There's never been anythin' like this on earth. Man-o-man was it BIG. As tall as a Tampa office buildin', and a whole lot uglier than the ugliest mud fence. The top part was mucous, bumpy, and bullet shaped with at least fifty, danglin', clawed tentacles. It was black, but ta say black doesn't do it  justice, even crows in a coal mine at midnight ain't that black. It was a monster, that's for danged sure. Extendin' below the 100 foot long squid-like head was two enormous legs. They was twice as long as the top. If this giant was laid out in a football stadium with its head at the goal post it would stretch clear out inta the parkin' lot. The thickest part just above the tentacles was round as a hot air balloon at the state fair. Lookin' at it in daylight I have ta say it's a good thing we battled the creature at night, otherwise no one would have stood their ground. They did though. The horrible thing was good and dead. Our town was saved. At least for now.

▫️▫️▫️

Burns was changed. We warn't no longer a sleepy little coastal town. Reporters dropped out of the sky like a plague of frogs. Comparin' them ta frogs ain't very nice, but some of them really deserved it. They was
slimy. They was pushy. They insisted everyone drop everythin' immediately and answer the same danged  questions over and over again. They even bothered people who missed the whole thing on account of stayin' inside and all. They was relentless, so people started makin' stuff up just to get them ta go away. It didn't work, though. The more they got the more they pried.

They must have been vampire frogs 'cause they were suckin' the life blood out of Burns. Literally. We was still rebuildin' from the great crash, where the whole world came ta jarrin' stop. It was so abrupt that streets, buildin's, and homes were wrecked as bad as a car speedin' inta a solid wall. It was all because some foolish bein's in another in-world drilled so deep inta their planet that a huge piece broke clean off. Every in-world suffered the shock.

Only a few of us know about in-worlds. My best friend, Freck and I learned 'bout 'em when we was taken to the Kingdom of the Keepers. After we were almost kil't in the terrible Howlin' Woods by creatures called lairbeasts. We were saved by the skin of our teeth when a nearly invisible aircraft snatched us from the ground. It was the Keepers that saved us. They taught us 'bout a lot o' things even our best scientists don't know nuthin' 'bout.

With the roads all broken up, and power out, we went through rough times. Some folks were badly hurt, some injured, and some even died. Our mayor, Mister Greenly, and the town council thought up a plan ta get us up, and goin' again. It was workin'. People got medical care. We pooled our resources so's no one went hungry. Homes was bein' repaired so folks could move back in b'fore winter.

Except for the little kids and old folks who couldn't work, everyone was doin' what they could from sun up ta sun down. We, me and Freck, were assigned ta scavenge houses for canned goods and other non-perishables. We hauled 'em back in a wood-sided red wagon. People assigned to the nutrition squad unloaded our bounty for use in our makeshift community kitchen. Until inspectors deemed it safe, no one was allowed ta return ta their houses. A tent city sprung up at the city park. Not every homeless person wanted ta stay there. Instead they camped in their own yards. Breakfast and supper was served to everyone, free of charge, at the north pavilion. For lunch sandwiches were distributed to workers so's they could stay with the job.

◽️◽️◽️

No one knows how, but at least three of those vicious, murderous lairbeasts 'scaped confinement in what remained of Howlin' Woods. We knew where they went 'cuz they left behind furrows like groundhogs. This horrified the Keepers. They'd kept them shape shiftin' lairbeasts penned inside Howlin' Woods for millions of years. The brutes were more animal than people. Over millions of years they evolved from bein' Keepers to blood-thirsty killers with no remorse. They had an amazin' ability ta take on any gol' darn form they wanted so's they could terrify their victims b'fore slaughterin' them. It's rumored that they think terrified meat is sweeter meat.

