Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Not Inception, not the Red Riding Hood tale.

Yay, an update! I'm a bit half-half on this chapter. I like it but at the same time, I felt like it's a bit of a filler even when it's supposedly not (maybe the first scene but the rest, no). I still hope you enjoy it, though! And for those wondering why I'm not using the original Red Riding Hood (by Charles Perrault) it's because Ari would not approve, haha.

Thank you so much to followers [JuseaPeterson, Lilacshadows, carameltootsieroll, illyria, kamarooka] and favoriters [kamarooka, JuseaPeterson]! This is also unbeta'd but I gave it a look for editing. All mistakes are mine.

Neverlandspirit: Hi! I have you to thank for being a part of the whole support group. :3 Thank you! And I hope you enjoy this chapter! There's a lot more of the story in here.
SiSi4: Yup, they are! And I cannot wait until they're in the next stage. We can never have enough Eames annoying the hell out of Arthur, haha! Let's be like James and keep it a secret ;] I suppose it adds more mystery since we'll be with her along the way. Thank you! And I hope you enjoy this chapter!
JuseaPeterson: Hahahaha! I'm happy to know that I have your support even with gaps between updating. Thank you! I'm glad you do. I was a little scared since the last chapter was pretty much a flat line for me, hoping this one would give a height. I think I sort of answers those wonders here, but not straight to the point (mystery, really hoping it works). Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Kamarooka: Yes, I love excessive exclamation points! Hihihi. You know I read that line (you know which one I'm talking about) during a very quiet time and there I am suddenly smirking and giggling. And definitely not too early to be inappropriate, let's be as inappropriate as we want ;] I was really hoping you'd say something like that. I agree! But it would be sooo Eames to do so! Oh my, thank you so so so much! Look at that imaginary tiara on my head, hihi. I know! Someone really wants me to continue writing. Thank you, thank you, thank you! And I hope you enjoy this chapter!
you know who: Thank you! Hehehehe. Oops, I just realized I'm supposed to submit by Monday :\
D.B: I judge you right now, Early Bird, I judge you right now. Just kidding! You know I love you. And don't worry, no judging ;] Thanks! I credit ro-little-shop-of-wonders for that, and nope, not from a movie :]

"[...]. Set out before it gets hot, and when you are going, walk nicely and quietly and do not run off the path, or you may fall and break the bottle, and then your grandmother will get nothing; and when you go into her room, don't forget to say, "Good morning", and don't peep into every corner before you do it.'"–Little Red Riding Hood (Brothers Grimm, 1697)

Laughter fills our table as Uncle Dom, Aunt Mal, Grandpa Stephen and our two new neighbors converse. Phillipa is sticking closely to Grandma Jacqueline and occasionally talking to me while James doesn't have a care in the world and continues to eat his burger. The table reserved for us is a rectangular shaped one with Uncle Dom sitting at the head, Aunt Mal on his left and Grandpa Miles beside her, then Grandma Jacqueline and Phillipa. On the other side of Uncle Dom is Eames, Arthur, then me and James.

At one point, Eames looks at Arthur and taps his chin. "Well, well. It was a good idea to come here tonight, you're actually having fun, aren't you?" Arthur just gives him a look. "Oh, Ariadne, love, you seem so quiet. Lighten up, this is your party!"

I smile a little. "I'm listening in."

Eames shakes his head. "Not enough. Please, tell us more about yourself. Arthur and I are dying to know more about you."

"Oh, well," I start, looking down to hide the heat coming from my neck which is creeping to my face, "I...I have one more year of uni and I plan to go to grad school. I'm taking up architecture."

"Really?" Arthur tilts his head.

"Arthur is trained to have a keen eye and a mind that can take in a lot of weight," Eames says, "perhaps the two of you should exchange notes. He's a trained consultant, researcher, security expert and assassin."

James gasps. "You're an asisin, Mr. Arthur?"

"No, James," Arthur glares at Eames and then looks at James, "Mr. Eames was just teasing me. I'm a martial arts expert, though."

"Are you a ninja?"

"He has the moves of a ninja," Eames supplies. "And he's good with weapons."

"All the weapons?" James's eyes widen, his mouth dropping in delight.

"Pretty much, yes," the English man answers, "but he likes to keep that a secret, so shh," he puts his index finger to his lips, "promise not to tell anyone about Mr. Arthur being a very cool superhero, Mr. James?"

James nods enthusiastically before returning to his food.

Arthur glares again at the man beside him but then turns back to me with a softer expression. "I'd like to see some of your designs. Perhaps we can work on it some more."

'Sure, but your little peek-a-boo still creeps me out,' I think. "Yeah, that'd be nice. I need a fresh set of eyes to look at my on-going portfolio. Applications are coming out really soon and if I want to get into that French-based school then I think I'd need some professional help."

