Fading {Book Two of The Descendants series}

Chapter Twenty-four

"Ouch!"

"Shhhh!" Zane shushed. "Do you wish to get us caught?"

"Do I wish you actually used normal English?" Riley shot back.

"You are about to make me use some more colorful English words," Zane retorted.

"Hey! You're normal," Riley smirked. Zane rolled his eyes.

"I've almost got it," Zane said. He was currently freezing the lock on Riley's chains. If he got it cold enough, it would break. Getting it cold enough was the tricky part.

"I hope you don't give me frostbite," Riley said sarcastically.

"I am sorry," Zane rolled his eyes. "Are your poor, little fingers cold."

"Would you two stop it?" Danielle asked from the side.

"This makes it more fun," Riley shrugged.

"Fun for whom?" Zane asked. Riley didn't get the chance to respond because the lock exploded.

"Ow!" Riley stifled a yell. Zane clapped his hand over Riley's mouth.

"Are you done?" Zane asked.

"That hurt," Riley mumbled into his hand. Then Zane felt something wet on his hand.

"Did you seriously just lick my hand?" Zane yanked his hand back in disgust.

"Oh my word, Riley," Daniel rolled her eyes. "You can't dislike him that much."

"Maybe I do. Maybe I don't."

"Stop acting like your brother," Zane rolled his eyes. "Now, remember what I told you."

"If only one of us escapes, get to the ninja. I know! I know!"

Riley look a little peeved at the idea of going to find his brother. Zane felt his frown soften and he placed a hand on Riley's shoulder. Riley gave him a funny look.

"I understand," Zane said. "You have nothing to worry about."

"Easy for you to say," Riley stood up and kissed Danielle firmly on the mouth.

"Stay safe," Danielle said worriedly.

"Get going," Zane commanded. "I'll get Danielle free. We are not leaving her here. I have someone else I need to find."

**********************************

"Father!" Zane whispered from the doorway. Dr. Julien looked up and his eyes widened.

"You can't be here! You have to go!" Dr. Julien hissed.

"I want you to come with me!" Zane said.

"I can't!" Dr. Julien said. "I physically can't!"

"Why?" Zane asked.

"Because he is dead," a deep voice said from behind him.

"By Ninjago!" Zane yelled. "Not you!"

**********************************

"We haven't found anything," Winston said dejectedly. Stephanie looked at him worriedly and furrowed her brow. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her into an embrace.

"I want my Dad," Stephanie blinked back tears.

"We will find him," Winston promised. He kissed the top of her head and rested his chin on the top of her head.

"Daddy!" Lexie came charging down the hall and threw her arms around Winston's legs.

"Hey, Baby! Did you miss me?" Winston swung Lexie up and kissed her on the cheek. Then he began to tickle her. She laughed and began to throw herself every which way. Winston laughed and set her down gently. "Where is Arthur?"

"Your Dad had him," Stephanie said.

"Let's go see brother," Winston scooped Lexie up again and wrapped an arm around Stephanie's shoulders.

They had just made it to Wu's bedroom door when they heard a voice inside. Except, the voice wasn't Wu's. Stephanie and Winston poked their heads around the door. Melody was sitting cross-legged on Wu's bed with Arthur laying down in front of her.

"Where's Arthur? Wheeeeeere's Arthur?" Melody said with her eyes covered. Then she quickly uncovered her eyes. "There he is!"

Arthur laughed loudly and waived his tiny hand in the air. Melody smiled down at him and placed a finger in his hand. He gurgled and  gripped her finger tightly.

Stephanie smiled broadly and squeezed Winston's hand. Lexie squirmed to get down and Winston put her on the ground. She bounded into Wu's room and pulled herself onto the bed. Melody look startled at her sudden appearance, but smiled at her. Then she began to play with both of them. Winston pulled Stephanie away from the room and down the hall.

"My mom seems happier now then she has ever been," Winston smiled.

************************************

"Why did you leave so hurriedly?" Jay was asking Lloyd.

"And where is Kyle?" Xavier asked as he walked up.

"Julia-" Lloyd began but he had to stop to regain his composure. "Julia had a miscarriage."

"What?" Xavier's face went pale.

"Gee, I'm so sorry, Lloyd," Jay apologized. "I didn't know."

"There is no need to apologize," Lloyd assured sadly. "You couldn't have known."

"How is Kyle taking it?" Cole asked softly.

"How anyone else would take it," Lloyd sighed.

"How are you taking it," Kai asked, placing a hand on Lloyd's shoulder. Lloyd shrugged and walked out without answering.

**********************************

Lexie looked up from her toys to see the back door open. She looked around. Nobody was around.

"Mommy?" Lexie asked. There was no answer. Lexie edged closer to the door. She wasn't supposed to go outside without her mommy or her daddy. But going outside was so fun!

Lexie looked down the hall to make sure no one was watching and then she bolted for the door. She was just about to complete her escape when a pair of arms grabbed her.

"Nice try," Winston scolded. "You know you're not supposed to go outside without Mommy or Daddy."

"But-" Lexie started to argue.

"No buts," Winston admonished. "That was wrong."

Lexie burst into tears, "I sorry, Daddy!"

"It's okay," Winston had to hide a smile. She was just too cute. "Just don't do it again."

Winston shut the back door and locked it. He kissed Lexie on the cheek and walked down the hall with her.

A shadow moved in front of the back door. The door handle jiggled softly. A hiss escaped someone's mouth. The shadow disappeared quickly into the nearby trees.