Welcome to the Neighborhood #1

  Chapter 5

  “Nice toss Ted!” Greg shouted before tossing the football back to Ted. Andrew took a swig of Code Red as he watched two of his friends play catch. Brad was next to him drinking a beer. Andrew had never got into drinking beer, or any alcohol for that matter. After what it had done it his dad, and his family, he’d had no interest. Greg, Ted, and Brad all lived in the neighborhood. Andrew had met them when he and Ellen moved into their home a few years back. The four of them hung out often and Andrew enjoyed spending time with them. Maybe someday he could bring Garrett into the group.

  The two of them had been hanging out quite a bit the last couple weeks, and Andrew was really having fun. Garrett was a good guy and he hadn’t lost his cool since the night at Andrew’s house. He knew Garrett was a real private guy so he didn’t want to worry him by trying to bring him around the group too soon, but he really hoped down the road the foursome could become a fivesome. Man, the guys would really give him crap if they’d known what he just thought in his head. Brad’s voice snapped him from those thoughts.

  “Hey bro, what you been up to lately? We haven’t seen you much.” Andrew hadn’t met up with them the last couple times they’d invited him. He’d had preset plans with Garrett and hadn’t wanted to blow off his new, fragile friend. Andrew thought about lying, but stopped himself. It wasn’t like he was cheating on his friends…they would understand.

  “Well, I actually have just been hanging out with the new guy across the street from me. He just moved in a couple weeks ago and I’ve just been helping him get settled and stuff.” Brad had been drinking his beer when Andrew answered, and at the mention of Garrett, he spit it out, Budweiser spraying everywhere. Greg and Ted noticed and jogged over, chuckling.

  “What the hell is your problem Brad? Did Andrew just tell you he porked your little sister or something?” Greg nudged Ted after his crack on Brad as both men continued laughing. Brad stared at them both, stone-faced.

  “Shut up guys, this is serious.” He turned to Andrew. “Tell them what you just told me Andy, now.” What the heck is he so freaked out about, Andrew thought. Shrugging his shoulders, Andrew did as he was asked.

  “Well, I just told Brad I’ve been hanging out with our newest neighbor that just moved in across the street from me.” Andrew got worried when the color drained from Greg and Ted’s faces, which was saying something seeing as Greg, Ted, and Brad were probably the palest guys Andrew knew. Before he could ask why they were so concerned, they all lit into him.

  “What the hell are you thinking man!?”

  “Are you crazy!?”

  “I can’t believe you!”

  What in the world is up with these guys, Andrew wondered. They haven’t even met Garrett. Andrew put his hands up and motioned for his friends to calm down.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa fellas. Simmer it way down. What is the problem? Garrett is a great guy. You guys would like him. Look, why don’t the five of us-” Brad cut him off.

  “There will never be a five of us, man, don’t even say that.” Greg joined in.

  “Yeah, Andy. Don’t even think that, it is not an option.” Then Ted.

  “No way we will ever hang out with that, that…animal.” What the fudge, Andrew was so confused.

  “You guys haven’t even met him, how can you call him an animal?” Greg looked at the others and they motioned for him to take the floor. Sighing, he put a hand on Andrew’s shoulder.

  “Look buddy, this Garrett is bad news. You need to stay away from him, you and Ellen are in danger if you are anywhere near that monster.” Andrew still wasn’t connecting the dots.

  “Why Greg, I don’t get it.” Another sigh from Greg.

  “Seriously, you have to believe us. Let’s just say that we know things about your so called “friend” that you don’t. Trust us brother, stay clear of him.” That wasn’t good enough for Andrew. He needed to know what exactly it was his friends supposedly knew about Garrett. Brushing Greg’s hand off his shoulder, Andrew glared at the other three men.

  “That’s it guys. Tell me what you know about Garrett, now. No more bull, spill it.” The three men looked at each other and after some cursing and eye rolling, Ted took the floor.

  “The guy is a monster Andy, a killer. A child killer. He is a pervert, a sex offender. Cops think he killed his last victim, but they couldn’t make it stick because they never found the body. Sorry buddy, he played you. Trust us, stay away from him.” Andrew couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Could it be true? Could the “demon” inside Garrett be a child molester. It just didn’t fit…Garrett couldn’t be a child killer, a murderer…could he?