Underland Chronicles: 1 - The Border's Edge (A Gregor the Overlander FanFic)

Chapter 27

The team of bats zoomed across the Waterway and it wasn't long until they turned into a tunnel.

"This isn't the way I came in," Pandora commented, not remembering passing even a sign of water on her way into Regalia.

"This is a different way. It is much more accessible from this side," Pan said before angling up into a steep climb. "We should be there soon," he panted.

Pandora was silent until the bats landed on the stone floor. She noticed the tunnel they were in looked very different. It was more man-made than the stalactite-filled tunnels she had traveled in before.

"This is it," Mareth said, climbing off Andromeda. He gestured towards the ceiling, where Pandora could see the underside of a rock about the size of a man-hole. "It was nice to get to meet you, Pandora. I will make sure to send scouts by the tunnel in your apartment building regularly. That way, you can leave a letter every now and then to keep in contact with us."

"Really?" Pandora asked excitedly. "You would do that?"

"Of course," he said with a smile. Pandora gave him a quick hug before they turned back to the rock in the ceiling.

Pandora aided Mareth in moving aside the rock. Mild sunshine streamed into the hole and Mareth gave a cry of awe. "Where is the light coming from?"

"The sun," Pandora answered. "It's a moving light in the sky that illuminates everything for half of a day. By the looks of it, it's setting on the horizon."

"Incredible!" He exclaimed.

Pandora turned to Pan. "I'm going to miss you," she said before pulling him into a hug.

"And I will miss you," he said. "Thank you for believing in me."

"Keep impressing everyone," she answered. "You're on a roll." Pan grinned so wide that some of his teeth showed.

"Fly you high, Overlander!" Mareth called as Pandora made her first steps into the Overland.

"Fly you high, Mareth." Mareth pulled the rock back over the hole as Pandora pushed it from the Overland side. By the looks of things, the entrance was very well concealed. She realized she was standing in Central Park, which was not too far of a walk from her apartment building.

The park was empty except for a band of rambunctious teenagers. Everyone was probably in their homes, enjoying dinner. Pandora considered hailing a taxi but was content to walk in the last rays of sun. It had been forever since she had seen the sky.

It was considerably dark by the time Pandora reached her apartment building, but she didn't mind. She didn't mind either when she found out the elevator was still not working. She would soon be home! She would soon be with Rose again!

Once she had reached her door, however, Pandora hesitated before rapping on it. She heard Rose's familiar voice from inside, talking to a lower voice Pandora didn't recognize.

Closing her eyes tightly, Pandora rapped on the door. Thirty seconds later, Rose answered, opening the door just enough to show her face. When Rose recognized her, she clapped an arthritic hand over her open mouth, her eyes filling with tears.

"Thank the Lord! Oh, my dear!" Rose yanked the door open the rest of the way and rushed out to give Pandora a huge hug.

"I'm back," Pandora said quietly, her eyes welling up with tears as she heard Rose balling her head off. They stood there in the hallway, not daring to let go. "I'm home."

After a minute, or maybe two, Rose gasped and pulled Pandora out to arm's length. "Where have you been? I've had the police search everywhere for you!"