food if they have it."

Warren let out a sigh as he dragged his hand down his face. The food did sound good. "As long as you pick up when I call you, sure, go over there."

"Thanks, Warren!"

Warren watched the kid speed off to the lounge. Maybe it wasn't the best decision, but if he said no, the kid would just come up with a new harebrained scheme.

"If he comes back with criminal charges, we can just board the plane without him."

"You're a genius, Kendra." Warren's eyes stayed locked on Seth. He was still negotiating with the bouncer.

"I try." Kendra's keyboard clacking paused. "What's another word for important?"

"Crucial." The kid disappeared behind the curtains. "And he got in."

"Actually?" Kendra twisted around to see. "I can't believe him. I wonder what he lied about to get in."

The problem now was that the more notorious sibling is gone from his view—the one he was really supposed to babysit. Man, why did Seth have to be such a charming liar? Even VIP bouncers didn't stand a chance.