Oranges and reds, yellows and vermillions. Waves of colors filled Ciel's sleeping mind like the fiery rays of a desert sun.

It was the first smell that assaulted Ciel's nose when his eyes opened: piss. That gross, tangy, acrid odor that leached upon every scent receptor in his nose. The wetness then followed. The sheets, his pajama bottoms and part of his shirt stuck to him in that sopping, clumping way. His teddy bear was unharmed: he always kept it by his head on the pillow for that very purpose.

Dammit!

He new what was going to happen. His dad would come into the room to wake him up, see that he had pissed himself like the fucking baby he was, and then out would come the belt on his ass. Fucking perfect.

But then his fears lightened a little, for nearby, Ciel noticed the luggage resting near his bad. Today was the day he was going to leave this nightmare for a new one.

The door knob turned. Ciel's breathing hitched.

In came Harker like the grandiose disaster he was. For a brief second he looked at Ciel then at the dark circle on the top of the sheets and then back to Ciel. His mouth opened. His mouth shut.

"Just get yourself cleaned up and pack your damn bags. You're out of here by noon."

Well, looks like he was taking everything very well.

The building, deep into those darkened woods and past that wrought iron gate, stood there like a standing cliche. If Ciel knew no better, he would have half expected Count Orlock to be awaiting him on the stone stoop.

The old, archaic edifice rose from its base of dead grass, high against the cloudy sky. It was an abominable mix between Romanesque Revival and Gothic, probably built early in the previous century. The various mixtures of towers and turrets, stained glass windows and oak doors, were intermittently gnarled by dark ivy, barely letting one see the gray stone craftwork in some areas. Engraved in the wall next to the main door, painted a shade of blood red were the words: BLACKWOOD INSTITUTE.

The car's ancient wheels screeched slowly as the vehicle halted; Ciel gripped his bear close to him.

From the driver's seat, a large and hairy face turned towards Ciel. "Here it is, kid. Do you want me to get your trunk?"

The boy nodded silently and quickly and got out.

A click of the trunk opening, the heavy thump of a parcel on gravel, a click of the trunk closing, a sound of a speeding car going off into the distance, and then it was just the boy, the trunk, and the bear.

Little Ciel stared at the big building and it stared back. A cold gust of wind washed over him, like a hiss. He looked down at his feet, part not wanting to look at the stone abomination and part checking to see if he was actually there. Ciel was not sure how long he was standing in that position, but the moment he looked up he about jumped seven feet when he saw the thing on the porch.

Standing there like a statue was this grinning creature. Thin lips were stretched into a large smile, revealing teeth that seemed more useful in the mouth of a great white shark. Chartreuse eyes that almost glowed in sadistic glee rested under red spectacles upon a sharp nose. The hair of this being was a deep cherry red and was long and wild. Pointed shoulders were encased in a jacket that appeared to be made of a crimson velvet. An almost comically oversized bow tie was upon a thin neck and a white shirt, giving way to a brown vest with dark pants. All in all, it was a hideous bombardment of color and Wildean fashion.

Ciel stared. A sense of familiarity came over him. It took him a moment, but then he remembered it clearly. When he was with his first family after the incident, they gave him a copy of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to read. He recalled those creepy, hollow illustrations that came with it, in particular the one of Cheshire Cat as he talked to Alice in the woods. This thing on the porch looked just like him. That same large grin, menacing, hungry, mysterious. You couldn't tell if it was going to say a good word or swallow you up, be watch you succeed with joy or watch you die with relish.

"Why helloooooo young man!" The posh tenor voice flowed from the creature's lips like poison butter, sticky and biting. "My name is Dr. Sutcliff! I am the head proprietor of this…." here it struggled for a word "fine establishment. I am assuming you're our newest member of our loving and happy family?"

Ciel nodded fearfully. This Dr. Sutcliff reminded him of a person that would pat someone's back with one hand and stab someone else's with the other.

Another smile creeped onto Dr. Sutcliff's face. "Awww! Aren't you just an adorable creature!"

There was an awkward moment of silence between the two. Grell then began to walk towards the boy. Ciel fought the urge to back away in turn.

"Here! Please, let me get your trunk!" The taller man then began to bend over with disturbing ease; clearly he had done this action many times in the past.

"Oh, it's okay!" Ciel had a sudden feeling that he did not want this guy being near his stuff. "I wouldn't want you to….strain yourself."

The redhead shot straight up, as if he was expecting that answer. "Ya think? I am a rather delicate little rose, to be honest. I would hate to pull a muscle, or even break a nail for that matter! And I can tell you, these do not happen overnight!" He waved his hands in the boy's face.

"I see…."

"However, I would hate for you to have to do it. You came here to relax, not engage in manual labour!"

"It's okay. It's just a trunk…"

"Wait! I just got a perfect idea!" He practically jumped around to face the building. Grell cupped his well manicured hands around his lips. "HANNAH! GET THE HELL OUT HERE!"

He put his hands on his hips and smiled a smile that just yelled self praise.

The door to the institution opened and out came a woman in a nurse's uniform with long pale hair and with a dour expression. "Yes?" her voice squeaked, empty and tired.

"Get this boy's trunk and put it into his room before he kills over!"

"Yes, sir." She slowly made her way down the steps.

The doctor then turned to Ciel.

"Now! Since we have all of that taken care of, let us tour the grounds!" Grell turned on the balls of his feet and practically pranced to the door. Ciel followed behind him. Today was going to be an interesting day.

When Ciel reached the stoop, he stopped for Grell was blocking the entrance. Ciel looked up at him. His eyes were cold and piercing, like how someone eyes an insect or a steak. A clawlike hand stretched itself upon the boy's shoulder, sending shivers down his spine.

"I can already tell, you are going to be a most exceptional child!" His voice was still cheery, but it lost all volume, it was low now, almost sounding like a threat.

"Th-thanks, sir."

"Aww, Ciel! I could just eat you up!" The volume and intensity returned, but that basic menacing quality still stuck.

Ciel did not doubt that one bit. Gobble him up, those shark teeth glistening, that Cheshire grin glowing. Gobble him up into the belly of the beast.

"Shall we begin our tour?"

The child nodded fearfully. As he began to enter, his shoulder in an iron grip, that carbuncle of a building practically swallowing him, Ciel suddenly remembered another snippet of a book he read at that family's house:

"Abandon all hope, ye who enter."

Ciel passed the threshold as he did both of those actions.

A/N: I am SO sorry for not updating sooner! I have been SUPER busy and stressed out, plus I have been having severe writer's block. I am not entirely happy with this chapter, but I feel like I should put something up. Thanks and enjoy!