It was there that I noticed all of it… the dew on the grass, insects happily chirping and going about their business, the sun shining down upon it a...ll. It was there that I noticed everything that this world had trained me to tune out and ignore. Bare and in front of me…’ ‘At first, I thought that maybe I was going insane, but eventually I couldn’t ignore it. And so, unsure of what else to do, I took off my shoes and stepped on the grass. Barefooted, I felt the dew and the moist soil beneath me.. This could happen from some stimulation, or it could happen by a dirty thought that rose up in Gary’s mind. Though, it was often a combination of the two. Gary would see a bare leg, or a pair of bouncing tits, or a skimpy skirt, or something to arouse him, and he would have an instant erection. Whenever this happened he would have to sit down and concentrate to regain control of himself.Gary first spoke to Emma at a science fair. It was an interest they shared in common. Most importantly, it. Way different." You bet," I told him."But you've been in Shannon's pants. I know." No you don't," I said firmly."Look me in the eye and tell me I'm wrong."I looked him in the eye. "Tony, the first time Shannon and I went out we kissed, I touched her breasts. Second time, I got a hug and a quick kiss. It wasn't wham, bamm, let's fuck! Okay?" Third time lucky, eh?" He saw me start to wind up and he backed up a step. "I'm being an asshole, aren't I?"I didn't say anything at first, working on. ” Ratu tossed it on the table. “A very big one. And it stinks.”“It attacked Mike. It’s part of a kingdom of rats living between the walls of the house.”“Kingdom?” Ratu lifted an eyebrow. “Is there an actual rat king?”“Yeah. Mike said he even had on a crown.”“Interesting. So they are capable of communicating and at least sub-human intellect?”“I guess so. Know anything about them?”“Not really. A rat king is actually a term for something else, but now I wonder if that’s just a misinterpretation..