Chapter 34: Nexus
Irwin backed up further into the bushes as the Galubs moved closer. Daubutim was staring at him, then waved him further in. All of his confidence seemed to leave him at once as he saw the taller boy turn and vanish into the alleyway. Before he had the time to contemplate running back, the voices of Galubs reached him.
"Why do you keep asking? Big fat said it. We need to guard the entrances," a dull voice grumbled.
Two heavy slaps were followed by an outcry.
"Sorry, Ulrop! Me get hit in head at party… keep forgetting things," a whiny voice replied.
The group of four Galubs stomped past the bushes Irwin was hiding behind, and he felt his skin crawl. As dense as the bushes were, he could still see through some of the holes, and he felt exposed. The lead Galub was slightly bigger and had two horns, its eyes gleaming.
"You told me that already," the two-horn growled.
With a quick glance, the two-horn backhanded the Galub to his left, causing it to stumble back and rub its face. A hateful glare surfaced then the struck Galub shook its head and ran after the other three.
"There's people going missing," the two-horn said. "Big-fat says there's carded somewhere."
"But there be no portal," the Galub responded, still rubbing its face.
"Who can say," the two-horn grunted. "This blasted city has more hidey-holes than a Glendagon anthill. It's more than possible for there to be one somewhere."
He is way smarter than the other ones, Irwin thought, focusing on keeping his breathing as calm and quiet as possible. If they could capture this one, they could get so much more information!
The Galubs continued walking further away, and Irwin looked back at the alleyway where Daubutim had disappeared. They weren't paying attention! If he angled away from the opening, he could run back now! He began to sneak back when the door swung open, slamming into the wall.