A/N: Ohmigosh I am sooooo sorry this chapter came out so late! Please, please, please forgive me! DX I've had a HUGE writers block. I got like, halfway through this chapter then every time I pulled up Word, my mind just went completely blank. . I'm just so glad I'm out of the block and can start writing again. I can't wait to just finish this chapter and move on to more plot. Alright, enough of my excuses! To make up for lost time, here is an extra long chapter AND the first few character pictures! You can find them at my profile on Deviantart, Keymaster1. So, chapter seven!
Black Butler III
Chapter 7: Escape
She shifted her weight on the hard wooden planks as she hugged her legs against her chest, cradling her heavy head on her bruised knees. Her back was supported by one of the many bags full of envelopes sitting idly throughout the back of the wagon. Her cheek was still throbbing horribly, and had swelled painfully large.
The pain didn't affect her as much as it should have, though. She was once again distracted, finding herself getting lost in thoughts of her family. They were probably devastated, having called the police hours ago. Her mother would be crying her heart out into Madeline's aunt's shoulder as her father argued with the sheriff about her whereabouts. Her baby sister Ellie would be confused over the situation, most likely asking Madeline's sobbing twin where she was. Her older brother would be sitting quietly in the corner, waiting for his little sister to pop out of another room like they were playing hide-and-seek.
But what if Madeline didn't make it back? She had already gotten a ride back to London and she was constantly assuring herself that she would be fine; she would be reunited with her family again. But deep in her heart, she felt the suffocating constriction of doubt. She wasn't sure what exactly she doubted, but the unfathomable heaviness of death and destruction whispered threats inside her head.
"But London can't be too far away…" she muttered to herself, her light voice shaking with exhaustion. "I might even get home in time for supper. Yes… Momma and Papa will shower me in kisses and Max will actually tell me how much he missed me. We'll have my favorite food – a nice fricassee with spicy rice. There will be freshly baked rolls with sweet cream butter and a delicious soufflé for dessert. After dinner we'll have hot chocolate by the fire as Mama reads us a bedtime story," she smiled sadly at the thought, but that irritating inner voice kept telling her otherwise.
You think you'll get off that easily? Something horribly wrong will happen, you'll see.
"Shut up!" she yelled at herself, silencing herself with a slap to the mouth just as she said this. She remembered she had to stay quiet as not to alert the coachmen of her presence.
The events leading up to her escape had been almost too much for poor young Madeline's mind to take all at once. She was but a small child, merely gaining consciousness of her actions as she preformed them. She barely managed to keep her composure while trapped in that windowless little shack with those idiots, but then fleeing to a village where every adult treated her like trash almost made her completely break down. If it had not been for the kind boy who helped her, she wouldn't have made it as far as she did.
. . .
Madeline and Jim returned to a little underground shack that he led her to. She calmed her nerves, finding that underneath the earth was the safest place at the moment. He presented her with half a small loaf of bread, to which she gladly received.
Jim revealed that he and his brother had been bullied by the villagers of that town his whole life due to being an orphan, so the fact that she was rejected and shunned by the adults was not unexpected because of her filthy clothes. Although he seemed to be cheerful when sharing his story, the blonde's voice was tinged with a deep sadness.
Madeline pitied his situation, despite her being in a worse one at the moment. She had a family and lived a rich lifestyle, while a poor orphaned boy offered her half of the dinner he stole for his brother and himself.
"This is so exciting," Jim cheered, giving the redhead a grin, "I've never had a friend before!" She felt her stomach twist in grief as he said that. She felt tears well in her eyes again but blinked them away, fondling the bread between her fingers.
"I'm glad to be with a friend as well," she answered hesitantly.
"Anyways," he crossed the room to sit on a mat in the corner, motioning for her to join him. She slowly followed his path with shaking legs, lowering herself to the ground next to him. "What happened you, Madeline?"
She bit her lip, burrowing her fingers into the hard crust of the bread. It's not as though she didn't trust Jim, or didn't want to share her story, but each time she thought about it she could feel bile and sadness rise in her throat.
She swallowed dryly, trying desperately to relax her constricting throat. "I," she started, "I was kidnapped." Jim stared at her, his expression changing from concern to anger.
"Who kidnapped you?" he demanded, startling Madeline. She lower lip trembled as she shook her head, dropping the bread to bring her hands to her face.
