THIRDS Beyond the Books Volume 1 Read online

  Knowing Tony was downstairs in his basement office either cooling off, punching the shit out of his punching bag, or planning the demise of Mr. Richards, Dex grabbed his car keys and headed out. He made a call along the way and parked three cars down from the Richards residence. Seconds later, he was knocking on the front door. A large, burly man with a beer gut, sports T-shirt, and five o’clock shadow answered gruffly.

  “Can I help you?”

  Dex shoved his hands into his jacket pockets so he didn’t give in to the temptation of knocking the guy on his ass. “Hi, I’m Dexter Daley. I’m here to talk to you about the incident at the ice cream shop.”

  The man looked confused, and it annoyed Dex that he’d forgotten so quickly about something that caused someone else so much pain. It seemed to finally dawn on the guy, and he looked Dex over warily.

  “What do you care about that little Therian shit?”

  “That Therian is my brother. I would appreciate it if you showed him some respect.” Dex congratulated himself on his calm when he was feeling anything but.

  “Brother?” The guy scoffed. “You’re a Human.”

  “I am. We’re adoptive brothers. That doesn’t make us any less family.”

  “I don’t know what you want to talk about,” Richards growled. “I don’t want my son associating with your brother’s kind.”

  “I’m sorry about your loss,” Dex said sincerely.

  Richards looked like someone had punched him in the gut.

  “What?”

  “Your wife. I’m really sorry.”

  “How the hell do you know about that?” Richards glared at him. He looked ready for a fight. Dex was about to give him one.

  “It’s public knowledge. I would have thought someone familiar with the pain of losing someone they love would have more sympathy for a young boy who lost his own family. Cael was a baby when he lost his parents. Burned alive by Humans during the riots. Can you imagine what it’s like to have your family burned alive and be the only survivor?”

  Richards averted his gaze, his face set in hard lines.

  “Yet despite that,” Dex continued, “Cael holds no hatred or prejudice toward Humans. To be honest with you, if it were me, I don’t know if I could do the same. Cael is the sweetest, most gentle Therian you could ever meet. He’s a good kid. Our adoptive dad taught us not to judge others, but if we had to, to do so based on who someone is and not what they are. Someday soon I’ll be HPF. Cael will be a THIRDS agent one day. He’s set his heart on it. He wants to make a difference. So other kids don’t have to lose their family the way he has. We’ll be part of two very different law enforcement agencies, both of us working toward the same goal.”

  “Why are you telling me all this?”

  “Think about the world you want your son to live in. Would you rather have officers and agents like my brother and I on the street looking out for your family? Or law enforcement who’s only interested in justice for their own kind? How safe would you feel with THIRDS agents on the street who think the way you do about your kind?”

  “Dad? Who is it?” Allen popped outside, took one look at Dex, and hid behind his dad, peeking out at Dex. “You’re Cael’s brother.”

  Dex nodded. “I am.”

  “He talks about you all the time. He thinks you’re like a superhero.”

  That squeezed at Dex’s heart. “He’s a great guy.” Dex moved his gaze to Richards. “You have a great kid too. Thanks for your time.” He turned and headed back to his car, his heart heavy. He’d be dealing with plenty of folks like Richards as soon as he joined the HPF, if they even accepted him. The HPF wasn’t exactly Therian friendly, but Dex was going to find a way to change that.

  At home he found his dad and Cael at the dinner table. Tony had ordered pizza, most likely to cheer Cael up. The room was quiet, and although Tony gave him a questioning look, he didn’t ask. They’d talk about it later. Right now they were more concerned with Cael picking away at the cheese on his pizza.

  The phone rang, and Cael got up. He answered with a wretched, “Hello?”

  Dex grabbed some pizza, pausing when he saw Cael’s eyes widen.

  “Thank you. Yes, of course.” Slowly, he hung up. He turned to them, his expression puzzled.

  “What?” Dex asked.

  “That was Allen’s dad,” Cael replied softly.

  “Oh?” Shit. Why the hell would the guy call?

  “You said something to him, didn’t you?” Cael came to stand next to Dex, his brows drawn together. Shit.

