Hopefully, I can release my surprise for you all simultaneously with the next chapter.  I'm so excited!  😸

The rest of the ninja protest as a buffet of wind shoves them towards Morro and you.

"Couldn't you just come and get us like a normal person?!!"  Kai complains indignantly.

Morro grins.  "No, this is much more fun!"

"What is it, you two?"  Lloyd interrupts.

"This."  Morro lifts the board and crawls inside.

After a moment's hesitation, you follow, with the others bringing up the rear.

The building is very dimly lit, with the only natural light coming in from the spaces between the boarded-up windows.

Everyone splits up to look around, and you wander off by yourself in order to avoid Jay's excited jabbering.

Several minutes go by as evidence of a person (or persons) unknown living in the restaurant begins to pile up.  A jug of fresh water, some dishes stacked neatly in the sink, a couple of food scraps that must have narrowly missed the garbage can.

You move to the kitchen and start opening cupboards, when you hear a fast scuttling noise, and then a cupboard suddenly slams shut.

You quickly run to it and yell out.  "GUYS!!!  IN HERE!!!"

You yank the door open and are startled to come face-to-face with a young blonde-haired girl.  She looks to be about thirteen or fourteen years old, but small for her age.  She defiantly clutches something tightly to her chest, but her brilliant blue eyes spark with terror as you gaze at her.

You uncertainly reach out to her.  "It's okay, I won't hurt you."

Her eyes dart to your hand, and she seems to consider taking it, but then she looks at your staff.  Her eyes stretch wide with fear, and then she screams directly into your face.

The ninja run in just then.  "WHAT IN NINJAGO IS GOING ON IN HERE?!!"  Nya shouts.

"I've got this!"  Jay announces.  He yells out.  "For Spinjitzu's sake, PLEASE BE QUIET!!!"

You suddenly feel the prick of several tiny points pressing into the back of your neck.

"I wouldn't move, if I were you."  A cold voice snarls.  "I'd just love to start my day off with a fight."

334 words.

A.N. If you're enjoying this book, please feel free to upvote/comment, if only to let me know that I'm writing to your satisfaction! Thank you all for your continued support and friendship, I appreciate it more than I can ever say!!! 🤗