**Author's Note**
This is the first time I have ever tried to write fiction online. I ask that you please bear with me on my new adventure. I will try to post one chapter a day. I ask that you, the readers share your opinions, as I am wishing to improve my skills as a story teller. I hope you enjoy!**
Melinda sighed as she paced around the room with her arms crossed. Her face was full of anxiety as she thought on her sons. Sure, she tried to occupy herself with chores but the other children had already returned from their tutor's home. Where could her triplets be? Too many situations crept around in her mind, all of them with horrible outcomes. She would stop pacing to glance through the window for signs of the boys' return, merely to be disappointed and resume pacing, only to repeat the cycle again. After what seemed like an eternity to the worried mother had passed, the door opened. Her worry turned to anger in the space of a moment and she turned to the door hand raised with an accusatory finger and words prepared to burn their way out of her mouth. Then she saw that it was her husband and the flush of embarrassment to her cheeks as she looked away helped her to swallow the planned lecture.
Drexel had quite a tiring day of labor. His entire body was sore, and his stomach was a hollow ache. He needed some time to relax and recover, a task his wife was adept at assisting him with. He could almost taste the supper she spoke of before leaving early that morning. He did not expect the reaction he received upon entering the house. He watched as his other children timidly peeked out from the other room. Three were missing which meant trouble was brewing. "What did they do? Where are they?" When Melinda shook her head, glancing to the floor, he knew that either his boys were in danger or worse. He went out to the veranda to keep watch for them. Darkness was coming and he had no idea where those children could be.
Baurius frowned with eyebrows furrowed, "I am not doing this! Muh and Dah are already planning ways of torturing us in a hundred ways right now." He was the most sensible of his brothers. As the first born, he tried to keep them out of trouble but it often was a task well beyond his capabilities. "What we should be doing is heading home while we still have a chance of surviving our punishment." He looked at the others while they smirked. He knew there was no backing down now. He let out a painful groan. "Fine, but let's be quick." He was the firstborn, even though they were born the same day, he felt responsible for them. Smirks turned into victorious grins as they began creeping silently amongst the wall. With one last glance at the surroundings, Baurius followed. There were large rocks to walk around, tall grass to push through but it was the large crevices that were most concerning. He hated those the most, not because of a fall but the creatures that lived below the surface. With nightfall came all sorts of danger. "We are going to have to turn back. There's no way we are going to make it before nightfall at this rate."
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Two voices rang out at the same time, "Oh come on!" It was Caurius that spoke, "We are so close now but if you want to leave we won't stop you." He knew that Baurius wouldn't go home alone.He felt too responsible for that. There wasn't anything to worry about. Well, at least not yet but that was the fun of it all! "With what I found, our family will be able to eat for weeks at least." He took a few more steps before stopping while pointing, "Just through here. It's totally safe, just a small tunnel." He was being truthful, it was just a small tunnel.
Daurius shoved his hands into pockets while walking through the tunnel first. He waved to the others when he reached the other side. He took watch to make sure that everything stayed safe. He was the quiet one, unless he was aggravated or alarmed. While glancing around, he noticed what Caurius was talking about. His stomach grumbled hungrily at the sight. He began to walk forward a few steps to take in the aroma. He began to turn to see where his siblings were. He stopped dead before kneeling as low as possible. He motioned for his brothers to do the same. A very large shadow began moving around the area. Daurius tried to make himself as small as possible as he moved cautiously toward the shadows of a wall.
Baurius knelt beside Caurius staying low, trying to be as quiet as his brother but they could hear their own heartbeats pounding. Both were ready to take off at a sprint. What was going on?