The Keepers worked furiously to contain the beasts in their new location. Those monsters warn't havin' none of it. Almost as quickly as transparent panels were driven inta the ground ta make a barrier, they dug deeper ta squirm under them. It was a race, and the Keepers lost. One at a time, all three of the hideous creatures 'scaped

Keepers never kill. Their troops were armed instead with stun-guns that looked like regular rifles, but instead shot pronged pellets that released a electrical zap when they hit. The first beast had a head like a gigantic rhinoceros with pointy bat ears. It's khaki green hide was covered with wart-like bumps. Standin' as tall as the tree tops, it grabbed Keepers by the dozen, crushin' them in taloned hands. One zap from those stingers did nuthin'. Hundreds upon hundreds though, finally brung it crashin' down. Keeper doctors cut out the antenna from the back of its neck, so's it could never shape shift again.

The second one, looked like a craggy mountain. They couldn't shoot it fast enough to slow it down.

Freck and I was goin' ta Keeper school. Gee, the Whistlin' Salamander, was our teacher. Gee was a Cigam (magic spelled backwards) Master. The three of us, me, Freck, and Gee, was able ta execute Cooperative Cigam . What we imagined, he made happen. We thought of a huge net big enough to drape over it. We created mental pictures of stakes big 'round as cypress trees. Gee made 'em. The keeper's pile-drivers pounded them cypress stakes so far into the ground that the net pulled the monster over. Once down, keeper doctors with barrel-sized syringe's plunged sedatives inta the thing. It too went back to natural form after they cut out it's antenna too. They sure fixed it's wagon. Once they took the antenna thingy out, it couldn't change inta nuthin' else again.

Two down, and just one more ta go. We waited until daybreak. The third lair-beast did not dig out. We all knew that in Howlin' Woods lairbeasts hid from the sun. Their dens were so deep underground that sunlight was unbearable ta 'em. Now the sun was out, Gee said we was safe ta leave the battlefield, and go home for a much needed rest. We couldn't fight if'n we was wasted.

'Bout a mile from Burns we saw a bunch of old cars pulled up bumper-ta-bumper in a semi-circle fortress. Front and center was the WW1 cannon someone musta hauled over from the town park. I didn't even know the gosh darned relic worked no more. Somebody thought it did, 'cuz cannonballs was piled b'side it. Why bother cartin' those heavy balls if'n it warn't gonna fire?

My daddy was there, and so was Freck's, along with a whole bunch of men from town. Our daddies musta tol' them 'bout lairbeasts. By their determined looks we could tell they warn't gonna let none of those hell demons get past. I heard daddy tell 'em what we already knew, lairbeasts cain't abide light so's it was okay ta go home. No one stirred. They sat or laid down right where they was a standin'. They all heard the horrible battle with Slimy Wart-head, and Mountain Demon in the night. They was so wound up that they daresn't leave.

I asked Mr. Hogg, my daddy's boss, why they didn't go. He tol' us, "When ya fight against a powerful enemy ya cain't let yer guard down. I heard what Al said, but what if it found a way to come at us anyway?We's gonna stay put and keep our eyes pealed."

We walked home with our daddies. Gee couldn't let them see 'im. He had ta take a different path. We met up at my house. I almos' fell down stumblin' through the doorway. Freck kept me from fallin' over. She headed for the couch, and I went straight ta bed. Gee promised to wake us up before sunset.

The last one had legs like a giant grasshopper. It jumped so high that it only took two leaps to get away from the wall. It was soarin' right over the top of us. The thing slowed when it reached the car barricade. A big 'ol army surplus searchlight blinded it. Shotgun's, and rifles blasted like strings of loud M-80 firecrackers. The beast caught shot, and bullets ever'where. It was bleedin' real bad. That's when the cannon boomed. Wham! Right inta the monster's gut. It fell, and the men kept reloadin' and firin'until they knew for sure the monster was absolutely dead.

That's what brung all the journalists ta town. Word got out that there was a mysterious dead creature in the field south of town, and ever'body and their doggone dog, just had ta see it. It couldn't shift back because of bein' deceased and all. It was gonna lay there until someone figured out a way to dispose of it.

Reporters and scientists put up a heck of a fuss. They all wanted to see and examine it personally. I guess all their squawkin' worked 'cuz the naval base sent out sailors ta guard the remains. That was okay with us. Nobody in town wanted nuthin' more ta do with it. When we got a south breeze we all gagged on the smell. We wish't they'd haul it away. The sooner, the better.

