Oh, what is this?

No, no wait, it can't be...

ANOTHER LONG CHAPTER WITH MORE SECRETS!

Erin: Wow, no way.

Me:...I don't want to have to deal with you...So ONWARD!

In the outer reaches of London, a large manor stood.

Said Manor was the home to Ludwig and Alica Ackerman and their five children: Alastair, Conway, Nicky, Erika and Margret Ackerman.

On most days like these, Alastair was in the library, reading his life away. Conway was most likely out in town, doing god knew what, and would be back god knew when. Nicky would be out as well, most likely following Conway in whatever he had planned. Margret, bless her soul, was with her mother and father, being a good little girl as she always was.

Which leaves us missing a single Ackerman child.

Where was Erika?

"And that is why women should be equal to men."

Eight year old Erika nodded, seeming to take notes in her mind, while smiling. At the moment, young Erika was sitting down on the bed next to her grandmother. Erika giggled, before tilting her head to the side, "Hey, grandma, I've got a question."

The elder lady laughed, before nodding, her periwinkle eyes glimmering with intelligence and years of knowledge, "Go on, Erika. I'm not getting any younger."

"Why is it that women aren't equal to men?"

The grandmother sighed, before laughing lightly, "Well, you see, Erika; in our world men are seen as the dominant due to stereotypes. But, due to the fact that we have been doing and saying said stereotype for the past hundreds of years; mankind has just come to accept it all."

"But why?" Erika asked, confused, "I mean, you just finished telling me how women are equal to men. So, why can't we be as strong as men?"

"Now, hold up a moment, Erika." The elder said, pulling herself up from under the blanket, "Women are just as strong as men; physically. Sure, men have more muscle mass, but women can be just as strong. Now, when it comes to society, that's when men have more power."

Erika nodded, trying with all of her heart and soul to understand, only to sigh, "…Do you have the answer, grandma?"

The elder nodded, before pressing her bony finger up against Erika's chest, "My dear, the reason that we can't be like men is simply because we are not. Oh, how do I explain this? Unlike a lot of men, ladies are held up to a certain standard. Us women have to act and be a certain way in this class. As a lady, you must act like a lady. But, because we're women and men are men…We are seen more as trophies than humans. Us girls in this class are around to be seen; not really treated like humans, in a way. Do you understand, my dear?"

Erika tilted her head to the side, before nodding, "Alright!" She said, smiling widely, before giving her a questioning look, "Can you tell me a story, grandma?"

The old woman's eyes sparkled, before nodding, watching Erika become cozy, "Let's see…A long time ago, there was a kingdom. In said kingdom, the king had a single daughter. Like every other royal family, the girl was to be put into an arranged marriage by the time she was of age."

Erika nodded, inching closer, causing the old lady to laugh, "So, one day, the princess meets the prince that she was to marry, but to be honest, she didn't like him much. He was older than her, and was more into the money then her."

"What did she do?" Erika questioned, confused.

"Let me explain, then you might not have any questions." She joked, ruffling Erika's hair, before going on, "So, the wedding was only weeks away, but the princess wasn't sure what to do. Would she marry the prince, follow what her parents had set up for her in life. Or, would she run away?"

"But running away is bad," Erika said, visibly confused with this conundrum, "You told me so."

"Sweet girl, there is a difference between running away and freedom. A lot of girls would give anything for that." The grandmother said, laughing, only to cough violently.

Erika's eyes widened, before picking up a cup from the nightstand, "Here, gran!"

The elderly women took the cup, drinking it, before her cough began to die down. They waited a few seconds in silence, before the grandmother went on, "I beg your pardon, my dear…Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, so, the princess was left with a choice."

"But what did she choose?" Erika asked.

The grandmother's eyes sparkled with joy, before rustling her hair, "I should be asking you that question, little princess."

Erika giggled, about to go on, only to have the door open. The man on the other side had a large broad chest, dirty blond hair, and blue eyes, "I'm sorry, mother. Erika, out of here." Her father said, pulling Erika out.

The elderly sighed, "Stop talking like you've got a stick up your arse, boy."

