Chapter 1

I watched the spinning toy go up and down on the string. My brother gave me this yo-yo for last Christmas. It was a toy that I treasured the most. I held the yo-yo and looked outside the elegantly decorated window. It was dark and raining harshly outside. I wonder what it was like to step on wet grass and to feel trees. Brother never let me set foot outside. He never told me why.

I looked around the clean room and realized I didn't change out of my pajamas yet. The bed I was sitting on was the comfiest one in the mansion. My brother likes to spoil me even though he won't let me outside. I do love everything about him, all except for one fact.

"Carissa!" a booming voice shouted and the door to my room opened, "We have a guest over!" My brother crossed the room and handed me a lollipop. I took it and put it in my mouth like a happy child.

"A guest? Who is it?" I mumbled while licking the strawberry lollipop. Brother is the only person that could make me this happy. He brought his face closer to mine and licked the other side of the lollipop.

"I don't know. I've let him in because of the weather. I'm giving him some time to settle in first, and then I'll meet with him. I've decided to hang out with you," he explained. My eyes widened as I heard the last few words. Whenever those words slip out of his mouth, he always turn into the guy I hated the most. Brother licked my neck as I stiffened. He hands embraced me and pushed me down onto the bed. He took the lollipop from my mouth and threw it across the room. Then he slowly made his way down as he took off my pajamas.

"Nn, brother," my soft voice tried to express itself, "Stop it. Brother, please!" Tears formed in my eyes as he stuck it in me. I screamed in terror into the open air but he covered my mouth with his hand.

"I know you like it. This is your payment for me spoiling you. I think I'm too nice," he said and breathed heavily as he continued to feel pleasured. I hated this part of brother but I had to do whatever he says. He took care of me and treats me like a princess so this was the consequence. I cried silently and then I felt something strange. My whole body twitched and my eyes widened as the numbing feeling spread through my body. I felt dirty ever since my brother started this procedure a year ago. He would come into my room to receive his payment every few days.

He got up and dressed himself quickly in his favorite purple coat. He left me panting on the bed but I soon got up to dress myself. I wore a heavy dress that the maid had prepared earlier for me to wear. My brother doesn't allow anyone to dress me except for him and myself. I wasn't in the mood to dress myself earlier but I had no choice to do so now. The dress was covered in layers of fabric and the sleeves were laced with a silver pattern. It was a black dress that brother had chosen for me.

"Well, now I'll go visit the guest," my brother's voice sounded excited. I made myself forget what happened earlier and got up to hug him.

"Take me too! I want to meet him!" I looked up at him and he gave me the warmest smile ever.

"Oh you're so cute. Fine, you can come along," he spoke gently. He patted my head and led me outside the door. The waxed wooden floor never creaked with each footstep we took. I felt so eager to meet this new person that I couldn't help but smile like a fool.

"I love you, Alois," I thanked my brother.

Alois appeared in front of the door to the guest's room. He shouted at Hannah and spilled the vase of water. I turned my head away knowing that I shouldn't take especially when he was angry. Brother and I stepped inside the room to find a dark mysterious man sitting on the bed with a strange trunk in front of him. I was really shy so I stood near the door. I waved at the man in black and he nodded at me. I smiled when I finally interacted with a different person.

"Say, what's in that trunk of yours? Clothes? Sweets?" big brother Alois questioned the big man. He didn't respond back and everything was quiet.

"I'm jealous; it must be fun to travel. I want to try traveling, too," he confessed. Big brother never traveled before? I never knew that. I always thought he had the time to go anywhere he wanted. I walked close to both of them to listen to their conversation.

"I've been told there's something interesting beneath this mansion," the stranger spoke with curiosity that made Alois' eyes shine, "If you show it to me, I'll show you what's in this trunk." I could tell brother would love this bargain. He started giggling and I wondered what was so funny.

"Stay here, Carissa. I'll be back soon," Alois rubbed my head and both of them walked out the door. I wanted to go too but I had follow Alois' words. If I don't… I don't want to think about it. I squatted down to pick up the broken ceramic vase on the carpet. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain on my finger. I looked down and saw something red and wet.

"Ah!" I staggered backwards surprised at the substance. I started hyperventilating and stared at the trickling red liquid. What was this? What is this red thing that made me feel pain? Someone approached me and took my finger. I glanced up and saw Claude and his shining glasses. He put my finger in his mouth and licked it.

"It's called blood," he explained and took me to the kitchen, "When your skin cuts open, then it will bleed blood." I've never seen it before since Alois protects me with all his might. I felt the tightness as Claude bandaged my finger.

"Stay here, I'll be back sooner than you think," the soothing sound of Claude's voice reassured me. He opened the silverware drawer and took out some gold knives and left to go to the basement. I was getting annoyed that everyone was ordering me around. I pouted and sat on the counter top waiting for them.

"Catch him, Claude!" someone shouted. The door leading to the basement smashed open and someone raced up the stairs. I hopped down the table and watched the man with the trunk run around the kitchen. Claude threw knives at him and stabbed him in the shoulders. I gasped a little wondering how he's not showing that he was in pain. The man tripped, causing the trunk to open.

"Ciel Phantomhive? It is! I finally have him!" Alois exclaimed happily. I tugged on brother's sleeve and peered around him.

"Is that who you keep talking about, big brother?" I asked Alois and noticed the man's eyes widened.

"It is him!" brother explained. Ciel looked so helpless in the trunk. He was squeezed tightly in the box and I tried imagining myself in the trunk. His blue hair shone brightly in the light. He makes me want to hug him. I stepped closer but the man shut the trunk close. He said something to big brother that I didn't catch and hopped on the rolling cart. Alois' face showed that he was offended by whatever the man had said and I thought it was a bit funny. Both of them chased after the man on the rolling tray across the mansion. I realized I was standing there like an idiot and went after everyone. I was running down the stairs as fast as I could but the heavy dress and high heels slowed me down. The chandelier on the ceiling feel and all the light disappeared.

"It's dark! Someone! Claude!" my brother yelled into the empty void.

"Lights," Claude said calmly and the candles relit again. I fell down several stairs because I couldn't see anything in the dark. I landed head first on the hard marble ground. I hoisted myself up and rubbed my head. My vision blurred as tears flowed down my cheeks. Alois quickly walked to me and bent down to look at me in the face.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you. I was… having difficulties. Forgive me," he tried to apologize since I got hurt. I wasn't crying because I fell, I was crying because I was stupid and late. I couldn't help big brother do anything but be a useless bystander while Alois' dream escaped him. I was frustrated.

"I'm sorry, Alois," I stopped crying when Alois carried me to my room, "I didn't help you catch the man with the trunk." Alois dressed me into a relaxing nightgown and I was okay with him helping me.

"Shh, it's okay. We'll get him another day," he assured me and tucked me in bed. I grabbed his purple sleeve and he turned around.

"Sleep with me, I'm scared a monster will get me," I gave him a stupid reason for him to stay with me. He chuckled evilly and got in bed with me. He hugged me close to his chest and I felt the warmth from his heart.

"I love you, Carissa. Promise you won't leave me like him?" I heard brother whispered in my ear.

I remembered the story he told me a while ago. His dead "brother" died and left him alone. Then I decided to gather up my courage to not be such a baby anymore. I had to grow up and look out for myself. I hated to be a bystander so I'll help him get Ciel Phantomhive. If it makes Alois happy, I'll do anything for him. He was the only family I have left and we finally have each other.

"I promise, Alois," I replied and his embraced tightened. He kissed my hair and I closed my eyes to sleep.