Out of this town, new car maybe, a good job... hell I’ll even visit Becky’s kid or kids.

Wouldn’t that be something? Twins?

Sleepy darkness came and stayed for an hour or maybe two.

Three sharp knocks took me out of my dream. All I remember was a giant Becky holding my hands while she laughed. Strings tied to my wrist moved me about in the darkness while I flew up toward a crystal chandelier.

I shook away the visual. My forehead scrunched at the meaning before the knocks turned louder and faster.

Pa got to the door and opened it first. I looked over his shoulder. An older white guy in his sixties with a crew cut stood at the door. His broad shoulders rose, and I could see his sharp muscles push his brown tank top out. His blue eyes lingered on me before going back to Pa.

My gaze narrowed. He was dressed like most folks around here. T-shirt and jeans with boots. Except... awfully clean.

He nodded to my Pa. “Evening... Mister Lynn?”

“Yeah,” he said slowly. “What can I do you for?”

The stranger’s gaze went into the house. “Rather discuss it inside. He held out his hands. I mean you no harm. It’s about a pregnancy.”

Pa stared at him for several seconds. I couldn’t see his expression, but I imagined he had a bug-eyed look. Whatever internal argument he had, decided in the older stranger’s favor.

The man wiped his boots several times before he ducked under the door frame, and came in.

Pa screamed loud. “Becky?” He then walked near the living room desk where he kept an old revolver. Things were safer than in the city but why take chances?

Becky walked in with her plaid top tied under her boobs so her stomach showed. Her dark brown-red hair was pulled back.

I frowned. It wasn’t proper attire around the house and certainly not for company.

Pa’s voice was slow. “This man’s asking about you.”

The man smiled thinly. “Call me Henry and I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Your other kid.

Pa’s eyes narrowed. “I only have one daughter.”

Henry’s gaze turned to me. “That might be, but the pregnancy concerns him.”

***

It took less than a minute for ‘Henry’ – if that was his name – to explain who he was. ‘Someone’ in the U.S. Military. I figured I could ask but I wouldn’t get more information. Besides, that was worrisome enough.

We sat on the couch while he stood perfectly straight with a soldier’s stance. Most of his gaze was on me as he spoke.

“You all remember when the Volardi showed up and how the world’s military forces had no effect on them.” It didn’t seem like a question, so I listened.

“Thankfully, they weren’t interested in fighting. Just showing what they could do. Flexing their muscles so to speak.” His gaze intensified on me. “How old are you son?”

“Nineteen.”

“Then you know your history or should. The Europeans came with ships and guns centuries beyond anything the native population had. We know how that turned out. Now it’s happened again, except we’re on the wrong side of history. So far, they like us. We have something they need, and it fits with their mindset. As long as we give them men they can use as Omegas... they’re happy. They aren’t forcing the issue even though they could.”