"I don't know," she sobbed, "I was just at home when suddenly I was taken." He remained silent, but she could feel him scrutinizing her as she covered her grimy face to fight back another wave of tears.
"I want to go home, Jim," she impeded her reluctance to cry, burying her head deeper into lap as her nails dug into her head, just needing to grasp onto something to keep her from losing herself completely.
She jumped a little when she felt a warm arm wrap around her back, embracing her in a comforting hug. "It'll be alright, Madeline. I'm here to help."
She looked up at his heartening smile, finding herself return the friendly gesture. "Th-thank you."
She released him from her strong hold, feeling just a little less alone. Sniffling, she brought her sleeves to her eyes to wipe away the tears she shed.
"Where do you live, Madeline?" he asked, tapping his fingers against the cold ground, filling the room with a different sound than just her sobs. She watched them bounce up and down in a constantly smooth pattern, pacing her breathing to match the rate of the recoiling of the small appendages.
"I live in London," she answered calmly. Jim grinned brightly, clenching his fists in excitement.
"The big city where the Queen is? Wow! That must be so amazing!" Madeline smiled gently at his enthusiasm.
"Yes. I really wish to return," she mumbled, once again imagining their worried faces.
There was silence for a minute as Jim stared at her sadly. "Are you sure you don't want to stay with me? It's their faults that you got taken away; you shouldn't want to go back to them."
She blinked blankly at him, frowning with equal forlornness. "They are not at fault. It was my foolish mistake – leaving the manor without an escort."
"But when you leave, it'll just be Luka and me. You're my only friend…" he pleaded, leaning closer to her.
She turned away, feeling her stomach being gnawed at again. "I'm sorry, Jim. But I have to return to my family. The villagers here are cruel and I'm certain my kidnappers are looking for me."
She felt an eerie sensation in her chest and glanced back at the one beside her. Her heart leapt up into her throat when she saw Jim with his brows furrowed. His eyes were the same crystal blue as before, but somehow, they were different. Like in the depths of the chilling azure was darkness deeper than black itself.
"I'll kill them all one day," he said coolly, sending a wave of fear through Madeline. "You're right, they are cruel. They all deserve to die."
She swallowed back the panic rising in her throat. "…I would like that…" she whispered, feeling horrified by what she admitted. She was not referring to the town as one, but the spiteful adults who pushed her roughly onto the cobblestone, denied her help and affronted her, and kept her tied up in a cold, dark shack.
Jim grinned again, nodding vigorously. "I'll make sure it happens!" Madeline returned the smile gently and stood.
There was a slight pause, before Madeline spoke again. "Jim, where is this place?"
"Oh, the village's name is Stanwood. Luka and I only ever keep towards the edge of town, so I don't really know where exactly we are."
"Oh," she muttered, fondling the rolls in her dress. "Where is your brother?"
"Luka is down by the bluebell field just a little ways away. He'll be safe there. I was on my way to snatch a fish or two from a store before I came across you."
She nodded, directing her attention back to the fabric beneath her palm.
"Would you like to meet him?" he grinned.
"No," she said a little too harshly, "I'm sure I've spent much too long lingering here. I have to return." The boy narrowed his eyes and considered her for a moment before he pushed himself off the ground.
He passed her edgily, ignoring her pleading eyes as he began to climb the ladder.
"Wh-where are you going?" she implored. He threw open the door leading up to the surface, beginning to climb out without acknowledging Madeline. She scurried across the room to join him above only to have the square, wooden entrance slammed into its hinges. She stared up in perplexity for several seconds. Stepping up a few planks, she pushed on the door above her. It wouldn't budge. Second and third attempts proved to show that with just her strength, it wouldn't open. Sinking to her knees, she felt tears well up once again.
He left. He just left me here all alone.
Her assumption was contradicted by the creaking of it swinging open to reveal Jim gaping down at her, light beaming around his light blonde hair. "Don't just sit there, come on out. It's safe," he swished his hand towards him, signaling for her to come. She blinked at the light and nodded silently, clambering up the steps with difficulty.
"Follow me," he mumbled, grabbing Madeline's wrist and beginning to guide her out of the barren street.
"Where are you taking me?" she stumbled behind him with shaky legs as he dashed off.
