ANNABELLA glaring at the wall made of red bricks for no reason. Her hands were placed under her head for support as a pillow. Her legs were crossed like a rich person living in luxury.
"Arghh!" Annabella screamed because she couldn't stand the boredom.
She got up from the bed. Her hand rested on her chin. There was nothing she could do in the prison.
The vine from the hole chamber was gone because it had been 'done' by Annabella last night out of boredom. There was only the stem that dangled from the air hole. She would die of boredom if she stayed here for a long time.
Annabella took steps to the wall that could not be seen by the naked eye or in other words built with magical powers. Annabella called it as Invisible Wall.
She sat cross-legged in front of the Invisible Wall to see if there was anyone to talk to. After a few minutes, a guard came by.
The prey had arrived!
"Mr. Prison Guard! Come here," called Annabella.
The guard approached Annabella when he saw her waving at him.
"What?" The prison guard's face contorted in displeasure when his work was interrupted.
"I'm bored. Do you want to talk to me?" Annabella's request made the guard scratch his head.
"Ah... You must be bored too, right? You're forced to guard here. Why not we have better have a comfortable chat."
"Err..."
"No need to hesitate. Sit down. I have a riddle I want to ask Mr. Prison Guard."
The guard fell for Annabella's persuasion. He sat down opposite Annabella but the Invisible Wall became their obstacle.
"The first riddle. When we stand, he lies down. When we lie down, we stand up. What is it?"
"Legs!" the bodyguard replied excitedly.
"First it took off its shirt. When taking it off, you can see the fur. It looks delicious. What is it?"
"A woman."
"Wrong!"
"What?"
"It's corn. Hahaha...." Annabella burst into laughter.
"Next question," the bodyguard said.
For almost half an hour they played riddles, only the first riddle was the only one the bodyguard could answer correctly. Annabella had so much fun when the bodyguard couldn't answer her riddle questions.
"The last riddle! What door can't be opened?"
"The security door."
"Wrong."
"The invulnerability door!"
"Wrong!"
"The locked iron door."
"Wrong."
"Then what?" The bodyguard was already confused.
"The door that says 'close'. Hahaha..." Annabella laughed out loud when she could put on the bodyguard as the loser.
"Ridiculous! I should not talk to you." The bodyguard got up and walked away leaving Annabella who was laughing.
The atmosphere was quiet again. Annabella returned to boredom.
Everything she feels here is reality. Pain, hunger, laughter, and sleep. She needed to accept that this world was neither her dream nor her imagination.
She was waiting for the time to be released from prison. It had been a week since she was locked up in prison. Even her clothes had not changed. Her body has been sticky and smelly. If there is a goat, she must remember that she is his sibling.
What does she need to do?
She bored... Until when does she need to stay in this prison? Until when?
Oh, no! She doesn't want to stay here forever. There were so many dreams she had yet to fulfill.
"Annabella!" someone called.
Annabella continued to get up running towards the Invisible Wall.
"How many more days do I have to spend in here, huh?" asked Annabella angrily.
"Be strong, Annabella... Geez, you're such a short-tempered girl."
"Any person confined here can change at the blink of an eye!" fumed Annabella.
"You are very funny."
"Where's your promise to get me out of here? It's been a week! I'm cooped up in here. This hair! It used to be just at shoulder level, now it's reached my waist, you know? I don't even have time to wash!" raged Annabella.
"Long hair suits you perfectly."
"So, what are you doing here?" snapped Annabella who was no longer interested in Andrew's words.
"Get you out of here."
"You should tell me sooner."
"You're the one who didn't give me a chance to talk. Stand a little further away from here."
Annabella followed the man's direction. She saw Andrew place a palm on the invisible wall. After that, a magical field filled with strange symbols appeared. Ten different symbols were selected. Then, they were merged into one. After that, the magical field disappeared.
"Let's go."
"Err... Can we go out already?" asked Annabella hesitantly.
"Yes!"
Annabella stepped out of the prison. She felt like shouting to the world that she was a free man. No more walls to hang on to. No more boredom to keep her company. No more guards to puzzle with. Finally, she was free.
Her feet set the pace following Andrew from behind.
