Gray Wolf led the way, his quick steps those of a young man who couldn't hide his excitement.
Alice stared at Annan. She always looked at him like that when he did something she found shameful.
"We only have so much money. And to Underhive Dwellers, getting them to the upper levels matters more than anything."
"You always have a reason."
They followed Gray Wolf deeper into Darklamp Town and saw more of its people... the outline of a body lying in sewage, its skin soaked away, while a gaunt figure crouched beside it to drink from the same puddle. Numb figures leaned beneath the eaves, and strange people huddled in the shadows, clutching suspicious chunks of meat.
"To think people on the surface still complain about not earning enough, or about falling out with their families..." Theophilus couldn't help sighing.
"Our happiness comes from other people's misery," Alice said.
Annan thought Alice was wrong, but he couldn't think of a rebuttal.
Gray Wolf stopped before a shack hung with two strings of skull wind chimes and knocked on its drafty door. "Lord Witch Doctor, some distinguished visitors from the surface need help..."
"Come in..."
A strange voice reached their ears, and Gray Wolf pushed the door open.
An old figure with disheveled hair sat in the gloomy shack. A Glowfruit growing from the floor was the room's only light. Jars filled with bizarre things crowded the corners, giving off a smell worse than the bitter fog.
The surroundings inspired doubt, but the Underhive Dwellers knew better how to treat Ratfolk.
Theophilus and the others couldn't stand being inside, so Annan had them wait outside with Gray Wolf. He explained why they had come and how they had found the little girl on the bottom level, then laid her before