Forlot: Not What I Am - Book Twenty

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Anti-Cindy, Anti-Margie, and Anti-Jorgie led the way to the basement. The floor was brown, and the walls were orange, and to our left and right, empty jail cells lined up. But not all of them were empty.

There was enough room for every one of us to squeeze down the aisle, and we halted at the dead end. That was a relief for me because I cannot go through walls, and I am positive that my friends would feel the same.

We were in front of the only jail cell that had prisoners. Considering that Anti-Caleb locked them down here, I knew that these "prisoners" were victims.

Four out of the five people wore the same outfits. Brown rags with matching shoes. The fifth person wore a shirt, pants, and shoes and was in a corner of the cell, her back facing us.

I recognized the faces of the ones with the rags. They were Anti-Caleb's and Anti-Cindy's parents! And just as Anti-Cindy had told us, they were scared. They huddled with one another and shook in fear, their teeth chattering.

I wrapped my thumbs and fingers around two of the bars and broke the eerie silence. "Mr. and Mrs. Banks? Mom? Dad?" I felt my anxiety coming on because I had accidentally called Anti-Caleb's mother and father my mom and dad.

The girl in the corner slowly rose, but did not look at us. "Well, well, well," she said. "I figured that you would visit us one more time before you and your followers invade the town of Forlot."

My eyes widened, and I tried to keep my composure. She must think that I am Anti-Caleb.

I rocked back and forth on the heels of my shoes. "Uh, I hate to make this awkward and for you to be in confusion, but...I am not Caleb."

She spun around and locked her eyes on me. "Nice try, Caleb. Your lies do not work on me anymore." She examined me from top to bottom and seemed disgusted. "I was right. You always did have a poor taste in fashion."

"I am more of an inventor, thank you very much."

"Is this the vegetarian?" I overheard Cindy whisper to Anti-Cindy.

"Yep," the anti replied. "And unlike the real worlders that we just rescued from drowning, this vegetarian has known Anti-Caleb for a while now and is not the biggest fan of Christians."

Great. Another real worlder that believes that I am delusional and not a good role model. It honestly shattered my already broken heart that some real worlders believe that all Christians are evil.

The girl stomped up to the bars. Her hands were balled into fists. "What do you want now? You came to gloat again on why you are better than me and that people who do not eat meat will never be in peace?"

You think that you are mad, real worlders? I was ticked! Christians do not talk down to those who are lost. We just simply disagree with opinions with the world, such as being gay or transgender, and treat everybody with respect.

"I am not here to lecture you on why I believe that being a vegetarian is not my cup of tea. However, if you choose to be one going forward, I will not stop you."

The real worlder crossed her arms over her chest and quirked an eyebrow. "You are such a manipulator. And what happened to your voice? Why does it sound soft and weak and not loud and strong?"

"I am not Caleb."

"Yes, you are."

I slapped my palm against my forehead. "I am not evil Caleb. I am from the other dimension. I am the good and gentle version."

To prove that I was telling her the truth, I held my hands to my chin and gave her the puppy eyes. I acted like a cute kitten and meowed a couple times.

"The crub are you doing?" my cousin, Collin, questioned my bizarre decision.

"No one on the planet has ever resisted a kitten," I explained. "If I act cute and irresistible, maybe she will trust me." I turned to him. "Meow?"

He shook his head and looked as if he were ashamed of me. "And we are supposed to be related, Caleb."

I lowered my hands and arms to my sides, and my cuteness was replaced by sadness. "Are you disappointed in me, cousin of mine?"

"What? No. The only thing that I would change is pretending to be a kitten. Everybody knows that dogs are cuter. That is why they are man's best friend."

"Shut up!" the real worlder snapped, making me and Collin shut our mouths. "I cannot take another minute of this cell. Of this basement. Of this town! Let me go already!"

I uttered a sigh. "As you wish. I thought that I could help you change your mind, however, I will respect your opinions."

Anti-Cindy had the key on her and handed it to me. I slid the key into the keyhole, turned it until the click! sound was heard, and opened the cell door. We waited for the girl to make her escape. And waited. But no. She stayed where she was. Glaring at us. No. At me.

"I cannot believe that you would do this."

"I told you," I said. "I am the good Caleb, not the evil Caleb. I came to set you and the parents free. You are welcome to leave. Or you could..." My voice trailed off as she ran like lightning speed out of the basement and upstairs. "...join us."

Guess that she did not want to join our team, readers.

I watched as Joan, Collin, Cindy, Anti-Cindy, and Ada scurried into the cell and consoled the parents.

"They are really shaken up," Joan notified the rest of us. "They cannot even speak."

It was then that I came to a realization.