Chapter 1
The highway outside of Old City was dim and surrounded by large and menacing looking trees.
The only light came from the cars traveling to and fro, either going to or running away from.
A large bus came rather quietly down the road. It's passengers either asleep or occupying themselves silently.
Only one bothered to keep his gaze out the large side window.
"Next stop, Old City Bus Station, we'll be stopping for twenty minutes then we'll be off to..."
He stopped listening, this was his stop.
He reached below his seat to gather his things. He was hindered when his arm would only reach so far and let out a frustrated huff. He would never get used to this.
The old lady sitting beside him noticed his plight and let out a small chuckle.
"Here, let me help you," she said softly and reached down and pulled up his backpack. "Wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."
He took the bag from her.
"Thank you," he clutched it to his chest and opened the zip to double check everything was in there then zipped it back up.
The old lady kept watching him with a bemused smile.
"What's a darling thing like you traveling alone for?" she asked him.
He bit back the sneering "Excuse me?" remembering the state he was in.
"I'm...on a mission," he shrugged.
"Are your parents waiting for you?" she asked.
"Nope."
"Grandparents?"
"Nope."
"Are you running away?
He rolled his eyes.
"No, I'm here to find someone."
"Your birth mother?" she looked at him with sympathy and he resisted the urge to groan.
"No, I am here to find the woman I love," he said with determination and the old woman's mouth flapped wordlessly before she sat back in her chair and looked away.
Aha, that shut her up good.
To look at him he looked like every other 8 year old from an upper middle class family, except maybe a bit tidier. And the two stooges that called themselves his parents tried to convince him of the same, but he knew the truth, and he knew where to go and who to find that would fix his problem.
The bus pulled into the station and parked, after a moment or two of waiting for the driver to do his checks he sprung up from his seat and quickly disembarked from the large vehicle into the old station.
A couple nearby him ran into each other's arms and embraced with a flurry of kisses and giggles. Two children beside him ran into the arms of their father.
Maybe he should've called ahead, then she'd be waiting for him, of course, she wouldn't believe it was him and this was not the place to have that discussion.
He flung his backpack over his shoulder and began walking towards the exit where a row of taxis waited.
He got to the nearest one and peaked in through the window.
"Can you get me to Holm Street?" He asked, appalled by the fact he had to be on tip toe to do this.
"Yeah," the driver gave him a funny look but nodded.
"Alright then," he went to the door and climbed inside.
"Do you plan to pay?" asked the driver.
Well, duh, he wasn't exactly going to hold him up with a water gun now was he?
"Yes," he reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a credit card.
"Alright," the guy shrugged.
The taxi began to pull away from the bus depot.
"What's on Holm Street for you?" the driver asked casually.
"Just somebody," the boy shrugged. "Somebody that could answer a lot of questions for me."
"Oh, adopted huh?" the driver sniggered.
"No, I know who my birth mother is, why does everyone think that an 8 year old traveling by himself is automatically adopted or a run away," he growled and the driver jumped a little bit.
"Whoa! Just making conversation," he defended.
The rest of the trip was silent from there.
In a few short minutes the cab pulled up to the curb on Holm Street.
"Thank you," the boy handed the driver the card.
"Hey kid, you sure this is the street you wanted? Looks a bit dangerous to me," said the driver.
"It's the right street," he said without hesitation and without fear. He looked out the window at the dim street as if it were nothing.
"Do you need any help?" the driver asked again.
"Nope, I can take it from here," the boy took the card back and stuck it neatly in his pocket.
He stepped out of the car and began walking away.
"Hey kid!" the driver called. "You sure?"
"Yes," he waved him off. "And I'm not a kid."
He muttered the last part under his breath.
Adults, so presumptuous and annoying.
He turned off Holm street into an alley towards a door marked Sewer Entrance. With a bit of manipulation and a hair pin stolen from fake-mother Sandra, he unlocked it and entered inside, shutting the door behind him.
He removed his backpack and pulled out a flashlight before continuing.
He'd been here only once before, but thanks to his eidetic memory he remembered exactly where to go.
After a good fifteen minutes of walking he came to a door with a pin pad and a retina scanner.
Again using the bobby pin he pried open the casing. This would only take a short moment.
~~~~Author's Note~~~~
I'm back, sort of.
Sometimes the plot nubbins don't stay quiet. I started writing this when Sanctuary was cancelled but left it alone, I came back to it and realized I still liked it, so I am posting it for you for your entertainment.
I hope you like it.