Hi there!

So, if you've read "My Shadows", you'll know that the past of the story is needed to help glue the pieces together!

And thus, what we really need is to have a bit more on this "Anastasia" character.

So far, all you know is that she died.

Or, did she?

I won't tell, but, you'll see what happens later on in the story, yes?

Erin:...What the hell are you trying to say?

Me: Well, for "My Shadows", not everything is really as it would seem. The truth can sometimes seem like a lie, and a simple told clue could be planted.

You can never be sure on what could happen.

All you can do is pick up the clues, and hope that you've got the right pieces for the puzzle.

...Well, hope that you guys enjoyed it all, and as always, ONWARDS!

The Ashford family was one of dignity and perfection. Nothing was a mistake, nothing was overlooked. Every piece was where it was for a reason, each move made with expert calculations and extreme measures of assessment.

Long story short, the Ashford family didn't have room for errors. With that said, one would have seen the adoption of a little girl as some sort of small move on a larger board. What was their angle? What was their reason?

Was there a reason?

Regardless of the logic, the ten year old woke to the sound of the curtains being opened, "It is time to get out of bed, Lady Anastasia."

Anastasia groaned, rubbing her eyes, before slowly rising, "Good morning, Brooke." She said in her soft voice.

Brooke, her personal maid, nodded as she walked about the room, cleaning and preparing the area. With long soft blonde hair and deep blue eyes, so close to a dark purple, it amazed Anastasia slightly.

Everything amazed her, really. The size of her room, the things she had, the place she got to call home. It was all pretty foreign to her.

And foreign was scary.

"Today we'll be having a Victorian sponge cake," Brooke said, before rushing to aid Ana off of the bed, "Would you like it with a salad, parfait, or a scone?"

"A salad, please." Anastasia said, letting out a soft yawn, before Brooke nodded, having just taken out Ana's clothing for the day.

"Of course, my lady." Brooke said, smiling her warm smile, before helping her undress. As nice as Brooke looked, Anastasia knew better. She was sweet, yes, but not for the sake of being kind to her.

"Today you'll be having your music lessons," Brooke said, dressing Anastasia in a nice light blue dress, with white lace and long sleeves, "Then after that will be lunch, followed by your math lessons."

"Do we have any free time today, Brooke?" Anastasia asked, barely away at the moment. Brooke only laughed, leading her out.

"I'm sorry, my lady; but you have a full schedule today." Brooke said, "However, your parents are waiting for you in the dining room for breakfast, as is your brother."

A the very mention, Anastasia squeaked, "Can I eat alone; up here?" She mumbled, her fingers tugging and pulling at the hem of her dress.

Not to say that she didn't love her new family, because in all honesty, she really did! They have given her so much, but...She couldn't help but feel a bit anxious, scared being a better term to use.

Brooke sighed, before ruffling her hair, "I'm sorry, my lady, but you may not. Your parents are waiting."

Parents. The word was foriegn, daunting almost.

Gulping, Anastasia nodded, before following Brooke down the stairs. As grand as the mansion was, Anastasia couldn't help but feel lonely in here. All this space, and no one there to enjoy it, use it.

How the size of this very room dauted her when she'd first arrived, able to do little more than stop and stare. Everything here felt too big, like it was too much for such a small amount of people.

Too soon to her liking, she had ended up in the dining room. Inside, as always, Mr. Ashford sat at the head of the table, with Ms. Ashford on the left, and Preston on the right. A servant pulled the chair next to Preston out slightly, while Brooke helped her sit down.

Her "father" smiled, "Good morning, Anastasia."

"Good morning."

Her "mother" gasped, looking the dress over, "Anastasia, that dress looks simply perfect on you!"

"Thank you."

Anastasia heard Preston scoff on the side, before taking a sip of water, "So, father, how goes business in China?"

"Better than originally expected," There father said, before pulling at his tie, "We were able to get in and make a deal, but it is hard to get merchandise in and out of China."

Preston nodded, "Maybe we just need to think outside the box. If the ports aren't open-."