We warn't prepared, as a town, ta handle the doublin' of our population overnight. We had enough supplies ta carry us through the winter, but not e'nuff ta feed every Tom, Dick, and Harry that showed up. Many of our folks was still living' in tents. Where was these others goin' ta stay? It's like we was hit by three biblical plagues. First, the plague of the Great Crash, and all that came after. Then the plague of lairbeasts. And now, the plague of pesky humans.

The mayor asked ever'one whose homes was declared safe, ta invite people in. We was already housin' Freck's father, and her volunteer momma, Mizzus Anderton. We couldn't take in anyone else 'cuz Gee, the famous Whistlin' Salamander, needed somewhere's ta stay. No one but us knew nuthin' really 'bout him. They mostly thought he was just a legend. Heaven forbid if'n them reporters got wind of it. They'd break in ta get a story. He was our secret to protect.

Freck's brothers liked campin' out, so the Motley house was available, sort of. They was already lettin' a couple of tent families stay there. It would be up ta their guests ta decide if they could squeeze in more.

The Keepers, of course, abandoned the construction site. With the lairbeasts all gone there was no good reason ta continue. Most went back ta their various kingdoms. The Keepers assigned ta Burns returned ta their normal keeper jobs.

Freck and Me was only thirteen years old, but we developed abilities way beyond anythin' we even knew was possible. We could mind-speak, read minds, mind-link, and now we'd acquired Cooperative Cigam. Even with Gee as our teacher, masterin' all aspects of Cigam was gonna take a long, long time. We was told by Grandma Chrys (the Grand Keeper) our help was needed. We didn't know why, but it didn't matter none. We was learnin' Cigam. It was excitin' ta say the least. How many kids can get up in the mornin' thrilled at what new wonders waited for 'em.

Sometimes I got ta wonderin'—just how could we be helpful to 'em? Their race went back millions of years before humans even existed. What could two modern kids do ta make any difference at all?

▫️▫️▫️

Gee mind-spoke ta us, "We are required back in the Kingdom."

"But," Freck protested, "there's still a lot goin' on here. The town really needs our help."

"Burns will manage without you. You should be proud of what you have already accomplished. Many people were rescued because of your awakened Cigam abilities. The adults are in charge and everything is proceeding as planned. Plus, it wouldn't hurt ta have three fewer mouths to feed."

I said "Three? Does that mean Mizzus Anderton is comin' too?"

"Of course, Wishes. Your mother lives in the Kingdom, so she is always there, when not out on assignment. The agreement we made with Freck's father was that either he, or Misses Anderton, must accompany Freck when she's on Keeper business."

"Oh, right. I guess I kinda forgot."

"Hey Wishes," Freck mind-spoke, "what the heck do ya have 'gainst her comin' with us?" She looked kinda put out. She made the same face people pull when a referee makes a bad call.

"Shoot, I didn't mean nuthin' by it. She treats me so good it's like havin' another momma, but..."

"What do you mean but'?

"Freck I was just goin' ta say maybe they need her here—more. I didn't mean ta get ya all riled up."

"Okay," she said. "Mizzus Anderton is like a real momma to me. I wouldn't like it if anyone said sumpin' mean 'bout her." Her face relaxed a tad. That's how I knew I was outta trouble. Ya know, guys have to be real careful what they says ta girls. They get upset so gol' darned easy. And it's not even what you say; it's how you say it, the tone of voice, or the look on your face. Sheesh.

▫️▫️▫️

Ya have ta enter the Kingdom through a portal at the base of a giant cypress tree. Floater pilots don't slow down—not a whit. It's full throttle right through the center. The first time I went there I was scared we was gonna crash, but now, not so much. I always cross my fingers, though—ya know, just in case.

We boarded the watervator ta the Palace. Watervators are more like shuttles than elevators. They're operated by mind-control. Instantly yer transported ta pert near any place in the Kingdom. They're called watervators 'cuz ta get inside one, ya gotta walk through what looks like a curtain of water. It looks like water, but ya don't get wet.

We met with the Grand Keeper. She likes us ta call her Grandma Chrys, or just Grandma. After hugs, she asked if'n we was hungry. I don't know 'bout Freck, but I always seem to be hungry nowadays. My daddy swears I have a holl'a leg.

