Chapter 10
Glowing red eyes...
Glowing...Red...Eyes...
At the very sight of that menacing color Viola couldn't breathe. It was like her airways shut down any passage for oxygen to feed the process of her thoughts. Her head swam sluggishly and she felt as if she was going to faint. As the man (could he even be called that?) held his unblinking gaze, Viola wanted to shrink to the size of a mouse and hide from it.
The man must have sensed her sudden fear because he chuckled.
"Are you afraid, my dear?" He moved his head down, lips trailing down the skin of her forehead and cheek to barely brush against her ear. "Do you fear what lurks in the shadows?"
A chill trailed down her spine when his hot breath tickled her. She sucked in precious air through her mouth.
"Who are you?" Viola asked, a shuddering note in her voice.
"That's the wrong question to ask." He continued his trail downwards once more until they were against her neck. She jumped in her skin as he lightly pressed against her racing pulse. "What you should be asking is what am I?"
Viola flinched, startled when he suddenly moved his head to lean back. Once again, she found herself staring into those heart stopping eyes. Though she was getting light headed from the sudden panic attack coursing through her, she couldn't help but feel incredibly sad. Like, his eyes reminded her of something painful or somber. The strange feeling raced through her being until a tear leaked out of the corner of her eye, leaving a warm trail down her freezing cheek.
She was too enthralled with the color of the man's eyes (they reminded her of something, but what?) and this feeling she didn't realize the man was leaning his head towards her. A devious, triumphant grin on his lips, he leaned forward as if to kiss her. Before he did, a yell sounded from beside them.
"DO NOT TOUCH HER!"
The man was shoved to the side by a hard body. Viola blinked and snapped out of her stupor when someone roughly grabbed her wrist. Bastian began to pull her down the slippery streets soaked by the rain.
"B-Bastian?" she uttered, still slightly dazed.
He glanced over his shoulder, mouth open to reply to his name, yet he gasped. His eyes grew wide with terror and pulled her to the side. The moment he did Viola felt something fly past. Looking to the side, she saw it was the man. He slowed to a halt with an outstretched arm. Viola's own eyes widened at his fingernails. In the faint street lamp light pointed black nails nearly blended into the night. To her they resembled claws. He let his arm fall to his side as he smirked in their direction.
"Leaving so soon? Fine. If you wish to play this game, then we shall. After all, what's a meal without some entertainment?" he asked almost too gleefully. His eyes were still the same red but they flickered with promised punishment once he won their so-called game. He held out a hand. "As you are providing the entertainment, I will be merciful and allow you a head start. I will give you to the count of ten for you to hide before I start."
Bastian and Viola stared at him with bewilderment. What the hell was he talking about? What game? He grinned, allowing Viola to realize his canines were sharper than any human or animal.
"Ten...Nine..." he counted.
As he began to count down, they finally took the hint.
The two sprinted down the street and turned the corner. Behind them, they could still hear the echo of his voice counting towards one. They had no idea what was happening. Viola herself thought it was ridiculous they were following along with that man's game. But, just from looking at him made her fear for her life. She didn't want to find out what could happen to them if they didn't play along. Just from those freakishly glowing EYES she knew she didn't want to know what happened if they were caught.
"Three...two...one..." The man called out as they turned yet another corner of the street they entered. "Ready or not, here I come!"
The two ran harder the moment they heard footsteps not too far behind them. Viola shared a look with Bastian, whose own eyes were wide with terror. They pushed themselves harder to run from that frightening man regardless of the rain or where they were headed.
Viola ran along Bastian through the many streets of East End. Through twists and turns, through alleyways and cluttered streets, they ran through the empty roads with no idea of where they were going. All they knew was how they should get away from the man pursuing them. Viola didn't know how, but everywhere they went, she could hear the man from all around them. His voice echoed from behind them and from the corners of the streets to prompt them to run the opposite way.
"Run, little rabbits. Don't let the fox catch you!" he'd call out, mocking them with sick delight.
With the way he was taunting them made her realize he really WAS playing with them. He'd appear at the ends of the streets they entered grinning. He'd rake his ridiculously long nails along the brick walls, slicing gouges into them. They'd emit such a horrible screeching it sent shock waves of fright down her spine. Then, he'd laugh when he saw them turn the other way.
