So I bought this book like, last year but I just started browsing through it again today and it gave me the idea for this story. Hehehe. I live in Pennsylvania, so this book is all about the creepy legends in the state. This is a modern AU story, but I'm going to scatter all of these places around the US. or I'll just make up town names for them because I don't want them all to be in Pennsylvania. I'm hoping that some time in the future I can buy the other books in the set and then I can continue this with more than just the ideas of the ones in PA! :D
"You used to make me feel like I could walk on water,
now most nights I'm just sinking down.
You're the reason why I can't listen to the same songs I used to.
I write songs about you all the time,
I bet I don't run through your mind." Real Friends - I've Given Up On You
5:27 pm
What a painful time. It was 5:27 pm on my tenth birthday when my life changed forever and took a turn for the worst. Today marks the seven and a half year anniversary of when I lost my parents in the fire that damaged my entire estate.
It's also been almost 7 years since I made the deal with my best friend, and demon, Sebastian. Call me a bad friend, but I simply just don't remember the date when that took place.
Yeah, I know that sounds pretty crazy. A demon and all. But all those spooky stories told on Halloween, or at sleepovers, or wherever else that are meant to spook you, and spook you only, they're all true. Anything from ghosts, to demons, to angels, to witches, and every other supernatural entity you can think up. They all exist, and they are not what you would expect.
Ghosts can either be like water in the desert, the best damn thing ever, or like your worst goddamn nightmare. Demons are usually caring and pretty fair individuals, and every one of them is protective of each other and any human or other entity who has made a blood-sealed deal and is bound to that demon for the rest of eternity. Angels, you know, the ones praised by the Catholic Church and all? Well they can be real dicks. They're mostly unfeeling and brutish, but every now and then we get a special one who doesn't make me totally hate their guts.
What else is there? Oh yeah, witches. They're great, I'm telling you. Powerful, kind, and helpful all the time. One of my good friends, and ex girlfriend, is a witch, Her name is Elizabeth, but she prefers the name Lizzy.
Anyhow, today me and Sebastian are working on a case. We're going to investigate a road and the surrounding area in southeastern Pennsylvania called "Devil's Road." We've gotten multiple complaints from this area ranging from attacks to cars breaking down mysteriously to people being just plain scared. Since today marked the sixth call we've gotten, we decided to take this on and see where it leads.
I was lost in a depressing reverie when Sebastian softly knocked on my bedroom door.
"Good evening, my dear friend. What time shall we depart for Devil's Road?" He always had that old, proper English way of speaking, and he even had a slight accent. It was interesting about him. We didn't really talk about the past too much or for how long he's been alive. Those kind of things were just questions he avoided. I'm assuming he's been here for a while though considering he used such old-timey medieval English.
"Soon, Sebastian. I'm thinking in about a half an hour. It will take us a while to drive there, won't it?"
"Yes, but if you just let me teleport us there, we can be there in a few seconds." I knew he was right, but for some reason I just had a feeling that driving there would be more beneficial even though it will take a while longer to get there.
"Alright then, I supposed it would be of my best interest to let you get yourself prepared for tonight. I'll be ready at precisely 6 pm." He said with a small smile and then bowed before walking out of my room.
I changed my clothes and then made sure to pack two flashlights just incase, I made sure that my phone was fully charged, and then I packed a few water bottles. I mean honestly with Sebastian being a demon, we didn't need too much protection, but still, I said a small protection spell over us that I had learned from Lizzy a few years back. It seemed pretty useful and efficient each time, so I figured, why not?
I came downstairs at about 5:50 and I stared out the window at the golden hues traipsing slowly across the horizon and decided that it would probably be just a perfect time for some lessons in poetry because damn, it looked beautiful out.
"Ah, I see you're ready already." Sebastian said as he came and stood next to me, leaning against the edge of the large windows.
"Do you think they ever miss me? Or remember me, even?" I said not daring to tear my gaze away from the fluctuating waves of light bursting through the clouds. I honestly didn't want Sebastian to see my weakness like this, but I already knew it was too late. Out of my peripheral vision I saw his expression fall from a pumped up one, to a compassionate pitiful one.
"I don't want your pity." I snapped my head around and faced the wall so he couldn't see my face anymore.