"Stay quiet," he glanced behind his shoulder at her before sharply turning another corner.
Several minutes of blindly scampering from street to street had brought them to a bustling roundabout lined with shops and businesses. Dozens of civilians scurried about, paying no mind to the dirty children as they took care of their business.
Madeline whipped her head violently in all directions, watching for the brunette who was sure to be tracking her down.
"It's alright, Madeline," Jim reassured her, "We're here. You're safe now." She panted through a grateful smile, trying frantically to rest her nerves.
"How am I going to leave?"
"Well-"
"You," seethed a disturbingly familiar voice behind them. Madeline felt her heart stop as she turned to face Ryan, his hand bandaged and eyes glazed with fury.
"It's him," she whispered.
"Come," without hesitation Jim clasped her hand within his and dashed off, dragging her alongside. Although she couldn't see, the paranoia of the man's pursuit caused fear to once again invade her mind and poison her senses.
Jim yanked her around the circle of shops to the post office and behind one of the wagons filled with bags, still gripping her fingers tightly with his own. Her heart beat frantically as they halted, while the blonde was barely breaking a sweat.
"Why are we stopped?" she pleaded, pulling harshly on his hand, "He's coming, please!"
"Shush," he spat, ducking her head low and peering over the orange locks. He knelt down beside her, taking hold of her shaking hand once again, his grasp gentle and comforting.
"Look, Madeline," he whispered, gazing sternly into her terrified eyes, "I'm going to help you out of here, just do what I say."
She hesitated, staring back and forth from the crystal orbs of blue, finding only honest determination. Swallowing back the terror swelling in her mouth, she nodded her head slowly in response.
He looked around at the wagons lined up in groups surrounding them before giving her a reassuring pat on the hand. He lifted her up to her feet, beginning to walk away from their position on the cobblestone.
"There you are," they heard. Madeline turned swiftly to be met with the chest of a tall man. She darted her eyes up at his face, contorted with anger, staring down at her. He snatched her shoulder painfully within his grasp, but she couldn't move away. Her mouth dropped open slightly as if to scream, but she remained silent as if paralyzed.
"Let go of her!" Jim yelled, and suddenly her tender skin was released as Ryan bent over swiftly to hold his bruised shin. She was once again tugged off in another direction, unbeknownst to her where she was going, but not resisting Jim's pull.
Ryan's screams for their return were ignored as they sprinted away, navigating their way around the vehicles to get as much distance between the three of them as possible. Harshly pushing her against the back of a wagon, Jim leaned his head over the wheel briefly. He turned back to her, grasping her shoulders gently to get her attention.
"Madeline, I promised I'd get you out of here. Do you trust me?" She resisted the urge to glance around for their pursuer, keeping her eyes locked with Jim's. Her teeth clattered in fear, her shoulders shaking under the others gentle hold.
Madeline had just met this boy; she knew that it wouldn't be safe to have faith in the plan of an uneducated commoner. She had known him for maybe thirty minutes; so to put her life in his hands would be dangerous. He had not been careful enough to evade her chaser, so to let him lead her in a plan to escape would be risky. This was a small child against a full-grown adult.
But then again, she had been following him all along. Throughout all the minutes, hours, days, she had been in captivity; this was the one person who had acknowledged her pain, sated her hunger, and comforted away her fears. Madeline had been putting faith in him all along. Not Jim specifically, but God. She trusted that he would send a savior down to save her, and the angel-faced boy in front of her was his doing. While she was tied up and watching the two devils play games, Madeline prayed that she would be returned to her family, that everything would go back to normal. This would be her last chance at survival, so to reject the pure-hearted intentions of the angel that was attempting to help her would be to reject her God's wish for her life.
Clenching her hands, she took a deep breath, "Yes, Jim," she whispered. His eyes softened in what she would assume to be relief of her acceptance, and he maneuvered to crouch next to her.
"Do you see on the far side of the lot over there? Where that small building is?" he pointed to the large vacant area of the lot where a single wagon stood. "They've just finished loading that wagon up with mail. It should be leaving any second. This is one that goes to London, so it shouldn't be too difficult to sneak in just as it's leaving. They don't lock the doors before they take off, so just rush inside before he finds you."
Madeline blinked at his instructions. "How do you know all of that?"
He gave her a small smile, "I just do." Jim stood one last time with Madeline, "Alright, now you'll run over when I cue you, okay?"
