"Are you sure no one will find this thing?" Drake asked as they all got out of the van.

"It's never been detected before," Marianna said as Drake watched the van slowly disappear. "This is alien tech. Nothing on Earth can penetrate it."

"So where do we go now?" Cree asked. She was standing next to Reese, but it was clear Drake was heading this mission.

"The old tunnels," he said as he pointed to an old sewer grate. "It's dark, and the stench could wake the dead, but it's the only way of getting to the junkyard undetected."

"Maybe, or maybe this is all just a trap," Reese said looking suspicious.

No one was shocked by his accusation. His mother was not surprised that he felt that way, and Denny and Jordon felt the same way he did. Cree was different. She had also made her home on the streets for a short time and could sympathize with how Drake felt. She knew more than anyone that people can change, so perhaps that was what was happening with Drake. She felt that it could have something to do with Dora. She had assured Cree that Drake was being sincere in his need to save Janalyn, and of all the people she knew Dora was the best at judging a person's character.

Drake opened the grate and climbed the ladder very carefully. Reese hesitated for a moment and then followed Drake's lead. Jordon went next, following by Cree.

When it came for Denny's turn he just stood there for a moment. Looking down the hole he couldn't see anything, but not knowing where he was going had never stopped him from jumping into trouble before.

"Great," Denny said, shaking his head. "Leave it to the hood to hang out in a smelly old sewer." He took a deep breath took a light jump down into the grate.

"How did you do that?" Drake asked but Cree just shook her head as he stood there dumbfounded.

To be Continued...

There is more to came as the gang attempts to rescue Janalyn. I hope you are all enjoying this story. It's almost over, just a few more parts but Drake's story doesn't end there. This is just the beginning.