  “Cael—”

  “Dex, you’re the best big brother ever! Woot!” Cael jumped around the kitchen, a huge smile on his face.

  Dex and Tony exchanged glances.

  “Of course I am. What did I do, again?”

  Cael stopped next to Dex. “Allen’s dad called to apologize. He said he was really sorry about all the horrible things he said, that his behavior was unacceptable and he hoped that I wouldn’t think badly of Allen. He’s going to treat us both to mini golf and some pizza next Friday!”

  Dex smiled. He certainly hadn’t been expecting that. It made him feel pretty damn good.

  “Oh my God, what am I going to wear?” Cael squeezed the breath out of Dex in an epic hug. “Thanks, Dex!”

  He sped out of the room, and Dex chuckled. He scooped up a slice of pizza and was ready to inhale it when he caught his dad watching him from the corner of his eye. With a sigh, he returned the slice to the box.

  “What did you do?” Tony asked, his tone and expression neutral. He was clearly trying to deduce how much trouble Dex was in. Just because he was in college didn’t mean his dad couldn’t find a way to ground him.

  “I went over there, and I wanted to punch his face in, but you raised me better than that. In fact I could hear you telling me that in my head. So I talked to him instead.”

  Tony stood and gathered up some plates to take to the sink. He patted Dex’s shoulder.

  “You’re going to make a mighty fine officer, son. I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” He hoped so. Whatever happened, he’d always have his little brother’s back. Together they’d make a difference and hopefully reach more folks like Mr. Richards. One day.

  Prompt #8: Can we see the scene when Dex was an HPF rookie and the perp tried to steal the patrol car with Dex in it?

  WHAT A great day. Two hours into his shift and the only callout he’d had so far was from a little old lady whose cat jumped up on the chandelier and couldn’t get down. All he’d had to do was grab a ladder from the super and Mr. Fluffington the Third was safely on his paws. Thanks to his heroic deed, he was rewarded with milk and cookies. Gifts were not allowed, but how could he say no to the poor little old lady and her delicious homemade triple chocolate chip cookies? Each one had been the size of his head! Mm, so chocolaty.

  “Get out of the car.”

  Dex froze. Had he really heard what he thought he’d heard? Couldn’t be. Because that would be stupid on so many levels.

  “I said, get out of the car.”

  With a sigh, Dex slowly turned in his seat. He arched an eyebrow at his hygienically challenged new friend and the gun in his hand. “Hey there, guy. How are you this fine October afternoon?”

  “Didn’t you hear me? I said get out of the fucking car!” The guy was clearly agitated and in need of a bath. He smelled of mothballs and Old Spice. Not the new Old Spice, but the one your grandfather’s bingo buddy wore too much of.

  “I heard you,” Dex said cheerfully. “May I inquire as to what you plan to do with my car?”

  Beardie-man blinked at him. “Are you stupid or something? I plan to drive it.”

  Dex nodded. “Hm, yes. I see. How’s your vision? A little blurry? A lot blurry?”

  “What?” The man waved the pistol at him again. “Stupid kid. Just get out of the car.”

  “Kid?” Dex’s eyebrows shot up. He’d been called a lot of things on the street, but “kid” was a new one. With
a grin, Dex motioned for the guy to step back so he could get out. The man’s eyes widened as Dex stood.

  “You’re kinda big for a kid. And why you dressed in black? You one of them vampire kids?” He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as he looked Dex over.

  Vampire kids? Dex pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. If the guy weren’t attempting grand theft auto, Dex might actually like him. “Take your time,” Dex said with a smile. He might not be as tall as most Therians, but for an average Human, at six feet tall, Dex was still pretty tall. If his height didn’t convince the guy, maybe the uniform and HPF jacket he was wearing might jog his memory. The guy was definitely confused.

  The man’s eyes suddenly went wide, and he cursed under his breath, his hands quickly going up in front of him.

  “There it is.” Dex waved cheerfully. “Hi. I’m Officer Daley. Allow me to present you with the backseat of my patrol car. It’s comfy, has a great view of New York City, and heating if you so desire. It’s a little nippy out here.” He opened the back door and made a sweeping gesture. “Please, it would be my honor to escort you to my precinct.”