What the bloody hell is going on?! she screamed in her head. Why was this happening? Who was that man? What was that man? Why was he doing this? Viola wanted to stop running and curl up in a tiny ball to cry her eyes out. She wanted to go to her mother and hide behind her just to make it all go away. She was scared...So scared...Seeing that man triggered her fight-or-flight instinct, which always happened when people tried to kill her. Normally, she'd go ahead and fight. Not this time. That man automatically made her choose flight and she didn't know why. She didn't WANT to know why. She held back a sob behind her panting. Please, go away! Leave us alone!
As if that sadistic man would stop. From the sounds of it, he was having too much fun letting them run. He could have caught them by now with his inhuman speed (how else did he go from behind them to in front of them?), yet he was toying with them the way a cat does to a mouse. He let them run because he was drawing out the fun they gave. But, what would happen when they no longer interested them? Viola didn't want to find out.
She wasn't sure how long this game lasted. Everything began a blur under the mist the rain produced. She was drenched from head to toe as was Bastian. They panted heavily from the strenuous running, blood pumping rapidly from their hearts. It felt as if it was going to burst out of her chest from both the fear and physical activity. Still, they did not stop to rest in fear the man would end this game. No matter how much their bones ached, no matter how much their muscles screamed in agony, they didn't stop. They couldn't stop.
Unfortunately, the human body could only take so much abuse.
They turned the corner of yet another street (they'd lost count). Bastian was ahead of her, so he disappeared around the corner before her. Viola had to catch the corner to turn properly. Rather than skid perfectly around the angled curve, her foot slipped. One moment she was looking at the darkened and empty street and the next she had to blink from the rain getting her eyes. Her ankle ached and her head throbbed where the back slammed on the wet ground.
"Viola!" Bastian gasped.
"I'm fine!" Viola shouted. The aching on her body betrayed her lie. She pushed herself up into a sitting position, about to stand, but she was suddenly forced on her back again. A hand wrapped around her throat. Peering up, she found the sky was blocked by red eyes.
"Are you now?" the man asked, too casually. His lips curled into an innocent smile despite his hand curling tighter around her throat. She gagged, unable to breathe properly. He clicked his tongue. "Such a shame. I caught you sooner than I'd liked. Oh, well. It seems I've won the game. Allow me to collect my prize."
She gasped, lifting her hands to claw at his wrist. This man was inhuman, she realized, but that didn't mean she was going to take this lying down. How many times has Death stared her in the face only for her to leave triumphant? There was no chance in hell she was going to die when she could fight! She dug her nails into the skin hard enough to bleed.
"Let me go!" Viola hissed. She tried to wiggle her body to get the man off of her, legs kicking. Somehow, he appeared unaffected. He just took the abuse with an amused smile. "What the hell are you? What do you want from me?"
"What indeed!" The man bent forward until his face was inches from her own. She tried to keep her attention on his lips to avoid looking into that gaze. "What I want is something irreplaceable. Something God gave to each one of those pathetic creatures created in his image. What I want is your soul."
Soul? Why does he want my soul? The only things that could want a person's soul is...Oh, bollocks. She blanched out. No...No way! There was no way those things were real! No way, no how! Her breath quickened. No way! They're not real! They can't be real!
Viola adamantly denied their existence. Even when faced with this Thing, she refused to even think they were real. She squeezed her eyes closed, shaking off the crazy notion this man was one of them.
With her eyes closed she was unable to see the man pressing closer until his mouth nearly touched her's. she felt him come closer, though, and was about to open her eyes.
Viola snapped her eyes open at the same time a horrible sound of something piercing through flesh. She glanced up to see the man's eyes were wide with astonishment. He slowly turned his gaze downwards, which she followed. She swallowed at the metal pipe sticking out through his torso. It was slick with red blood dripping down on her clothes. The warmth spread where they landed. The metal pipe retracted with a sickening squelch before the man's body was shoved off of her where it lay still on his side. The body out of her vision, she could see Bastian standing in front of her.
"Viola, are you well? You're not hurt, are you?" he asked gently.
Viola didn't answer at first. She was too busy looking at the rusted pipe in his hand. In the rain the blood washed away.
"...I'm fine," she finally replied. She pushed herself up to her feet, ignoring Bastian's offered hand. Now that she was standing, she gave the man's body a passing glance before turning to Bastian. "I take it this isn't the first time you've killed someone?"
Bastian grimaced. "Unfortunately. I've had to do so in self-defense a few times before."
