So, I'm in the mood to write. Plus, I don't want to leave you all in complete suspense for too long. Thanks for the active reviews, BlueIsMyFavoriteNumber! I really do appreciate it.
I do not own Black Butler, nor am I making a profit from writing this little fic-let. Yes, I made that word up. I think. What, do I have to write a disclaimer for that as well?
I awoke to the loud sound of something heavy scraping across a cold floor. I was too out of it to realize that the sound belonged to a chair being dragged across a wood floor…and I was sitting in it…
The motion jarred me awake as I came around, finally. I couldn't see anything at first, but as my eyes adjusted to the dimness of this mysterious place, my captor was not in sight. Nor did he blindfold me. So, he wasn't that concerned with actually abducting me?
"Sebastian? Sebastian, I swear, show yourself this instant!" I bellowed, my throat feeling dry. I regretted it as soon as I had did it; the ear splitting headache was enough to make me reel.
He showed himself moments later, his gloves off. But, I found it odd that he was still wearing his formal butler's attire.
"Relax, Finnian." He said shortly and walked around my chair to where my arms were tied together. He released me without hesitation, and I didn't have it in me to try to fight back with all my strength.
It was pointless anyways; I was drained.
"What….What did you do with my strength, you devil?" I spat, falling on my knees to the floor. I rubbed where the rope had chaffed my skin tenderly, wincing slightly. I really just wanted to know the whole meaning of this. Why was he being so casual?
"If you would allow me to explain without overreacting, I would tell you. But, I really don't think you're mature enough to be let in on this little secret."
I seethed loud enough for him to hear and folded my hands in my lap. This was my way of showing that I was ready to listen.
"Remember when you promised me that you would go along with anything I hatched up? To get Bard to like you? Well, my dear boy…" And with this, he clasped his glove-less hands together and smiled with teeth. "This is it. My master plan is in full swing!"
"What exactly is this plan you speak of? Don't you think I deserve to know what's going on and why I've been abducted by you, huh?" I challenged, trying to even my voice so I didn't sound like I was complaining. Heaven forbid he knew how I was really feeling.
"I am pretending to be an evil mastermind who has abducted you earlier this afternoon. I have taken you to an unidentified location in London, where you shall await until the Phantomhive household has realized you are no longer in our presence. Once they realize you have up and disappeared, I shall plant the seed in little Bard's head that it must be him and only him to go and find you. He shall not know though, that this is all just a ploy and by no means real. You will be free to move about the apartment as much as you like, until Bard is close to the location. I shall continue perusing the manor until the time is right to confront him. It might take days Finnian, but it will all be worth it. You'll see; this never fails. Unless, that is, he refuses to go look for you. You'd be surprised how people react when they are confronted with the fear that they have lost someone they care for…"
I was deathly silent the entire time. Damn, this was a well thought out plan. I had to give him credit where it was due. But, wouldn't it have been more successful if I had been in on it?
As if sensing my thoughts, he tsked. "Remember how I said I thought you might not be mature enough to know without keeping things hush hush? I think you can answer your own question, Finny."
I sighed in defeat and let my limbs relax. So, I was stuck in this dimly lit room until Bard realized where to find me…
"What if he can't find me, Sebastian? Are you going to lead him here or something? I don't want to wait around for days…"
"You'll wait for as long as it takes. The longer it takes him to find you, the more desperate he'll become."
This all made sense, but I doubted Bard's sleuthing skills.
I looked up at him sadly and stood, walking over to the other side of the room. "I'll just wait here then." I said, not wanting awkward silence between the two of us. I sat in the corner and refused to look at him. I just couldn't.
He sighed heavily and dragged the chair back over to the side of the otherwise empty room. "I'll come back with food later this evening, when I get a chance. Do not make a sound. You are to remain as quiet as humanly possible through this entire endeavor, agreed?"
I just nodded and continued sulking. I wished I had worn warmer clothes today, I swear…I didn't want to sleep on the floor without any padding, and I could've substituted a pillow for a balled up jacket.
