Dib was giddy all day at school. He couldn't focus on any of his work, for the thoughts in his head ran wildly and refused to let him study. Oh well. At least it was Friday.
Wait a minute.
Today is Friday.
He groaned. He faintly recalled his father saying something about going out to eat on Friday, since he had invented a machine that allowed him to be at six places at once. Her rubbed his fingers through his hair. He had to find SOME WAY to convince his father to let him stay home!
When Dib arrived home, he mixed flour, water, corn, carrots, and a few apple pieces in a cup. He had conducted this plan: he'd put white powder on his face, making him look pale. then, he'd sit by the window and watch for his father's car. When he saw the car pull into the driveway, he'd sit on the couch and put the mixture in his mouth (quickly hiding the cup under the couch, of course). When his father walked into the house, he'd lean over and spit the mixture onto the carpet, making him believe he had vomited. Seeing how sick his son was, he would cancel family night. While he was "sleeping" (that's what he'd tell his father that he was going to do), he'd place a decoy in his bed, sneak out the window and then run to Zim's house.
He crawled up onto the windowsill.
"What are you doing, idiot?" Gaz asked.
Dib panicked. He didn't plan on what to do if his sister caught him.
"Oh, I... I'm just waiting for dad to come home," he said, keeping his face turned away from her. He didn't need to be questioned by his sister on why his face was white.
"Look at me when you talk, idiot," Gaz snapped. Dib turned around.
"Why is your face so white?" Gaz asked apathetically.
Dib decided that the best thing to do was lie to her as well.
"I'm sick," Dib lied.
"Ew. Well don't give it to me."
To Dib's relief, Gaz went upstairs. Just in time, too, because his dad's car pulled into the garage.
Dib quickly put as much of the mixture he could into his mouth and hid the cup in the trashcan under the rest of the trash. He chewed it up a little, just to make it more convincing.
Gosh, did it taste horrible
For the sake of mankind, Dib thought. For the sake of mankind.
Professor Membrane walked in.
"Hello, Son, I am home from—"
Dib bent over and spat the mixture out, making fake retching sounds as he did to further convince his father. Professor Membrane stepped back a little.
"My goodness, Son! Are you alright?" he asked.
"Uh huh. I'm just a little sick."
"I'll say. I want you to walk into the bathroom and rinse your mouth out. Then head straight to bed, and I'll be in your room with water."
Dib did as he was told. His plan was working!
He did, however, feel a little guilty by the way he fooled his father.
Dib walked into his bedroom and closed the door. He wiped the powder off of his face and laid down in bed. His father entered the room.
"Sorry that we couldn't have family night tonight," Dib said.
"That's alright, Son. You're ill."
Professor Membrane handed Dib the water. Dib drank it up.
"I think I just need to sleep for a while," Dib said.
"Alright, Son. If you need anything, holler."
Dib listened to Professor Membrane's heavy boots. When he made sure his dad was far enough away, he opened the window and used his hair to zip line down to the floor. Once on the ground, he ran to Zim's house.
The sun was beginning to set. His poor father... guilt pinched him in the stomach. But what needed to be done had to be done.
Dib rang the doorbell to Zim's house. As expected, Zim carefully opened the door.
"Dib," he hissed. "Come inside."
Dib stepped inside carefully. He ran his hands over the concealed ray gun in his pocket. Just in case.
"I've formulated a small plan," Zim said. "We will set up safe houses throughout the city. This is where people will stay." He dramatically slapped a pointer onto red spots on a map of the city he had set up.
Dib observed it carefully.
"What about other people OUTSIDE of the city? How are they going to remain safe?"
Zim sighed.
"That," he said, "is what I have not yet figured out."
Dib paused.
"Wait," he said. "I know that my dad has set up global safe houses. He's set up one in every city." Dib paused.
"Well, in almost every city. At least all the cities in North America."
Zim nodded.
"Alright."
"Now I just have to convince my dad to let me use them!" Dib said, smiling. Then, his smile father would never believe him. Not in a million years. Why would he believe an insane child
"Great!" Zim said. "Do you think you could convince your father to get everyone in them along with supplies a week prior to the attack?"
Dib shuddered at the word "attack". Then, he sighed.
"I'll do my best, Zim. My dad is a stubborn guy."
Dib walked home in the darkness. He's been out longer than he'd planned– It was already 11:30. It began to rain gently. Wow, Dib thought. This is the most peaceful moment I've ever experienced in my life.
He noticed when he walked up to his house that the lights were still on. He also heard muffled noises coming from it.
Cautiously, he unlocked the door and entered the house.
Professor Membrane and Gaz stared at him in shock. There was also at least three police men standing in the room.
"Son?!" Professor Membrane asked, clearly shocked.
Uh oh. He was gonna get it.
"Yes, Dad?" Dib said coolly.
"You were gone for FOUR HOURS! Where were you?!"
"Uh..." Dib said.
"Well?"
"Dad," Dib said, sighing. "In less than a month, Earth will be destroyed by an alien race. I had to fake being sick and help Zim out. We have to form a plan–"
"ENOUGH!" Professor Membrane boomed. He leaned up close to Dib.
"You are to go to your bedroom right now! I will talk with you shortly."
Dib didn't look back as he sulked up the stairs.
Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. This is, sadly, the last day of winter break for me. :'( One review= one prayer. (XD)
Seriously, though. You guys are my writing fuel! I wish I could just pick you all up and hug you :D
Okay, that would be kind of weird. But hey, guess what?! In just two months, The Sands of Time has gained 1,000 more reads! Thank you! I hope you guys like this story as much as you liked The Sands of Time.
Fun fact: The original name of this story was "Radium". So that's why I still save my documents for this story as "Rad Ch. (number of chapter)."