"W-wait, you're coming with me, right?" she stared desperately at him.
"I'm sorry, I can't. You'll have to go alone."
She bit her quivering lip and nodded. Eyes glazing over the tops of the carts one last time, the redhead waited for Jim's signal to escape. Two men came out from around the opposite side of the wagon, shutting the wooden doors on the back of the cart before they leisurely strolled to the main office several meters away.
"Alright, Madeline. Run. Now!" he gave her back a gentle push.
The lead that was once weighing down her legs vanished as she unconsciously sprinted forward, leaving the safety of Jim's side to rush towards the freedom awaiting her. Even as she heard a shout behind her, she still kept her steadfast pace to reach the cart just feet away.
Upon reaching it, Madeline grabbed the handles on either door. This is it, she thought. I'll finally be able to go home. All of the suffering she endured, the kicks she received, and the agonizing fear she experienced in the last day would all disappear as she climbed into the wagon. The hours of praying and waiting in the shack with Nick and Ryan, the comforting conversation with Jim, the long run across town to flee her kidnappers. The longest day of her life would end as she entered the wagon that would take her home and away from this village. With a relieved sigh, Madeline tugged harshly at the handles, her heart fluttering with joy.
Nothing happened.
She pulled again, this time with more force. Still, the doors didn't budge. Madeline's eyes widened with panic and she yanked at the handles vigorously, only halting when a shadow engulfed her. She turned swiftly, pressing her back against the wagon doors to cower underneath Ryan's towering form. He had cornered her once again, anger radiating from him. He stepped forward, pulling his hand back to strike her. Madeline gasped and closed her eyes, holding her hands against her face to prepare herself for the blow that was to come.
An audible shout and thump caused Madeline to flinch. She tore her hands from her face to see Ryan on his back, a small figure straddling him. Madeline watched in shock as Jim struggled to keep the man down. Curses were murmured as Ryan shoved the boy back off his chest, standing up and stamping his foot down on the blonde's neck. He gasped for air, clenching his hands around the other's ankle and kicking his legs around in fright.
Madeline watched on, slack-jawed, as Jim thrashed about underneath the boot strangling him, squeezing the life out of his very being. Her mind shouted at her legs to move, to push the abuser off of him, but she stayed perfectly still, unable to act upon her will. Tears welled in her eyes as the smaller form's movements became less lively. She wanted dreadfully to help him as he helped her, but her mind swarmed with doubts and fears and so many contradicting thoughts that her head hurt.
Jim shakily reached his hand around the ground, wrapping his fingers around a particularly large chunk of rock. He suddenly retracted his arm, arching his fist into the toes of the foot grinding him into the ground.
Ryan cried out in pain, immediately jumping off the boy and falling back to grasp his foot. Jim hopped up, panting heavily as he fell forward onto his assailant, bringing them both to the gravel once again. Grabbing half of the man's wrists in his own petite hand, Jim lifted his other elbow above his head, pulling in his fingers so that his index and middle finger were pointing towards Ryan's face.
Face contorted with wrath, Jim's eyes darkened to the same shade as when he vowed to kill all of the villagers. This time however, a malicious smile spread across his face, giving off an aura that could scare even grown men, in which it did.
"Everyone is rotten… Everyone deserves to die… I will kill you all," he hissed between pants. Ryan was knocked speechless and motionless by this line, his wide eyes wandering from Jim's face to his threatening fingers as the other small palm covered his mouth.
Madeline felt sickness rise in her throat at the disturbingly wet sound that was made as Jim's fingers thrust down into Ryan's eye socket. An agonizing muffled scream escaped through the pale fingers before Jim was sent flying away from his victim.
He rushed towards the stunned redhead, ignoring the hisses of pain coming through clenched teeth behind him. He gently but quickly pushed her aside, tugging harshly at the doors and managing to open them.
"Come on, get in," he ushered her into the back of the wagon sitting her so that he could slip the doors closed behind her.
"Jim, you could come with me," Madeline suggested, her voice shaking, "We could leave together, and you could escape this horrid place."
He took her hand, his azure orbs back to their normal shade of kindness. "I'm sorry, Madeline. I would love to run away, but I just can't. I can't leave Luka, and I'm sure someone has heard us. I'll have to take care of this guy before anyone comes over."
