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Set after
Keys to the Demon Prison
⟢ Warren & Seth ⟣
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Seth gets bored in an airport and Warren has to dig Seth out of the hole he dug for himself. Kendra's there, too.

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The first time the Knights of Dawn had enlisted Warren as a babysitter was horrendous. This second time around was even worse. He could feel his sanity fraying.

"I spoke to the attendant. He said our flight has been delayed." Warren took a seat across from the siblings. The windows of their seating section offered a view of the tarmac. Planes skidded to a stop and others took off to the skies as an insult to birds.

"Again?" Seth put down his phone. He pouted as if Warren could fix the situation once swayed.

Kendra leaned over her laptop. "How long?"

"He didn't know."

Seth groaned and slid down his seat. "I'm going to die."

"You're not going to die," Warren assured. "Otherwise, your grandpa would be at my throat."

"You've been 'about to die' six times since we sat down." Kendra pointed out, her fingers already tapping across her keyboard again. She was nothing if not motivated to finish her essay.

"And each time I get closer to death." Seth sat up straight. "Can I go explore?"

"What? No. Our plane will leave and you'll be wandering in a random terminal." Warren leveled a look at Seth. The teen didn't look convinced. This was one of those times Warren wished he could put one of those backpack leashes on Seth.  "No."

"All who wander aren't lost."

"When did you become a philosopher?" Kendra asked.

"Ever since I saw it on the gift shop's t-shirt display," Seth said, already putting his hands in a pleading gesture. "Please, Warren. I bet I could get into the VIP section."

Mentally, Warren weighed his options. It'd be a while before they'd board and the kid was restless. Besides, the likelihood that the kid would make it in was low. He could already feel himself cave like an aquifer after heavy rainfall. "Where is it?"

"Over there," Seth's finger pointed to a cordoned-off part of the terminal. "I'll bring you any food if they have it."

Warren let out a sigh as he dragged his hand down his face. The food did sound good. "As long as you pick up when I call you, sure, go over there."

"Thanks, Warren!"

Warren watched the kid speed off to the lounge. Maybe it wasn't the best decision, but if he said no, the kid would just come up with a new harebrained scheme.

"If he comes back with criminal charges, we can just board the plane without him."

"You're a genius, Kendra." Warren's eyes stayed locked on Seth. He was still negotiating with the bouncer.

"I try." Kendra's keyboard clacking paused. "What's another word for important?"

"Crucial." The kid disappeared behind the curtains. "And he got in."

"Actually?" Kendra twisted around to see. "I can't believe him. I wonder what he lied about to get in."

The problem now was that the more notorious sibling is gone from his view—the one he was really supposed to babysit. Man, why did Seth have to be such a charming liar? Even VIP bouncers didn't stand a chance.

"Are you good alone out here, Kendra?"

"Yeah," Kendra said. "Are you going to get food or something?"

"I'm going to follow Seth," Warren put down his magazine. The article about how to train a dog wasn't very interesting anyway.

Kendra looked like she was calculating his rate of survival before she leaned back. "Good luck."

"Thanks."

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"I'm looking for my son," Warren explained to the bouncer. "Brown hair, green shirt? He's a bit shorter than me."

"Yeah, he's in there." The bouncer stood still..

"Thanks," Warren stepped forward.

"Wait." He stepped in front of the doorway. "Where's your pass?"

"With my wife." Warren widened his eyes. "Did I need my pass to get in? I'd go get it from here, but she's in terminal A and our plane is leaving, and my son--he snuck off. Do you really need me to get it?"

The bouncer pursed his lips. "You'll be in and out?"

"Yeah." Warren nodded and stepped into the lounge. "Thanks, man."

Rows of food and drink obstructed his view of the lounge. Couches sat on every turn.

However, Warren was only after the messy head of hair sitting near the window. Seth's hands steepled and gestured to the suit-and-tied man across from him.

For a brief second, Warren considered just leaving him and letting him talk to the businessman.

However, when the businessman turned to talk to the waiter, Seth's hand inched closer to the man's pocket.

Now, what was this kid after?

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Warren took a seat perpendicular to the table and unfolded his newspaper. He was close enough to hear their conversation.

"So you own a couple of oil fields?"

"It's more complicated than that. I also manage them."

"You're going to manage them all the way in the Bahamas?"

The businessman forcefully chuckled. "Where's your parent, kid?"

Warren could see Seth glance at him in the corner of his eye. "In the bathroom."

"Well, be sure to tell me when they come out."

"Are you going to let me see your coin?"

"Kid."

"Oh, there he is."

"Where?"

While the businessman surveyed the area, Seth grabbed and rifled through his wallet, producing a shiny gold coin.

The kid pocketed it and returned the wallet. "Hey, Warren."

Warren put down his newspaper. "Hey, Seth."

The businessman knit his eyebrows. "That can't be your dad. He's been sitting there."

"Think big cousin. Bye Alfred!" Seth stood and Warren followed him out the door.

The curtain to the lounge slid open.

"Hey kid! My wallet feels lighter."

Heavy footfalls  made the fugitives speed up.

Warren lowered his voice. "What's that bulge in your pocket?"

"What bulge?"

Warren rolled his eyes. "Just give it back, Seth."

"Now what's the point of playing with someone if I lose the prize?"

Warren sighed and pinched his nose. He opened his exasperated eyes only to be met by two men in suits.

"We found the kid and the cousin."

"This isn't a time for games, Seth. We're going to miss our flight.!"

"I didn't take anything! I was lying!" Seth gestured helplessly. "Tell him to check my seat's cup holder."

The men growled.

Crackles preceded the intercom's announcement. "Last call for boarding Flight 474 to Los Angeles."

"Oh no," Warren grabbed Seth's arm. "Time to go."

They went the good old fashioned red rover route and pummeled through the guards.

The ensuing run was filled with hazards such as people and chairs. It was a race to be sure, with two security people chasing them down.

"Where have you two been?" Kendra had her carry-on bag slung over her shoulders. "They're closing the gates!"

Warren shooed Kendra with his hands. "Great, run, run."

Kendra's eyes floated over Warren's shoulder. "Why are you being chased?"

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The flight attendant pulled the black rope across the tunnel entrance at the sight of the runners. "Ma'am! Here are our tickets!"

They ran through the connecting tube, sparing a glance behind to see the door shut out their enemies, and burst onto the plane. Fortunately, the plane hadn't started lift-off yet.

Warren let out a sigh as he sunk into his seat.

Seth turned to Warren. "We won't tell Grandpa about all that, right?"

"I can't believe you. At least you didn't actually steal anything."

Seth's lips curved into a guilty smile. "Promise me you won't tell anyone."

Warren groaned and drug a hand down his face. "You actually stole it."

"Look, though."

Warren slid his fingers open and peeked.  A gold coin laid in Seth's hand. Warren slid a finger over the grooves. "Do you think it's real gold?"

"Yeah, look closer," Seth handed the coin to Warren.

Little unrecognizable inscriptions lined the edge, but Warren recognized the seal. "Nipsies."

"So you've gone from stealing gold from the nipsies to stealing gold for the nipsies," Kendra observed.

"It's was never really stealing in the first place. The nipsies just really liked Newel, Doren, and I."

"The same way little kids like the boogie man," Kendra said, pulling out her laptop. "In terror."

Seth pursed his lips. "Can't ever please you, huh?"

"Nope."

"The compartment is above us if you want to stow the coin away," Warren said.

Seth sat up.

"But wait," Warren pointedly looked at Seth. "No more stealing."

"No more stealing," Seth affirmed.

"Good."

"Unless it's justified."

Warren grinned. "Unless it's justified."

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the end