"Spend time to discover your true purpose, instead of crying over failed plans."

•

"You know what's worse? I didn't kill them instantly. They were trapped here for years. Long years. Along with many more endless victims," he grinned.

My stomach churned as the scent of rotten bodies filled the thick atmosphere. I zipped my parents' bags, knowing that this was the last to see them. As their bodies gradually disappeared under the black bags, tears of regret flew down my cheek, onto the bloody- white tiles. Flashbacks of my mother's call in prison raced in my perplexed mind.

I was desperate for time to go back. To return to prison. To continue that phone call, and to hear my mother calling for help, and asking me to save her from the years of trapping she endured. Guilt twisted my heart, thinking how different this moment could've been. Maybe I had a chance to save them. I closed my eyes hopelessly, imagining them hugging me, and apologizing sincerely. Was my anger and dignity worth losing those beautiful moments?

"Why! Didn't you feel the slightest guilt seeing me think about them every day? You're a pathetic, weak and a cursed soul," I replied with the little energy my shivering lips had.

"Guilt? That is a trait for weak people," he laughed.

"Aren't you dying to know how your parents lived, or why did I do all this, my dear fiance? Well, let me tell the story of their useless lives."

I looked at him with dull eyes, trying to conceal my fatigue and defeat. My fragile soul didn't have the strength to shut his voice. I slept nights, wondering about each hidden truth my parents had. He was going to say it all in front of me and in front of their covered bodies. But, my eagerness to know dissolved in my racing thoughts. My only wish was for him to magically vanish into dust, and for this day to be wiped out of my memory.

"Your parents, Mr and Mrs Anderson weren't innocent, nor people who could honour you. They were a bunch of criminals, who earned money by killing people. Of course, I don't give a damn about that. It's up to them how to live their lives and abandon a stupid woman like you. But-"

"It wasn't up to them to murder my mother. They slaughtered her with a cold heart and got paid a huge sum of money. It was that same money they sent to pay for your dumb university's fees!" he exclaimed.

"I worked for so many long nights to see that look on your face. To witness you so hopeless, because this is what you deserve!"

"Wanna know another thing? I even paired up with Doctor Fredrick to ruin your career, but it was such a shame you got freed from attempted murder. That goddamn lawyer of yours knew the video was fabricated, although I paid a lot of money for it to look real."

"But, I got what's better than you rotting in jail. I got you here, to see everything for yourself," he continued, with pride.

My eyes widened, as my trembling limbs spoke of every scandal suffocating me. All the years I spent waiting for them by the window, were just to reveal this moment. They both were ruthless murderers. Nothing more. They weren't lawyers, engineers, or doctors. Just criminals. Their pictures I took years to form, were no more than lies. The words of my dairies always believed that they were somewhere, dressed elegantly and probably in charity events. But, those words were meaningless against his brutal confessions.

I turned around, not accepting to show my break down.

"What are you gonna do now? Kill me? Or show me more bodies? Or tell me more details!"

A sudden boost of power reached my thick throat. More tears escaped my blank eyes as I continued to scream, finally admitting my collapse. He remained calm, only smiling at what he called victory. He approached in silence, not affected by the chill of the cold freezer. About two hours passed, and every second the cold breeze was getting into my bulging veins. Ethan was dressed in very thick cloths- made for this place.

While my voice screeched in the echo, a black shadow appeared from behind. She gradually revealed herself, as her footsteps dispersed through the freezing atmosphere. I observed her brown eyes, refusing to believe that it was her. As she showed herself, each second felt longer, and longer.

It was his half-sister.

Her pale face still managed to have some innocence, yet powerful enough to kill every second I spent with her.

"Mia? You're involved in this too? How could you?" I asked in a brittle-slurred voice.

Ignoring my questions, she stared at Ethan's eyes with hatred. She was still, and silent. Her quietness was enough to expose the fact that she wasn't here for the first time. Her cloths were different, with mittens and a cotton hat. The red dress she wore at dinner was now a bulky-black jacket prepared for ice and rain.

"You still killed them despite my warnings? This was my only wish. Couldn't you do something proper, for once!" Mia spoke, in a tight voice.

"Aryn, I swear I tried to prevent him. I tried taking care of your parents despite everything," she replied with regret.

"I asked you a question. Are you involved in this!" I shouted.

"Yes," she replied in a breaking voice.

Instantly, I felt a sudden round of heat on the back of my wrists. Looking with blurry eyes, I saw the little probe shining dimly in red. Unaware of the cause, I resumed hearing the emerging answers with a tight throat and a heavy heart. I was unable to respond, as inevitable weakness crept into my muscles.

Mia is only fifteen. During this age, girls often write down their dreams, gossip with other friends, and probably crush on some boy. But, she is here standing, with what I fail to identify. She is too young. The little girl, was on top of puddles of blood, not surprised, or asking for any help. Just crying over my parents, without bothering about any other victim.

The silence grew, as the pungent scent spoke about the dense air.

Suddenly, Ethan's face turned into a white as if a ghost was dragging his soul. His breathing accelerated, as he watched his defeat. It wasn't the coldness. Nor his crimes. His eyes widened more and more, and his deafening voice was no longer speaking. Panic and agitation controlled his dilated pupils, and discoloration of his limbs.

It was the police sirens. They were ringing, placing him in endless terror.

A smile unwillingly drew my pale lips. As Ethan helplessly tried running, the police handcuffed his hands aggressively. Justice arrived as the sun did on cold winter days.

I sat on the ground, rolling myself into a ball. The heat was escaping my body as each second passed, depriving me of strength. In failed attempts, I tried capturing the invisible energy leaving my skin, waiting for the rescue to arrive.