"Of course they have to miss you, Ciel. They loved you." Those were the only words Sebastian could muster up in consolation for how I felt. That was acceptable, very much so, and I was glad to have him here with me. We sat there for a few more minutes in silence and then he checked his watch and said, "Alright, Ciel, I think it's time to go now."
He softly grabbed my arm and helped me up. "Thanks, Sebastian. I'll be right back though, I need to grab my bag." I hurriedly ran upstairs and grabbed my bag, quickly checking through it to make sure I had everything we needed.
I walked down the steps more calmly this time and walked into the garage, where Sebastian already had the car started and was jamming out to Ariana Grande. This man swears he's not gay. I swear he is.
"My, my, my Sebastian. Are you sure you're straight?" I teased lightly. He huffed and he puffed, but the Big Bad Wolf did not blow the house down. He simply smiled and giggled like a doofus.
"Of course I am, My Lord - I mean Ciel." He had called me that a few times before, but I had never the faintest clue why. I decided to just let it slide and move on. After about an hour and a half of driving, it began getting dark out. I watched the trees in the dense forest pass by me quickly and began thinking about my life.
I saw a guy standing on the side of the road who looked about the same age as me or maybe a little bit older. He had on bright purple skinny jeans, which I have to admit really made him look attractive and make his hair color, which was such a light blonde it almost looked fake, but I doubted it was, pop. He also had on a black long-sleeve v-neck and his eyes, oh my lord his eyes were the most beautiful blue I'd ever seen, and that was saying a lot considering I was able to notice their vibrancy from a moving car. He was gorgeous. It's as simple as that.
I wondered for a moment if he was hitchhiking or whatever. I couldn't be sure of what else he would be doing at this time of night on a somewhat abandoned country road. Maybe he was a country guy, just taking a relaxing walk, although he did not look country at all.
As soon as we passed him standing there, I got a sharp ringing in my ears and my head just felt like it was hit with a sledgehammer. I felt everything shaking and I wondered just what in the hell had happened.
"S-Sebastian, please pull over." I looked over at him and the expression on his face was one I'd never seen before. He looks like he'd just seen a ghost. His eyes were wider than they've ever been and he turned around and glanced at said hot blonde who was approaching our car looking like the happiest man alive. As this guy got closer to us, my headache and the ringing in my ears subsided. Weird.
I rolled down my window and said, "Um, can we help you?" I asked much more harshly than I'd intended it to be.
This blonde locked eyes with mine and it seemed like he was familiar from somewhere. Then he sent a sardonic, wry, Cheshire smile towards Sebastian, who in turn, fired back with a glare unwavering and so angry it could burn. Maybe they had known each other some how, which would mean this guy was into the supernatural and knew about all of the things I believe in and investigate.
Realization struck on the blonde's attractive features, and he nearly jumped through the window completely to try and hug me.
"Well I'll be damned! Ciel motherfucking Phantomhive. It feels like nearly a couple centuries since I'd last seen you! How've you been? We have so much to catch up on!" I didn't miss the cocky, sarcastic smile he kept giving Sebastian, which made me extremely suspicious.
"Oh, um, I'm sorry but I don't remember you." I glanced at Sebastian, who literally looked like he was about to implode, and I asked him with my mind who this guy is.
Sebastian answered out loud. "I wouldn't expect you to remember him, Ciel, he's a little bit older than you. It's fine though. Although he's a pest, I've got to have a talk with him."
At that point, I was really suspicious.
Without warning, said blonde jumped into the backseat of the car and started giggling like a child.
"Ciel, Ciel! Come sit in the back with me! Pleeeease. Please sit with me."
I wasn't sure what to say. I mean, I was astounded by his beauty, but he seemed to be pretty immature for his age. "I'd really rather not, I'm sorry."
Then his face grew grim. "Ciel. Please. I have to talk to you and your nosy butler can't hear us."
"Butler?" I asked questioningly.
"Yeah, yeah, save the act. Your demon butler. The one who saved you after your parents passed away."
"Yeah, he's a demon. . ." The words rolled off my tongue slowly, "But where did you get the butler part from?" Now I was very confused. One of the things I hate the most is being lied to and being manipulated, or not knowing something important - something that I should know.