The noble squeezed his hand in return, feeling her heart wrench in sadness. "I understand. Please know that I will never be able to thank you enough for what you have done for me today, Jim. I promise, one day I'll repay you for your deed."
"Alright, Madeline. We'll meet again one day, when I'm old enough to leave the village on my own," He smiled reassuringly. Voices were heard coming from the post office. "You have to leave now, Madeline."
She briskly scooted back into the cart; looking up at Jim one last time before he closed the doors, "I'll always remember you!" she said sadly, forcing a weak smile.
"You too," he returned the grin before the light that was haloing around Jim's angelic face dissipated into blackness.
Madeline backed up into a bag of envelopes, holding her knees against her chest. Everything was silent for several minutes.
Suddenly, the wagon started shaking and propelled forward. He did it, Madeline thought, relief spreading through her muscles, Jim managed to get away with Ryan. I can finally go home…
She buried her face into her dress, allowing a rush of sobs to quake her body. Madeline was on her way home at last. God had answered her prayers.
. . .
Madeline awoke with a start, her entire body aching from sleeping on the wooden planks of the wagon. They had finally stopped, but there was no way of knowing where she was or what the time was. That is, until the doors ahead of her swung open to show the sun sitting on the horizon before it was covered by two faces standing in front of the redhead.
"Hey," one of them called, reaching in and grasping her arm, "Get out, you filthy rat!"
She barely had time to think as the man yanked her harshly out of the cart and onto the hard stone ground. She held her hand out to cushion her fall, landing on her palm and twisting it back. Madeline sat up, holding her wrist to her chest. She grimaced up at the two forms, slowly getting to her feet.
"Should we bring her to the police?" one of them asked the other.
"Nah, she's pathetic enough," he answered, giving her a harsh kick in the stomach. She doubled over, panting as she sat on the stone.
"Whatever," the first one scoffed, giving her a kick of his own.
Madeline clenched her teeth in pain, her breaths shallow as she took the abuse. Standing once again, she stumbled away from the wagon. Looking around at her surroundings, she noticed that she was in a city.
She wondered if she was finally in London, wandering aimlessly down the sidewalk, clutching her throbbing wrist. Perhaps she could walk down to Mayfair and see if her father was working there. She didn't bother asking the people passing by for help; her jumnbled thoughts were focused on reaching someone she knew. After the experience with the villagers, she doubted anyone here would acknowledger her either. If no one had so far, it was unlikely they would if she talked to them. Poor children staggering from street to street in London was not uncommon, and that is what image Madeline had at the moment. A poor, dirty, abused child. No one would want to help just another meaningless soul.
Not noticing where she was, Madeline continued staggering forward, unaware of the carriage that was skidding to a halt just feet away from her. Her head darted up at the horses dashing toward her, her breath catching in her throat and eyes widening with shock. Shielding her head she waited for the imminent collision.
Opening her eyes a crack, Madeline could see the snouts of the black horses inches away from her own face. She gasped and tripped back, hitting the stone painfully. She cringed at the impact, her wrist pulsing with pain.
She looked up to see a man with a gray mustache and single monocle come rushing from the box seat of the sleek black carriage. "Good heavens, little girl! Are you alright?" he cried. Staring up, still slightly stunned, the small redhead once again found herself speechless. She realized she had walked onto the road, causing lines of traffic to pile up around her.
Dozens of drivers screaming unintelligibly at her, cynically eyeing her, looking down upon the girl who almost got killed. She was probably several ranks higher in social class than these adults, yet they still gave her sickened looks as if she were below them, as if she were a filthy rat. Everyone around her, stopping just to stare pitifully, covering their mouths in disgust, whispering amongst themselves about her pathetic self. All of them surrounding her – they hated her; they thought she was scum. Image after image of uncaring citizens encircling her, trapping her in her own globe of calamity. All she wanted to do was scream, scream and make them go away, leave her head.
Madeline was brought back to reality by a soft needle of water hitting her bruised cheek. Another thread of water, then another, came pelting down on her. She slowly brought her head up to meet the concerned eyes of the graying man in front of her. He looked down at her, not with hatred or disgust, but sympathy. His face began to be obscured by pellets of rain falling between them.
