Alison's Challenge, page 1
Copyright © 2021 by Heidi Harris
All rights reserved.
Paperback: ISBN-13: 979-8504528427
Hardcover: ISBN: 9798775021801
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact Heidi Harris, heidiharriswrites@gmail.com.
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
Book Cover by Heidi Harris
Illustrations by Heidi Harris
April 24, 2024
Dedication
To Tia,
you have a way of expressing yourself that is purely Tia.
I have always enjoyed that about you.
Keep on being you!
Scripture
“If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty!
And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him?”
(Job 9:19 ) NIV
If God is in it, then it will be blessed.
Contents
1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5
6. 6
7. 7
8. 8
9. 9
10. 10
11. 11
12. 12
13. 13
14. 14
15. 15
16. 16
17. 17
18. 18
19. 19
20. 20
21. 21
22. 22
23. 23
24. 24
25. 25
26. 26
27. 27
28. 28
29. 29
30. 30
31. 31
32. 32
33. 33
34. 34
35. 35
36. 36
37. 37
38. 38
39. 39
40. 40
41. 41
42. 42
43. 43
44. 44
45. EPILOGUE
46. Author's Note
Penny's Adventure
47. 1
48. 2
Heidi Harris
49. Books by Heidi Harris:
1
“Your birthday is tomorrow.” Callie grinned.
“17 here I come.” I laughed.
“You and me tomorrow.” My sister pointed at me like she had a secret to share.
“She's ours.” Dad leaned over the couch.
“I'm skipping school still, right?” I looked at my parents hopefully.
“That was the deal.” Mom touched Dad on the shoulder.
“I have swim practice tomorrow.” I frowned.
“I already talked to your coach. She gave you a birthday pass as long as you do a couple of laps sometime tomorrow.” Mom shared a look with Dad.
They were too excited. I didn't get why. I know I was supposed to be able to finally date if I wanted, but really...I didn't want to. I would like to go to a few parties here and there with my friends, but other than that... I just wanted to enjoy my senior year.
When Callie turned 17, she started dating JJ. They must have hit it off, because they got married. Now they had custody of Ashlyn, JJ's kid sister. I kind of waited for Mom and Dad to hit the fan about missing their wedding, but they didn't. They were really chill. Kind of think of it, no one in our family really had weddings...we had a lot of 5 and 10 year vow renewals, but I had never been to an actual wedding.
“Come see our sandcastle!” Ashlyn exclaimed.
It's the biggest one we ever built!” Rainy yelled from the doorway.
“It's got cars!” Emeric grinned.
“Then we must.” Mom walked toward the door.
Dad laughed.
When we got outside, I was surprised how nice it was. They were getting very creative. It was as tall as my waist.
“Isn't it beautiful?” Rainy grinned.
“Very.” Dad smiled.
“Let me take a picture.” Mom told them.
Rainy, Ashlyn, and Emeric posed behind it. Mom took the picture.
“Oh no, there was an earthquake!” Emeric started walking through it.
Rainy started kicking it. Ashlyn put a hand on her hip and exhaled. I couldn't help laughing.
2
“Happy Birthday!” Dad sat on my bed.
“Thank you.” I rubbed my eyes sleepily.
“No school today, and birthday breakfast starts now.” Dad smiled.
“Can I have five minutes to wake up?” I yawned.
“Five minutes Allie Bear. I'm counting.” Dad left the room.
I got my stuff together and got a shower. I had a brand new birthday outfit all ready to go. By the time I got upstairs, half the food was gone.
“What happened?” I asked.
“You took more than 5 minutes. Rainy and Emeric ate half of your birthday breakfast without you. Callie took them to school.” Dad laughed.
A few minutes later, fresh bacon and french toast were ready to be eaten. I put on butter and syrup. It melted in my mouth.
“Thanks Mom, this is amazing.” I smiled.
Dad kept looking at the clock. He and Mom were a stickler for waiting until the minute we turn a certain age to give out presents. From the way he was looking at the clock, I was about to get my birthday present.
Mom started clearing the table. Dad got up and left the room. He came back with a small gift bag. I hadn't asked for anything, but Dad was always good with surprise presents.
“So close.” I laughed.
I knew better than to ask for my present ahead of time. It was futile. That gave me an opportunity to look. What kind of present could Mom and Dad have gotten me that would fit in a package that small? Keys would fit in a package, but I already had my own car. I didn't need another one.
I put my fingers to my chin. “Hmm.”
“Any guesses?” My Dad laughed.
“I'm drawing a blank, to be honest.” I laughed.
Mom was looking at her phone. “10.”
Dad joined in. “9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1.”
“Happy Birthday!” They both exclaimed.
“Thank you.” I smiled.