"Ecole D'Architecture?" he clarifies. I nod. "Wow."

"She doesn't think her grandfather and I are professional enough," Uncle Dom says, chuckling.

"Yes, Arthur is the most sought out person for anything critical, you two should work together, you'd make a great team," Eames says with a smirk. "He'd like that. You'd like that, won't you, Darling?"

"If you don't mind, Ariadne," is all Arthur says to me. "It's your choice."

"If I find you helpful then why not?" I tell him with a small smile. "I hope your credentials are legitimate," I joke.

He smiles. "Just by looking at the references you'll be having already gives you a good chance in their list. Eames and I know some really good architects and engineers that might help."

"More than you can imagine, Love," Eames says with a wink.

"That's great!" Aunt Mal exclaims. "If our connections are impressive enough, I'm sure yours will be as well."

Arthur gives me another glance before turning back to the adults. "I'd just like to ask, Mr. Miles, if you are the Stephen Miles."

Grandpa chuckles. "I am, dear boy. Have we met before?"

"No, I'm afraid not," Arthur shakes his head, "but my parents hired you to design some buildings when they were just starting. The one in Seattle, the one in Wall Street and the one here in Stone Rose. I'm not sure if you remember them."

"Marvin and Stephanie Brandon," Grandpa starts to nod, "yes, I was wondering why you and your last name are familiar. Yes, I remember designing for them. Kind of made me wonder where they got all the money for three buildings. And one in Wall Street, unbelievable."

Arthur shrugs. "Small businesses here and there."

"Illegal," Eames says.

"No," Arthur snaps. "Legal. Very legal."

"Hello there, little baby," Angelika whispers, "you're very beautiful, you know that?" She smiles a little. "Of course you do. I'm sure your mother doesn't stop telling you that every chance she can." She sees the baby smile at her. "And what others say when your mother brings you out."

"But I don't bring her out too much," Cassandra says, appearing from the kitchen and wiping her hands with a towel. "I don't know when I can bring her out without a single worry, Angelika. Your people are still looking for us with no mercy."

"They won't hurt you," the blonde says and then softly, "just this little angel."

"That's even worse," the red-head sighs. She walks toward the crib and picks up the baby and carries her. "It's been three months but I'm sure they're still looking for me."

Angelika strokes the baby's hair. "And I don't blame them." Cassandra glares at the woman and jerks backward. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...I...Cassandra—"

"I think it'd be better if you leave."

"I'm here to help you, Cassandra," Angelika reminds her, "I only said that because it's true and they're hurting others…"

"Because they want my little angel?" Cassandra continues for her. "I understand that. I understand it perfectly."

"You could die, too, Cassandra."

The red-head glares at the blonde in front of her, clutching the baby tight against her. "At least my daughter knows I didn't abandon her and that I tried. And the cloak, you said it would help. Or is that a lie to make me trust you?"

"I've never lied to you," Angelika says evenly. "And I never meant for you to doubt me."

Cassandra kisses the top of her baby's forehead and sighs. "I'm going to run again. Maybe settle down somewhere peaceful. Somewhere far away from Rosenstorgh."

"Where will you run, Cassandra?"

"I don't...I don't really want to tell anyone, just in case," she admits. Angelika nods, understanding. "I want Cordelia to have a good life. I can't allow her to have a life of being hunted. I just can't."

"No mother would want that for their child," Angelika says, "I understand. I really do."

Cassandra puts the baby back in her crib. "Will they ever give up?" she whispers.

"In due time, I suppose," Angelika answers quietly, "but on her twentieth birthday…"

"They never told me why they'll take her. They just warned me. Why didn't they just tell me the truth, Angelika? I'm a parent, I'm a mother," she quivers, "they have to understand."

"Why did you stay when you knew they were going to take her away from you?" Angelika inquires. "You could still have gotten out of Rosenstorgh."

She scoffs, shaking her head, "Marius told me that we'd have to show that we weren't afraid. That we could work it out and our family would be okay. That bastard just wanted us there so they could take her away faster. He's a coward. All he wanted to do was save his ass."

"And he had the decency to tell you to try for another child," Angelika laughs without humour, "I hope Cordelia finds someone better than her father."

Cassandra gives a tight smile. "And here you are saying that my little angel will live to have her own family."

"I think with a mother like you, she has a high chance of living and having her own family. Meet a man who would accept her and won't dare give her away to the people of the village," Angelika says with a smile then turns to the sleeping baby, "She's beautiful, Cassandra."

"I know," the red-head grins, "I have to admit that even Marius's genes helped...even if he is a bastard." She pauses. "Um...how is he? Aside from pretending none of this happened?"

"Since you two aren't legally married and only married in terms of Rosenstorgh standards, you're free to have a family again, Cassandra."

"That doesn't really answer my question, Angelika."