  With a grumble, the guy stomped toward the back, and Dex held a hand up. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to confiscate your weapon.”

  The man glared at him and handed over the gun, which Dex promptly stuffed into his jacket pocket before removing his handcuffs from their pouch.

  “You know what? Since you’ve been such a good sport, I have a shiny pair of bracelets for you.” He secured the cuffs around the man’s wrists. The guy was high as a weather balloon.

  “Shiny.”

  Dex smiled brightly. “Yes, they are.” He helped his new friend get in the back, then closed the door behind him. When Dex climbed behind the wheel, he sent a quick text off to his little brother to meet him for lunch. Cael was so not going to believe this.

  Four hours later, Dex was all but in tears as his little brother gaped at him, his gray eyes huge and his expression scandalized.

  “Dex, the guy waved a gun in your face!”

  “It was fine,” Dex said, finally able to contain his laughter. He stuffed another slice of pizza into his mouth. So much cheesy goodness.

  “Fine? He could have shot you,” Cael hissed quietly so he wouldn’t be overheard. Not like Dex didn’t stick out in the tiny hole-in-the-wall pizza place. The owners knew him well and always welcomed him. He supposed it didn’t hurt that Dex consumed enough food to equal at least four paying customers.

  “No, he couldn’t,” Dex mumbled through a mouthful of pizza.

  “Gross. Don’t talk with your mouth full. And you’re not Superman. You’re not really made of steel, despite what you thought when we were kids.” Cael let out a very indelicate snort. “Dork.”

  Dex finished swallowing and wiped his mouth before shaking his head at his brother. “I didn’t think you’d actually believe me. You stabbed me with a fork!”

  “I was four years old, doofus.” Cael took a sip of his soda before motioning to Dex. “Back to you almost getting shot.”

  “Unless the guy was planning on doing it using imaginary bullets, it wasn’t going to happen.”

  “Come again?”

  Dex wriggled his eyebrows. “That’s what he said.”

  “Oh my God, you’re disgusting.” Cael gagged before kicking Dex under the table, ignoring Dex’s cackle. “Explain. The gun, not your pervyness.”

  Dex grabbed another slice. “The gun was plastic. You know, the kind with the little orange bit at the end.”

  Cael blinked at him. “Wait, it was a toy gun?”

  “Very much so.” Dex frowned. “It didn’t even shoot those little plastic suction cup darts.” That would have been interesting. “Remember when we used to try and shoot each other in the forehead?” Dex laughed at the memory. “Dad would get so pissed off.”

  “Yeah, because he thought we were going to put an eye out,” Cael said with a laugh.

  Dex let out a snort. “Like we hadn’t done worse.” He took a big sip of his soda before getting up. “I gotta go.” He stood and threw an arm around Cael’s neck, dragging him close so he could give the top of his head a kiss.

  “Get off, you nerd,” Cael huffed, pushing Dex away from him with a laugh.

  Dex chuckled. He loved ruffling his brother’s fur.

  “Stay safe, Chirpy.”

  “Don’t call me that.” Cael glared before a warm smile spread across his boyish face. “You too. Don’t forget to check in.”

  “I won’t.” Dex gave his little brother a wink before heading out. His brother was always so worried about him being out on the streets, what with all the growing hostility between Therians and Humans. Cael made Dex promise to check in throughout the day, and Dex always did. On top of that, whenever he could, he tried to have his meals with his little brother or dad.

  As he walked to his patrol car, he had an idea. He drove three blocks down and made a quick stop. Inside the small shop, he walked the aisles until he found exactly what he was looking for. At the counter, the lady behind the register looked at him and then his purchase before letting out a chuckle. Dex paid, thanked the lady, and headed back to his car. He tossed the bag with the toy gun—complete with suction cup darts—onto his passenger seat. Tonight his little brother was getting it, right between the eyes.

  That evening, after making sure Cael was going to be home, Dex loaded the toy gun and slipped it into his jacket pocket before getting out of his car. He jogged up the steps of his dad’s house, took out his keys, and was about to unlock the door when it opened.

