What you don't know when you think you know

CHAPTER XVII: HOME

Everyone went outside of the building in a blink of an eye. What they saw was majestic. The strange vehicle was parked just in front of them as Lilly said. It was so beautiful, so shiny and sophisticated. Namtar ran to touch it and hug it. Ilana was so pleased; she had never seen him that emotional, him, who was colder than ice. Owen was baffled, his mouth wide open and his eyes in tears. No one could see such wonder and not be affected. Namtar got in the vehicle. He wanted to spend some time there, so he could feel like home. He knew that it won't last forever, that he had to contact his masters and send it back to where it belonged. A few minutes later, he showed up again, walked to Ilana and said:

"I contacted them; they are coming to retrieve it"

Ilana nodded her head yes and turned to every one:

"Come on everybody! The show is over. Let's get back to work."

All the workers turned back to the building without any discussions. Dr. Fischer never heard them talk. Namtar whispered to Ilana:

"Now I can sleep well! And really focus on our work here".

Lilly was in her room waiting for them to come. She knew the ship was important but she didn't know why. She had so many questions to ask. As soon as she saw Namtar entering her room, she said:

"Why was it really important to risk my life and bring that vehicle back? Does it matter more than me?"

"You both matter. The ship was equipped with highly sophisticated weapons. The vehicle itself is a weapon. Our enemies wanted to replicate it, build a whole army based on it. A real danger to the United States and this world. When you give powerful arms to bad people, they are going to use it in bad things, like killing innocent people, invading the world and the forces of darkness would reign. You, yourself, are our most valuable weapon. Did you see what are you capable of? You brought back a gigantic engine from thousands of miles away. What really hit me was how you analyzed the situation and got the idea to insert our coordinates. You never cease to amaze me"

"Yes but I felt danger, real danger. They were able to see me." Added Lilly

"They were, because you were in this physical world, and that's how you were able to bring back a physical evidence of your trip. If you were in a parallel world, you wouldn't be able to bring it back. You needed to be physically there." Explained Namtar.

"But I physically was here too."

"Here and there. There is no limitation of time and space when you expand your mind. Remember when I explained to you how we are able to control time? "

"Of course I do"

"Well, that was kind of what you did here. You stopped time here, and went there, while your body stayed with us"

"This is really amazing." Said Lilly "what are you going to do with the ship?"

"People are coming for it. Trustworthy people."

"Who are they? Do they work with the government too?"

"No, they are people like me... people from Home."

Home... Lilly remembered that she had not been home for days. She didn't feel the need to, but in order to keep it all a secret, she had to go back. Although she felt confident they took care of her family, they wouldn't notice her disappearance.

"So is my work done here?" asked Lilly, full of regret.

Ilana and Namtar burst into laughter. It was weird and it was the first time Lilly heard them laugh. Strange voices were coming out of them.

"No dear. The vehicle thing was just a personal favor you did to us. It is not related to our work among the government. Yours just started. We found you and we will never leave you again. We are going to develop your abilities more and more, learn new techniques. I told you, you are our secret weapon. That's why no one should hear about this. It is highly top secret. And I have to tell you Lilly, if anyone suspects anything about this, you should report it to me. Agreed?" said Namtar in a serious voice.

"Yes Sir agreed!" answered Lilly.

"Now let's get you home"

Going back home felt really bizarre and unusual. The girl developed a profound attachment for the white building and its people. It was her world, real world. All the rest felt like an illusion. Despite all of this, Dr. Fischer didn't forget to put the black bag over her head. They didn't feel the same about her, unfortunately. They were her world, and she was their subject, their experiment.

The black limo was finally in front of her house. Lilly went inside; it was so quiet and dark in there. She called her mother and father but no one answered. She went running upstairs to check on them. She knocked on her parents room and then went in. they were sleeping so peacefully she thought they were dead.

"MOM!!" she yelled.

Katherine woke up startled. Noah started to move his body too.

"What's going on Lilly?? It is four o'clock in the morning!!"

"Nothing" Lilly just became aware of the time. "I was just ... I had a bad dream."

"Do you want to sleep in our bed?"

"No no, it is fine. I will be in my room... sorry "