Chains were attached to collars around the alligators' necks. The Sewer King smiled and walked his pets at the same time. His children were above the sewer as they tried to obtain lots and lots of pretties. The Sewer King looked forward to his alligators attacking anyone unfortunate enough to cross his path. He continued to smile. He and his alligators paused after they saw two dark forms. They blinked.
The Sewer King's eyes were wide the minute he viewed his parents. ''Mom? Dad?''
Worry appeared in the Sewer King's parents' eyes.
''We searched and searched for you, Wendell. You never returned home. We found you,'' Mrs. Lewis said. She smiled with Mr. Lewis.
A scowl formed on the Sewer King's face. ''It's Sewer King! Sewer King!'' He watched while his parents exchanged glances. A rare sad expression appeared. ''I'll never be able to return to the streets. To the ones hurting me. Society shunned me. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.''
''Your toy alligator remains on your bed. You loved that toy,'' Mr. Lewis said.
The Sewer King started to scowl again.
''You should be in your bed. Not here,'' Mrs. Lewis said.
The Sewer King continued to scowl.
Alligators tensed and snarled before the Sewer King's parents held one another with new worry in their eyes.
''You'll know where to find us. Sewer King. Wendell. You'll always be our son,'' Mr. Lewis said. He smiled another time. There were visible tears.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis abandoned the Sewer King with the latter's alligators.
After crouching again, the Sewer King wrapped his arms around the alligators. His new family.
Tears streamed down the Sewer King's face. He began to sob. Alligators licked the Sewer King's wet face. He never laughed or smiled another time.
THE END