"Come, let me take you to a medical center," said the man clad in a butler's uniform. He took her hand, gently pulling Madeline to her feet. She followed his guide silently, the taunting figures around her no longer filling her head with insults as the rain drowned their voices out. She didn't need medical care; she didn't want to be helped by those adults who only ignored her pleas. She wanted to see her mother and father, her sisters and brother, the only people who truly love her.
Madeline stopped walking, the elderly man's gloved hand slipping out of hers. She stood, her damp orange bangs covering her empty expression. She jerked when she felt the same gentle touch on her arm.
"It's alright," he said softly, "You can trust me."
Madeline clenched her jaw, breaking their eye contact to droop her head. Water dripped from her face, whether they were tears or rain she didn't know, nor did she question the shivers that ran through her body.
"Home," she uttered under her breath.
"What was that?"
"Please!" she hicupped, more shudders quaking through her. "I-I just w-want to go home! Please just l-let me go home!"
Several moments passed, the falling rain and loud garbled voices ringing in her ears as silent sobs flowed from the girl.
"I understand. My name is Tanaka, and I am the head butler of the Phantomhive household. You can trust me. Please, at least wait in my carriage as I deal with the other drivers."
Madeline gazed teary-eyed at him, nodding lightly. She knew of the Phantomhives. She might not have wanted help from any of the adults who were looking down at her now, but this man was at least caring enough to offer her assistance. It would be incredibly foolish of her to reject a ride back to her home, no matter what her subconscious told her.
She was led in through the door of the glossy jet-black carriage, and sat on one side of the soft leather seats. She was left inside for what seemed like several minutes, watching the rain flow steadily outside the window. The only thought that ran through her mind repeated in unison with rhythm of the rain that came pelting down around her.
I want to go home, I need to go home, I want to go home, I need to go home.
Tanaka returned as the other carriages began maneuvering around her. He stepped in, water trickling in from outside. Sitting across from her, he reached up onto the cupboards hanging above them to retrieve a blanket to wrap around the shivering girl.
"Could you tell me what your name is?" he asked gently. Madeline clenched he fingers of her good hand around the soft fabric, keeping her gaze on her knees.
"…Madeline Lushire," she whispered. There was a small gasp from the butler, but she was expecting that reaction.
"A Lushire. I see. Your hair is certainly a give-away," he gestured towards her dripping curls of tangerine, "What are you doing so far away from home?"
Madeline still wouldn't make eye contact. She hadn't expected him to believe her, but a familiar family trait of hers was the rare orange hair. Biting her lip, she pondered what to tell him. Giving away any information about her kidnapping to the head butler of a powerful businessman would most likely bring the police and press into the situation. Of course they probably already were, but it would be risky to spill her heart out about what happened. No, she would keep her mouth shut until she was returned home to her family. Then they could decide what to share with the public. Madeline's mother always told her to watch what she said for the sake of the family reputation. Even in her blurry state of mind, she couldn't bear wasting any time explaining personal information to a stranger.
"Please just take me home," she whispered. Another long pause passed between the two before she heard Tanaka stand.
"Alright, Miss Lushire. I won't tell a soul of your absence from your mansion," he said as he left the carriage. Madeline kept her head down, silently thanking him for his promise of discreetness.
The ride was rather smooth, and the plush warmth of the blanket and softness of the leather seat lessened the aching all over Madeline's body. It was a comforting change from the roughness she had experienced over the past day. Her cheek laid flat against the cold glass window, watching the droplets hit the surface as the sun slowly set over the horizon. She could almost see her family members pass by every few minutes, but she was sane enough to know that she was hallucinating. She even drifted into unconsciousness a few times, but was fully jolted awake when a crack of thunder echoed around the carriage as they came to a stop.
The light rain had cumulated to a heavy downpour, complete with the occasional flash of lightening. The door opened beside her, and Madeline sat up quickly, holding the blanket she was enveloped in tightly.
"Miss Lushire, we have arrived at your manor," Tanaka said through the pitch black. "Would you care for me to accompany you to the door?"
"Yes," she released her grip on the blanket and stood up. "Please do."
Madeline hopped out of the carriage and into the chilling storm, cringing at the soreness all of her muscles were experiencing. She turned around to be met with the front of her house, the lights still on. Happiness and relief encased her, and a grin spread across her face. It was all over.
