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."

"Everyone. . . (I announced) I'm mind-talking to Gee, the Whistlin' Salamander. He is telling me that they's experiencin' similar things there too."

"Tell them not to panic. We have controlled the lair-beasts for millions of years without fail. You can trust that we will fix this too. All of you need to keep your minds free of fear. Fear will block your thinking. Deep breathing helps."

I told them what he said. "Does that mean we shouldn't do nothin'?" Freck asked.

Gee said, "There are many things you can do. You will not be able to do them if you are overcome with fear. That is what I am saying."

"Okay everyone. Gee is explaining that we can do many things to help, but we must stay calm and think rationally."

Mizzus Anderton spoke, "That makes sense. What do we know already? First, if I heard it right, our scientists haven't figured it out. They are baffled in the Kingdom too. So we don't really know what we are up against . . . yet. It would be too early to alert authorities. If we spilled the beans about lairbeasts and it turns out it ain't them after all, we'd be laughed outta town, and forever branded as nut cases.

"So, what can we do?" Mizzus Anderton posed the question.

"It's a sure thing," said Mister Motley, "that we won't be able ta solve it tonight. I imagine that everyone's beat ta death."

We all agreed, and broke up the meeting. Freck went home with her daddy, and Emma Anderton left for her house mutterin' sumpin' 'bout not gettin' ta sleep because there's too much ta catch up on since she's been gone.

◽️◽️◽️

I went to bed, but I didn't fall asleep, at least not right away. There was many, many thoughts repeatin' in my brain. Nothin' keeps sleep away more than a mind a whirrlin'. It seemed that everythin' Freck and I experienced since settin' foot inta the Kingdom came poppin' up.

◽️◽️◽️

Lookin' back, school was out and everythin' was set for our return to the Kingdom. Freck's daddy was already brung up ta speed on the Keepers and their purpose. He was very happy to have Emma Anderton helpin' with Freck. He knew that Freck really needed a mother figure in her life. A daddy with five older sons warn't the best role model for a little girl. Anyone could tell that it worried him more than he would let on. With Mizzus Anderton's help he saw a way to give Freck what she needed. That part was easy. What was difficult was gettin' him ta let her spend her summers away, especially to an unknown world with strange people.

Daddy, Mizzus Anderton, and Freck worked with him for months to get 'im ta understand. They made him promise not to discuss anythin' with anyone else. He concerned 'em, what if'n he blabbed? Beau Motley was true to his word though. He had his doubts but he kept them to himself. Slowly he began to soften. He, at least, entertained the idea of the existence of the Keepers. That was a start.

Momma got involved. One day in the spring before school got out she flew through his kitchen window in her flutter-by suit landin' softly on the countertop. Mist'ah Motley was busy fixin' coffee. He didn't see her at first. "Beau," she said. He jerked and quickly spun around, almost droppin' the cup in his hands.

"Who is there? Where are you?"

"Look down Beau." That's when he saw her on the counter moving her jeweled wings up and down.

"What the . . .?"

"Al asked me to drop by and show you what they are talking about. Don't be shocked by my demonstration, okay? I'm going to step out of my wings and resume my real size. Are you ready?"

Beau hesitated slightly. It was like sayin' yes was somehow painful. "Sure . . .maybe."

"Okay," she warned him. "Here I go," at that she glided down ta the floor, sluffed off the suit, placed her arms ta her sides, and immediately expanded ta her full five foot ten inch Keeper size. He was startled, but not shocked, since she had already prepared 'im for what ta expect.

"Gawd!" He sputtered. Even though it was expected, it still came as a surprise.

"Sorry. I never do this topside. You are the first person who has ever seen what I can do outside of the Kingdom. Would you like to visit the Kingdom of the Keepers? I can arrange it."

She did, and that's how Mister Motley was introduced first-hand to the Keepers. There he learned about their mission, and the necessity of secrecy. Once thoroughly convinced he became a true ally.

Our repeated absences from Burns would be explained away as study trips organized by Emma Anderton. Townspeople were told that a mysterious benefactor heard about our UFO abduction and felt sorry for us. He set up a trust fund for the specific purpose of exposin' us to the world beyond Burns. Mizzus Anderton, accordin' ta the terms of the make believe trust, was to accompany us as our chaperone. When we left for parts unknown no one would question our three month absences. It was a good plan.

On the first day of summer vacation Freck and I said goodbye to our daddies. Her brothers teased her. Woo-oo Frecky's going away how will we survive without her? They laughed, pushed each other, and pretended to cry crocodile tears. She playfully hit her oldest brother in the arm. He grabbed her and for the first time in her life, or at least as far back as she could remember, gave her a hug. "Freck," he said, "watch out for yourself, hear?" She was shocked ta tears and promised she would. With a final shout out of, "Keep away from little green men!" we were off.

◽️◽️◽️

The floater delivered us straight to the Palace docks, instead of the solver's docks. Zahn, the Keeper acolyte, was there ta greet us. Zahn looked very happy. He escorted us to the nearest watervator, all the time tellin' us that everyone in the kingdom was thrilled 'bout our return. We stepped through what appeared to be a cascade of fallin' water, but didn't get wet. Even though we traveled by watervator many times during our first visit, I still sort of expected ta get soaked. The keepers mostly call them vators and they can take you any place in the kingdom just by picturing it in yer mind. Not everyone can operate the vators. You have ta get to a certain level of cigam (real magic) first. I warn't there yet, but Gee and the Grand Keeper both told me and Freck that we would learn to do that, and many other things. That's why we were here. Gee, himself, was goin' ta tutor us.

It was nighttime in the Kingdom just the same as back in Burns. Zahn said, "We will go to your Keeper homes so you can get some sleep. The Grand Keeper would like an audience with you when you are rested and refreshed."

Just like before, the vator arrived at the side door of my palace house, which was an exact replica of my Elm Street house. Mizzus Anderton turned to Zahn and expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for takin' such good care of us." Both Freck and I nodded in agreement.

"Just let Gee know when you are ready tomorrow and I will bring the vator around."

When we entered my palace home I got a welcome surprise. Gee and Momma were there already waiting for us. Momma grabbed me and gave me a kiss and a great big hug. Gee circled around and around, rubbing up against us like a cat. Gee was probably the smartest being in the whole universe. In an intelligence competition against Albert Einstein, I'd bet a shiny silver dollar that Gee would win by a country mile. But he was also as playful as a long-eared spotted puppy. Gee loved to chase balls and roughhouse with me. We was best friends even b'fore I got born. His antics made us all laugh. Being smart doesn't mean you don't know how ta have a little fun.

Not only did the Palace home look like our house, but everything, furniture, dishware, and the clothes in my bedroom dresser was exact duplicates. The people they call Makers, were responsible for re-creatin' environments that made every visitor feel completely at home.

I yawned. Freck yawned, and I think Gee did too. Everyone was tired because it was so doggone late.

Momma smiled and spoke to Freck and Mizzus Anderton, "It would be my pleasure to prepare breakfast. Just come over in the morning."

They all thought that sounded great. We said our goodbyes and Freck and Mizzus Anderton left to go to the Motley house two doors down.

Momma gave me another kiss. Gee followed me to my bedroom. He would sleep on the rug on the floor by my bed. He told me before that he never slept on beds. They were too soft and made his spine ache. "Gee," I spoke telepathically to him, "I'm so excited about Keeper school that I can barely contain myself."

"Just be patient. You will not learn it all in one day. Goodnight," he said and went right ta sleep. I could tell 'cuz he snores.