"Let me guess. You were trained, too?"
"Yes. Mother thought it best if I had tutors to teach me how defend myself."
"Huh. Lucky you. I had to learn by copying what I saw on TV."
Viola ignored the confused look at yet another unfamiliar word to him. She started walking down the street with a rather rigid posture. She never could talk properly around a dead body. It was like talking in its presence would wake it up from its eternal slumber. Of course it was stupid to think, but she's been around quite a lot of dead bodies. She wasn't comfortable about it. As much as she'd like to pay respects to the recently dead, the thing tried to kill her.
Behind her, the metal pipe clattered to the ground. Bastian's steps rushed to catch up with her until he stopped by her side.
"What do you suppose that man wanted?" he wondered aloud.
"Apparently, he wanted my soul."
"Pardon...me?"
Viola shrugged. She didn't know either. What she did know was the man was completely out of his mind. She was being silly, panicking about his words as well. There was no way that man could be one of those things. It was impossible. Really, it was silly of her to even bring such a thought in her head. She paused and groaned. Oh, great. She was starting to talk all posh. The only times she got like that was when she starts becoming distance to deal with stress.
"Let's go home, yeah?" she asked Bastian. "I'm tired and I want to go home."
"Ah, yes. Of course," Bastian replied, sounding as tired as she felt.
The two didn't speak another word. Viola took but a few steps when she heard a strange sound behind her.
"No!" Bastian suddenly gasped.
Viola had no time to react to his horrified scream because not a second later she was shoved forward. What followed was a pain-filled yell as Bastian stumbled into her back. He ended up forcing the two onto the ground. Crawling out from under Bastian and sitting up, she was about to ask her great-uncle what happened. However, her voice died when she saw he was gripping his chest. His shirt was shredded by four parallel cuts on his chest, dark blood beginning to flow freely. The cuts were so large his shirt almost fell apart to proudly display his birthmark. Bastian's face was twisted in pain.
"Bastian!" she shouted. She lifted his torso until he was sitting up, though this cause him to moan. Viola felt ill looking at his life's blood slowly drip down his fingers where he tried to apply pressure to the cuts. "Wh-How-"
"I underestimated you," said a voice. One that should have been silenced. Viola slowly turned her head down the street where they came from. She stopped breathing at the sight of the man on his feet once more. Standing directly under the gas lamp, it was possible to see the blood on his chest from where he was stabbed. Razor sharp nails were dripping with blood-Bastian's blood. He chuckled lowly, bringing his hand to his mouth. He eagerly (and quite sensually) licked the blood off with a grin. What made it worse was how his eyes were brighter than ever as they radiated with an unholy shine. "I've lost my edge to allow a pathetic pest to sneak up on me. I must be hungrier than I thought. It's been awhile since I've had a satisfying meal. Well, it doesn't matter. You two will make up for it."
"You're alive," Viola blurted out. She continued to speak despite her sudden urge to vomit in fright. "How are you alive? You should be dead!"
The man-this unholy creature-threw back his head and laughed. It was mocking and amused.
"You think you humans can kill me? There is no possible way for someone like you to kill me with a simple stab! My kind are more durable than you fragile little insects!"
"What the hell are you?!"
"Exactly. HELL. That is where I'm from for you see..." He stepped out from under the light towards them. Viola didn't know how it was possible but she saw his smile illuminate where bright white teeth seemed to be floating. It didn't help with his glowing eyes. "I am the tempter within the shadows. The monster under the bed. I am a demon and you are my prey."
Viola froze. No...NO! Demons weren't real! They weren't real! There was no such thing as demons or angels or gods! They were stories! She refused to think such things existed in this world because they were tales to keep little children in line. That's what they were! Stories! Yet, her belief was being shaken by the earthquake of truth by the very presence of this man. No, this creature. He wasn't human. So, what was he?
She didn't want to find out.
The thumps of his footsteps coming closer unfroze Viola. Letting her mind run on auto-pilot, she jumped to her feet and dragged Bastian up with her. Ignoring his cries of pain, she snatched his wrist and sprinted down the street. She rounded the corner when she heard the creature click his tongue.
"I tire of this game," he stated, irritant. "Playtime is over, little rabbits."
