Read Online Down and Out: A Young Adult Dystopian Adventure (The Undercity Series Book 1) by Kris Moger - Free Book Online

would be terrific.” He glanced down at his worn brown trousers with the tears in them. “I haven’t had anything this good in a couple of years.”
    His father laughed, and held up a soft green dress with little white flowers. “Your ma will be so beautiful in this.”
    Teddy caught his father’s excitement and found a flowing purple top, more pants, and a few decent tops. “Caden might not appreciate this, but she deserves something new. These trousers should work for Jolon, and we can share the shirts.” He dug up a large black and red jacket covered in skulls and bones. “Do you think Henri would fit this? Maybe it will make him appear tougher.”
    Pa grinned. “It might.”
    They laughed at the abundance their treasures gave them, but still, Teddy had a nagging sensation this was all too easy.
    His father patted his back. “Come on, son. We can’t take too much. Might draw unwanted attention, right?”
    He gave a disparaging grimace.  “Yeah.  Wouldn’t want to wander outside of our place.”
    “No, no, not yet.  Our day will come.”
    Teddy trailed behind his father as he guided them out of the building. Glancing back, he thought he caught a glimmer of something, but it disappeared in seconds, and he hoped it wasn’t a ratdog or worse. He clasped his knife just in case and hurried after his father. Their footsteps cascaded through the hall and up the stairs. He peered down the stairwell.
    “How far down do you think this goes?”
    “Who can say? Might go another floor, or three or four. We’ll find out soon enough.”
    “Three or four floors? If they are in as good a shape as this one, we might be able to house more people than the whole population of Undercity.”
    His father frowned. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We still need to find a clean source of water, a proper sewage system, and confirm a healthy source of air.”
    Teddy felt the sombre weight of doubt in the bottom of his stomach. “And we need to find a way to grow plants, don’t we? Plus, fix the other staircase, so it’s sound enough for everyone to cross.”
    “There’s that, too.” Pa agreed. “Yep, this is an extensive project.” His voice faded, and Teddy could tell he was mulling over all the details that went into changing their world.
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    “S o, what do I do with this?” Caden asked, holding up the blouse he found for her.  She raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
    “Wear it?”
    “Ha, ha.”
    Deb twirled around in a new orange and white dress speckled in blue dots.  “It’s beautiful.” She touched the top. “If you don’t want this, can I keep it?”
    Caden jerked the shirt away. “No, it’s too large for you and it’s mine. Too bad you didn’t find any pencils. Mine are all stubs. Can’t draw too much with stubs.” She wandered over to a chair and sat, her face pale under her sepia complexion.
    “I’ll keep a lookout for some next time,” he said and turned toward his mother, and she met his gaze.
    Ma took him by the arm and led him to his room. “Come, Teddy, let’s see how these pants fit you.” Henri wasn’t around. Pa needed his assistance to secure the secret door.
    “I like the bed you made yourself,” his mother said, pushing on his airbed. “You sure it won’t fall?”
    He pulled off his old pants, tossing them on a box in the corner. His shirt covered enough of him to make him less uncomfortable about undressing in front of her. “It’s fine, Ma.”
    “Oh, I’m certain it is. You are a copy of your father, always inventing things,” she said with a smile. “You might not be blood, but you are your father’s son.”
    The thought made him happy. “How is she?”
    His mother sighed and sat on his bed, tweaking the leg of his trousers. “Caden? The day has been difficult for her.”
    “Ma, you gotta take her to the doctor. I understand he doesn’t help anyone unless they can pay, but there must be a