"Mother!" Ludwig sighed, covering Erika's ears, "Not in front of her!"

The elderly sighed, "You know, Lud, you really must learn to be loose and fun."

Ludwig scowled, before leading Erika out, closing the door after saying, "Please, go get some sleep, mother. You're not feeling well."

Erika sighed, before giving her father a look, "Is something wrong, dad?"

Ludwig shook his head, "No, little Erika. In fact, I've got someone for you to meet."

Erika nodded, smiling widely, before walking after he father. Finally, a new playmate; a new friend! The only friend that she really had was Margret, but, it would be nice to see someone from the outside world.

She walked down the stairs, about to yell a greeting, only to stop. Outside stood a man in a dressy tux and dress pants. He wore a cool smirk, but she didn't like that look in his eyes.

Ludwig nodded, leading her down, before shaking hands with the stranger, "Mr. Dominic; this is my daughter."

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine." The man said, before looking at Erika, "Hello there, my dear."

Erika nodded, before doing a little curtsey, "Welcome, sir."

The man laughed, "Such manners, this one has!" He said, before patting her head, "Just Peter is fine, darling."

Erika nodded, trying to keep a smile, only to feel that irritation in the back of her head.

She did not like this man. She didn't know why, and she didn't know what, but something her was very off putting.

Ludwig sighed, before checking his watch, "I've got to go and work, but maybe you two can get to know each other, yes?" He asked, before turning around and leaving.

The two were left in an awkward silence, only to have Peter smirk, picking up her hand, "So, my dear; what is your name?"

"Erika." Erika said, her voice slowly getting quieter, "Erika Ackerman."

Peter nodded, smiling, his teeth a bright yellow, "So, what do you enjoy doing?"

"I like to imagine." Erika said truthfully, trying to keep her smile.

Peter sighed, "I'll have that fixed later…" He murmured, before going back to his smile, "So, Erika, do tell; do you have a crush on anyone?"

Erika shook her head, "No. I don't go outside often. Why?"

"Good." Peter murmured, before getting down on one knee, "So, my darling, what do you think about me?"

"I think that you're…" Erika murmured, trying to think of something nice but true, "…a lovely person."

Peter laughed, "I like you as well, my dear." He said, licking his lips, before standing back up, "It's nice to know my future wife."

Just like that, it felt like a slap to her face, "...Future wife?"

Peter smiled devilishly; all was going as planned, "Why yes, my little darling." He said, brushing her pale blond hair, "Did your father not tell you? You are to be my wife very soon."

Erika's eyes widened slightly, causing Peter to chuckle, holding her chin, "Such a pretty little lady; and better yet, you'll be all mine once you turn sixteen-."

"I'm back." Ludwig said, looking Erika's wide eyes over, and Peter's smirk, "Is something wrong?"

"No, of course not." Peter cut in, giving Erika a look, before going back to smiling, "You see, I just explained what was to come later on."

To Erika's surprise, her father nodded, "I see…Well, my lord Dominic, I'm sure that you've got more pressing matters to attend to."

Peter bowed, "Thank you for allowing me to meet the lovely Erika; my lord." He said, before giving Erika a grin, "I'm sure that we'll get along very well."

Erika couldn't speak, as Peter walked out, whistling a tune that she didn't know; nor did she want to know.

Erika didn't realize that she'd been tugging on her father's sleeve until he finally look down to give her a look, "Can I go talk to grandma?"

Ludwig shook his head, "Your grandmother needs sleep. Maybe you can see her some other time."

Erika wanted to protest, only to nod, "Okay…"

Ludwig nodded, before stopping at the door of her room, "Now, you stay in here, I need to get something finished."

Erika nodded, allowing him to push her into the room, before he closed the door behind her.

Erika sighed, before opening the window, sitting on her bed, looking outside. Oh, how she wished that she could go out and explore the world! No more waiting for what Alastair and Conway would spill, no more lies from Nicky, no more interesting but fake speculations Margret had.

No, Erika wanted the real whole thing.

Just then, a knock came to the door. Erika sighed, "Come in." She said, hearing the door open and close, before turning around.