Dad pushed the present in my direction. I rubbed my hands together. I put my hand inside and tissue paper fell into my hand. I unwrapped it. A small jewelry box was inside. I opened it and sat it on the table. A golden locket was inside of the box. Alison was etched on it with ornate carvings. It was gorgeous.
“Thank you!” I pulled it out, and it began to glow.
My eyes were wide. I held up the necklace. It still was glowing. I rubbed it and time froze. I blinked, and I was standing in a small village that looked like it was from centuries ago. I was still holding the locket in my hand. It had stopped glowing.
A little girl ran up to me. “Welcome to Angeline!”
“Angeline? Is that a person?” I was confused.
The little girl shook her head no. “It's a village.”
“Judith!” A woman called.
“I've got to go! Bye!” The little girl ran off.
I started walking around the small village. Everyone I saw was very nice. They all seemed to know my name and said hello to me.
I was trying to piece what happened together. The only unique thing about today, was that it was my birthday, and that I had received the locket. I just wanted to be back home. I rubbed the necklace for comfort.
I was sitting back at my kitchen table.
“You're welcome, sweetheart.” Mom acted as if no time had passed at all.
I sat stunned.
“Is something wrong?” Dad asked.
“What is Angeline?” I managed to ask the question.
“Where did you hear about that?” Mom asked carefully.
“This is going to sound stupid, but I was just there.” I frowned.
“It doesn't sound stupid.” Dad sat up straighter. “We need to have a talk.”
3
“Your father and I are Storytellers. We come from a long line of Storytellers.” Mom's tone was careful as she judged my reaction.
My Dad on the other hand, was excited. “When a Storyteller turns 17, their abilities manifest. The necklace will help you with your new abilities.”
I looked at my necklace. Maybe this wasn't the present I wanted after all. I had already accidentally showed up in an imaginary town. What if that happened in the middle of something important? I had come back at the same moment; I acknowledged.
“You don't need your necklace to be a Storyteller, but it helps center your abilities.” Mom added.
“Allie Bear, did we freak you out?” Dad realized the look on my face.
“A little.” I admitted.
“It really is fun.” Dad smiled.
“Can I have five minutes?” I looked at the floor.
“Sure Honey.” Mom got up.
Dad didn't move.
“Kase.” Mom hissed.
“Coming.” Dad got up begrudgingly.
4
“What did I miss?” Callie crashed on the couch.
“Only my life being totally altered!” I told her dramatically.
“And you didn't think turning 17 would be exciting.” Callie laughed. “Surprise!”
“As my big sister, you're supposed to warn me about things like this.” I complained.
“I was sworn to secrecy. I couldn't. Speaking of, you can't tell Rainy or Emeric.” Callie pointed her finger at me.
“Fine.” I agreed.
“Don't be so sulky. Being a Storyteller is great. We love it.” Callie smiled.
“We, as in...?” I looked at my sister dumbly.
“Me and JJ.” Callie jumped up.
“Wait, JJ is a Storyteller too?” I followed her to the kitchen.
“Want one?” She pulled out a bottle.
I shook my head no. “Focus Callie.”
“On what?” Callie took a drink.
“Storyteller.” I crossed my arms.
“Yeah, of course JJ is a Storyteller. Storytellers marry other Storytellers. That's how it is.” Callie took a drink. “Wait, didn't Mom and Dad get to that part?”
I shook my head no.
“Oh, sorry. Well, Storytellers become Storytellers at 17 and marry other Storytellers.” Callie took another drink.
“Marry?” I looked at my sister, dumbfounded.
“It's not so bad Al, JJ's great. Your Mr. Destiny will be perfect for you.” Callie walked back toward the couch and crashed on it.
“I should have just gone to school.” I muttered.
Callie laughed.
“I did kind of like Angeline though.” I smiled.
“Wait, you have already been to Angeline?” Callie leaned forward. “Alone?”
“Yes, alone.” I rolled my eyes. “Who would I go with?”
Callie got real quiet.
“Callie.” I hissed at my sister.
“Did Mom and Dad tell you to go to Angeline?” She avoided my question.
“No, my necklace started glowing, and I was...just there. I rubbed it and came back.” I answered.
“You just came back?” Callie was surprised.
“Yeah, why?” I shrugged.
“That's not how it's supposed to work.” Callie frowned.
“Then how is it supposed to work?” I frowned.
“Not like that.” Callie crossed her legs. “I wonder if you can just come and go like that all the time, or if it was a fluke?”
I didn't get what the big deal was. I rubbed my necklace and thought about the village. It wouldn't let me back in. I frowned.
“Did you try again?” Callie asked.
I nodded.
“Maybe you need Mr. Destiny to get back in.” Callie laughed.
“I think I will pass.” I folded my arms.
Callie finished drinking her bottle. “Wait, aren't you even the slightest bit curious about who he is?”