The blonde bites her lip. "He's engaged to another woman."

"Do I know her?" Cassandra asks, straightening her posture and putting her chin up.

"I think you do." Angelika hesitates, "Ruffa, do you know her?"

"Familiar."

"She's the daughter of one of the Elder's. Horatio's daughter."

"Oh," she mumbles, "her. Yeah, I remember her. I bet she's ecstatic to be Marius's new wife, isn't she?"

"He doesn't love her, neither does she."

"I don't care," Cassandra snaps. "She's always fawned over him, telling him that she could have a boy for him after we found out that we were—I was and now have," she immediately corrects, "a wonderful and beautiful baby girl," she coos at the sleeping girl in the crib. "She knew about the curse, didn't she?"

"Everyone knew," Angelika whispers.

The red-head glares at her. "Why does she want to be married to him?"

"Famous bloodline, I suppose," the other woman says with a shrug, "family tree."

"I've always thought your village people are strange," Cassandra mutters.

Angelika looks away and then caresses the baby's hair. "I have to go, baby Cordy. I'll check up on you soon, okay?" She bends down to kiss her forehead and then looks at the mother. "I'll be back. Promise to meet up with me more time before you leave, please?" She gives her a pleading look.

Cassandra nods. "Of course. Take care of yourself, Angelika."

"You two take care, all right? Keep her wrapped around the cloak. Your scent isn't strong enough for them to find you. Oh, and one more thing," the blonde reaches for something behind her, handing it to the woman in front of her, she continues, "before I forget."

A comb. It's white with red and pink accents with gold engravings. One that says 'Cordelia'.

"Oh," Cassandra blinks in surprise, "a comb. How lovely. Thank you."

Angelika laughs. "It's for protection. See?" She flips it to its side and reveals a dagger blade. "Not just from them...or us, but from the people around us as well."

Cassandra smiles. "Thank you, Angelika."

"You're welcome." With a nod, she turns away. "Give me a week or two to visit again. If it's past that," she sighs, "leave. It's okay if you don't get to see me, just leave. Protect Cordy. Run as far as you can. Live a good life, okay?"

Cassandra nods, understanding. "Goodbye."

That was the last time they ever saw each other.

"This just in, in California, a young couple has been brutally murdered. No known suspects yet but the local people are calling it a wild beast attack. This cannot be verified as they two lovebirds were not anywhere near a woody area. We have here a crime photo of the murder. We warn you, this is for the faint of heart."

The picture shows two disfigured bodies, half eaten with both having holes in their chests where their hearts should be.

He turns to the man next to him. "They're quick."

The other man turns around and looks up at the sky. "Why are their birthdays always on a full moon?"

Phillipa, James and I are on the balcony of Uncle Dom and Aunt Mal's room while all the adults are inside watching television. The moon tonight is full, just like all my other birthdays. The three of us like to look at it and wonder what's in store for me during the year.

"I think you'll meet your prince charming this year, Ari," Phillipa says. She's been telling that for three years. "I'm sure of it this time." And that for the past two.

I shake my head, a small chuckle escaping my lips. "I'll find him when I find him, Phil."

James traces the outline of the moon with his finger. "This year, you will bring me to Disneyland."

Phillipa grins. "I think so, too!"

"I think that can be arranged," I tell them.

Uncle Dom calls us unexpectedly, worry in his voice. We arrive and I see the headline about a couple murdered in California before Aunt Mal switches the channel to FOX Family Movies and the schedule says that Beethoven would be starting soon. "Get comfy," Aunt Mal says, "it's bedtime for the younger ones when the movie is done." Phillipa and James jump on the bed and I follow, lying behind them.

When the film ends, the two are ushered out by Uncle Dom and Aunt Mal while Grandpa, Grandma and I go to our own rooms. There are a series of goodnights as the doors shut one by one. With tomorrow being a Sunday, I plan to wake up late and then start all the work I have to do. It isn't much since I've done most of them yesterday (schoolwork on your birthday? I don't think so).

I turn on my laptop and log into Facebook. I'm not fond of thanking people for greeting me, so about two days before I always make my birthdate private and then turn it back on at night, that way, I'll only be thanking those who actually know me. When I'm logged in, I see a notification for a new friend request from a certain Adam Eames. I accept it and then check out his profile.

He doesn't keep a low profile. He has about two thousand pictures and less than five hundred friends but obviously love him are also active. There's a link to his Twitter, Instagram and even Tumblr accounts. There are a few pictures of Arthur and only two where he's smiling and laughing.

Very attractive. I search his friends and find Arthur's profile. Unsurprisingly, it's private and his profile picture is of him and Eames (where the said owner of the profile isn't even smiling) with only two handfuls of friends. I can't even look at his pictures. "Damn," I mutter. I take a good two minutes of contemplating whether I want to send him a friend request or not. I'm choosing the latter.

