"Sometimes, it's better to play a game of lying to yourself; in which, you convert each memory into what pleases your mind."

I felt an unusual strength and power. It was a venture to get ahold of this book; something much complex than what a mind could interpret. I, Aryn Anderson, was the owner of a book imprisoning a divine world. Once I open the book, I knew everything was going to change.

Being in prison, the book insured mysteries. A new land, with unique people who probably recognized the moment I was at now. The questions Louis stole answers for were in this book. The magical cover captivated me, and I soon started wondering if the kingdom was this beautiful. Although I was eager to flip through those pages, I couldn't help but remember that it's only because of them and this book that I ended up here.

I quickly hid the book, afraid of every pair of eyes that stared at it. I haven't been here for long; however, it wasn't hard to know what feelings they developed.

People here began as a seed, still: dependent, small, vulnerable and bewildered. But, as they advanced, they realize that they were covered by dirt. At that moment, they lose the hope they had as a seed. That hope that said they're in an unknown, but a pretty place. They soon die, not seeing that the sun was beside them. Because, it was far, as far as the date they'd get out of this cell.

I waited impatiently until midnight to read the words of the book. Despite the hatred I carried for those protectors, I was too weak to resist the blue sapphires on the book. It was impossible to ignore the tangled trees on the cover, as they joined to form red rubies. No wonder why only seven copies existed of this book- there is no art or creativity capable of drawing such beauty.

Out of all days, today passed the slowest. My conversations with Cherry were the only way to spare time. There was a buried side of her. One that was darker than the shade of her red hair. I knew she was a criminal. But, I also couldn't deny the fact that she was the only person in here with a warm heart.

When the moon approached, I took out the book. As I opened it, a dulcet voice called from behind. When she came, I suspiciously hid the book, but she showed no concern. She just looked down, shy and embarrassed.

"You don't need to worry about hiding that book from me. I am not a curious person, nor a novel lover. I barely know how to read anyway," she assured.

"I am not feeling sleepy, and you are not showing signs of it either. So, I thought of telling you something."

"Yes, of course, Cherry. And I can't sleep anyway, I guess it will take time to adapt. But, if it isn't too personal, what's your crime? You are not like them," I interrupted.

She looked down, like an innocent child.

"No, it's fine. I was planning to tell you anyway."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a while.

"It was very crowded in the restaurant that day. I had to work for extra hours. I was the only one left-besides the big managers and-," her voice cracked.

"Cherry, you don't have to continue. It's my fault. I shouldn't have asked you. I'm sorry," I quickly responded.

"No, I should continue. I am tired of everyone viewing me as a criminal. You're the only person who might believe me," she claimed with a hopeful smile.

"Afterwards, I wanted to go to the boss because I needed urgent money. It was the worst decision I took in my life. It was the worst decision of my life. What I thought was his office door, was the path to hell and agony," she continued.

"It was when I witnessed a crime. There was a body drowned in blood. It wasn't an accident. During a few seconds, my eyes only saw the blood splattered on his suit."

"Unlike me, that bastard was rich. I was just a girl fighting for the survival of her siblings. When I was still looking at the dead body, he offered me a deal. He wanted to keep me quiet and conceal his crime. It was either I admit that I am the killer, or my siblings would be the next victim. His words pierced through my ears, and I begged him to leave me alone. I swore I'd never mention it. But a murderer is a murderer, and nothing could have changed him," she stated in a tensed tone.

"He made up some proof, and with some good lawyer, he was freed. And I am here, instead of him. But, what truly tore my heart were my siblings. They believed I was a killer. They forgot that I sacrificed my education to feed them. They forgot how I worked for hours to bring medicine that would cure them. They abandoned me and left me to rot in jail. They never sent any letters or called," she narrated, looking to the moon.

"I am so sorry I did-,"

"It isn't your fault."

"You can read your book now, I am going to rest," she interrupted, before disappearing.

She went, leaving me with the images of her story. Injustice ran in this place like a wild thief stealing dreams. Cherry slept in this place knowing that she would never escape. Although she told me that the happiest days were the visiting ones, she had no one to visit her.

I lay on the bed, wondering who else was innocent. Spending the night on this bed was the hardest challenge a prisoner could face. While you rest, you know someone is pointing a gun at you. Every second. Every tick. The only possible way of securing a few hours of sleep was looking forward to an upcoming event.

"Aryn Anderson, you have a visit!" the guardian screamed.

I jotted out of my bed, alarmed by the sudden striking. With restless eyes, I left the bed. "Visit?" I asked myself.

"Who is the person?" I interrogated fiercely.

"She is called Ellena, and I don't know anything else. Why am I even answering! Quickly get up and stop wasting time!"

Without further conflict, I was led and pushed into a dull room. I heard an impatient knocking on the wooden table. Once I approached, she gave me a blank look. I felt relief and happiness once I saw her there- coming for me. Ellena stood up, with the smile of an innocent child. It didn't feel as if she saw me a few days ago, but for weeks or even years.

"I wait for you by the window every day to wish you good luck for your work, but you never come any more," she said with tears in her eyes.

"Why, Aryn? Why! There should be an explanation! Why are you silent? You were silent in court as well, and you ended up here. Will you remain silent! You're innocent, and no judge can change that," she claimed, with the highest voice permitted.