Anastasia couldn't help but tune out the conversation, instead holding herself in her head. Her mind wasn't a big empty wasteland, no, it was a vibrant place, filled with colors and creatures that only lived within her mind.

Nothing was scary, nothing was foreign, nothing felt big and empty. It was a safe place.

Happily trapped in her head, she nearly missed it when Ms. Ashford addressed her, "So then, Anastasia, how does your studies go?"

"Well, I just began the violin with Ms. Starling," Anastasia murmured, her voice coming out as an unsure whisper, "She believes that I'll be better at a stringed instrument."

Ms. Ashford nodded with approval, "A good job, Anastasia."

"Yes, a good job indeed." Mr. Ashford said, before the servants finally served breakfast, "Well, after breakfast, Anastasia will go to her lessons in the garden. And you, Preston, will go back to your studies for the rest of the day."

"Yes, father."

"Okay."

The father nodded, before going back to his food, "We've been expanding our business to Japan, who has a better chance of getting us connected to China..."

She tried not to this time, she really did, but Anastasia couldn't help but get sucked back into her imagination. She didn't have to feel scared here, didn't have to force her voice to be low. She didn't have to feel like she stuck out, like she didn't belong.

Here, she was the one in charge. The one that people looked up to, rather than down upon. Here, there was no Preston to look at her with mild irritation, no sickly sweet words from Mr. and Ms. Ashford. No need for a false sense of security with Brooke, or any of the other maids.

It was just her, and that was comfortable.

"If I may, my lord," Brooke said, once again breaking Anastasia from her head, "It is time for Anastasia to get ready."

William nodded, before looking at Anastasia, "Remember, Anastasia, you are still learning, and for all you know, this isn't meant for you. So, if you do well, a good job. If you don't, then it's okay to try something different; alright?"

Anastasia nodded, "Yes, Mr. Ashford. I will try my best."

Mr. Ashfprd nodded, flashing them a smile, "That's the spirit, young lady!"

The family bid their goodbyes as Anastasia walked out of the room, before Mr. Ashford turned his attention to Preston, "I do expect results from you, boy."

"Of course, father." Preston said, voice a tad too sweet as he stood up, "In fact, I'll leave now, so I can get a headstart on my work for the day."

"…You could try to be a bit more gentle with him, William," Ms. Ashford murmured, "I mean, he is your first born son."

William only sighed, "if he wants to make it in this world, then he will have to learn to push himself, Yuni." He murmured, before looking over a report, "It would seem that the Smith family was robbed last night."

"Oh, how dreadful." Ms. Ashford responded, absentmindedly buttering her toast, "What a terrible turn of events."

"Truly horrid." Mr. Ashford agreed, the two going on with their day.

Out in the garden, Anastasia followed Brooke to the middle of the garden, where the teacher, Ms. Starling, sat at the fountain.

The garden itself was nice, a maze of rose bushes in different colors, with a stone path leading to the middle of the garden, which was a nice yet simple stone fountain, with the top sprouting out water.

Ms. Starling stared Anastasia with her old grey eyes, two violin cases sitting next to her, "You're late, young lady Ashford!"

"Apologizes, miss." Brooke said, before bowing slightly, "I had to take the young lady to breakfast and back here."

Ms. Starling scowled, before sighing, "Alright then. You're excused, maid."

"Yes, lady Starling." Brooke said, shooting Anastasia one last look, before retreating.

Ms. Starling sighed, before giving Anastasia a look, "What are you waiting for, girl? Pick up your instrument!"

Anastasia nodded, before frowning, "Umm, miss…you've yet to tell me how to use a violin." She said, voice slowly growing quieter, as if afraid to say something wrong.

"Bah!" Ms. Starling murmured, before holding up her own, "Like this, young lady, like this!"

Anastasia nodded, before holding it up, "Like this?"

"No, young lady, like this!" Ms. Starling murmured, fixing Anastasia's posture, before going back, "Now, repeat after me."

Anastasia gulped, really wishing at the prior teacher, Ms. Rose, hadn't moved away, "I don't know how to play-."

"Enough of your excuses!" Ms. Starling growled, "Play it, like this!"

