Fearlings Two (The Fearlings Series Book 2) Read Free Page A

Rob says. He knows why they fear. He also knows that there is nothing they can do but try to be ready and he has accepted that. His experience gives him a calm focus most of the time. “We will handle this, and it doesn’t matter because the kids are excited and eventually they won’t listen to us and they will turn the lights off.”
     
    Ann knows her husband is right. She takes a breath and watches him reach for the phone on the nightstand.
     
    “I am going to call the Professor right now.”
     
    CHAPTER 4
     
    The Professor is staying in the same town as Rob’s family. He is there for a couple reasons. One lamp provides light along with the TV on the dresser.
     
    “Rob, I understand,” the Professor says, “We will learn my friend. I promise you that. Rachel and I will be there tomorrow. Rick won’t.” He smiles. “You know how he is.” His tone is sincere as he walks around to sit on the bed. “You tell Ann we will handle whatever happens, and that you are right. James has to come to the gathering with us.” He sits on the bed and when the voice on the phone stops, the Professor ends the call. “Ok, we will see you tomorrow.” He hangs the phone up on the nightstand then he takes a breath. He looks to the darkness in the corner by the entrance to the bathroom.
     
    There is nothing in sight. There is nothing in the doorway or in the bathroom. The Professor is visibly alone in the room but he talks as if he is not alone.
     
    “You know she does have reason to fear. Ann is smart but she must let James go to the gathering.” He hesitates then stands. “If the boy does have a Fearling then the sooner he learns the better. Ann knows that.”
     
    The Professor stops talking and there is silence for several seconds. The Professor shakes his head. “No,” his tone is definite, “I do not believe that. I do not. They are not all doomed. We will learn more tomorrow, then we will learn more at the gathering the next day. We will become stronger in knowledge, just like we did from the first gathering and every gathering since. We will. We will.”
     
    PAST
     
    It is three months after Ekabar took Grandma and Tom. Rob and Ann are married and they have found out that Ann is pregnant. Rob is trying to keep his control and is following Grandma’s path before she was taken. He has met the Professor and stays in regular contact with the man his Grandma trusted.
     
    The Professor has found two Vauns . Rick, whom they already know about, and Rachel, the nineteen-year-old from the east coast. They are meeting with the two Vauns at a location Rachel has picked.
     
    It is at the high school where Rachel graduated a year before and they meet in the cafeteria. All four sit at the end of one of the long tables. The Professor and Rob sit on one side and Rick and Rachel sit on the other. They are in the middle of a conversation where the Professor is not hiding his dislike for Rick’s hesitations.
     
    “Knowledge, knowledge, knowledge, you know that Rick?” Professor asks. He rolls his eyes in doubt. “You believe what, that knowledge does not make one stronger? Is that what you truly believe, really?”
     
    Rick stands. He paces a few feet away. He turns back to Rob who stares at him.
     
    “If that is what you believe then why are you here?” Rob asks.
     
    “I am here because of your Grandma,” Rick says. His tone is quiet and direct. “I met her just once. We talked forever that night. We talked to each other and to Shanawl and Sevol all night long. She was an amazing woman. She would have helped me without needing to be asked. You do not always meet people like that. I don’t know what you all want from me.”
     
    Rachel turns to Rick. She smiles her youthful and energetic smile. “Don’t be like that. It is so cliché.”
     
    “My Grandma, my best friend,” Rob says. His tone is serious, matching the look in his eyes. “And now my wife is pregnant. I need to know everything. It’s as simple