The old man had finally decided to make an appearance, I thought to myself.

My dad had decided to fake his death last year, but spent months planning carefully when and how his death would occur. He had gotten a doctor, one of the most reputable doctors in Annexia as a matter-of-fact to diagnose him with a deadly disease eight months prior to his supposed death. The news had garnered solace from the warm hearts of the citizens of Annexia.

Playing the role of a sick old man, was one role that my dad had managed to play well. As expected the council did empathize with him and even tried to convince my dad to resign, but being the great, honest, man of integrity he was, he refused the offer every single time it was brought up. I could remember vividly the number of times the Council members would visit, just to check up on my dying father and the flowers he would receive daily from well-wishers in Annexia, Council members, the Queen and even the most reputable Earthlings.

Faking his death was necessary. He had stolen from the queen, extorted money and done a whole lot of things I was yet to discover. Despite the skillful way in which my dad carried out his tasks, and ensured that there were no traces of his crimes; there were still those that had eyes on him. Those that believed they had seen past the facade he put up.

He was a criminal mastermind. His formidable acts only further potrayed how self-aggrandizing he truly was. To the society, he was a respectable and honest man. Only his family and those that worked for him knew the true him, well the version of him that he kept hidden from the rest of the world. He only truly wanted one thing- power; not love, compassion or empathy. He was a man that would rather manipulate you into thinking that you loved him or instilled fear in you instead. Either way he always managed to get what he wanted. I couldn't blame him though, it wasn't like the Council had better plans for us.

"Ah, my princess," he said, his tone chill and calm. I snorted.

He continued, "I'm so glad to see that you made the cut for the training. You can't mess this up. I need you to pass all the tests and become a Guardian yourself. This might be hard for you though, seeing as you're not really supposed to be here-"

"What?!" I whisper-yelled. All this time I thought that I was actually fit to be here and had the skills necessary to become a Guardian. Sure, I didn't actually want to become a Guardian but I had at least thought I qualified to be one. I should have known better.

"Sweetie, what did I tell you about interrupting," he said cooly.

"I'm sorry dad, please continue." I sighed.

"Alyssa, I had the records changed and put your name instead of an underachieved nobody that will probably do us no good. You should thank me for that."

Thank you?

"Although you do not ideally match with what the Council was looking for, I need you to step up to the challenge, be better than the best and become a Guardian," he finished.

Rubbing my arms through the jacket I wore, I replied, my voice sounding small. "Yes dad."

"Simone, you know what to do." My dad's voice came out of her arm.

"I do indeed Sir." She commented, not letting a drop of emotion slip into her tone.

Suddenly, I remembered what I had seen the other day. Chloe and Joseph's weird exchange.

"Dad there's something weird I noticed the other day."

"Go on."

"I saw one of my roommates, Chloe and this man, Joseph in a room together. He gave her some kind of white bag and Chloe was acting so weird about it. She looked so out of character."

"Oh no!" Simone froze with her mouth agape. Worry seemed to have gripped from all ends and fully engulf her into a tunnel of fear. Things were most definitely getting serious.

"Calm down. I'm sure whatever it was, it has to do with the Council," he commented, his voice coming out strangled.

Simone shot a glare my way and mouthed, why didn't you tell me. I simply shrugged in response. I hadn't trusted her yet, and still didn't fully trust her.

"Alyssa, I need you to steal that bag and give to Simone fast," he continued, his voice having a gravelly undertone which grabbed both the attention of Simone and myself.

Nodding I replied. "Yes dad, I'll get it done as soon as possible."

"Don't mess this up." He said right before ending the call.

Simone stared at me, her jaw stiff and arms crossed. "In order for us to achieve our goal, I need you to trust me."

My eyes rested on her unrelentingly and dead silence resonated in the room. Taking in a deep breath, she continued. "Just please try to tell me things. If you don't we'll all fail in the end."

Perhaps she had a point, I needed her and she needed me. She knew the Institute well and I was needed as a Guardian. Sighing, I nodded my head and replied. "Fine, I'll cooperate."

"Thank you! Now that's settled, there's something I need you to have."

She took my left hand and wrapped a wristwatch around it. I looked at her, raising one of my eyebrows. "Simone, I have a wristwatch already."

She shook her head. "Why would I give you an ordinary wristwatch?"

I shrugged, not knowing what to say. "This wristwatch is how you'll communicate with your parents and I along with many other things which you do not need to know right now."

I nodded, examining the new gadget on my wrist. It was black but had traces of silver at the side that gave it a classy yet casual look. It was a bit bigger than my other wristwatch and had extra buttons. It didnt look too different and could easily blend in. I turned it on and was a little surprised with what I saw. It had a lot of unfamiliar apps, which intrigued me but, clearly I wasnt trusted enough to know about these things. They still thought of me as a child.

"We have to stop meeting in closets." Simone clicked her tongue and placed both hands on her waist.

Peals of laughter burst from deep within me leaving a genuine smile on my face. "I was starting to think you had a thing for closets."