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“Murray said we need to watch out for Dawsey going apes.h.i.+t,” Ogden said. “My men have orders to stop him from doing anything stupid. I’ll load them up with Tasers, but if push comes to shove they will take Dawsey down by any means possible.”

“You going to shoot him, Colonel?”

“If I have to,” Ogden said. “So make sure it doesn’t come to that.”

BECK BECKETT, THIRD-GRADER

Chelsea watched the last car drive down her long, winding dirt driveway. She watched that car very carefully, just as she had the last three. She pushed her thoughts out, wondering if this car might bring the boogeyman.

She could tell that the boogeyman was very close, maybe even in g.a.y.l.o.r.d. And he would kill her . . . unless she could kill him first.

Chelsea hated the boogeyman.

She let out a long, slow breath as she connected—he wasn’t in that car. The car stopped behind the others. Two people got out, a man and a boy.

It was a good thing she’d called everyone here. Mr. Beckett had a blue triangle on his cheek. Another one peeked out from beneath his collar, just the point visible past the neckline of his sweater.

Beck Beckett looked fine.

He was a third-grader at South Maple Elementary, the same place where Chelsea was a second-grader. Beck was older. People might listen to him.

She couldn’t have that.

Daddy went out and shook hands with Mr. Beckett, then led him into the house. Beck followed along. The front door led into the kitchen, where Daddy and the Becketts joined Old Sam Collins, Ryan Roznowski and Ryan’s wife, Marie.

Marie was dead, but that was okay.

Mr. Beckett waved his hand in front of his face. “Whoa,” he said. “Someone leave the stove on?”

“h.e.l.lo, Mister Beckett,” Chelsea said. “Welcome.”

Mr. Beckett stopped waving his hand when he saw her. “h.e.l.lo, Chelsea. It’s an honor.” The change in his voice was so funny. Grown-ups used to talk to her like a kid. Now they sounded like they were the kids, and she was the grown-up.

“Thank you, Mister Beckett. Sorry about the smell. We had to get some things ready for G.o.d.”

Why are you using your mouth?

She looked at Beck. He was smiling at her. It wasn’t a nice smile, either.

You think you’re so smart, Chelsea thought back. You better realize G.o.d loves me the most.

Beck nodded. For now.

“We have to get out of g.a.y.l.o.r.d,” Chelsea said. “Daddy thinks they will come for us.”

“That’s just stupid,” Beck said. “How would they know to come to your house?”

The adults seemed to freeze in place, as if they were afraid to breathe. They all had wide eyes.

“Don’t you call me stupid,” Chelsea said. “You’re in my house.”

“It’s not your house,” Beck said. “It’s G.o.d’s house. We should stay right here until the hatching.”

“We’re leaving,” Chelsea said. “You do what you’re told.”

Beck Beckett was going to get such a spanking.