"You don't know anything alright! You don't have the right to show up here and speak to me in this way!" I exclaimed.

"That's why I am here! To know everything."

"If this was a possibility, I would've acknowledged everything in court. If this was possible, I would've been at the hospital right now treating my patients. Don't you realize how hard is it for me! Don't you realize that I can't bear the thought of staying here! You can not imagine what is it like to see murders and drug traffickers looking at you, and realizing that you are with them! And now, instead of trying to comfort me, you come up to tell me that you want to know why I did this!"

"I- "

"Don't say anything, just leave. It's pointless," I interrupted.

"I am sorry Aryn, I didn't mean to. But you should also realize that it's very painful to see you here, all broken and shattered. Anyway, before I leave, Ethan told me to give you this letter. He'll visit you soon. He is just waiting for permission to come out," she stated as I left.

"There's no need. Tell him not to come, and to stop sending me letters. I don't want to see you or him again. It's better this way." I said with a cracking tone.

"You can't do this, Aryn-"

And so, I left the dim room. I didn't listen to whatever words she blurted afterwards. I returned to my cell again, with exasperation and fatigue written on my face. For a moment, all eyes were focused on me. Ethan and Ellena couldn't spend more time waiting for me. Even if the days passed, society will see me as a criminal. Ethan deserved a better woman, who would take care of him. And Ellena had to look out for her studies and take the degree she wanted.

I was just a worthless person, whose only propose is defined by some book and protectors.

"Are you fine?" Cherry questioned as she approached.

"I thought I would be able to stay here for one year. It isn't much I thought. But now, I feel like everyone is gone. It feels like this year is endless."

"That's what you think. The biggest power, which you would never lose, is given here. The fact that you still have hope to meet the outside world after a few months. Some people know they would never leave, and that is where strength is lost," she assured.

"You don't need to tell me you're innocent. I know you are in my position. That's why you should never lose faith," she pronounced, pointing to the sun.

"And you Cherry, when will you leave?"

"That's not important now. Have some rest. I know you didn't sleep yesterday. Also, I kept this bread piece for you."

She handed me the bread loaf and left calmly. She didn't answer, but I knew that this would be her permanent place. I wondered what magic she carried that allowed her to live with her pains. When everyone slept, she would cautiously cry, thinking no one is witnessing. However, I observed every crystal that fell from her black lashes.

It was only her and The Moon.

After some time, I took Rules of Death, from under my bed, and flipped through its sharp edges. In luxurious italics, the introduction was written. Firstly, they mentioned that a protector isn't considered to be one until he steps onto the kingdom of Rizolar. There, the component flowing in our bodies are initiated due to the high concentration of radiation. Apparently, it was palladium 107, a very good absorber of radiation. Only then, each rule applies.

Few sentences were enough to capture the soul of the reader.

If the book falls into anyone's hands, other than the authorized protectors, serious consequences will occur. People will fight to carry the powers, for fame or money, and only then will the Earth be truly destroyed. Simple arguments aren't meant by the word 'fight', but war.

After I finished the introduction, I opened the first chapter, with intimidation and curiosity. It was already clear how dangerous the book was, which spoke of war and greed. I could only begin to understand the power and mystery of those words, which initiated bewilderment and confusion. The basic rules were boldly written. The first rule, written with a lot of alerts, was enough to analyze the intensity of this book.

Love is forbidden. Marriage and romantic relationships are strictly prohibited.

The rule dates back to 1300. King Zolas Lirgat and his wife, Queen Consort Adria once owned Rizolir's kingdom and ruled with peace and justice. The years passed, and as the King was getting older, he decided to retire.

However, it wasn't long before Princess Luna- the former King's sister- and her partner declared war and trapped Adria and Zolas. In order to save Rizolir, Zolas was forced to follow the rules put by his sister. The first rule she placed was: romantic relationships are not allowed.

The war only stopped when Princess Luna agreed with the King to dominate half of the Kingdom. As the protectors remained loyal to the former King, the princess placed rules for the protectors to follow, in the book 'Rules of Death'. She then became the Queen of Rizolir's west and half-known as the Kingdom of Sereveth.

Without continuing, I closed the book in terror. Shivers enveloped every inch of my body. I was in an ambiguous loop, not knowing what to do. Everything was swirling as sweat droplets slid down my forehead. For a moment, I didn't want to get out of here anymore. I didn't want to face my destiny outside.

"What happened to you woman. Did you see a ghost?" they laughed.

Their giggles continued to ring until the guardian gave a loud band on the door. But it wasn't to silence them. She wanted me. I didn't resist her force this time and followed her like a slave. I was still under the effect of the words, not recognizing my surroundings.

"You have a phone call," she announced.

I didn't ask questions. It was probably Ethan or Ellena. I was too captured in the mysteries the book had. Precisely, what I couldn't continue to read. I proceeded towards the blue telephone. A tight voice spoke. It wasn't Ellena. It wasn't Ethan. It was a familiar voice. I didn't know who the speaker was, but shivers suddenly ran down my spine. My heart pounded against my chest when I heard every word she spoke. It was her. Each breath sounded like a dash through my inner thoughts.

"Aryn? Is that you?"

"Yes, who is with me?" I stuttered.

"It's me, Aryn. I am your mother," she replied with a thick voice.