“No, I got a full plate. I don't need a boyfriend.” I rolled my eyes.
“It's not like that.” Callie disagreed.
“Whatever, I just want to enjoy my birthday.” I stood up and walked outside.
I discarded my shorts and shirt, revealing my bikini, and took off in a run to the water. The last thing I needed was a boy to add complications to my life. I just found out that I had Storyteller Abilities, that was more than enough for today. The water hit my skin and peace wrapped around me. I half expected Callie to be following me, but she wasn't.
Mr. Destiny? I looked off in a direction and zoned out. I felt a slight pull in that direction. I pushed the thought away. I was serious when I told Callie that I didn't need a boy in my life. They complicate matters, and I didn't want any complications right now.
5
Icame back in from my swim. My parents were waiting for me. I guess avoiding this little necklace around my neck was about to come to a halt.
“Why don't you go take a shower and we can head out to lunch?” Mom suggested
“Perfect.” I grinned and ran downstairs.
When Callie moved into the Pool House, I had inherited her downstairs mini apartment. I love swimming, but I always feel better when I know my hair is clean after swimming in a pool or the ocean.
I came upstairs hoping they didn't bring any complicated conversation to lunch. Dad rubbed his necklace, and we were standing outside of a restaurant in another, less warm climate.
“Dad, what did you do?” I hissed.
Mom simply smiled and walked in. Dad was behind her. I looked around. No one seemed to notice our appearance. We found a table and ordered when the waitress appeared.
“You can't just do stuff like that.” I reprimanded them.
Mom looked amused and Dad straight up laughed.
“Allie Bear, we have been living a Storyteller life since we turned 17. The only difference is you know about it.” Dad smiled.
“Do you have any questions for us? Callie said she talked to you.” Mom tried to make it easy on me.
“Callie said I was supposed to get married. I don't want to get married...at least not now...What is it? Some kind of arranged marriage?” I had a hard time keeping my voice down.
“Callie isn't very eloquent.” Mom frowned.
“Don't I know it.” I rolled my eyes.
“Your Mom is my soulmate. Our marriage wasn't arranged.” Dad's words flew out of his mouth. “But...I knew each Storyteller had a person for them. I told myself I would know her when I saw her. When I woke up, I had written Emma on a notebook lying beside my bed. Then one day your mother showed up at my coffee house. Her name was on an order I was filling...I asked her out and she agreed.”
“I went looking for him.” Mom smiled at Dad like the memory was brand new. “We hit it off immediately.”
“We got married, and the rest is history.” Dad shrugged.
“You and Callie were both born in Angeline.” Mom added.
“We were?” I was dumbfounded. “Why don't I remember that?”
“You were really young.” Mom placed a hand on mine.
“We wanted you kids to go to a real school, so we came back when Callie was old enough for kindergarten.” Dad moved back. The food and drinks were arriving. We thanked her and the waitress left.
“Why did you go to Angeline at all?” I took a bite of my food.
“All Storytellers are required to spend a year in Angeline and complete part 1 of the Quest to keep being a Storyteller.” Mom answered.
“You have until you're 25 to finish.” Dad took a drink. “Plenty of time.”
“If you go into Angeline, you return the same minute you left.” Mom looked at Dad. “No matter how long you're there.”
“And if you have kids?” I thought of me and Callie.
“They come out the same age as they are in Angeline, up to the age of 17. I don't know anyone who stayed in Angeline that long.” Mom looked thoughtful.
“I think we stayed longer than anyone we know.” Dad took a bite of his food.
“Callie and JJ were only there for a year.” Mom nodded as she took a bite of her food.
“And she didn't tell me?” I was appalled.
“She couldn't.” Dad shrugged.
“You aren't allowed to discuss Angeline with anyone unless they are a Storyteller. Rainy and Emeric included...until they are 17.” Mom's eyes narrowed, showing me that she meant business.
“I won't tell them.” I sulked a little and took a bite of my food.
“You can talk to Callie.” Dad tried to make it better.
I shrugged. We were quiet for a minute. My Dad was obviously more excited than Mom. She was taking everything in stride, whereas my father was forcing himself to rein in his excitement.
“You said part 1 of a Quest. How many parts are there?”
“Five.” My Mom smiled. “The fifth is more of a bonus.”
“So, I just go into Angeline and do this Quest, keep my Storyteller Abilities and I'm done?” I took a drink.
Dad looked at my Mom as if to say, you take this one.
“Your Dad went into the Quest without me and died. If you die in Angeline, you just wake up where you left. It's better to go to Angeline with your person.” Mom answered. “Otherwise it doesn't end well.”
“But I can do it by myself?” I asked.
“In theory.” Dad frowned.
“I don't need...Mr. Soulmate to go with me.” I rolled my eyes.
Mom and Dad both got really quiet.