She didn't realize she had sprinted across the yard, stumbling up the stairs the reach the entrance. Never had she been so overjoyed to be at her home until she thought she would never return. Empty sobs rushed through her as she reached the door, all painful memories erased from her mind as hope layered over every other sense she had. Madeline was home; she was saved.
God had truly answered her prayers.
"Miss Lushire," the elderly man addressed her from behind. She turned back, watching him approach her in the darkness.
"Mister Tanaka," she sniveled, "Thank you. Thank you so much for bringing me home. I'm much obliged."
Though she couldn't see properly, Madeline could almost hear the smile in his voice. "I did nothing, Your Ladyship. You had never left here in the first place."
Her grin grew as she threw her arms around the butler, pulling back a second later. He really was going to pretend this occurrence never happened. "Of course. Goodbye, Mister Tanaka."
"Farewell, Miss Lushire," that being said, he disappeared into the storm once again, lost in the wave of rain.
Madeline threw open one of the heavy double doors, disregarding the fact that it was unlocked.
"Momma!" she shouted, running across the foyer. "Papa! I'm home!"
Only silence met her, so the girl skidded into the hallway to reach the family room. "Anne? Max! I'm back!"
She halted, glancing at an open door to her left. The doors weren't supposed to be open.
"Momma?" she said a bit quieter.
Everything stopped at that moment. Even time and the rain seemed to stand still as Madeline was faced with her entire family.
As still as the dead.
"Momma?" she whispered, taking a shaky step towards them. "Papa?"
She dropped to her knees, her head spinning at the intensity of the scene before her. Her father – a knife in his hand and dry blood dribbled down his face. Her mother – slumped down in her chair, cradling Madeline's baby sister Ellie. An arrow through both of them. Her big brother – sitting against the wall, grasping the arrow in his chest. And her twin sister – lying on the floor, suffering the same fate as the others, an arrow in her shoulder.
"Momma!" she cried, throwing her body onto her mothers lap, hugging her sister tightly. "No! No! Don't be dead, please!"
If Madeline had any tears left in her body, they would be flowing then. But she simply howled into the blood-stained fabric of her mother's dress, clinging to her back frantically, as if she could bring her back to life if she squeezed her tightly enough.
"Madeline…" said a soft voice behind her.
Her heart leapt, and she darted her head back to meet the eyes of her twin. "Anne!" she called, releasing her mother to fall beside her sister. "Anne, thank God you're alive!"
Madeline didn't dare touch her, for her chest heaved lowly and slowly, indicating that she could barely breath.
"What happened?" she cried.
"Don't…don't trust her…" she whispered, her breathing decreasing. "Betrayed… Madeline, run…"
"Anne, I'll go get help! Please, just stay alive a little longer!" she grabbed the other girl's cold hand, holding it gently between the two.
Anne lightly shook her head, her eyes struggling to stay open. "Won't make it… Madeline… I love you…"
Madeline watched on as her sister took her final breath, her eyelids falling and head sagging to the side.
"Anne?" she mouthed, the hand in her own slipping out and hitting the floor. "Anne! Speak to me, Anne!"
She buried her face in her sister's orange locks, nuzzling their faces together.
"Help!" she shouted, ignoring the intense pain in her wrist as she clung desperately to her sister's limp body. "Help! Somebody! Ta-Tanaka! Mister Tanaka!"
Madeline struggled to stand, stumbling through the door to the foyer, running across the room to the half-open front entrance.
"Mister Tanaka!" she called into the night, her voice barely reaching above the sound of the rain. She clambered down the steps, wavering against the heavy wind. "Mister Tanaka!"
The carriage was gone.
He abandoned her. They all abandoned her. Jim, Tanaka, her family. All of them. Was this a cruel joke? Was this punishment? Why did God have to give her hope just to crush it at the last moment? Madeline was wrong. God didn't help her through this. She was just a form of entertainment for him. Giving her a perfect life, only to have everything taken away from her in just one day. If the Lord truly loved her, then why did he have to give her so much pain? He didn't love her. Nobody did.
God was evil.
"I hate you!" she screamed at the top of her lungs into the sky, wishing to hit something.
She was on her own again. Every source of love and trust disappeared all in the blink of an eye. God stole it all away from her, just to get a good laugh.
