The Way Home - A Wingfeather Saga Fanfiction

Chapter 16: The Strander Burrows

ANNOUNCEMENT: Now that summer break is here, updates will (hopefully) be quicker! Joy! Also, just going to say, this has got to be one of the longest chapters we've ever written. We hope you enjoy it!

Thanks so much for all the support shown to us as we progress through this story. I am also here to remind you of a 35th comment prize! *I changed it from the original prize* It is, once again, A shout out to a story you have written, or a story you have read and want others to read! I will include a summary of your choice. Review, Read, Enjoy!

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It was midday. People were milling about the city of Torrboro, buying things, selling things, and admiring the kitten statues littered all around. A typical day. No one noticed Liam and Marissa on the horses trotting through.

They had both decided they could talk and take off the hoods. They were far enough away. Plus, it was very hot.

Liam steered his horse towards an alleyway. "My father told me of Strander Burrows they found in alleyways and houses. He mentioned one in an alley right next to a huge statue of a cat licking its paw." He gestured towards a statue just like that.

Marissa nodded, and they both got off of their horses. Liam went to a chubby man selling apples in a stall and gave him a few silver coins, asking him to keep watch over their horses.

Once he agreed, Marissa and Liam tied up their horses next to the stall, and they made their way down the busy street to the alley way.

Once they reached the end, they saw nothing but old wooden planks, A ragged, torn, dirty blanket, and a few empty sacks.

"This isn't much," commented Marissa.

"Well, it's hidden. It wouldn't just be in plain sight," Liam responded, getting on his hands and knees and brushing away the empty apple sacks.

And just as Liam had hoped, there was a dusty wooden trapdoor underneath.

"Well that was poorly hidden," he mumbled as he tried to crack it open. But it wouldn't budge. It was too heavy.

"Let me help," Marissa said as she also got down and wedged her fingers in between the ground and the trapdoor to pull it open.

They both heaved, and the trap door swung open with a CREEEEEEAAAAK!

A dark tunnel was revealed and awaiting them.

"Listen, I will go in and see if the kids are really there. I won't try to save them or rescue them, I will be there to spy."

Marissa shook her head, her beautiful golden locks of hair bouncing around her.

"No, I am not letting you go alone. I'm coming with you."

Liam was about to argue, but changed his mind when her emerald eyes sparkled with defiance. He knew there was no point, she would just keep pushing.

"Fine. But you have to be careful," Liam begged. Marissa nodded.

"I'll be quiet as a mouse."

And so, without another word, they both slipped into the tunnel, and Liam closed the trapdoor behind them.

It was dark, and it smelled musty and earthy.

Liam immediately felt Marissa's hand on his arm, then she jumped back.

"Sorry," she mumbled. "I was trying to see where the walls were."

Liam was glad the darkness hid his blush. They moved forward, their hands on the dirt wall.