He left a few minutes later, taking all of my will with him.
-Bard's POV
I was getting worried when Finny didn't show up for bed. I hadn't seen him for any meals, either. Had the little bugger decided to go off on his own? Without me? That seemed highly unlikely, but a possible truth.
As I was dressing for bed, I felt rather lonely. Usually, my talkative little Finny would be all over me right now, trying to engage a full-fledged conversation as I pulled on attire for the evening. I had to laugh to myself, but the sound that came out sounded hollow. I couldn't take this, being without him for so long…already…
I climbed into bed, but couldn't settle down. I watched the flickering light of the candle whoosh back and forth, swaying in the breeze from the open window. I should've really gotten up to shut that, but I felt too weak. Let the rain pour in, I didn't care.
It wasn't that late. Maybe if I went and inquired about Finny throughout the house, I would be reassured. Who knows, he might've just wanted to spend an overnight in London…but without telling me first?
I put on some slippers and walked out the door, climbing up a flight of stairs out of the servant's courters. Mey-Rin was already asleep, so I couldn't ask her…That left Tanaka, Young Master, and…Sebastian.
The guy gave me the creeps, I tell you. I couldn't believe Finny the other night, suggesting I botched stuff on purpose, just to get time alone with him! God, all I want to do is avoid him! But, this was important, and I could suck up one conversation with the scary butler in order to find out about my dearest Finny. And I knew exactly where he would be now.
I barged into the drawing room, eyes anxiously searching for a sign of life. When I saw him leaning against the windowsill, my heart skipped a beat. The room was dark and the atmosphere somber.
"Sebastian?" I tried to say, my throat closing up. Each step I took felt like I was sealing my fate. I could turn back now, but I knew for a fact I wouldn't be able to humanly sleep, knowing this dark stranger lurked the halls of the mansion.
He turned to face me, his skin looking iridescent in the dim light from the moon. He looked ghostly and weary; a side of him I had never seen. Something was the matter.
"What is it, Bardroy? Shouldn't you be retired to bed already?"
"I…I jus' wanted te ask ye if ye had heard from Finny at all this evenin'…the lil' bugger still hasn't showed up in our shared room…"
His expression changed from one of disinterest and reserve to one of fear and sorrow. Oh, how my heart leaped at that display.
"No, no I haven't. I thought I saw him come in this evening from the garden? Or, maybe I didn't? I'm not sure, but it's true he is nowhere to be found?" He bit his lip back, as if anxious.
What was with everyone acting so differently than their usual selves?
I just nodded, not sure what else to say.
He shrugged and stood up from his perch, making eye contact with me. We shared this inner message that this was by no means normal; Finny was in trouble.
"Ye don't think…It couldn't be possible that…" But as I was saying it, I knew it was true.
Finny wasn't near the mansion at all, and it wasn't by choice. He had been taken, stolen, abducted…
My whole world felt like it had been flipped upside down.
One, simple command fell from my lips before I could stop myself. I said it with power, even though my voice was quivering from fright an fear.
"Help me find him, Sebastian. Help me bring him home."
The butler looked distraught but kept a straight face. "I will do my best, Bardroy. But, with no evidence and no clue as to who would take him, it might take some time…time that could and should be considered very valuable…"
"I don't care." Was my reply. I felt myself choking up already. How was I supposed to go through this night, knowing my little one could be chained up or starving? Being tortured by masked murderers? Who knows what terrors he was in the presence of…my pure, sweet best friend…
I had no desire to continue talking to him, so I turned to leave the drawing room. But just as I was about to grab the door handle, his voice rang out to me from behind.
"Bardroy? Accompany me to London tomorrow. Be ready by 6 o'clock. We should get an early head start if we are to find him in good time. I will alert the master; I have a feeling he will be sympathetic to our cause."
I didn't signal him with my agreement, but just staggered out of the room, instead. A long, sleepless night awaited me down in the servant's chambers.