"Well-" He began, but was cut off by Sebastian's loud, overpowering voice. "It's fine, Ciel, why don't you just go sit in the back with him. I know you're baffled about this all. Maybe he can clear up some of your. . . concerns." I nodded and I didn't miss the nasty look they were giving each other before I got out of the car to move back a seat and sit next to the blonde in the back.
"Oh, I completely forgot to introduce myself. Since you don't remember me, my name is Alois. Alois Trancy. It's a pleasure to finally meet you again." He smiled with the happiness and brightness of a thousand suns, and he grabbed my hand with a gentleness I would've never known he possessed and shook my hand.
I wasn't really comfortable with affection like this, but I guess this was my way of learning to deal with people better. This guy seemed pretty harmless anyway.
"Yeah, nice to um, meet you, I guess?" I said with a little laugh.
"We'll be arriving at our destination soon, Ciel." Sebastian said as he pulled veered to the side of the road and took their car down a trail, something that was probably not suitable for a car. "I need to park the car over here because just recently, there has been a specific no-stopping law placed on that road. So if the police come down they will definitely give us a ticket or tow the car and we certainly wouldn't want that. We'll have to walk through the woods here and then make our way over to Devil's Road is, and where the supposed Cult House is too."
"Alright, Sebastian. Thank you. I'm actually really looking forward to this." The daylight was running out, but that was good news for us. That was our time to play, our time as investigators to come out and research and investigate these cryptic places.
"Alois. . . So are you like, an investigator like us?"
"Why yes, Ciel, yes I am! May I please join you and Sebastian on your hunt tonight?" He asked with bright eyes and a happy smile.
"Sure, I guess." I said nonchalantly. I didn't really mind, and maybe it would be a good change for us to invite someone else on these hunts.
"Alright. Let's head out then." Sebastian said while leading the way. We walked for about fifteen minutes, which kind of annoyed me. I should've given up my pride and asked him to teleport us, but my pride has always been the one thing that I would not give up. Oh well.
Finally we came to an opening where the trees seemed to be bent almost all the way at a 90 degree angle spanning away from the road.
"Well this looks just magnificent! I suppose this is why they call it Devil's Road, right Ciel?" He flashed his smile at me again and I couldn't help but let the corners of my mouth twitch up in a somewhat half grin. "I mean just look at the trees - they look like they got all whacked up when like, Satan or somethin' came through here." He looked so amused and intrigued by this.
"Oh! Sebastian, I need to talk to you about something. Can I speak to you for a second?" Alois asked innocently, batting his eyelashes and smiling like the Cheshire Cat.
"Yes, I've been meaning to speak to you."
They excused themselves and I stood there with my arms crossed and glanced around impatiently. I absolutely hated when there were secrets being kept from me. Me being the nosy one I always am, I had to try to listen in on their conversation. The only words I could make out were my name and "demon" being uttered before Alois barreled into me and trampled me to the ground saying my name happily and repeatedly.
Sebastian had a blase expression on his face as he took his time with walking up to me behind Alois.
"Let's go investigate, shall we." Said Sebastian as he led the way yet again. The soft deep brown soil moved underneath my feet, and the lush, green grass and plants seemed to dance and entice and invite us into the forest. I wasn't sure if this was in a good way or not, but it was definitely a powerful feeling.
Alois kept close behind me, almost like he was hiding behind me as we walked through the dense greenery. I glanced around and noticed all of the vandalism and spray paint markings on trees and some fresh, bright red on some of the grass.
This place has a history of satanic rituals and meet ups. The presence here was just so powerful and overwhelming, I almost felt like I couldn't breathe. It was so surreal and amazing to be here in this moment.
I pulled out my phone from my pocket and began reading off the report from a local woman and investigator who said that they were investigating there during the day, and it was really creepy. Like animals slit from their throats downward and their insides were on the outside. Well, I haven't seen any corpses, so I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not. The woman said that she was pretty freaked out by it and was glad she hadn't come at night. Hmph. I guess it sucks for us then.
"Sebastian, do you think we'll get caught and in trouble for trespassing?" I asked. I usually didn't care about petty little things like that, but for some reason this time it was really bothering me.
