My apologizes guys! This chapter is delayed, and a bit shorted. It just wasn't working out. Next chapter will be more exciting, promise! 3
For the next few days, nothing out of the ordinary occurred. The three lower servants destroyed a few things, making Sebastian's job harder. Ciel hadn't left his study much, tutors going in and out of the room. Sebastian himself had been as busy as always, making the meals, and tending to his master's needs. That left Evelyn. She had managed to get by on, mostly, her own for the passing time, but lately it hadn't been enough. The girl loved the space the manor had, the books to read, outdoors to run. The only thing she didn't have, that she really needed, was human interaction. Even if she wasn't talking to them, the presence of them was a strong desire. The feeling was something she had always been deprived of...
"Evelyn! Come here," her father's powerful voice growled out. The young girl slunk out from the usually locked back room, hands behind her back. When she walked, she kept her head bowed, never looking to the guest unless instructed. "Yes, father," she whispered out. His rough hand suddenly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up. "Greet our house guest," he ordered. She turned to the new man, curtseying for him, yet never meeting his eyes. "Welcome to our home, sir," Evelyn said, well rehearsed. The strange man chuckled, staring down to the ginger. "She's well trained, Blanche." Her father darted his eyes to her, not a drop of care for her in them. "Evelyn. Show our guest to the back," the heartless leader snapped, irritated he had to order her to do such things. A flash of sadness crossed her face, before nodding. "Yes, father."
He had never been kind to her. Her mother rarely spoke to her, as she was always working. Not even the maids would look her in the eye, which she later found was ordered by her father. The girl still didn't know why he did such things, nor did she ever intend to ask him. Now that she was safely away from him, in the open, she never had to go back. At least, so she thought...
"Miss Evelyn?" Sebastian called into the library, looking to her curled up form. She looked up to him, a little surprised. "I'm here!" she replied, unsure if he knew she was there or not. He stepped inside, shutting the door. "Good, I'd like to speak to you," he informed her, moving to stand beside her. Evelyn motioned he take a seat, which he politely declined. "The young master has some business to attend to in London, and would like to extend an invitation to you," the butler told her, using his professional voice. At this point, she didn't even care. This was her chance to finally explore, get out in the world! "
"I would love to join you two," she said, after pushing her excitement down. Sebastian broke composure for a moment, smirking down at her. "I must warn you however, the company we will meet may not be, the most pleasant." At his words, Evelyn looked up at him in confusion. Instead he extended his hand to her. "Please, my lady, we must be on our way as soon as we possibly can. The young master doesn't like to wait," he said, showing no trace of hurry. The neko took his hand, standing. The two of them left the dim room, Sebastian shutting the door behind them.
Ciel waited for both of them at the front door, leaning on his walking stick. He waited until Sebastian had opened the door for them to speak. "You look lovely," he noted, not looking to her after the comment. A soft blush rose to her cheeks, smiling to herself. "Thank you Ciel," she said, climbing into the carriage. That day, Mey-Rin helped her choose out an outfit for the day. It was a dark blue dress, many folds and pleats in the fabric. It stuck to her skin like a glove until her hips, then flaring out. The color almost perfectly matched Ciel's eye, which they both failed to notice. Sebastian, on the other hand, caught on. He didn't say anything however, simply let the two be as the carriage took off.
"So, Ciel...whom are we visiting?" she asked, looking up at him. He didn't return her gaze, however, looking out the window. "We're going to speak to an old, friend, of mine. He's to help me with a case I've gotten," he told her, very vaguely. It irritated her a bit that no one would tell her who they were seeing, but she was truly just happy to be taken out, and included in things.
The rest of the ride was silent, neither party saying much. Of course, Evelyn had a few questions in her mind, but didn't voice them. Instead, she let her mind drift until they arrived. Ciel had to tap her on the knee to get her attention, signalling they had arrived. A swift apology slipped from her lips, climbing out of the cart. They hadn't stopped where she expected to. Rather, they were in a dark, damp back alley. There was one door, almost directly in front of them. Above it, there was a dirty old sign, which read out 'Undertaker'.
"We're here to see...an undertaker?" she asked in confusion. Sebastian simply chuckled. "You'll understand," he told her, still not answering her question. It was really beginning to annoy her, the people never answering her questions. Within a few moments, Ciel was standing beside her, taking a breath. He seemed to be preparing himself for whatever was going to happen in the parlor. Sebastian stepped forward, opening the door for the trio.