Anastasia looked closely, trying to watch the teacher closely, only to get more and more confused, "Miss, could you please do that again?"

Ms. Starling gave her a look, "At least attempt to replicate what I'm giving you here!"

Anastasia nodded, playing the first note, only to wince, the note coming out flat. Ms. Starling scowled, "If you really were paying attention to your prior lessons, you wouldn't be having this problem! Do you not know anything about this instrument, young lady?"

Anastasia sighed, about to answer, only to watch as Ms. Starling groaned, standing up, "Take a break, young lady. I'll be back in half an hour. Just, stay here."

Anastasia nodded, watching her new music teacher walk off, before sighing. She leaned back, staring at the sky, trying to figure out what she was doing wrong. She was doing as the teacher had said, she'd tried her best to comply, but she was still making mistakes.

"Hahaha, pathetic."

Anastasia's head flew up, eyes widen with panic, "H-h-h-hello?"

"Hi."

Anastasia jumped, the voice coming from behind her now, as she turned around, "…What d-do you w-want?"

"Me? Well…Hahaha. Hahahahaha!"

The was loud laughing, and for some reason, it wasn't stopping. Finally, Anastasia stomped her foot, "Do not play games with me! I am-."

"The lady Anastasia." The voice said, making Anastasia whip around again, the voice now coming from behind her, "Adopted just two months ago, right? Or was it three?"

"WHO ARE YOU!?" Anastasia screamed, her voice coming out a lot shriller than she meant for it to be.

The garden was heavy with silence, before rustling occurred behind her. Slowly, she turned around, only to be nose to nose with…a girl.

Anastasia jumped back, about to yell, only to have the mystery girl hold her mouth shut, Her wide periwinkle eyes wide, her hair a pale blonde, "If you keep screaming like that, we're both gonna get it!" The girl sighed, the dust and dirt from her clothing slowly rubbing onto Anastasia's dress, "Now, I'm going to let go, and you're going to keep that mouth shut. Alright?"

Anastasia nodded, fearful, as the girl slowly took her hand off. Anastasia's eyes widened, "W-who are you?"

"Wow, I haven't had anyone ask me that question for a while," The girl admitted, grinning to herself as she rubbed the back of her head, "Normally I get 'why are you in my house', or, 'why are you taking my stuff'. No one ever asks who I am, or how I'm doing!"

Anastasia's eyes widened, "A-are you t-the one w-who-?"

"Kills, murders, and steals from the rich noble people?" The girl asked, eyes flashing with humor, "I'm not gonna admit anything, kid! I know my rights!"

At this point, Anastasia was sure that her head was about to implode in on itself, "C-could you just answer my question?"

"Whoops, sorry, I have a problem with rambling!" the girl grinned, before swooping down to give her a deep bow, "The name's Erika Ackerman; but you can just call me Erin!"

Anastasia was to busy backing up slowly, before pressing her back up against the rose bushes, ".A-are you…a-a-are y-you…?"

"Umm, speak up, kid." Erin murmured, before leaning back on the fountain, "I don't speak stutter."

"Are y-you here t-to kill m-m-me?" Anastasia asked.

Erin couldn't help but blink. Then she blinked. Then blinked again.

There was another heavy silence, before Erin began to shake, laughter coming out of her mouth, "Oh God, man, you're such a riot!"

"…I'm sorry?"

"I'm not here to kill you," Erin said, before pulling out her gun. Anastasia yelped, before she watched Erin put it onto the stone fountain, "If I were, then trust me, you'd be dead."

Anastasia nodded, "Then, why a-are you here?"

Erin's grin widened, before picking up the fallen violin, "I'm here to help ya!"

Anastasia's eyes held some confusion, "…What?"

Erin sighed, "Me. Help. You. Play. Violin."

Anastasia couldn't help but give her a look of confusion, "Why?"

"Honestly? Heard that old lady yelling at you while I was walking past." Erin said, gesturing to the tall wall that separated the garden from the outside world, "Didn't have anything better to do, so I figured that I could just drop by and say hi, you know?"

