Rosalyn's POV

I walked through the halls, wandering this strange palace. There were more secret passages here than I ever could have thought possible, if I hadn't seen them myself. The floors were slippery, especially when clad in my stockings, walking did prove to be a challenge.

Grand paintings adorned the walls. Sitting in the picture directly in front of me was the Shah in all his glory. I concluded that this wall was a collection of every Shah in Persian history.

I didn't have time to appreciate the work properly, though. I was looking for something or maybe it was someone… either way I was not entirely certain. I continued my slow trek through the wonderland I'd been tossed in. My eyes were sharp and focused; a truly odd occasion that only happened in dreams.

Cold air flowed in from behind me, and I turned abruptly. A hidden door was now open, and standing right in front of me was a person I had believed to be long gone.

"Mama? Mama, wha- what are you doing here? I-I thought God needed you in heaven!" I sprinted towards her, nearly falling flat on my face, and crushed her with a strong grip.

"My sweet Rosalyn. Dear, I didn't know you had such strength." My mother chuckled slightly and released me, looking me straight in the eyes.

"You are absolutely beautiful Rosa," my mother cooed, "I have missed you so." She reached out to gently wipe the tears from my face.

Swallowing a sob, I replied painfully "I missed you more." At this she pulled me into a tight hug, and I began sobbing all over again. This time when my mother pulled back she was not smiling. I stared at her questioningly.

"Walk with me, Rosalyn. We have much to discuss." Her voice was stern; I knew what was coming next. I followed her without hesitation.

We walked for a short while before she spoke, "You are here for a purpose, Rosalyn, and I have reason to believe you have neglected that purpose."

"Mama, I don't understand. I have been doing what was asked of me-"

She interrupted, "Rosa, you have not. You were instructed to make friends with the boy, and you have been nothing but rude to him."

I bowed my head in shame. Mama was right, I had been horribly rude to Erik the previous night.

"I'm sorry,Mama. It's just that he's extremely difficult to talk to. He won't say more than three sentences at a given time. How do you get to know someone who doesn't want your company?"

Her face softened at that.

"Oh darling, he does want your company. You are a ray of sunshine to him. You must remember that he has never known anything but darkness. He is wounded, and it is your obligation to heal him."

Looking at her hopelessly, I wondered aloud, "What if I can't?"

She shook her head, "Then this entire project, all of your suffering, will have been in vain. You must make peace," she gazed at me intensely, "only then can justice reign."

She shot a glance towards the heavens and announced, "I must go. Remember, Rosalyn, that I love you and I am always with you. Make friends."

Before I could respond, she melted into the light.


Gasping sharply, my eyes shot open. I sat up, trying to collect my breath. How long had it been since I'd dreamt of my mother? It had been months, the last time being a few weeks after her mysterious disappearance. She always appeared to me as an angel, so I assumed she had been murdered.

Thinking about her words, I knew she was right. I needed to refocus my energy. Get to know Erik. Gather information of the happenings in this palace and report my findings to the law. Mama was counting on me. Papa was counting on me. Even Erik was counting on me, although he didn't know that. When this was over, we would both be free. There would be no criminally inclined Shah to hold him hostage. There would be no schemes for me to investigate. Justice and peace and love would triumph once again. Yes, Mama was right. I must make peace and then all will be well with the world.


Erik's POV

Rosalyn's sleep was disturbed. Her breath was labored and rigid. Through all of her tossing about I managed to hear the few random words she mumbled. I pieced together that she was dreaming of her mother. Poor girl, she probably misses home terribly.

I was disheartened by the fact that she would never be allowed home. For whatever reason the Shah had for holding her hostage, I was sure that once he knew she was gone, he would send people to seek her. The first place they would look would be her home. There was no telling how long we would be on the run, but I knew that once we started, we would not look back for anything. Ever.

A sharp gasp rang through the room. She was awake. I waited for her breathing to slow before I sang out to her.

"Are you alright, Rosalyn?"

There was a heavy silence before she finally replied.

"I'm fine, thank you. I'm just a bit shaken up." Her voice was raspy.

She'd never sounded like this before. Whatever nightmare she'd been plagued with had bothered her greatly.

"You sounded like you were having a nightmare. Would you care to tell me about it?"

She sniffled loudly before she choked out, "I dreamt of my mother. She came to me from the heavens, as if she were an angel. And right before I woke, she disintegrated." She was now sobbing forcefully.

I felt horrible for asking, but I needed to know.

"Is your mother deceased?" She let out a low gurgle before responding.

"I wish I knew. She disappeared at her work only months ago. She worked here actually. She was a maid. Perhaps you have an idea what happened? You have been here much longer than I have."

My blood ran cold. In that moment, I hated the Shah more than I hated my face. The more I learned about Rosalyn, I came to understand that her earlier life had been nowhere near as simple as I had imagined. She had been hurt so many times. I couldn't bring myself to share with her the unfortunate events that took place a few months back.

"I'm sorry Rosalyn; I am not sure what happened." I was such a liar. Why couldn't I just be honest with her?

She sighed and said, "Sometimes, I like to imagine that she is here. Locked away just like you and I. Not that this is a desirable situation, I just want so badly to believe that she is alive."

My chest swelled in adoration. How could anyone stay so optimistic in such a dump? I honestly believed that she must have been sweeter than honey.

"I understand what you mean, Rosalyn. You have my deepest condolences. It is not fair that you had to endure such a dream."

She giggled softly and replied, "Oh, but I love dreaming. Even when they are sad, at least then I can see."

At least then she could see? Why did she keep referring to sight?

"What do you mean?"

"I was born without sight in my right eye, and I have severe myopia in my left. Doctors say I'll be totally blind by the time I'm thirty."

A blind girl! What did the Shah want from a blind girl?

Rosalyn's problems just kept piling up. Why did I always feel so sorry for myself when other people's lives were just as miserable as mine?

"Oh." What a pathetic response. The girl opens up to me and all I can muster is two measly letters.

"Thank you for listening to me, Erik. I know I can be a burden most of the time, but I am tired. I would like to try to sleep." She did sound tired. She was probably insulted by my lack of articulation. Do I ever do anything right?

"Sleep well Rosalyn. Wake me if you have another dream, and you are definitely not a burden,dear."

"I will. Goodnight, Erik." Rosalyn fell silent and I was left to my thoughts.

Well this certainly changed things. How was I going to lug a blind girl around with me? I would reconsider my plans later, but now I desperately needed sleep because in a few hours, I had yet another fight.