Free Freddy Anderson’s Home: Book 1 by John Ricks

they harm Becky?” I asked Betty.
    She said, “Yes, they would and everyone else at this table.”
    I said, “I wouldn’t allow that to happen. I can’t do something that would harm her—I mean, the town. I won’t do it.”
    “That’s good news, dear,” Mrs. Crain said, “but I think too much has happened to you today. It’s time for bed. Girls, you too.”
    With that, Mrs. Crain took me upstairs and placed me in bed. I then heard her tell Carroll to watch the kids. She had to let the town know.
    When they left, I listened to their minds just a little. “That boy has a crush on your daughter, Alice.”
    “Yes, I see that.”
    “I think your Becky helped make a hard job a lot easier.”
    “I don’t think it was just Becky. That boy would never knowingly do anything to harm someone. It’s just as we thought; we only needed to make him aware of what he was doing.” Then she added, “Of course, his liking my Becky didn’t hurt matters any.”
    After that, I fell asleep.

    The big Gray said, “I don’t understand.”
    Everything went black.
    “Master?”
    “I don’t understand what ‘it’s the couch for you tonight’ means.”
    “Master, there are a lot of things that we don’t understand about these creatures, but I believe it is a mating ritual of some sort.”
    “But the man was being punished!”
    “Perhaps mating is a punishment in this species. Look at the Conacor—the eggs are planted within the male and when they hatch, he is eaten alive. Perhaps it is the same with these creatures.”
    “Perhaps. Continue.”

Chapter 10
Friends
    I awoke early the next morning and went outside. The navy woman was out there, hidden but extremely alert. She didn’t bat an eye when I walked right up to her hiding place. She stood up, waiting for me to speak.
    “Good morning, miss.”
    “Good morning, Dr. Anderson.” She didn’t offer a name.
    “Did you sleep okay?” I asked.
    “I slept yesterday, Dr. Anderson. That was a smooth move, letting the boys beat you up. The town is on your side now.” She smiled.
    “I’m glad you appreciated it. It hurt a lot more than I thought it would.”
    “Still, it showed a lot of guts.”
    “Thank you. I’m sorry, but I had to allude to your team being my watchdog. I’m afraid the townspeople got the idea that you have orders to kill me if I try to leave.” This did not seem to bring out any emotions and helped to confirm that I was correct in my guess. “I do have a concern—I would like to know exactly what your orders are.”
    “Why, Dr. Anderson?”
    “I need to know that the people in the house where I’m staying are safe from possible harm.”
    “If harm comes to them, it will not be from us, sir, unless someone attacks you again. New orders are that anyone attacking you is fair game. If you want us to take care of the four who did this”—she motioned to my head—“we’d be more than happy to do so.”
    “No, just tell me what your full orders are, please.”
    “Watch and protect. Give you any assistance you need, whether you want it or not, and ensure that you stay put. The admiral is not willing to report to the president that we let the townspeople beat you to death and did nothing. He was very upset.”
    “Interesting. Very well, thank you. Is my appointment still on?”
    “Yes, sir. A car will come for you at 9:45 a.m. Are you going to call the general?”
    “Everyone’s been talking, haven’t they?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “No, I won’t call him, now that I know that could cause harm to the people inside the house.”
    “Good. The general would chew this town up and spit it out, just for fun. No one wants that. We like this town and the Crain family. They are good people.”
    “I don’t want it either. I’ll see you for the ride into base then?”
    “Next watch will be here, sir.”
    I turned and headed back inside, where Mrs. Crain and Carroll were waiting for me.
    “May I ask what that was all about?” said Mrs.