Anastasia could only stand there, unsure what to say or do next. This girl wasn't making any sort of sense.

Erin sighed, smiling softly, "You know, Annie, can I call you Annie?"

Anastasia nodded, "O-okay."

"You know, Annie, I'm not gonna bite." Erin grinned, flashing teeth like it would change anything, "No need to act all scared. I mean what I said, if I wanted you dead, we wouldn;t have made it to this part of the conversation."

"I'm…I'm not s-scared."

"You're a VERY bad liar," Erin murmured, "Something else we should work on. But, it is true, Annie. I can tell that you're afraid, and you don't have to be."

"Haven't you k-killed people?"

"I neither confirm nor deny," Erin said, waving the thought off like it didn't matter much, "Doesn't mean that I can't try to help someone my age play the violin!"

Anastasia gulped, before letting a deep breath in, then out, "Okay." She managed. Ms. Starling would be back soon, right? Yeah, she just had to remain calm till then. She just had to keep a level head.

Erin nodded, smiling, "There you go, kid!" She said, before helping her hold it up, "Just like that! Okay, now, you rest your head on that, and then you use the bow like that to make music."

Anastasia nodded, before playing a note, wincing when it came out sour.

Wordlessly, Erin moved to fix her fingers, before having her go again. Unlike the last time, it sounded right. Erin nodded, clapping, "Good job, kid. Now look, it you press your fingers on a different place," She said, moving Anastasia's fingers, "And run your bow across it, you make a different note!"

Anastasia nodded, her fear slowly melting away, as she ran the bow across the strings. For some sort of criminal, this girl knew how to teach pretty well, "It s-sounds nice."

Erin laughed, "It does, doesn't it?" She murmured, before pulling her own instrument up, "Now then, let's have a bit of fun with this, yes?"

And so, the two of them did just that. This girl that had (apparently) jumped the wall in order to teach her to play violin was slowly becoming less hostile and more friendly.

For the first time in a long time, Anastasia didn't feel the need to remain quiet or keep herself in check. This was actually beginning to feel like...Fun.

Erin didn't feel like a stranger. The more time went on, the more she felt like some close friend than some criminal street rat.

Erin would play a note, and after playing it multiple times, Anastasia would do the same. The same for the next few notes, and before she knew it, they were playing a song. Erin suddenly stopped, smiling at Anastasia, "You've got it, keep playing!"

Anastasia nodded, trying to go through the notes in her head. Whenever she played the wrong notes, Erin would move Anastasia's fingers, then nod, allowing her to continue.

Before she knew it, she'd been playing four lovely notes. Erin nodded, "Nice little song, don't you think?"

"Yes, yes it was." Anastasia murmured, a light smile on her mouth, before looking over to Erin, confused, "But…what song is it?"

"Guess you could say it's a song of my own creation," Erin smiled, "You see, Annie, where I come from, we use tones and music to communicate when we're not face to face."

Anastasia tilted her head to the side, "Oh? What does this tune mean then?"

Erin smiled, "The tune I taught you? Simple, it means 'Until we meet again'."

Anastasia tilted her head to the side, "Why would you teach me that?"

Erin only winked, whistling the tune, before pulling something out of her pocket. She threw it down, a squeal leaving Anastasia as a white hiss sounded from the ball, smoke billowing out of it and into the air.

"Catch ya later, Annie."

Anastasia coughed, using her hands to wave the smoke around, only to accidently hit someone.

"Oww! Little lady, how dare you do such a thing!"

Anastasia coughed, the smoke slowly disappearing to reveal a very angry Ms. Starling. The old lady growled lightly, "What do you have to say for yourself!?" She shouted.

But, for once, Anastasia wasn't listening. She looked around, standing up. It was only now that she noticed that the gun was gone, the violin sitting where it had been before Ms. Starling left.

It was as if Erin had never been there, like Anastasia had imagined the whole thing.

"Young lady, are you ignoring me!?"

Anastasia shook her head, "I'm sorry, Ms. Starling!"

"You had better be sorry!"