Before the police could approach, I heard Louis's echoing voice through the hallway, calling for my name. I didn't know how he discovered the place, or when did he arrive. But, this nightmare ended. My mind didn't search for explanations. It only admitted the peace that occupied my heart the moment the sirens began clangoring.

With narrowed eyes, I saw Louis rushing through the dark path I entered from. After speaking to the police officers, he knelt closer and wrapped a thick jacket of wool around my trembling body. Instant specks of heat surrounded me. But, my body's temperature was already dropping, and staying awake was getting more difficult as each second passed.

"Aryn, take this jacket. It'll help you. You're showing signs of hypothermia, but we're going to take you to the kingdom's hospital right now. Hold on there," he stated in concern.

Louis held my hand, allowing me to utilize the little energy I had and get up.

"I can walk alone," I told him.

He nodded, and matched his walking pace with mine. My entire body were trembling, as if the flowing liquid suddenly turned into ice. I couldn't figure out whether the hallway was dark, or was it my vision receding. There was a bright flash of light, emerging from Louis's phone. Despite my slow steps, Louis didn't argue and remained beside me each step.

I was even more surprised at how calmly I reacted, asking him any questions. I couldn't figure if tiredness or relief was the reason.

"The protectors are waiting for you in the kingdom. You'll be fine," he assured.

My feet felt so heavy, and the heals weren't helping either. Warmth began sneaking into my body, as I finally left the stinky room behind. Soon, the sound of crickets was playing in my ear, while the damp grass tickled my heels. The heat continued growing in my body, as I entered his car's backseat and grasped onto the jacket. There was a nurse, having a small tool kit who regularly checked my vitals during the ride.

An instant aroma of a flower scent captivated me, replacing the horrible smell of the dead bodies.

As the car slowly sped up, I stared at Ethan's house- a place I considered to be home a few hours ago. It was now a gloomy grave, occupied by the hatred and envy of its owners. Ethan was already trapped between the flashing sirens, promising revenge in his dark eyes. But, the tyres were already on the highway before I had the chance to see where Mia was. I wasn't mad at her as much as sympathetic for her lost teenage hood.

Mia always told me how she wanted a simple life- with her leading a nursery and looking after children. Her dreams were always realistic, and the opulence did not make her any less humble. She had a lot of friends, who often came over to her house. When they visited during weekends, I'd patiently teach them what they failed to understand during school. But, it wasn't their fault, because they were very smart students. I couldn't help but feel grief over the memories we created the past two years.

A speed bump suddenly dragged me out of my thoughts. The skyline was very dark, and it was impossible for Louis to notice it and slowdown. Otherwise, the car ride was restrained, with only the motor's sound being visible. Curiosity burnt my thoughts- which couldn't figure out how Louis knew my place. Before I could ask him, my eyes closed, in response to the fatigue my body felt.

After what I assumed to be a few hours, we finally arrived in the kingdom. By that time, it was much easier to walk, and my pale fingertips gained some colour back. But, the protectors took me to the hospital anyway, despite my assurance. The doctor didn't say anything I wasn't aware of, and sent me to my dorm after giving me some instructions.

I sat on my dorm's bed, enveloped by the blankets Louis kept providing me with. He reminded me of Cherry, who gave me her coverage every winter night in prison.

Every hour or so, he visited my room and offered various hot beverages- from tea to decaffeinated coffee and many more. Each time, he walked so slowly, afraid of spilling any droplet of the drinks. Every hour or so, he'd arrive with a doctor, who measured and recorded my temperature at regular intervals. I wasn't sure if the doctor was instructed to come this often, or was it Louis's worry. But, I felt grateful- for whatever were his reasons.

"How did you know I was there?" I finally interrogated.

"Obviously you didn't read the guide. Of course," he sighed.

"But, anyway. Whenever there's a sudden increase in heart rate, and breathing rate, the probe flashes. Those are indicators of adrenaline- so dangerous situations. But, it lights so dimly so as not to alert anyone nearby, and produces a spark of heat. If you're not in danger, you can simply stop it. Otherwise, the camera is activated and your location is sent to the kingdom. If you've attended the lesson, you would've known all that."

I gazed at the probe. It was about two centimetres in diameter, and its exterior glass was as thin as a leaf. But, it was so beautiful in the faint flashlight of the room. I couldn't help wondering about what other mysteries the kingdom had. A sudden urge to learn everything concerning the protectors lives struck me.

"The kingdom is very isolated from the rest of the world- and so are the hospitals. If a protector were to have a fatal wound, how is this managed?"

"Well in every hospital, there is a team of doctors and surgeons who appear just like others- they're called the Ghost Team. But they're assigned by the kingdom, and they know the truth about our blood type. Thus, they immediately handle the case after the probe alert is sent to them. However, it's a matter far from simple, but the kingdom has already designed an intricate system to ensure they're never absent from any hospital. And this procedure is only done to cities where protectors are found. Anyway, I wouldn't want to tire you with all the details right now," he replied.

During the car ride, I noticed a photo Louis hang, with all of the protectors standing together. I recalled how Aunt Gaina and Uncle Samuel were smiling sincerely, with Devlin and Louis between them in the picture. They shared a special bond, and it was clearly visible on that photograph.

My grief and stubbornness didn't allow me to listen to my mom on July the second- the loneliest night in prison. I couldn't save them, but I still had the chance to save myself. If I let my emotions aside and accepted the protectors as the family I lost, I would have the chance to move on, and perhaps start a new life. If I knew my real purpose as a protector, I could replace the misery and emptiness my heart felt when I lost my job. It was time to move on and to become a part of this picture. I realized that I needed to stop dwelling over the past, and face the future as a new person.

I smiled, taking a deep breath with closed eyes.

"Louis. I agree to take those lessons with you. I want to know everything about us, and the kingdom," I declared.