"Sebastian!" Ciel's horrified voice echoed through the halls.
The butler sprinted to his master's room but he was too late. The only thing waiting for him was a broken window and spots of blood, which he hoped weren't from Ciel. Damn it! Sebastian was angry at himself for failing to protect his master. Without a pinch of hesitation, he leapt out the window in search of him.
"Let me go, damn you!" Ciel struggled to free his hands from the rope that bound them. He was sitting on the floor in a dark room, though he wasn't sure where exactly.
"Whatever, kid. I can't believe the Phantomhive Estate is in your hands. Pfft." A tall middle-aged man with a black hair and a beard had Ciel tied up in a warehouse in an attempt to bribe money from him. The spots of blood Sebastian had seen were actually not Ciel's, but his own. Breaking the window cut his hand.
"Sebastian will be here. You'd better untie me before he gets here or he'll be angry."
The man laughed, but not in a lighthearted way. "You think I'm scared?" Now I'm only going to ask you one more time. I'm getting angry. Give me the money or I'll kill you right now!" he growled.
Unable to do anything else, Ciel spat on the man.
The man's eyes glowed with anger and he punched Ciel square in the face. Blood immediately poured from the boy's nose. Ciel could feel the warm stickiness dripping down his face onto his lips. It got in his mouth and he spit it out. It hurt, but from what he could tell, it wasn't broken.
"You're lucky I didn't kill you already!" The man barked. This time he neared Ciel with a butcher's knife. Ciel backed away, struggling desperately to free himself.
Damn it, Sebastian. Where are you? I need you-please! Ciel was sure Sebastian realized he was gone, but what on earth was taking him so long? His thoughts were cut short when he felt a sudden sharp pain in his right shoulder. It was so intense that he saw spots dance before his eyes, and then everything went black.
Sebastian broke through the door with a swift kick. His eyes scanned the darkness as he went forward in search of his charge. The warehouse was a large one, but he caught a glimpse of light behind some equipment. On further inspection, he saw the man and a figure lying on his side: Ciel!
"What have you done to my master?" Sebastian fumed.
"Oh, are you Sebastian? Ha, that poor lad thought you could save him, but you're just a scrawny thing," the man laughed smugly.
"I may be scrawny-" Sebastian said, leaping in the air, "-but you see-" his foot made contact with the man's skull and it cracked open like a coconut-"I am simply one hell of a butler." He landed with those words, satisfied with himself. The man's body lay in a crumpled heap.
Ciel was still unconscious, and he was losing more blood by the minute. Sebastian crouched down and inspected his wounds. His nose was still bleeding slightly, but the gash in his shoulder was of the greatest concern. Blood pooled around him, soaking his clothes. The metallic smell was almost overwhelming to the demon's sensitive nose. Sebastian picked the boy up and took him back to the estate as fast as he could.
The first thing Ciel noticed when he woke up was the intense burning in his shoulder. He gritted his teeth in an effort to combat the pain and noticed that he was shirtless. There were bandages covering his wound, though blood was beginning to seep through them.
"Ah, you're awake. Oh dear, the blood has soaked through again," the demon observed. He neared the bed, ready to tend to Ciel's wounds, but Ciel flinched back. The movement sent a shock of pain up his arm and he let out a cry.
"Master, please let me tend to your wounds. I will be as gentle as possible. Don't be frightened," Sebastian assured him, thinking he recoiled out of fear.
"That's not it," Ciel muttered.
"Then what is it?"
"Why didn't you come sooner? I was scared," he admitted in an uncharacteristic childish tone. "It hurts," he added, looking at his wound.
Sebastian frowned, feeling immense guilt. "I am truly sorry master. I will never allow something like this to happen again." He bowed his head in shame. Ciel heard the genuine sorrow in the demon's voice and his anger melted as quickly as it had come.
"Change my bandages then," was all he could say.
"Yes, my lord."
"Nn." Ciel bit his lip to keep himself from crying out. Sebastian was being as gentle as possible, but his wound was so tender that every small movement was agonizing.
"I am so sorry. I just want you to be well." Sebastian felt terrible. Ciel nodded.
"I know," he replied with a sigh.
It was a long night. Sebastian had to change Ciel's bandages several more times before the wound finally stopped bleeding, and Ciel was utterly exhausted from both blood loss and pain.
"You should relax now. I'll bring up some tea."
"No, Sebastian. I just want to sleep."
"Of course." Sebastian turned off the light and walked towards the door. Before he left the room, he turned back to Ciel. "Do not hesitate to call if your wound ails you, my lord." The door shut with a soft click and Ciel was left in sweet darkness.