It was a little girl, having just turned eight a few days ago, with brown hair from her mom and innocent periwinkle eyes. She smiled, "Do you have time, Erika?"

Erika nodded, patting the spot next to her, "Yeah. Do you need something?"

Margret shook her head, "No." She murmured, before pouting, "It's just Nicky. He's calling me a 'Judy two-shoes'."

Erika couldn't help but laugh, "Judy." She said, laughing lightly, "I like it. I'm calling you Judy from now on."

Margret scowled, "Please; just don't."

"Judy."

"Stop it!"

"Why so moody, Judy?"

Margret scowled, before smirking, "Fine…Eris-daris."

Erika gave her a look, before chuckling, ruffling her hair, "Eris I like, Daris can go and die."

Margret smiled, before leaning back on her head, "What are you doing in here?"

Erika sighed, "Watching time fly."

"I can throw your clock out the window, if you want." Margret said, smiling, before noticing the window open, "Oh, you were looking outside again, weren't you?"

Erika scowled, "And if I was?"

"What do you think it's like, to be out there?" Margret questioned, ignoring Erika's question all together, "You know, to be free?"

"Well…You know what homeless people are like, right?" Erika questioned, only to have Margret scowl.

"You know what I mean." Margret scowled, "What do you think it's like; to be outside?"

"Well, you've been in the garden, right?" Erika said with a smirk, only to be hit again, "Ouch! I've got feelings to, ya know!"

"Just answer my question!" Margret said, shaking Erika slightly, "Seriously!"

"Fine." Erika murmured, before thinking about it, "Well…It depends; right? I mean, if I'm free but homeless on the streets, then I'd still be free; but I'd also be starving."

Margret sighed, before snapping her fingers, "What if you were a…oh, I know, a gang lord!"

Erika gave her a look, before laughing, "A gang lord!? Are you kidding me? I'd be killed on the spot!"

"Let's guess that you're a good gang lord then," Margret said, "Then what?"

Erika laughed, before seeing the picture. It seemed nice, but it wouldn't be a 'gang' gang. She didn't want to rule out of fear, she wanted respect. She didn't want to have to order people who were scared of her; she wanted friends, "…Well…saying that I may rule my gang differently…I'd love that life."

Margret giggled, "Really? Miss 'I'm going to make my family proud' would like to run her own gang?"

"Well, you didn't really give me a choice." Erika murmured, before laughing, "But yeah, I'd love to live that life. I mean, no rules, but there are also enough money and power to do as I please! That would be awesome!"

Margret giggled, before sighing, leaning back, "…Erika, can I be honest with you?"

"I'd hope you would." Erika murmured, only to cringe as Margret gave her a look, "Don't hit me, I'm going to end up looking like the inside of a blueberry!"

Margret sighed, before giving her a look, "Is…Is it okay to be afraid of what's outside?"

Erika nodded, "Yeah; yeah, I guess. I mean, it's normal to be afraid of what you don't know."

Margret sighed, before nodding, "Yeah, but still; I don't know why I'm afraid." She murmured, "I mean, normal kids aren't scared of being outside."

"Well, normal kids get to go outside." Erika murmured, giving her a knowing smirk.

Margret sighed, "You know what I mean. I just…How do I say it? I just want to be normal."

Erika nodded, agreeing, "I know. I wish I was normal too."

Margret nodded, before laughing bitterly, "I mean, I find it really funny; how the poor are jealous of us; and yet, we wish to have the life of the poor."

Erika nodded, "Yeah."

They stayed in the silence, before Margret sighed, looking like she wanted to say something, only to hear a loud bang coming from the room next to them.

Grandma's room.

Instantly, Erika's ear was pressed up against the wall, little Margret doing the same. Both flinched, as there grandmother began to scream.

"A TWENTY FOUR YEAR OLD MAN, LUDWIG!? HAVE YOU LOST IT!?"

"I never knew that grandma could shout that loud." Margret whispered, only to have Erika nod slightly.

Both heard there father sigh, "It is for the best, mother. He's a good friend of the family, and he's a companion of the Silver's family. He could help us-."

