by Thomas Locke
Their neighbor spoke to the two movers in a language that didn’t actually sound like he was talking. More like he sang the words. And they responded the same way. How three big guys could sing and sound tough at the same time, Sean had no idea. But they did.
Then they saluted. Like Roman soldiers in the old movies. Fist to chest. Another little chant. Then the movers got in the U-Haul and drove away.
The guy then turned and stared at them. Which was when Sean realized there was something mildly weird about two teenage kids standing in the street, gawking at this guy like they were looking through a cage at the zoo. For once, Sean’s nimble mind came up with nada. He just stood there. The intensity of that man’s look froze Sean’s brain.
Their neighbor said, “So. You must be the twins. Kirrel, correct?” He waved his good hand at the front door. “Want to come inside for a cup of tea?”
Dillon managed, “Uh, we’ve got homework.”
The guy seemed to find that mildly humorous. “That is the best excuse you can manage?”
Sean probably would have stood there all night if his brother had not snagged his arm and pulled him away. “Have a nice day,” he said.
Dillon waited until they were inside to say, “‘Have a nice day’? Really?”
“Go start your homework, why don’t you.” Sean moved to the front window. But the guy was gone. The street was empty. Silent. Just another day in Clomeville. Except for the man who had just moved in next door.
Thomas Locke is a pseudonym for Davis Bunn, an award-winning novelist with worldwide sales of seven million copies in twenty-five languages. Davis divides his time between Oxford and Florida and holds a lifelong passion for speculative stories. He is the author of the Legends of the Realm, Fault Lines, and Recruits series. Learn more at www.tlocke.com.
tlocke.com
Sign up for announcements about upcoming titles.
Twitter: RevellBooks
Facebook: Revell
