Isabella
The meeting begins at 6:52pm, according to Claude. Alois sits at his desk, in his red covered study, like a little kiddy-king. His right index finger swirls in a glass of water that his maid, I think her name was Hannah, brought him earlier. Alois' icy blue eyes catch me glancing at the Old Grandfather Clock to his left.
"Are you going to speak?" He asks, his voice is full of boredom.
"This is your meeting," I reply casting a cold stare back at him, "you wanted to speak to me, if I'm going to be wasting my time then I should probably-"
"Don't leave," Alois nods at Claude, who leaves the study, "we have so much to talk about," He smiles coldly and I can't help but shiver, "firstly, that butler of yours… what was his name?"
"Alexander," I snap.
"Yes, Alexander," Alois removes his index finger from the water dripping wet, "he's very special," he starts to lick the water off his index finger whilst staring at me.
"He's just an ordinary butler," My voice is becoming angry, "like Claude," He laughs at that, laughing a bit too hysterically. Alois' laugh fills the empty space in the study. His head flops onto the desk, and his laugh muffles. Finally, after calming down, he folds his arms in front of him and lifts his head.
"Oh, but he isn't just any ordinary butler, my Claude," He says still laughing a little, "maybe I've said too much,"
"Are we done here?" I roll my eyes, emphasising my impatience. His smile disappears and his eyes narrow.
"No," Alois states, "I thought you would like to stay overnight and have dinner, this manor is awfully quiet and I'm so lonely," he pulls a sad face but I take none of it, "it would be nice to have a little bit of… company."
"I'm sorry," I remark, "I already have had dinner, my grandfather came round and I-"
"But Claude has made an excellent dinner," Alois stands up from his table and slowly walks towards me, the study is silent again except for the click-clack of his heels, "wouldn't want to waste it,"
"But, I, have to-"
Click-clack
"I really must-"
Click-clack
"I should leave-"
Click-clack
Alois stops about a metre away from me, looking with a cold hard stare. Then he smiles, at first sight it looks fairly handsome but look closer and it turns empty and dark.
"You're scared of me," Alois teases, "that's what it is," he walks circles around me and I feel trapped. A lone dove in a cage earning to break free.
"I'm not scared," I state, although my wobbling voice gives a major hint.
"If you're not scared of me," He's back to walking towards me, until he's a breath away from me, "maybe you're scared of Claude," Alois leans forward, his hot breath pelting my cheek, his mouth against my ear, "but don't worry I'll protect you." His tongue does a leisurely lap around my ear and my instincts kick in as I push him firmly away, he stumbles onto his desk.
"Get off me!" I shout, nearly screaming. I head for the door, wanting to leave the manor and get away from Alois. But as I rattle the door to make it open, it won't budge. Claude, I think, that damn butler locked the door! And now I'm trapped with… Before I can finish my thoughts I'm hit by a sudden pain on my cheek and crashing onto the floor. I can't even scream before I'm struck again, this time in the stomach. I curl myself up on the floor, fighting back tears. As I try to stand up, pain hits my stomach again and I collapse. Red liquid pours from my mouth. Two hands cup my face and I'm brought towards Alois' face, our noses nearly touch. His cold hand brushes through my messy, red hair. Liquid continues to spill down my mouth.
"Poor Lady Ashdown," He teases, "you don't look half as bad as you think covered in blood," his finger carves down the side on my face, "you look rather beautiful, actually," then his finger plays with my bottom lip, "here, let me clean you up." Then he forces my lips apart and cleans the blood off my tongue with his. When he's done, he stands up and licks his lips. I feel sick, and before I know it, stuff rises up my throat and out my mouth collapsing into a dreary state of unconsciousness.
I wake up still in the crimson, red study. But, Alois is gone and relief washes over me. I look at the Old Grandfather Clock to try and read the time. 9:05pm. I've been at this bloody mansion for nearly three hours! I find that I have some strength and so I reach for the door. However, it is still locked. I curse under my breath. I have to get out of here, I think, who knows what Alois will do to me later. In a state of panic, I bang the door three times. Seeming as though it's no use, I head for the window at the other end of the study. Looking outside, I see it still is raining. But then I see a tall gentleman, draped in long black clothing standing outside. He wears a tall black hat and his cloak covers his face. I watch as Claude comes out of the manor, greeting the gentleman. He leads him inside and then there is nothing else to watch.