"IS THAT ALL YOU THINK OF YOUR CHILD, BOY!?" They heard their grandmother shriek, "SHE'S ONLY EIGHT, YOU HALF ASSED TEA BAG!"

Margret laughed lightly, "Half assed tea bag; that's funny."

Erika didn't listen to her, as she listened into the conversation. "Your husband did the same with Alica, and she turned out to be happy. I'm simply looking for something that would benefit all of us-."

"NO, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO BENEFIT YOU!" Grandmother yelled, "I SHOULD HAVE NEVER LISTENED TO BRANDON! HAVING YOU MARRY MY DAUGHTER WAS THE WORST POSSIBLE THING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE!"

"And just what does that mean?" She heard her father growl, only to take a moment to recollect himself, "…It's already been set; she is to be married as soon as possible. That can't be changed. I only came to tell you of what was to come; but, from what the doctors have said, you won't be alive to see her; much less stop her."

Erika's eyes widened, while Margret's jaw dropped. Never have they heard their father speak in such a way. They both knew that their father wasn't exactly fond of his wife's mother, but never have they heard him say something like that.

Finally, the elderly women couldn't take it anymore, as they heard the door to the next door room open up, hearing quick yet pained footsteps going to their room.

Erika jumped back, as there grandmother threw the door open, hunched over in pain, before reaching out her hand, "Erika, come with me now. We need to go."

Right before she could do or say anything, Ludwig appeared in the doorway, scowling lightly, "Mother, please-."

"DO NOT CALL ME MOTHER YOU…YOU…" Suddenly, the elder's eyes went wide, as she clawed at her chest. Margret stepped back, running to the cover of her father, while Erika went into a sock, dropping to her knees next to her.

"Grandma? Grandma!? What's wrong? GRANDMA, WHAT'S WRONG!? GRANDMA? TALK TO ME, PLEASE!"

The elderly women could only reach for Erika's hand, giving her a small smile, before her eyes closed one last time.

"…Grandma? Please, wake up…What's wrong?" Erika asked, eyes getting wider with each passing second, "Grandma, please wake up…Please…Don't leave me alone…"

She began to cry, shaking her grandmother's lifeless body, "Please, don't die…I don't want to be alone…Please…Please! Wake up, GRANDMA, WAKE UP!"

Suddenly, she felt arms wrap around her waist, "Erika, get up."

"NO! GRANDMA, PELASE!"

"Erika, this is not lady like at all-."

"GRANDMA, PLEASE!"

"Stop, Erika." Her father said, sounding sad, but the evil smile on his face said otherwise, "She is gone."

It was a dark day in the Ackerman household.

All of the family stood outside, the skies a dark grey with clouds, standing in the garden. In the middle of the garden was a casket lying in the flowers, make of a dark wood, with a plaque on it, the name reading two simple words.

"Today, we celebrate the life of Erin Fay." Alastair said, keeping him stone like face the entire time, seeming like he couldn't care less, "A beloved grandmother to myself, Conway, Nicky, Erika and Margret; a loving mother to Alica Fay Ackerman."

In the seating area, the only person crying was Erika's mother. Conway was busy reading a book, Nicky looking bored as hell, Margret simply held a sad frown. Ludwig didn't look like he could care less.

Erika was trying so hard to hold it in, not allowing a single tear to fall down her face. She knew that it would be a big disgrace to her late grandmother. That, and she was sitting right next to Nicky.

"Oh, is little Erika going to cry?"

She sighed, "Shut up, Nicky. Pay some respect."

"I can't do that when I don't care." Nicky snickered, only to notice Erika looking away, ignoring him, "I mean, honestly, it's about time that she died. She's been alive for much too long; and now that both of the old geezers are gone, we don't have to worry about them annoying us."

Erika strained to listen the Alastair's annoying words, only to have Nicky go on, "I heard about your marriage; congrats on that. I mean, that's been the plan for a while. After father marries you off, Margret's next. It's only a matter of time-."

"Shut up." Erika growled, only to have Alastair clear his throat, "Oh…sorry."