"I hope you got it…" she whispered, treading forward into the dark night. Madeline knew what she had to do, though. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't stay inside and cradle her family's corpses until she starved to death. She wouldn't let God completely destroy her life; she was stronger than that. If anyone inside really were alive, then the only thing Madeline could do would be to find help for them. There was another manor a few miles away, maybe she could run over by morning. In the strong winds and pelting rain, however, it would be dangerous. But God only wanted that, she wouldn't let a storm slow her down.
Trotting forward again, she looked up through her thick ribbons of hair, staggering in her short-heeled boots. Even though every limb burned, and the rain was almost sharp enough to cut her, and the heavy dress she was carrying weighed her down and caused her to trip several times, Madeline wouldn't give God the satisfaction of defeat. She wouldn't be conquered by anyone.
Madeline wasn't sure if she was even on the road anymore, or if she was even heading in the right direction, but there were bound to be civilians eventually. That is, if she hadn't wandered into the forest.
Another flash of lightening illuminated her course, revealing the dirt path she was on. She was at least safe for now.
She kept a steady, slow pace for as long as she could, panting for air after only a few minutes. Dropping to the mud, she gasped fitfully, hugging her chest from the cold.
"I won't be defeated!" she sobbed, forcing herself to her feet again.
Madeline continued on, letting the occasional flicker of lightening guide her. It wasn't long before a dim glow shone in the distance. It's the intersection, she thought, hurrying to the lamppost beyond the trees. That means the main road should be just around the corner!
She suddenly skidded to a stop, staring at the figure in the light ahead of her. A man, attired in a trench coat and hat, walked steadily in the opposite direction. He looked incredibly suspicious, but Madeline's mind didn't process the severity of approaching him. Instead, she galloped over, resisting the pull of the wind.
"Mister!" she called, "Mister, please!" He waited, turning around to face her. He was much taller than her, but his face still looked like he was in his youth. Madeline wheezed heavily, bent over on her knees, before looking up to him again. "Please, help me! M-my family, th-they- I-I was kidnapped and- there was blood everywhere-" she blubbered incoherently, tugging desperately at his sleeve.
"They're dead!" she shrieked, crying dryly as she sank to her knees. She could have sworn she heard a scoff, but shook off the thought.
He knelt down to her level, staring straight at her. Not down at her with sympathy, not up at her with forced respect, but with equality.
"I'll help you," he said. Madeline gaped up at him, lip quivering as she restrained any more sounds to emit from her. "If you make a deal with me."
. . .
Madeline brushed the bangs out of her face, twirling a long curl of hair between her fingers as she gazed at herself through the mirror. Although she aged since then, she never did anything with her hair besides trimming the ends every so often.
She hated her hair.
Reaching over to the far edge of the vanity, she lifted a small bottle of soap. She examined the label for a few seconds before hurling the vial across the room, having it shatter against the wall. Walking over, she lifted a large shard of glass and returned to the sink. Madeline impassively lifted it to eye level, pricking the tip of her finger against the translucent glass. Gathering her shimmering orange hair, she brought the shard to her head, cutting unevenly across the back.
The threads of tangerine fell to the floor, pooling around her feet. Madeline lifted her head again, inspecting her new image. Her hair stuck too her neck, barely standing off her scalp.
It was different.
She smiled at her reflection, admiring her work. A new hairstyle, a new start.
She glanced over her shoulder when she heard the sound of the door opening, blankly staring at her maid enter the bathroom.
"Madam, I'm here to run your ba-" she started, before gasping at her mistress. "Madam, your hair! What have you done?"
"Is there a problem with it, Grace?" she said, crossing her arms in defense.
"O-of course not, Your Ladyship! I'll just run the bath, now," she hurriedly responded, shutting the door behind her.
Madeline resumed her position at the mirror, eyes bright with joy.
"A new start."
A/N: Oh. My. Gosh. IT'S FINALLY OVER, PEOPLE! Though it's rather quick to read, this chapter took me so long to write. T^T And yet it still feels really rushed and sloppy to me. Thank you for sticking with it, and being so very patient! You have no idea how much I've written in this past week . Anyways, more character pictures should come out, so watch out for my deviantart in case they do! And now that this chapter is finally over, writing should come quickly to me again. So again, thank you so much Mi-kun, Sempai, and all my other readers! =w= I haven't lost hope in this story yet.