"Lady Ashdown?" I hear someone call outside the study door.
"Who is it?" I ask, my voice is dry.
"It's Hannah," She replies, relief flows through me again.
"Come in," She opens the study door, obviously she has the key, and when she's sees me in my state she runs across and kneels before me. Her hands cover her face.
"Oh my god!" She screams in a whisper, "Lady Ashdown! What happened?"
"Alois, that's what happened," I reply, I notice tears forming in her eyes and I have a flashback to when Rosalie cried over my dress. Then, I feel tears pouring out of my eyes as I reminisce over home and my family, "I want to go home, Hannah, please let me leave." She nods and takes my hand. She helps me up and we slowly walk towards the door. Freedom is only a few steps away.
"Hannah!" I hear Alois shout, "Hannah, where are you?!" Panic crosses Hannah and I's faces. Hannah looks at me scared.
"I'm coming Earl Trancy!" She shouts back then she turns to me and whispers, "Lady Ashdown, you have to go now."
"But how will I get out?"
"Go left down the hall, turn right and down the staircase. The servant's parlor will be there and there is a back door, go through there. Then, run, as fast as you can."
"But what about you?"
"HANNAH!"
"Just go," Hannah pulls me tightly into a hug, "go before Alois comes!" I nod and mouth the words "Thank you" then I pull all my strength together and pace down the hallway. My legs scream in pain and agony but adrenaline takes over. I sprint as fast as I can. I hear the voices of Alois, Hannah and Claude.
"Go after him!" Alois shouts, "Ciel is in the suitcase and I want him!" Ciel, I think as I run, who's Ciel? Finally, I reach the staircase and before I go down I hear Alois again.
"What?! The study door is open?! Where's Isabella?!" I pound down the staircase and it makes an obvious rattling noise, "Claude! Find her! I want her!" I arrive at the servant's parlor and head for the back door but it doesn't open. Shit! I think, I need the key! I start to open all the cupboards and drawers. Then, I hear footsteps above me and I rush my search. At last, I find a drawer full of keys. Each is labelled with different door locations. I quickly search each label and luckily find one saying Parlour back door. I scramble towards the door, push the key in and I hear a calming click. I firmly push down on the door handle and it opens. A cold breeze rushes through and I take many gulps of air as if this manor was full of smoke. Then, I'm running again.
I run around the manor to the front. Sprinting across the lawn, I pass the purple and yellow flower beds and the fountain. I don't dare look back to see the manor. But, I do hear an ominous creaking sound coming from the main doors. All it does is make me run faster. My legs scream and beg me to stop but I ignore it. I pass trees and branches. Some smack me in the face but I ignore it. At last I come into a clear open piece of forest. The moon lights fills the area with a strange mystical aura. I am about to run again when I hear something move. I freeze and look to my left. A tall man, with black hair covering his eyes leans over a young boy who seems to be peacefully sleeping. At first, I think the man is Claude but then he looks at me and I see his dark, red eyes.
"Who are you?" I stupidly ask, he slightly smiles.
"My name is Sebastian Michaelis," He replies, "I am the butler of the Phantomhive household."
Who's that?" I point at the sleeping boy.
"That is my master, Ciel Phantomhive," He says, he beckons me over and I hesitate, "he's just about to wake up." Wake up? I think, but I slowly walk over to see the boy. He has dark, navy hair and wears a black eyepatch over his right eye. I watch Sebastian take a beautiful, emerald-cut blue ring with a silver band. He places it on Ciel's thumb. The moment feels eerie and magical.
"What is your name?" Sebastian questions, looking at me directly in the eye.
"My name is Lady Isabella Ashdown," I reply, he smiles gently, not cold and cruel like Alois'.
"Where did you come from?"
"The Trancy-" I then reminisce over the commotion at the Trancy manor and it becomes all too much to handle. I first feel my legs go and I fall onto the wet grass. Then, my eyes collapse but I still hear Sebastian's words.
"Master, it is time to wake up,"