Keepers are nuthin' if not gracious. Grandma Chrys' table was spread with more food than at Thanksgivin' feast. I really loves Keeper food. It looks like regular food, but has special flavors all of its own. I'm gonna hafta ask about it sometime. I'm afraid I ate too much. My belly felt like I swallowed a basketball. Freck is more of a picker than gobbler. She prob'ly felt fine.

Grandma Chrys led us back to her amazin' atrium. Ever'time we come here before, there was urgent matters ta discuss. There warn't time for lookin' around much. "I can see you are curious about my garden. Would you like a tour?"

Both of us nodded. To my surprise she took us over ta a nearly invisible trans-plat. We stepped aboard as she explained, "The atrium is deceptive. It appears small, but in fact is quite large. Elsewhere in the Kingdom we have another that dwarfs mine. In the Kingdom botanical garden we collect specimens of every plant ever grown Topside (their word for Earth), in the Kingdom, and some from other-in worlds. Do you realize that thousands of ancient species have gone extinct? Topside has lost them, but we have them alive and well. Someday mankind may want to reintroduce ancient plants to your ecosystem, and we will happily assist."

There's a gold handrail 'bout three feet up. With Grandma Chrys operatin' the transport device, it was a good idea to hang on tight. I nearly fell off when she gunned it down one of the pathways. "Gotcha." Freck said, as she grabbed my flayin' hand ta steady me.

"Thanks Freck. I don't really want another trip ta the Keeper' hospital."

Grandma Chrys laughed her engagin' chimes-a-tinklin'-in-a-summer-breeze kinda laugh. "The soil here is much too soft to hurt you. If you fell it would be more like falling onto your bed. I apologize for startling you though. When I cruise the garden I am usually alone. This little trans-plat is one hopped-up jalopy. Is that how you say it?"

Freck was tickled. She said, "Kids our age don't use that sayin' anymore, but our parents did. I've heard it in movies."

Along the way Grandma pointed out some particularly unusual specimens. "This is marshmallow grass. In the spring it produces soft, puffy flowers. You can harvest the blooms and save them to add to hot cocoa in the winter. It is delicious. Over there is the whistling thistle. In a breeze they make sounds like a Pan flute. The thistles have holes in the stalks to make melodies."

Presently we came to a tree she called the bindin' tree. There were a half dozen Keeper couples waitin' in line. She explained, "Marriages in the Kingdom are not like yours Topside. When couples desire to make a permanent commitment, they seek out a binding tree. If the union is meant to be, the tree sends out green ribbon-like tendrils that wrap around the couple's hands while they exchange vows. When their vows are complete the tree sprinkles blossoms on their heads. It's very beautiful." I think I saw her wipe away a tiny tear.

Freck asked, "What if they ain't meant to be together?"

"Nothing. No tendrils. No blossoms."

"Do some get married anyway?"

"It is very rare that a couple thinks they are wiser than the tree. For some it is very hard to accept the tree's verdict. That is not even mentioning how embarrassing it is. In all of my years, no marriage solemnized in spite of the judgement of the tree, ever succeeded."

Grandma promised, "I will not take you anywhere near the whipper-snappers. They tend to lash out at strangers—leaving nasty welts."

The tour took 'bout three hours. It would've been quicker 'cept for the many stops she made to have a whispered word with some special bush, tree, or flower needin' her attention. To me they were just plants, but to Grandma Chrys they were children. By golly you could almost see 'em lean in toward her as we passed by. Her transplat was like a float in a parade carryin' the flag. They snapped to when they saw her comin'. Ever'one of 'em tryin' ta be the best.

She docked the trans-plat, and we walked over to the thickly-padded, fan-backed, wicker chairs. I was partial to the one with Macaws in the jungle. Freck always chose the one with many colored orchids. Grandma Chrys, of course, favored the one covered in butterflies just like her front door.

"You are both probably wondering why I asked Gee to bring you back to the kingdom, so soon."

That got my attention. Whatever it was, it had ta be important. What was it? I was itchin' ta find out.