"Come," Ciel murmured, walking through the door. Evelyn followed close behind. She barely heard the door shut behind her, taking in the sights before her. It was rather dark, but her cat eyes aided her in sight. Coffins littered the floor, bones decorating whatever was bare. "Ciel.." she whispered, taking half a step backwards. Her back pressed against Sebastian's solid chest, making her jump. He placed hands on either side of her, holding her steady. "It's okay, my lady," he whispered back to her, almost in her ear.
"Ciel Phantomhive!" a high pitched male voice called out. Suddenly, grey robes stood in front of Evelyn, cutting off her vision. Sebastian pulled her even closer to his body, as if to protect her. "Are ye finally here to be fitted for a custom coffin?" he asked excitedly. Ciel sighed, stepping forward. "No, Undertaker, I'm-" he was suddenly cut off by the robed man, Undertaker, whipping around and gasping.
"And who's this little kitten with you?" he asked, a very long fingernail framing Evelyn's face. She turned her head away, surpressing a hiss. Ciel turned around, his eyes narrow. "She's a guest, Undertaker, I suggest you do not touch her," the Earl said, keeping rather calm about it. He eyed Sebastian's hands on her arms, causing the butler to drop them. Undertaker pouted, pulling his finger away. Evelyn shivered at the thought of him touching her again, stepping away from Sebastian. This earned her a curious glance from the butler, but she didn't notice it. Instead, she watched the grey robes dance around the room happily.
"If you're not here for a coffin, how can I help you, My Lord?" he asked, hints of sarcasm dropped in his voice. The Earl looked up at him, face relaxing. "There have been a series of murders in the area lately. All young women, various eye and hair colors, short. Have you dealt with them?" he asked, straight to the point. The man was silent for a few moments, always smiling. Ciel seemed to be preparing for him to do something, his body tense. It visibly relaxed, however, when the Undertaker spoke again.
"Yes, I did. As with all these serial murders, there was something similar about them all. They had a mark drawn on them, may it have been with their own blood, a burn, dirt, anything." Ciel raised an eyebrow, looking around the room. "What does this mark look like?" he asked. Evelyn already had a sinking feeling about what he would say. Turning around, the Undertaker rummaged around on a table for a second, before holding up something. He turned around, holding what Evelyn assumed was a piece of dried skin. The sight almost made her gag, before she had even registered what was on the skin.
Ciel studied the piece, before whipping around. "Evelyn.." he said, staring at her. Undertaker cocked his head, smirking. He didn't speak however, simply letting the scene unfold before him. It wasn't as exciting as he was hoping for. "That's the same mark that you have.." he whispered, rather close to her. Evelyn winced, nodding. "I believe so..." she agreed. I was kidnapped by a serial killer?!
"The man who took Miss Evelyn is not the killer we're looking for," Sebastian piped up, stepping forward from the wall. Ciel looked up at him. "What do you mean that wasn't him?" he snapped. Sebastian smiled down to him. "I will explain it later Young Master. Thank you Undertaker, you've been most helpful," he said, opening the door before anyone could say anything. Undertaker grinned widely, waving after placing the mark back. "Take care of yourself, and your lady, My Lord!" he called as they left. Evelyn's cheeks lit up at the comment, but didn't say anything.
Once safely in the carriage, Ciel looked over to his guest. "Evelyn...What do you remember of the man who branded you?" he asked. The neko winced, hating to think of the scenes. "He was old...very fat, ugly. A smoker," she mused, trying to think of as much characteristics of the man. He nodded, leaning forward. "Did he have anyone with him? Younger..?" he pressed. She was quiet for a long moment, then nodded. "He had two younger men with him. I...I don't remember their names. I'm sorry Earl," she said, looking down. It did upset her that she couldn't have been of more assistance to Ciel, who clearly took this seriously. The boy shook his head, leaning back. "Not at all, and please, it's Ciel," he said, his voice softening for a moment. This surprised Evelyn a bit, but not enough to comment on it. Instead, she looked up at him with a soft smile. "Right..thank you," she said after a moment. He was silent again, looking out the window.
For the remainder of the ride, no one said anything. Evelyn was disappointed that they weren't staying longer in the town, but didn't want to say anything about the feeling. Instead, she simply looked out the window, examining the scenery. The transition from city to country was very obvious, it almost stopping on a line. The countryside was so beautiful, lush and green. It stayed like that while they pulled on to the Phantomhive lot as well, Ciel taking the care to preserve the beauty.
"We've arrived," Sebastian's voice called out, opening the carriage door. Ciel stepped out first, then turned to help Evelyn out. She thanked him with a nod, walking beside him to the door. The butler opened the door for them, then inwardly wincing as a loud screech sounded. "Ciiiiieeeeeeeeeel!"