Massachusetts, 1972
"Anastasia, stop your meddling and come here." I put the two long, skinny knives back into their respective drawer. I glanced back at him, seeing him watching me with a slight smile on his face. "Coming, father!" I stood, straightening my striped black and gray dress, with the white shirt underneath. I quickly ran over to him. My long, jet black hair flowing after me. I climbed onto his lap. Putting my small stuffed bunny with the missing ear on mine, holding him tightly. I must make sure Mr. Stone was comfortable. "Anastasia, You are reaching the age where I should start teaching you things about the outside world, don't you think?" I looked at him, studying his long dark brown hair and eyeglasses. "I am only eight, Father." He laughed loudly and whole-heartedly. "I know dear, and it's the perfect age." He sat my down and stood up, walking to the large window with the shiny glass, next to all of the book cases. "Come here, dear." He said, motioning for me to follow. I quickly moved to his side, looking with him out at the town below us. How I longed to go outside and look at the shops and and nature. However, Father said I mustn't go outside because I could get hurt just like Mother did. "Do you see all of those people, Anastasia?" I nodded. All of the people looked quite small, from where we were. "Those people are no good. They only want to harm you. To lock you up, and to abuse you." I nodded again, I didn't understand why but I trusted Daddy. More than anyone. "If you ever come in contact with one of those disgusting people I want you to fight, no matter what they say or do. Fight and don't stop fighting until you are safe, away from them. Understand?" He looked down at me, his eyes studding me, looking for an answer or change in expression. But I didn't change my expression. I simply nodded. "I understand, father. I will never trust them." He walked over to a small chest he had sitting on a high shelf. I had what was in it for a while now, but it was locked. He took the key from around his neck that he always wore and carried the chest and key back over to me. "I'd like for you to open your present, dearest. " I smiled and took the key and sat the chest on the floor in front of me. Kneeling down in front of it, I put the key into the hole and twisted it gently. I heard the gears click-clacking as the chest open, revealing many things. "Father, what is all of this?" I said, looking at the box of treasures curiously. He sat down on the other side of it, smiling. "Things to help you in your future." I giggled and began pulling stuff from the chest. I pulled out a ring, with a gem in the shape of a star. I rotated it in my fingers, overlooking every inch of it. The star was a beautiful royal blue color, and it sparkled too. On the back of it was the engraved initials, one of my mother, on of my fathers, and one of mine, Anastasia Valentine. It was beautiful. I slipped it on my index finger. Smiling while admiring it. It was a bit too big but I loved it all the same. Next, I pulled out a small hair clip. It had the same beautiful stars from the ring on on it. Two stars to be exact. The clip part was mad of silver and had "Sanctuary" Engraved onto it. I quickly put it into my hair. I loved how the clip and ring matched, they made me feel fancy-like. I reached back into the chest, grabbing a medium sized, long-bladed knife. My fathers expression looked proud. I smiled and twisted the knife in my hands. It was beautiful. The Blade was extremely sharp and very shiny. The handle was engraved with small flowers, connected by beautiful, flowing lines. I sighed at its beauty. "Is this really for me, Father?" He nodded, his eyes gleaming. "Use it when ever you feel as though you are in danger, and always keep it at you side, no matter what." I nodded and smiled widely. I set down the knife atop of the chest, grabbed Mr. Stone and hugged Daddy, throwing my arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "I love you Father and I love the gifts!" I giggled and he chuckled along. "You're welcome, dearest." Suddenly, even with all the joy, I felt this eery feeling fill the room.