  “What the—”

  Something smacked him right in the middle of his forehead.

  “Gotcha!” Cael doubled over into peals of laughter as Dex felt the tiny suction-cupped dart on his forehead. It was good and stuck.

  “What the hell?” He tugged at the thing, and it made a squishy sound. “Ugh, why’s it all sticky?”

  Cael’s laughter intensified.

  “Shit.” Dex ran into the house, saying hi to his dad as he flew past on the way to the bathroom. Using hot water, he carefully peeled the dart off, leaving a big red splotch in the middle of his forehead. “Cael, you little turd, I’m going to kill you!” Dex darted out of the bathroom.

  “After dinner. You can kill him then,” Tony grumbled, chopping up some carrots. “Boy thinks he can live off pizza alone.”

  “Fine.” Dex would bide his time. His little brother was toast. “Vengeance will be mine!” Dex shouted so his brother would hear him from whatever hiding space he was in, which could be anywhere, considering his small and lanky teenage frame could fit into a freaking laundry basket. “So what’s for din—”

  Pop.

  Something smacked Dex right in the middle of his forehead. He sighed. “Really, Dad?”

  His dad grinned at him, a toy gun in his hand.

  “I hate you both.”

  “You’re just mad you didn’t get to us first.”

  Dex pouted. It was true. He pulled the dart off his forehead.

  “What do you want on your mashed potatoes?”

  Dex knew when he was defeated. “The works, please.” It was time to lick his wounds and plan his revenge. He grinned at the thought. Enjoy your victories while you can.

  Prompt #9: The first time Calvin and Hobbs meet.

  CALVIN GLARED at the entrance of his new school. This totally sucked.

  “Mom, why couldn’t I stay at my old school?”

  “We’ve been over this, Cal. Mr. Clifton raised the rent again, and I was already working double shifts at the clinic. I know the new apartment is a little smaller than the last one, but….” She took a deep breath and ran her hand over his head. “Please, I really need you to be my big boy and help me out here. You’re going to be thirteen in a few months. I’m so proud of you. You know that, right?” Her big blue eyes went all watery, and Calvin nodded. He hated seeing her so sad all the time.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. It’ll be okay.” He l
eaned over and gave her a hug, wishing he could do something to make everything okay. His mom worked real hard, yet they were always struggling to pay the bills or buy groceries. He heard a sniff, but when he pulled back, his mom smiled at him before giving his brow a kiss.

  “Thank you, baby. Now you be good, and come home straight after school, okay? There’s leftovers in the fridge. I should be home by nine.”

  “Okay.” He kissed her cheek and climbed out of the black Mustang. It was the only thing his asshole dad hadn’t taken with him when he left, and only because it was under his mom’s name. With a wave good-bye, Calvin walked along the big stone wall toward the courtyard where his classmates would be waiting for the bell to ring.

  He pretended not to notice all the kids staring at him as he jumped up on the low wall and pulled his notebook out of his book bag, along with his pencil. He just needed one more Ninja Turtle. The bandanna and muscles were always the hardest to draw, but he remembered every tiny detail. Man, that movie had been so cool.

  “Hey, that’s pretty awesome.”

  Calvin looked up at a tall kid with scruffy brown hair. The kid nodded toward his notebook.

  “Did you draw that?”

  Why did people always ask that? Duh, of course he’d drawn it. He was still drawing it. “Yeah,” he muttered.

  “Is that Raphael?” a much shorter kid asked, looking over Calvin’s arm.

  Calvin gave him a nod. He really wished they’d go away so he could finish his drawing.

  “Yeah, but did you see April? She was a total babe.” The short kid put his hands up to his chest and grabbed himself as if he had boobs. “I bet she’s got real big tits.” He looked up at Calvin. “What do you think?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  The short kid’s mouth twisted into a frown. “What? You don’t like tits?”

  Calvin narrowed his eyes. “And if I don’t?”

  “That’s cool,” the taller kid said, jutting a thumb toward the third kid, standing to his left. “Kenny doesn’t like tits either. You’re new, right?”