Where is Truth?

I sat down on the antiquated bench, observing the claw machine that I had no quarters for, and wishing that I could play the piano, which had no purpose other than to give a performance, that was in the corner. There were stairs descending down into another level of the building, but I'm not sure where they led to. I had only been waiting for a few minutes since I placed an order for my dad and myself. He sent me in to Brown's Country Kitchen to get some ice cream as a treat for tolerating a two hour ride back home. We had gone away on a trip to our family campsite for the weekend and on our way home.

"Rosalia!" I heard someone call my name. I walked into the next room, the dine in section, to find an employee handing me two bowls filled with as much ice cream as possible, besides the toppings that were almost heaping out. I impatiently grasped the miniature spoon and took a bite of the delicious dessert. "Thank you very much,' I said, smiling. I presume I was being as overly polite as usual.

Once I arrived in the parking lot where I expected my parents to be waiting for me, I was surprised to see that they weren't there. I walked all the way around the building, but I didn't find them. I noticed a group of men, probably in their early twenties, waving their bottles of alcohol above themselves and blowing smoky air from their mouths. I found it strange that such a group would be found in a place like this, but here they were, so I left before they saw me.

I had my iPhone in my purse, so I dialed my dad, knowing my mom was driving. He didn't answer. A fear was growing inside of me. I didn't like being alone near unfamiliar people in an unfamiliar place in an unfamiliar town. I took a deep breath, knowing some of my wandering thoughts were ridiculous. They had to be around here somewhere.

I tried dialing my mom next. She answered. "Sorry," she said. "We got caught up waiting in line. We decided to stop at the Dollar General. We'll be back soon, but until then are you okay to wait for us?" "Sure," I said. It's no problem." After exchanging quick goodbyes, I pondered how melted my dad's ice cream would be by the time he got to it. I wasn't sure who's idea it was to leave a young, thirteen year old girl like myself here.

I went back inside and found that the bench was taken up by a girl about my age. I walked over to talk to her to pass some time. "Hi!" I said. I was doing my overly polite thing again. "Hello," she replied smiling. She was giving me an odd stare. A stare as if she knew me, but we might as well be strangers. "So, what's your name?" I asked after an awkward pause. "I'm Isla," she said. "You?" "I'm Lyra." The worker who gave me my order earlier handed Isla a milkshake. "Oooh, that look delicious," I said. We both giggled. "So are you waiting for a ride, too?" I asked. "No, I came here by myself." "Oh okay." I nodded my head as I spoke. I was surprised she was allowed to go on her own, but I suppose this community is different than mine. "Do you mind if I ask a strange question?" Isla asked. I shrugged. "Maybe not." She pointed. "What's that mark on your neck symbolize?"

I had my long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, revealing a tiny tattoo given to me by the leader of my group. The group I belong in is one for open minded children who believe in astrology and aliens. It is kept very secretive, however, and is only known through family and close friends. That's how I found out about it. My dad was a member when he was young. Not a lot of information was found then, though. He learned about the clues leading up to finding aliens and beings on other planets. What should I tell Isla? I'm not supposed to tell her. She's not supposed to ask.

"It's-" "You don't have to say if you don't want to," she interrupted. I took a deep breath and started explaining to her in as little detail as possible. I was veering away from the truth, though, trying to put different possible ideas in her mind. I didn't lie, but I didn't tell her much. Maybe it would have been better if I hadn't sat to talk to her. Then again, it was too late now.

We both turned our heads when we heard a car horn beep. We ignored it and continue talking until it beeped again. "Let me go see what's going on," I said rolling my eyes. "I'll come with you." "Oh brother," I laughed out. She gave me a confused look. "That's my family for you. I better get going. It was nice meeting you." "Wait!" she took a piece of paper and a pen from her pocket and scribbled something onto it. She handed it to me. A ten digit number. "Thanks," I said. "I'll give you a call sometime." We waved to each other as I was driven off into the country roads. Once she was out of sight, I took out my phone and created a contact for her. "Sorry that took so long," my mom said. "That's alright, I got to meet a new friend." She grinned like she was proud of me. I handed my dad his ice cream. "I'm not sure if you can still call it ice cream." We laughed, and he ate it anyway.

As the Sun set and the night was beckoning, I grew more and more eager to get home, or at least into a more comfortable position. I was getting bored so I texted Isla a message. "Took you long enough," she replied immediately. We sent each other the laughing emoji, and talked until I got home.

~One Month Later~

It was about a month later when I went back up to the campsite with my sister. On the second day of our stay, I put on a fancy sundress and pulled my hair into a fishtail braid on the right side, covering my tattoo. After discussing with my sister, who was far from over protective, I texted Isla, hoping I would be able to visit her. It took a few minutes for a reply. "Of course!" her message read. "You can even stay for dinner depending on what time you want to leave." "Great! Thanks!" Great just as long as my parents don't find out, I thought.

No more than a half an hour later did Isla pull up to the entrance of the camp with her mom. I got into the backseat next to her and buckled in. "Hey!" we gave each other as much of a hug as we could strapped into the seats of the car. I turned to look at her mom. "It's so nice to meet you!" I said. "Likewise," she replied. Isla leaned over to whisper to me, "She's a little formal around new people, don't let her pressure you." I gave her look to indicate that it's fine. We talked for almost an hour in her bedroom, and she had some activities around her large backyard to do. When it was lunchtime, her mom offered us some sandwiches.

Hours of entertainment later, we went back up to her bedroom, eating some soup for dinner. She told me, "I looked up your group online. Of course, I didn't find much information though." I nodded listening, hoping she wouldn't find a lot. How could she though? It's not like anyone knows about it who would put it on the internet. "Is it true?" She asked. "I mean, that you know all the answers. Is that true?" Instantly, I shook my head. I didn't make eye contact with her. "No, Isla." I took a bite of my soup. "I don't have all the answers. I have all the questions." She was sitting across from me, and pulled her hair around to the other side. She had a tattoo just like mine. My eyes widened. "How?" "Shhhhhhhhh." She said. She had a tattoo, but I didn't recognize her, which means she's in a different group, which means she has different information, which means she has different secrets. How could I not notice? That's when I realized she wasn't from this planet at all. I could tell she knew as soon as realization came to me. "No offense," I laughed. "But maybe...maybe you have all the questions, too."