Today's quote is :                                                                                                                                                                                       "Live as if you were to die tomorrow.                                                                              Learn as if you were to live forever. "                                                                                                                      - Mahatma Gandhi

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ANAYA

We were seated in a Mercedes Benz. In a freaking Mercedes Benz! I didn't even know we owned a Mercedes. I think I should prepare myself for a lot more surprises from now on.

After glancing at Avil, I was glad and relieved to know that I wasn't the only one who wasn't informed about this. He was gaping at the car.. like I was a few moments back. But I guess I should have expected this. After all, Kings and Queens must have a whole lot of money, right?

'So', I broke the ice, 'Where's the kingdom?'

'It's hard to explain, sweetie', Avil's mom said.

'Try please', Avil said.

'The kingdom is located in such a place that if you're not of royalty or from the kingdom, you wouldn't know it existed', my mom said.

'So that's why the government hasn't found it yet!', Avil exclaimed.

'Where is it located?' I asked, narrowing my eyes.

'Deep inside a forest. So, so very deep. This forest isn't even marked on the map', my mom said.   

'And once you reach the gates of the kingdom, you will find all kinds of what you thought were extinct species', Avil's mom added.

'Can you repeat that please? I think I misheard the last line', I said.

'You heard right, princess', my dad said. 'Our kingdom is not just any kingdom. We are the Kings and Queens of all forests and animals. It is our duty to make sure the animals don't go extinct. While the others out there think those animals are extinct, we know they aren't. Once we know those animals are being hunted to extinction, our scientists and geologists make sure those animals reach the kingdom safely before they become extinct so that they can continue breeding in a place where their safety is assured.'

'Awesome', I said excitedly. 'I'll finally know what a dodo looks like.'

'Great! Are you expecting to see a unicorn too?', Avil sarcastically.

'You moron!' I shouted.

'Now children. Calm down will you?' Avil's dad said. 'And Avil, there are unicorns there.'

'Seriously?!', Avil's eyes widened.

'No', Avil's dad laughed. 'But your face! Worth it! Uptop Anaya.'

I gave Avil's dad a high five. 'How are you related to your son?'

'That's what I wonder everyday', Avil's dad said.

'Dad!' Avil shouted.

Now everyone except Avil burst out laughing.

'Mum', Avil shouted again in disbelief.

This bickering continued for a long time. Actually, it continued till we reached the middle part of the forest. 'Mom, we're in the centre of the forest. There's no kingdom in sight', I said.

'I told it's located deep inside the forest didn't I?' my mom said.

I nodded. 'Then why aren't we going any further?'

'Have patience, darling and all your questions will be answered', my mom said.

Then, Avil's parents and my parents climbed out of the car and walked to the eastern part of the dense thick forest. They started murmuring a few words and gently twisted some branches.

I couldn't believe what happened next. I know I saw that happened but I couldn't believe it. How can anyone believe that trees moved apart on their own? I just stood there gaping until my mom called for me as she walked towards the car. 'Anaya! Come on will you? We need to make it to the castle before the day's over please.'

'Avil, you too', Avil's mom shouted as she walked to the car.

I glanced at him and saw that he was gaping too!

'How did you do that?', I asked. 

'All questions will answered in time, darling', my mom said.

'And when will that time come may I ask?' I asked, crossing my arms.

'When we reach the palace and had the refreshments', my dad answered.

'Whatever', I said and walked back to the car. 'You coming Peaches?'

'Yeah. I'm coming', Avil said and ran to the car.

As soon as we were all seated in the car, the driver started driving to the clearing that the trees had made when they moved apart. Soon, we were in the kingdom, which I realise now that I don't know it's name.

'Mom, what's the kingdom called?' I asked.

'Forever Land', my mom answered.

'Oh', I said. 'Why isn't anyone here?' 

'That's because we need to walk from here and cross that bridge to reach the kingdom', my mom said while pointing to a bridge in between the cliffs and rivers. 'Oh', Avil said.

'Come along now', Avil's dad said.

It took about half an hour to cross the bridge, walk through a dense forest that was miles and finally reach the palace.

'Can we ask our questions now?' I asked after we were done with refreshments.

'Ask away', Avil's mom said.

'How did you do that thing with the trees?'

'Well, Anaya, we've been gifted some powers to do such things. It's a safety precaution so that no one other that the royal family and subjects can enter this land and endanger the lives of the people and animals as well as plants here', Avil's dad answered.

'Can we do that?' I asked.

'Yes, you can. But not right now. Your powers will come to you when you turn eighteen years old', Avil's dad said.

'Ok', I said.

'Where are the people and the non-extinct animals?' Avil asked.

'Ah that! Why don't you walk over to the balcony at the south side of your palace and see for yourselves', my dad said.

Avil and I looked at each other and shrugged. 'Okay.'

And so we walked to the balcony and opened the doors. And what we saw was out of this freakin' world. It was so beautiful and so imaginative. I felt like I was in some fairy tale.

Animals, poisonous and non-poisonous, both, were walking around freely  and they seemed to be conversing with each other. The people looked so free and had no wrinkles on their forehead. They seemed to be immortal. It was breath-taking. No one was harming the other. They seemed to be very polite.

'Amazing right?' my mom asked from behind me.

'Very', I answered. 'I have a few more questions.'

'Ask away then.'

'Can we talk to the animals and trees?' I asked.

'Yes, you can. Once you turn eighteen', my mom said.

'Awesome', I said in a non-sarcastic manner.

'No crimes happen here, do they?' Avil asked, looking at all the open doors.

'Very rarely', my mom answered. 'Which reminds. The trial is taking place tomorrow in the Royal Court which is located in the western side of the kingdom. So be there at sharp ten tomorrow morning. Okay?'

'Okay', I answered.

'Good. Now go enjoy.'

***

The next morning, Avil and I were seated in The Royal Court. The trials were currently going on and in a few minutes, the judgement would be given.

'Victor, for kidnapping the Prince and Princes, you'll be given a life imprisonment statement with no chance of parol. You will be allowed visits from your family under high supervision and security. As for the rest of you, you are charged with a year of community service and five years in prison,' the judge announced.

I was so happy with the judgement that I yelled, 'Hah! In your face, Victor.'

No one got my sense of humor so I was sushed. Avil silently laughed. I glared at him but he didn't care. Stupid annoying brat!

Anyway, the trial was done, judgement was given and we were heading back. I can't wait for tomorrow. Everything will go back to the way it was before we got kidnapped. Yipee! Feel free to note the sarcasm.

Even though I still hate Avil, I can't but think we got closer when we had to stay together as we got kidnapped. I will miss this but it's for the best. Me hating Avil and Avil hating me is what is best. Yes, it is.

At the end, I felt like I was trying to convince myself that it was for the best and convinced I was.

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Hi guys,

I know. I know. Please don't kill me. I've updated after two months! What is wrong with me? 

Well actually, I was having major writer's block and lost inspiration as this story's almost coming to an end. Only one chapter and an epilogue left.

Fingers crossed I update fast.

Anyway, Please don't forget to comment, vote and share guys. I lost inspiration for that too. God, I've become such a sad person! Lol.

Okay.

See you all next update. Bye guys.

Peace :)

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