Darkness Rising (fanfic) (4th book in Destiny series)

Chapter 16: The Past

They eventually stopped running and walked the rest of the tunnel. They gaped once they saw the city. It looked just like New York with the tall buildings and large billboards. There was a heavy mist in the air and a heavy fog hung over the tall buildings, They strolled around admiring the beauty of the place. "It's beautiful." Ericka said.

"No kidding." Drac said. Their hands instinctively reached for each others hands. They got closer together and side eyed each other.

"Please don't," Nicholas said, but it was too late. They had already closed in and started to kiss, then Mavis and Johnny got into it. "Guys that is so gross."

"I'm not watching this." Dennis said, parading down the street. Nicholas didn't want to stay with his PDA parents so he followed Dennis. After their parents were out of sight they stopped walking. "They are so embarrassing." Dennis said.

"You don't have to tell me twice." Nicholas said. They peeked around the corner not to see them kissing, but panicking. They couldn't hear them, but it was pretty obvious that they were freaking out. The moms were running around like chickens without heads, and the dads were following them around, trying to calm them down. "Hey Dennis?"Nicholas asked.

"Yeah what is it?" Dennis asked.

"I have to go." Nicholas said.

"Ugh..now?!" Dennis groaned.

"I really gotta go." Nicholas said.

"Ok fine.." Dennis said, "follow me." As he walked down the alleyway. He found a directory and they went to the marketplace. There was a underground lake with a bunch of shops along a pier. They passes by a candy shop and a lady stepped out.

"Are you two lost?" She asked in a gentle tone.

"We're just looking for a bathroom." Dennis informed.

"Oh, The lady said, "The blacksmith has one just down the road."

"Thank you for your help." Dennis said in a hurried way, speed walking down the street with Nicholas trailing behind. They found the blacksmiths house and it was nicer than expected. They knocked on the door and a man around his thirties stepped out. "Hi, my name is Dennis and this is..my..um..family member Nicholas." Dennis said.

"Nice to meet you," The man said, his gaze shifting over to Nicholas, who was now tapping his foot, "do you need to use the bathroom?"Nicholas nodded vigorously and he let them in. Dennis sat in the living room with the man while Nicholas used the bathroom. "My name is Ryder by the way," Ryder said, letting Dennis shake his hand, "Ryder N. West."

"My name is Dennis." Dennis said. Then Nicholas stepped out of the bathroom, walked over to Dennis and sat next to him,

"Thanks." Nicholas said.

"Anytime." Ryder said. They were interrupted by a frantic knock at the door. Ryder got up and opened the door. It was Johnny and Ericka. "Can I help you?" He asked.

"Yes, we're looking for-" Ericka stopped talking when she saw Nicholas sitting on the couch, "NICHOLAS!!" She cried running over to him and hugging him. Johnny did the same for Dennis.

"Those are your kids?" Ryder asked.

"They ran away." Johnny said. Ryder seemed a little mad, but he got over it. Ericka pulled out her phone and texted Drac,

"The others are on their way." Ericka said.

"My name is Ryder by the way," Ryder said, "Ryder N. West."

"What does the N stand for?" Ericka asked.

"It stands for Noah," Ryder said, "my father's name was Noah." Then there was more knocking on the door and Ryder answered it. Drac and Mavis were standing there.