Chapter 4: Breakdown.
The girl was pulled into the arms of an unknown person who hesitated for a moment, "My... You're worse off than my Bassy warned me... Poor thing..."
After almost an entire week of strangers coming in and out of her life, there was one voice she recognized.
Grell.
Being held close, she was carried up the stairs and through the nearest window escape. "Bassy tried for days, but there was something preventing him from entering the property," the man explained, running fast in the direction of the woods. "Apparently there was a blessing on the building. It really wore him out even trying to get in. So, he finally called for me. But I don't see why he didn't call for me earlier! I would have been an amazing nurse for my dear Bassy~ he would be my patient and fall in lo-" He stopped himself, remembering the situation and for the first time since meeting the young girl, remained silent.
The girl couldn't help but feel anger towards that demon. Leaving her for dead... Sebastian was a demon. He couldn't be that hurt. Not hurt enough to give up on her...
At least that's what she thought.
Back in a large mansion deep in the forest, Grell laid the frail girl in a comfy queen sized bed. He gently placed the covers over her and tucked her in, distress and worry evident in his expression.
Undertaker entered the room and looked down at the lifeless girl, stroking her matted navy hair ever so lightly, "I'm sorry that we couldn't get to you sooner, love." He then sighed heavily and pulled a chair to the side of the bed, sitting in it. He cautiously removed the blankets from the girl and began treating her wounds.
It was the middle of the night, and Undertaker had finally finished tending to the girl's injuries.
At that moment, Sebastian entered the mansion and made his way up the staircase and down the hallway. He stared anxiously at the two shinigamis who stood in the doorway of the girl's bedroom. Undertaker stepped aside, and the demon ran as fast as he could to the young girl's side.
For only a moment, everything was peaceful. However, Grell interrupted their moment with a hushed tone, "Bas-Sebastian... She isn't doing well. She's... she's really injured. And none of her wounds were treated right while she was there. Undertaker did all he could to treat them, but even then-"
"The chances of her surviving are minimal." The Undertaker spoke up.
Sebastian looked at the shinigami, his eyes widening slightly and directing their attention at the girl.
Her eyes were mostly closed, showing that she was trying with all her might to keep them somewhat open. Her chest moved fast, her breaths short and quick.
The demon did a quick inspection of the injuries and tensed up at the realization that there really wasn't that much of a chance. "...But there still is a chance... even if it is small..." He mumbled, sitting down in the seat the Undertaker had pulled up previously. "I won't give up, my Young Mistress."
When she saw the burns on the demon's skin, her anger she had felt towards him vanished immediately. The way he cared for her caused a bit of guilt to grow within her for even being upset with him in the first place.
Her eyelids grew heavy as tears began to stream from her eyes. It felt as if her throat was on fire, and she couldn't even speak. She just laid there, sobbing in silence.
Sebastian's gaze grew soft and sorrowful as he placed his hand in hers, gently caressing her thumb, "Please forgive me."
Meals were kept simple so they could be easily digested. Every night, Sebastian would lay with the girl, but would disappear every morning.
This went on for weeks. And for weeks, she remained silent. Ever since her return to the mansion, she has not spoken a single word.
That is, until she broke down.
They hadn't spoken of the events that had taken place during the girl's absense. He yearned to hear her voice, but Sebastian didn't want to push, considering the fact that the girl wouldn't even speak to tell him what she wanted to eat when he would ask.
But she couldn't take it anymore.
She woke up in the middle of the night, darkness engulfing her. Fear took over and the girl began screaming at the top of her lungs, curling up within herself.
The candle Sebastian had lit every night went out due to a soft breeze coming through the window.
Sebastian sat upright and pulled the girl into his arms, assuring her that everything would be alright. The demon snapped his fingers, and the room lit up enough for them to see each other. He held the girl's tear-soaked face in both hands. He smiled sadly and pulled her close, rubbing her back and not saying a word.
She said it all. She told him everything that happened during the time she was held captive.
With each word, Sebastian's heart grew heavier and heavier.
He held the broken girl in his arms, kissing the top of her head and speaking softly words of promise for the future, words of love and reassurance. "No matter how far, how terrible things may seem, how bleak the world may look, my Young Mistress, I will save you. Some way, somehow. Whether it's using a shinigami or ending my life, I will protect you. Until the very end."
Warmth consumed her with the touch of another. She closed her swollen eyes, filled with content.
Sebastian...
Her lips brushed against the demon's neck, her frosty lips were magnetized to the demon's blissfully hot skin.
Sebastian's body was a blanket wrapping around her, inviting her to fall into slumber for the second time that night.
Her arms sagged down vaguely, sleep taking over her body. Her lips rested against the demon's collarbone, faintly kissing him.
"Goodnight." He whispered.