The newcomer was traveling at bullet speed as it entered the Kuiper belt, and just like in a game of pool, its velocity and mass on collision caused some of the other asteroids to be exploded away from it, and thus, out of the belt.
They were scattered throughout the solar system and beyond. But one of them was sent on a voyage into the heart of the Solar System — toward Earth.
CHAPTER 05
The flight home to Greenberry, Ohio took under two hours. Several times, Ben had felt the tingling waves rush through him, making his stomach flip. He also saw the light flick on and off briefly, like a temporary power outage makes the light bulb in a room blink. Once he turned to see Emma’s brows knitted as well, so guessed he wasn’t the only one.
The taxicab dropped them back at the huge family home by early evening. His mother, Cynthia, had passed away a few years back, and now Ben was the new owner. The family estate, assets, as well as the history of the house now all belonged to him, and his wife, Emma.
Ben dropped the bags on the front porch and checked his watch. Zach, their 6-year-old son had been staying with a friend, so this might be the last getaway he and Emma did by themselves. She was determined to take him with them next time, already having him practice on the climbing wall at the local gym.
Zach was being dropped back after dinner, and Ben looked north toward the tree line of their estate, gauging how much time he had to do his last chore. Belle, their aging Labrador, was also having a sleepover with their closest neighbors, Frank and Allie — who overfed her, let her sleep on their couch, and never even bothered to sound off at her when she tracked muddy paws in on the rug. It was a wonder she ever wanted to come home afterward, and probably wouldn’t except Zach was her unofficial fur-brother.
The house was big and would feel empty now. Emma had opened the front door, and he tossed their bags inside.
“Are you gonna get Belle? You can forget about us, because she’ll be the first one that Zach looks for when he gets back.” He heard her rummaging inside.
“Yeah.” He knew she was right. “Kids and their dogs, with Mom and Dad a distant second.”
“Good man; I’ll make you something for when you get back with our four-legged fur-bag.” He heard her chuckle inside.
“Great.” Ben reached inside and grabbed his car keys. “Make mine something that rhymes with: cold deer.”
“Cold ear?” She leaned out and grinned. “You got it.”
Ben laughed as he jogged down the steps and headed to the garage. He took the SUV, revving some life into the cold engine, and then headed down their long driveway to the road.
The properties were big here, so it’d take him a good 20 minutes to reach Frank and Allie’s place across a few miles and some gently sloping hills. They were a nice couple, a little older than Ben and Emma — he a retired engineer, and she still doing something in IT consultancy. Their own kids had grown up and moved away, and their big house just had them rolling around in it now, so any chance they had to look after Belle or Zach, they grabbed it.
Ben pulled into their laneway and headed up the small hill toward their bungalow. Oddly, Belle didn’t come bounding toward him when she heard the car, or even as he stepped out.
He paused to look one way then the other—probably being fed again, he thought. Never get between Belle the belly and a snack, he guessed.
The porch light came on, the front door squeaked open, and Frank stepped out, holding a cup of coffee. He waved.
“Hi, stranger.”
Ben smiled and walked up toward him. “Howdy, Frank. Nice evening.”
“Sure is,” Frank said. “Coffee? Beer?”
“Nah, I’m good,” Ben replied. He turned about, hiking his shoulders. “Where’s the old girl?”
Frank frowned. “Allie?”
Ben grinned. “Yeah, right.” He came up to the porch and held out a hand for him to shake it.
Frank grabbed it. “Okay, welcome back, neighbor. So what can I really do for you?” He released Ben’s hand and waited.
“Uh, the fur-kid?” Ben still waited for the joke to play out. “You must have really spoiled her this time for her to be keeping her head down.”
Frank’s frown deepened. “Not getting it, buddy?”
Ben liked Frank, but after being away for a few days, he just wanted to get his dog and then get home. “Belle, my dog; can I get her, please? I’m a little tired.”
“Your what?” Frank stepped back a pace, as Allie came to the door.
“Hi, Ben, welcome back. Emma with you?” She looked from Ben to Frank and then back again. “Everything okay?”
Ben nodded, smiling again. “Yeah, sure Allie. Just came to get Belle. Can’t find her.”
“Belle?” Allie’s mouth quirked up in a confused smile. “Who’s Belle?”
Ben had had enough. “Guys, joke’s over. I want to get home. Thank you for looking after her, but I need to get her home before Zach gets back.”
Frank’s face became serious. “Not sure what’s going on here Ben, but you’re making no sense.”
“Belle.” Ben’s confusion was morphing into anger. “My dog.”
“Ben, there is no one here named Belle.” Frank’s voice now had taken on an edge.
Ben felt the emotional climate shift. He was angry, but he could tell the man wasn’t joking. “My dog?”
“What the hell is a dog?” Frank turned to Allie. “Best go inside now, dear. I’ll deal with this.”
Allie’s forehead was creased with concern as she gave Ben a fleeting watery smile and then disappeared back inside, closing the door behind her.
Ben felt like he was on an episode of the Twilight Zone. “My dog, Belle. She’s a Labrador. I gave her to you for minding.”
Frank reached out and put his hand on one of Ben’s broad shoulders, and gently eased him around. “Best you go home now. Get some rest, or something.” He guided Ben to the steps. “We haven’t looked after Zach for months, and certainly haven’t looked after anyone named Belle.”
“No.” Ben shrugged him off and turned. “Belle!” he yelled at the house.
He walked fast ahead of Frank, who stopped at the bottom of his steps and watched him with a careful eye.
“Belle!” Ben yelled again to the grounds. He cupped his hands around his mouth. “Be-eeelle.” But no dog came bounding back.
He whistled loudly. Nothing. It didn’t make sense. The dog was well trained, and if she heard Ben’s voice, she’d come sprinting to him no matter what.
Ben spun. “Joke’s over, Frank. Where’s my fucking dog?”
Frank was 15 years older and probably 50 pounds lighter, but he lowered his head and squared his bony shoulders. “Son, I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about. You’re frightening my wife, and pissing me off. Go home and cool down. Right now.”
Ben walked away a few paces, hands on hips, and threw his arms in the air. “Fuck it.” He was more concerned about what Zach would think than anything else.
He stormed back to the SUV, climbed in, started the engine, and jammed his foot down on the accelerator, spraying dirt and gravel as he spun the car around and headed to the front gate.
On the way home, his mind whirled in confusion. He knew he’d dropped Belle off. He’d seen Frank ruffle the fur on her head, and Allie pop a treat into the silly dog’s grinning mouth. He didn’t know what game they were playing but he was damn sure he’d find out.