"What's wrong, Ciel? Usually you don't care about things like this. . . I can assure you though, we will not be caught. I'm a demon, don't you remember?" He said with a narcissistic smile, and I couldn't help but smile slightly as well. This guy was my best friend. It's awesome.
"Yeah. . . I just have a bad feeling." I glanced up at him and something was off. Something in his eyes just wasn't right.
I could tell Alois was feeling left out of the conversation, but I really didn't know what to say. I had just met, or re-met this guy. I wasn't much of a big talker unless we're close, and this was just slightly awkward.
After a few minutes of walking, Sebastian abruptly stopped walking and turned to us.
"Alright, so. I really do not think it would be wise of us to continue on." I've never seen him this spooked before.
"What's wrong? Why can't we move forward? What's here?"
"Let's just say there's a demon here who I've not gotten along with. Ever. And it seems said demon has grown considerably stronger and I just can't afford running in to him with both of you here. I have vowed to protect you at all cost, and I'm assuming you would like me to protect Alois too, which is something I don't think I am capable of right now." He stopped to breathe in between his rambling. This is the first time I've ever seen him so worked up.
"We need to leave. Now. They've sensed our presence. . . I should have never brought you two out here. I knew something dangerous was going to happen."
"Oh, now no need to be a party pooper, Michaelis. I'm just here for some fun. Don't you want to play?"
"Alois, Ciel. . . Back to the car. Now." He said in an ever so calm voice.
"Sebast-"
"Go." He nodded in the direction of the car and we both complied and followed the orders, I not missing a glance at the ferocious, cocky snarl coming from the demon.
We got back to the car safely, and I actually was concerned when I hadn't heard a word from Alois at all. He just looked traumatized at the sight of another demon. We both hopped into the back seat and locked the doors, not that it would help much, but it just gave us - well, me - that extra assurance. Alois looked lifeless, like one of those creepy old dolls with buttons for eyes and painted-on smiles.
He glanced up at me once, thinking I wouldn't be looking, and then quickly reverted his eyes to the soft, cream-colored leather seat.
"You wanna talk about it, or no?" I asked in a steady voice. I knew I shouldn't ask what was wrong. Like in those exact words. I hate when people ask me that, so I figured I'd be courteous and ask him in a more subtle way.
He shook his head and continued to stare at the seat with a dead look in his bright blue eyes, which was a strange contrast I wasn't sure I liked.
Realizing that he wasn't going to say anything, and that silence would get us nowhere, I decided to speak up. "I hate when things like that happen." He gave me a questioning glance. "You know what I'm talking about, traumatic things that make you remember your past? Or just make you remember something bad in general. I really hate those. They're so random and unexpected, although I guess that's the point of them. To catch us off guard and make us reevaluate our choices and get a better outlook on our lives."
I hadn't realized that in the midst of me talking my ass off, Alois lifted his head and was staring at me with innocent, doe eyes.
"Wow, um, okay then, Ciel. You've really changed in all these years. I think you've changed for the better. Thank you, I feel better now. Or at least a little bit." He looked like he was about to burst into tears, but he surprised me when he grinned widely and pulled me into a tight hug.
"Okay. . ." I really hadn't known what to say, this was so weird. All these years? What the hell did that mean?
Before I could even think of what to say, or try to say, Sebastian came hobbling back to the car, sweaty and panting with a few scratches on his face.
He smoothly slid into the driver's seat, and hit the gas, both me and Alois bumping our heads. "Sebastian?! Are you alright?!"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine now. We just had to get away from that demon. She is just trouble. She sucks out my power and then distributes it to her minions and uses a lot of it for her personal benefit. All we had to do was get away from her to be safe. We shouldn't experience much more trouble for a while." He sighed and began to drive more safely. "This is such a disgrace, I am sorry, Ciel. Have I failed you?"
"No, never, Sebastian. Don't think that. You did all you could for now, and I thank you for that. I think Alois should stay with us for a while. Can he?" I asked, already knowing the answer would be yes.
"Yes, of course, Ciel."
Alois looked like he could never be happier in his entire life.
Yeah so this got a lot longer than I expected. I don't want to check it, I already edited most of it. but for the last part I'm just too tired. Sorry. XD Ily babes. Have a good day~