Anastasia was then dragged back into the mansion by the angered older lady, dragged right into her room, before being thrown in, "Young lady, you'll stay in here! I want an urgent talk with your parents about your behavior this instant!"

Anastasia flinched, the sound of the door being thrown shut emphasized by a sudden flash of lightning. She turned to face her window, surprised by the sudden storm outside. Maybe it wasn't all bad, being dragged in like that…

...Oh, who was she kidding, it didn't make the situation any less horrible!

She sat on her bed, with dark green drapes over it. She sat on the bed for a bit, before flying herself back, groaning.

In her head, she wasn't even sure that Erin was real.

"Pst, hey, let me in!"

Anastasia jumped, before turning around to her window. She had thought that she'd gone thoroughly mad at that point, assuming that the sudden shout was the thunder and nothing else, only to be proven wrong when a tapping noise became louder.

Quickly, Anastasia pulled the window open, letting the grinning girl in, "Alright then, off to neverland!" She said, posing dramatically in the window, being jumping in. She shook like a dog attempting to dry off, throwing droplets of water all around the room.

"…Where?" Anastasia asked, which caused Erin to sigh.

"Never mind. So…" Erin trailed off, taking a good look at her room, "Nice place you've got here."

"Thank y-you."

"Who was that lady? The one that pulled you up here by your ear?" Erin asked, leaning on a bedpost.

"My teacher," Anastasia murmured, "I might have accidentally hit her in the smoke. So now, she's locked me in my room."

Erin nodded, before laughing, "Well, now we can get to know each other more!"

Anastasia nodded, Erin's happiness infectious, "Wait, does this make us friends?"

Erin thought it over for a bit, before smirking, "Yea, friends. Sure, I like the sound of that!"

Anastasia giggled, before looking Erin over, "…Why are you so dirty?"

Erin looked herself over, "I'm not that dirty! I had this washed a week ago!"

Anastasia shook her head, before going into her closet, "You can't wear that…Here!"

Erin's head jerked up, before catching it. She looked at the white shirt over, and the black baggy pants, along with a cap and a jacket, "What's this for?"

"Change out of those!" Anastasia said, before looking around, "But you need a bit of color…Ah, here we go!"

Erin looked up, just in time to get a mouthful of a red silk scarf. Anastasia giggled, "That's not how you use a scarf!"

Erin sighed, before looking it all over, "…Thank you."

"No problem!" Anastasia said, before looking Erin over, "Why don't your parents buy you new clothing?"

At the words, Erin's back stiffened up, before sighing, "I…I can't have that."

Anastasia tilted her head to the side, "Why not?"

"Don't have any."

Anastasia couldn't speak. She placed a hand on her dirty back, "…It's okay. I didn't have parents either."

The two entered an awkward moment of silence, neither sure what to say next, before Eirn cleared her throat. Awkward silences weren't exactly the best feeling.

"I'm just curious; ever seen someone get taken down by a notebook, two paper clips, and a cup of coffee?"

"Umm...No?"

Erin grinned, taking a seat on her bed, "Then do I have a story for you!"

And so, the two talked and shared stories, the only other sound aside from their voices being the rain's pitter-patter from outside, occasionally joined by sudden strikes of thunder and lightning.

But none of that mattered. Anastasia never thought that someone could make her feel so...safe before. She thought that her mind was her only safe place, but sitting here with Erin, watching her dramatically go into detail for her story, she couldn't help but feel comfortable.

No, that wasn't the right word.

Erin made her feel accepted.

She didn't have to pretend to be someone else. She didn't have to second guess herself, she didn't have to rethink her responses. She didn't have to be as cautious as she normally was, and that feeling was so liberating.

She didn't realize that she'd fallen asleep until she woke up. The sky outside was clear, the sun slowly sinking behind the mountain range.

She allowed herself to stretch, a happy smile on her face. The open window was proof enough that that whole exchange wasn't just in her head. She had managed to let someone into her head, and for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel a need to feel fear.

Anastasia was happy.

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Till next time guys, I go back to school tomorrow, and so, this may be the last chapter in a while.

But, hopefully, I'll cya guys later on!

Till then, bai bai!