Chapter 9: Little Lies

Alise got close to home, and she slowed to a normal walk. Approaching her house she saw her papa unloading tools from his truck to his tool shed. She really didn't want to meet anyone until she got her arms and legs covered. Her well-defined muscles were just too obvious, even at just a glance. She crouched behind a tree, being that it was pretty far perhaps he hadn't seen her yet. He kept going about his work, so she was probably undetected. Mustering as much stealth as she could, she began moving from tree to tree. Eventually she reached the back of the house and started moving alongside it, keeping low so no one could see her through the window. She peeked around the corner at the front door and quickly pulled back. Her mother was on the front porch reading a book. This was no good, the back door led to the kitchen and the stairs were by the front door. To get to them you had to walk straight through the middle living room. If her papa was in there that's probably where he would be sitting. Mabey she could jump up and reach the ledge of her bedroom window."So who is this cute little thief sneaking around my house.", the sudden sound of her fathers voice nearly made her jump out of her skin. She turned her head and looked up at him,"Hi papa, so you spotted me after all." He nodded,"When you were darting between trees, you went too fast and made too much noise. It might seem like a good thing to hide quickly when you expose yourself but it takes a lot of training to do it quietly. So why are you sneaking around?" She smiled,"Just playing, I was trying to be a secret agent." He laughed at her response," You always did have one hell of an imagination kiddo. Well i was gonna make myself a sandwich, come on in ill make one for you too." She had to think fast," Umm ok...just...I have to finish gathering info on target beta, then i will be right in." He chuckled,"Alright, provisions will be at rendezvous point charlie. Watch your six out there agent A." He walked back towards the kitchen and Alise let out a sigh of relief. Now to get to her room, she walked back around the house to where her bedroom window was. She gave herself a running start and leapt towards her window, she didn't even get close it was way to high. There was no choice she would slip past her father while he was making food. She opened the back door and walked into the kitchen, that was strange he wasn't in there. Mabey he went to the restroom, that would be a lucky break for her. She quickly went into the living room heading towards the stairs. "Got you agent A!", her father leapt from his hiding spot and wrapped his arms around her so fast it startled her, and she stiffened reflexively. He let go and backed away slowly, she looked at him and could see the confusion on his face. Great she managed to keep her secret for an hour. Was there any way to lie her way out of this. Might as well try,"You spooked me, are the sandwiches ready im hungry." He nodded slowly,"Yea follow me.", he started walking to the kitchen, and she followed him. They sat at the table eating in silence. Alise built up the courage to speak,"This is pretty good but I'm so hungry it could just be my tummy talking.", she forced a big smile. Her father took a drink of his tea and sat back in his chair," Just now when I grabbed you, it felt like I hit a wall and now that I get a good look at you, I can tell your fit. You were not like that when you left this morning....I just cant wrap my head around it. What in the hell is happening!" Alise lowered her head, what could she say. The truth was so fantastic, would he believe her anyway. If not the truth what lie could she possibly tell? Nothing came to her so she remained silent. He stood up,"Get up, let me have a look at you.", she hesitated,"Up now!" She jerked to her feet, and he came over to her. Pulling back her sleeves he revealed her biceps, they were well-defined. He grabbed her arms and felt her muscles, his touch felt soft, but she could tell from the way his hands flexed he was applying pressure. He felt her shoulders and raised her shirt to look at her stomach. He dropped it immediately and stumbled back,"This...this is ..supernatural. How could you have changed so much." He raised a hand to cover his eyes,"What is happening Alise, you must tell me." There was nothing she could do, she had been caught red-handed."Papa its very hard to explain.", she stopped speaking, a thought just came to her. She could be vague, if she acted like it was mysterious to her as well she might buy herself some time." Remember that day I came home late because I fell asleep." He nodded."Well what I didn't tell you was I had a strange dream There was a man in that dream that said I should follow him, and he would teach me. The dream was very realistic and so it kinda stuck with me, so I kept going back up the mountain. Today when I fell asleep I met the man in my dreams again, and he said he would prepare me for what is to come. When I woke up I was like this." On the inside she patted herself on the back for such an excellent lie, although she had doubts about being proud about it. Her father sat there mumbling to himself, she caught a few words here and there. He had mentioned angels, demons, God, possession and blessing. It would seem he had interpreted her lie to be religious in nature. This could be bad, she wasn't sure what would be worse. The world discovering Dalvin or her being viewed as a messenger of God. Worse yet they could say she was possessed by the devil. Mabey she had made a mistake. Her father suddenly stood up," I have no idea what to make of all this. Honestly this is all beyond me. Its like I just walked into a dream and its all real now." Yes, and now you know how my life has been for weeks now. Of course, she would never say that out loud. Her father continued talking,"I will call pastor John and set up a time to talk with him and i will call your doctor and get an appointment. Don't worry we will get to the bottom of all this." She wanted to laugh but keep it in, welcome to wonderland papa.