Alastair sighed, before nodding, "Now, to conclude this service; you may say your farewells before the body is moved." He said in that low monotone voice, before walking off of the podium.

Alica, being the only daughter of the elder women, went up first. No one could understand a word that she was saying, since most of it was gibberish, before Alica walked off, going back to slumping in her chair.

When no one else stood, Erika rose. Each step seemed weighed, all eyes on her, before she stopped at the casket. It looked like her grandmother was simply sleeping, just like how she was when Erika would sneak into her room. But now, unlike every other time; she knew that no amount of poking would wake her up.

Erika didn't say a word, before taking her hand, only to feel a smooth piece of metal. It was her ruby wedding ring, something that she'd wanted since she could remember.

She remembered her grandmother chuckling, before one day, she took the ring off of her finger, and put it in Erika's hand.

"Such a pretty color for such a princess. You know what, I'll make sure that you get this ring when my time is up, deal?"

"Deal!"

The memory only made her cringe lightly, looking around, before pulling the ring off. In one clean move, she put it into her pocket, before walking away, back to the house.

She shoved her hands into her pockets, feeling the ring, before Margret walked up behind her, "Erika, wait!"

Erika sighed, "…Yeah?"

"You took it, didn't you?"

She looked around, walking into the house, before nodding, "Yeah."

Margret nodded, following Erika into her room, before closing the door, "Can I see it?"

Erika nodded, pulling the ring out, before handing it to Margret, "Don't you dare lose it."

Margret nodded, looking it over, "It looks pretty."

"Damn right." Erika said, before looking outside.

Margret sighed, before giving Erika a look, "…Are you gonna be okay?"

Hmm? Oh yeah, I'm fine." Erika nodded, "Why?"

Margret sighed, "Just let it out."

Erika shook her head, but it was too late, as tears began to stream down her face, "N-no."

Margret nodded, watching as Erika, her hero, wiped away her tears, "I'll leave you alone…You need time to yourself…But remember what grandma said."

"Which one?" Erika asked, her voice cracking.

"Follow your heart."

Erika nodded, watching Margret leave, before collapsing into tears. She tried to stop, salvage her pride, only to break down again. It was too much, the only adult that she was able to connect to; gone.

Finally, she threw the window open, ready to cry out curses, only to see it. Even with the grey clouds, she could see the sun setting ever so slowly. It was beautiful, just enough to make her calm down.

Then, out of the blue, it all clicked together.

She knew what she wanted done.

It was three in the morning, the only time she knew of when everyone was asleep.

Her only chance.

She pulled her backpack over her back, holding some food, a change of clothing, and a few other things she thought she'd need. She looked around a bit, before sighing.

If all went to plan, this would be the last time she'd ever see this room.

She wore a plain long sleeve blue shirt and brown shorts, said shorts tied to her waist with a cord from her drapes. She looked outside her room, looking over a tall tree near her window.

Just tall and near enough.

With a sigh, she stepped out with one foot, standing on the window sill, before pulling her other foot out. A cold wind threatened to push her to the ground far below, only to have her jump for the tree. She grit her teeth at the pain of hugging the rough bark, before slowly climbing down the tree.

Once she hit the ground, she felt a wave of adrenaline rushing through her system, before she made a mad dash. She quickly climbed over the fence, falling on the other side, before quickly getting back up.

She sighed, breathing the air, before looking around. The nearest town being pretty far from estate, before sighing.

She knew everything about her late grandmother, and if she knew anything obvious, it was one thing.

You only live once, so do what you can to be happy.

With that on her mind, she turned to the dirt road, a new path for herself, she thought, before running for it.

She knew nothing of what could happen or of what could come. But, she was sure of the fact that, one day, she'd come back to help Margret. Once she was sure and able; she'd come back to let Margret get a free chance in life.

And that was a promise.

With a curt nod, she began to run faster, eager yet scared of what would await.

Love it?

Hate it?

Lemme know in the reviews!

That's all for now, be sure to leave a review to tell me what you like, don't like, what makes you happy and cry; all of that jazz!

Well, till next time, bai bai!