Millions of In-Worlds

Chapter 4: Topside Troubles

Mizzus Anderton, Freck, and I went home ta Burns. Ren and Momma, stayed behind in the Kingdom. The floater was runnin' dark, allowin' it to get as near to the edge of the Magic Woods as possible without bein' seen. It was late at night. Daddy and Beau Motley, Freck's daddy, were waitin' like shadows under the trees for us. The likelihood of anyone observin' our arrival was nil.

I was in purty good shape. My broke arm didn't keep me from walkin'. Freck had a little trouble gettin'. around 'cuz of her fractured leg, so Mizzus Anderton helped her. Once we got out of the woods, Freck's daddy, lifted her up into his arms and carried her all the way back across the field ta my house.

While we was gone Daddy built a gate in the back fence, so's we could sneak in and out without usin' the sidewalk or driveway. Now that there wasn't any reason to keep us out of the forest, the gate was a good idea. Keepers are all about secrecy, ya know.

Daddy cautioned, "There've been strange things happenin' since you left for Keeper's school. I built the gate so we could make a quick escape if we has ta."

Strange things and quick escape perked up my ears. "Daddy," I asked, all the while keepin' an eye on the ground so's I wouldn't stumble in the dark, "what're those strange things?"

"Let's get inside. We can have a sit. Beau and I will fill you in."

Mister Motley positioned Freck on the couch with a kitchen chair and a pillow to elevate her leg. She probably didn't need it, but it was nice seein' him dote on his daughter. I could tell that Freck was enjoyin' every single bit of it. She was the youngest in their family of six children and the only girl. Since her mother died when she was just a baby, she only had her father and brothers to take care of her. Guys aren't that good with girl stuff, so Freck became a tomboy ta fit in.

"Ahem," daddy began after we were all seated, "Burns has been sufferin' a series of earthquakes and strange noises comin' from underground. Science experts have been consulted, but no one can pinpoint the source of the disturbances. Beau visited the Kingdom with me and is totally up ta speed. We've discussed it throughly and think it might have somethin' ta do with lairbeasts."

I gulped. Lairbeasts used to be Keepers, but were kicked out of the Kingdom because they became vicious murderers. Keepers don't kill. Since their exile to the awful Howlin' Woods they gave in to their evil natures, and over time became nothin' more than mindless hunters. They frightened their prey by shape shiftin' inta anythin' that would scare 'em most. They believed that terrorized meat was the most tender, so I was told.

"We're guessin' that they're fixin' to leave Howlin' Woods by tunnelin' beneath the barriers under the forest."

Was that my fault, I wondered? When I was cornered in a safe zone under a protection bush, the lair-beast appearin' to be a saber tooth tiger started diggin' ta get at me. That's when I discovered that the safe zone didn't extend all the way underground. Lairbeasts lived there for millions of years but never had to rely on their wits ta get prey. All they had to do was shape shift into anythin' they they figured would terrify their victims. When their pray was scared stiff, it was a simple matter ta make the kill.

Mizzus Anderton spoke, "What will happen if they succeed in 'scapin'?"

Mister Motley replied, "It's too awful to even imagine. We cain't notify the army or sheriff--they wouldn't believe us. It just wouldn't do no good. And there's the possibility that we are mistaken. Maybe it ain't the lairbeasts causin' the problems. Al let the keepers know of our concerns. They are doin' what they can from their in-world."

"Did you talk to Momma?" I asked Daddy.

Before he could respond I heard inside my head, "Wishes, the Keeper's High Council is deeply concerned too. Similar anomalies happening Topside are occurring here too."