Stranger Yet

Chapter 22: A Time for Honesty

Ayra had told her mother she'd spent the night drinking with some friends. It was a terrible lie, likely to get her grounded forever, but it was better than trying to explain where she'd really been.

Sarah had been furious. It was unlike Ayra to party and even more unlike Ayra to lie, so Sarah didn't know what to believe. So instead she reacted with a flurry of drug tests, phone calls to Ayra's friends' parents, and with wordy lectures about the immorality of lying, disrespecting one's parents, and disrespecting one's "temple". Ayra was worn out by the time the day was over.

"Don't think school will save you tomorrow. I'll be calling to make sure you're present and I'll be picking you up afterwards. The trust is gone, Missy. Don't think that I don't understand. You experienced something traumatic.  It's a lot to handle by yourself, but that doesn't give you a pass to act a fool. REACH OUT TO ME. I am HERE. I love you, but this won't ever happen again. No more nonsense."

Sarah had gone between fits of rage, to compassionate tears, to personal hurt from the "loss of trust" between the two.

Ayra's guilt was growing. Would telling her the truth really be so bad?

Ayra wasn't sure.

Sarah wasn't the religious type. Had she been, Ayra would not have even pondered the idea. She knew that she wasn't a demon, or a monster, or anything unnatural. A deeply religious person might fear her, accuse her of something unholy. Heck, it was still possible that a non-religious person might react the same way. It was her of her newest and biggest fears on a rapidly growing list of things to be afraid of... To lose her mother over what she was would damn near be the end of her.

Ayra knew with absolute certainty that she was made of nature and the magic of nature. She just wanted to be sure her mother would feel the same way, that her mother could be made to understand.

Ayra stared at her mothers soft face pinched tight with concern. She hated lying to her mom so much. And Sarah was such a loving and understanding person. Would she really turn on her after finding out Ayra's truth?

Ayra threw her arms around her mom and hugged her tight. "I know mom. I'll be up extra early tomorrow, ready for every punishment you send my way."

Sarah grumbled but hugged her daughter back.

Ayra's door had been removed and after Sarah passed through the semi-transparent sheet that replaced the door, and traveled down the stairs, Ayra laid in bed and prayed quietly to whoever was listening that she would be given the strength to do whatever was right by her mother. Whether 'right' meant lying further, or telling the truth, Ayra just wanted to be sure she was making the right decision.

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The next morning Ayra woke up at 5 am. Her mother was still fast asleep, as expected. Ayra got ready for the day and made it down stairs by 6 am.

After a long night of restless sleep, Ayra had decided to tell her mom the truth. She woke up with a certainty that her mother would not stop loving her. She had also decided that it was in her parents' best interest to know what kind of danger her presence in their household presented to them. And she didn't want to have to keep lying every time that something happened and she was gone overnight or for multiple days at a time.

Her dad had already left for work and she figured it would better to tell them separately.

When Sarah finally stumbled out of her room, she was greeted with the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and french toast with eggs.