"Where do we want to go?"
"You should have asked 'where do I need to go', right?"
"Where do I need to go?" repeated Annabella with an annoying face.
"The Council has decided that..."
"Hurry up, there's no need to speak one by one!"
"My, my, my... You're such short-tempered."
"You already told me earlier, don't you remember? What are they say about me?"
"Come with me. You'll find out later."
***
ANNABELLA was stunned when she saw the scene before her. Her mouth dropped open. It was a building, more like the palace she had always seen in Barbie's fairy tales.
To the left and right of it were open fields. She could see several groups of students practicing using weapons and magic. Please tell her that she was not dreaming.
One person caught her attention. A man who might be about her age was holding a sword. She saw a red aura surrounding the man. The sword he was holding was already lit up with raging flames and then flashed towards a nearby bush. The bush was scorched without any evidence left.
"Wow!"
"Annabella let's go!"
"Yes, yes, I'm coming."
Annabella continued to run after Andrew who was already far ahead entering the palace. Once again Annabella gasped when seeing the inside of the palace. It was amazing and could not be described in words.
"Hey, Andrew."
"Yes, Annabella."
"Why do they look at me like I'm an alien from another planet?" asked Annabella. She was uncomfortable when people walking past her looked at her with strange eyes.
"They are not looking at you but at your golden hair."
"Why do I hear them say I'm a prisoner? Can you explain that?"
"Annabella, you shouldn't think so negatively. Let them be."
Annabella snorted angrily.
"Here we are!"
They arrived at a rather large room. After receiving permission to enter, they continued to step inside. Two men were talking. An older man with dark gray hair was sitting on a chair resting his hand on a table arranged neatly with stacks of books and papers.
Another young man perhaps Annabella's age had silver-colored hair. His face was not visible as his back was facing Annabella and Andrew.
"Am I intruding, Headmaster Erald?" asked Andrew.
"No, Andrew. We were just talking about a small matter."
"How is your mission on Earth going?"
"It went well."
"So, this is the girl who helped you?" asked Headmaster Erald. He looked at Annabella. The teenage girl's face reminded him that of a person.
"More or less," Andrew replied.
"I'm trapped here because of him," Annabella chimed in.
"A high-spirit young girl. What's your name?" asked Headmaster Erald?
"Annabella."
"Your last name?"
"Valiant. Annabella Valiant."
"Valiant? I think I've heard that name before. How can I help you?" said Elder Erald. The name Valiant was the same as the name of his long-lost friend. Maybe it was just a coincidence.
"I have spoken with The Council. They decided to enroll Annabella into the academy," Andrew said.
"What? You said I could go back to my house," said Annabella.
"When I tell you something like that?"
"This geezer..."
"Ehem! Those words are very sensitive, Annabella," said Elder Erald.
"Not you. Don't worry! You look younger than him," Annabella said causing Headmaster Erald to burst out laughing.
"It hurts!" Annabella rubbed her ear that was pulled by Andrew.
"Is there no vacancy for her to enter the academy?" asked Andrew to the Headmaster of Seraglio Academy.
"It just so happens that we will be taking new students."
"That's good."
"Hey, hey! I didn't say that I want to enter the academy that the court is proposing. I want to go back! Take me back home now!" Annabella argued.
"From now on, Seraglio Academy is your home," Andrew snapped.
"What? Who are you to decide my life?" Annabella fumed?
"Right now, I am your guardian. I have promised The Council that I will take care of you. Look here Annabella, you can see us and can even feel the Demonic Spirit. It's not a common thing for humans like you. For safety's sake, you must stay here."
"But..."
"There is no compromise. If you refuse, you will be sentenced to death," Andrew muttered.
The insinuation was true. If Annabella wanted to return to Earth, the girl would have to be killed to keep the secret of Sylvania's existence.
Annabella remained silent. She had no choice but to stay in this world. Even if she stayed here, there was no one to worry about her. Her father was gone. She lived alone. If she stayed here, no one would know.
But what about Mrs. Flynn, her neighbor, her friends Burn, Samantha, Will, and Mr. Kent, her boss? She was very sorry for all of them but she had no other choice.