Not yet in the mood to sleep, I stare at my homepage before typing 'California couple murdered'. Okay, brace yourself for some nightmares, Ariadne. The latest one is from ten minutes ago so I click on it and read.

A young couple from Los Angeles, California, Marky Frost and Grace Hale, have been murdered by an unknown assailant. The police are trying their best to find the suspect. People are shocked to find the brutality of this double murder. Locals, on the other hand, believe it to be an attack by a beast.

"We actually believe this to be a copycat," the chief of the town comments, "the M.O. has been used twenty years ago, and we have seen some files wherein the victim's hearts are torn out. But the year gaps are too big for one person alone. Perhaps it's a cult."

Another cop adds, "The FBI wants in on this."

"We are trying our best to find the criminal," the chief continues.

"A copycat, huh," I mutter.

Twenty years ago, a young woman, Isabelle Hart, was attacked the exact same way as the couple mentioned above. An older man, Greg Lowry, and a few more bodies that are unidentified due to much disfiguration, were also victims of these kills dubbed as "The Heartless Killings".

Are these killings connected? Is it only one person? A cult of followers? A group? Stay in door, folks.

Someone knocks on my door and I allow them in. It's Uncle Dom and Aunt Mal. I smile at them. "It's past midnight, it's not my birthday anymore."

Aunt Mal sits on my bed. "We're just...time flies so fast. One moment we see you on our doorstep and fighting for your rights, the next...you're becoming an adult."

"With a heart of a child," I say, trying not to tear up.

Uncle Dom runs his hands through my hair and I close my eyes and sigh. I've always had a thing for people playing with my hair. When there's time or when I'm stressed, Aunt Mal would put my hair in different variations just because she knows it helps me relax and I love it.

"Why are you looking at the murders?" he asks.

I open my eyes and see that he's looking at the laptop screen. "I didn't have much in my mind and I saw that on TV earlier but didn't get much information." I shrug. "A brutal murder on my birthday kind of interests me."

He chuckles and kisses my temple. "We're just so happy to have you as our daughter. I think it's time you call us Mom and Dad again."

I bite my lip. "You have to remember that it's not because I'm ungrateful," I start as Aunt Mal begins to braid my hair, "you know how much I love you to, but...I guess I'm a little jealous. Phillipa and James have your blood and—"

"It doesn't mean we love you any less," Aunt Mal says.

"I know." I smile. There's nothing else to say. I've talked to them about this before and I've told them that I will call them Mom and Dad again when I'm ready. Once, they asked when ready is and I answered "when I feel it". Although I've never told them the real reason I'm sure they know when the right time really is: when I stop longing for my real family. I personally don't believe that it's fair to call Uncle Dom and Aunt Mal my parents when a part of still can't fathom that my mother and father gave me up, even if it isn't fair to the two people who are raising me as their own. I have a feeling that they've already tattooed in their minds that I am their biological daughter. When I was left behind they were trying so hard to have a baby. I've told everyone that I don't mind and I don't consider my biological parents at all, I'm lying to them and myself.

There's a ding coming from my laptop and I have a Skype notification from my best friend, Valeria Normandeau.

"I think this means it's time for us to leave," Uncle Dom says and then kisses my temple. "Happy Birthday, Ari."

Aunt Mal does the same. "We love you so much."

I give them both goodnight hugs and then they leave me alone in my room before I resume to focus on the gadget beside me.

valnorm: Okay, time to spill what happened this afternoon and during dinner, birthday girl.

aricobb: Talk. Talk. Talk. Talk. That's it.

valnorm: I don't believe it.

aricobb: :P Would you like to get in the boring details of business talk?

valnorm: No. :|

As we continue to chat during the wee hours of the morning, I can't help but shudder whenever I remember the last few lines of the article before Uncle Dom and Aunt Mal came in.

The very gruesome detail of this murder is that the victims' hearts are gone. We know that there is a hole where the vital organ should be, however, we don't know what the killer has done to it. Officer Ludwig has given us some of the theories that were formed during the past years. "Perhaps a trophy, a sacrifice...or food."

"'I will take great care,' said Little Red Riding Hood to her mother, and gave her hand on it." –Little Red Riding Hood (Brothers Grimm, 1697)

I realized my chapters all start with 'The' and I really didn't mean for that to happen (and it's kinda annoying me, haha). I just wanted to point that out because it wasn't my intention to do so. And yes, there are some questions that are left unanswered (i.e. how Cassandra got her baby back) but don't worry, I'll be answering them. It may not be soon but I will, I promise. :]

I hope everyone is enjoying this! I know I am. Didn't know I'd have this much inspiration or want to continue writing as much as I am right now. Please leave a review to let me know if I'm heading in the right direction or not, I'd love to know what you're thinking.