Viola moved faster to out some distance between the creature. When she reached the end of the alleyway there was a rush of wind coming from behind her. On instinct she ducked, screaming when the wall smashed where a clawed hand was imbedded. She glanced up to see the creature's irritated scowl and she bolted once more. Closely behind, she heard the creature follow.
OHMIGODOHMIGODOMIGOD!
She couldn't think of anything other than this as she dragged Bastian through the winding streets of East End to run from the creature. She didn't know what to do. Her fear overrode her thought process and she couldn't think straight anymore. Fear and terror caused her to hyperventilate, not allowing her to breathe. When they were being chased earlier she believed that was the worst she's felt fear gripping her. That was nothing compared to now. It was terrible enough she felt like she was going to faint.
Viola allowed her survival instincts to control her body. Running down the streets with Bastian behind her, she did her best to avoid that creature from attacking them. He would pop up from above, in front, and behind them with claws ready to slice through their human flesh. She managed to avoid this by some lucky chance save for a few moments when the creature's claws nicked her. One particular nick was a small cut on her shoulder where she pushed her and Bastian against a wall. She miscalculated his distance and earned a cut from the tip of its finger. She still managed to get away somehow.
Please, go away! Someone...Anyone! Please help! she prayed for possibly the first time in her life. Believing in God was a waste of time, but she'd convert to Christianity if God was merciful. If he saved the both of them from this evil thing. Tears sprang from the corners of her eyes. Help...Help us!
As expected, no one answered back. A part of her cursed her futile attempt. She knew it. There was no such thing as God. Only human effort could carve their fates. God was merciless. He enjoyed the pain humans went through like it was a game. He was the puppeteer who enjoyed their misery and despair. So, she cursed at him.
That didn't stop from her heart from hurting. If there was no answer, then she and Bastian were doomed.
Coming into another empty street (where the hell was everyone?! East End wasn't like this during the night), Viola took a few more steps until she heard a strange sound. She halted, somewhat mindful of Bastian's gasping breath behind her. The strange sound ripped through the silence quite loudly. In fact, it was so loud it sounded kind of familiar. Like an engine or something.
Wait a minute. If there's an engine, then it's being used. If it's being used, there's people around! she frantically thought. Hope filled her chest. No way would the creature attack her with other people around. Hopefully. Maybe. Or not, but still! She didn't want to be alone with an injured relative. Who was also in serious need of medical attention, she added, casting a worried glance at the blood streaming past his fingers and down towards his trousers. Still, what if they were a bunch of thieves? Not everyone was nice in East End. The sounds of growls behind her prompted her to head towards the noise. It was better to be around some people than with that Thing
The creature was getting closer, she could tell. Thankfully, the noise was rather closer. Right around the corner in fact. Viola ran towards the noise, rounding the corner to meet a strange sight.
She skidded to a halt at the corner at the sight which greeted her. From the few gas lamps dotted in the residential street, there were four people in total. The two people closer to her were two males. Well, she could assume one was a male. One of them had long red hair and resembled a woman. The other male dressed in black was being pinned by the red man, who also wielded a chainsaw. Viola had to pause. Wait, did chainsaws exist in this time period? Whatever the case, the red man had the chainsaw close to the black man's shoulder it might rip through his arm. She was surprised when she recognized the black man as Sebastian.
With wide eyes she turned to the other two people. She could make out red and a small child. Blinking, she instantly recognized Madame Red, who held little Ciel with one hand by the throat and a dagger in the other.
At any other time Viola would have questioned what she walked into. She realized this was a hostile situation and she should probably save Ciel from getting killed by his aunt. Now, she could hardly care with Bastian injured as he was. So, she dragged Bastian over to Madame Red. He didn't object to her rough handling because he was already swaying on his feet and breathing heavily.
"Madame Red!" Viola shouted. Madame Red started at her name, turning towards them. Her eyes widened possibly by their appearance. Ciel's own eye was wide in surprise. Viola dragged Bastian over to Madame Red, sobbing. She couldn't hold back her fear any longer. She was so relieved. "Please help him! This-This thing attacked us on our way home and said it wanted to eat us. Bastian got hurt protecting me and that thing is still after us! Please...please help him!"
"I-I don't..." Madame Red glanced away from Bastian.
"You're a doctor. You're supposed to help people! Please...I'm begging you. Help us. I can't-I can't let Bastian die because of me," Viola cried, her voice breaking. She normally wouldn't show her tears (she thought crying showed she was weaker than she looked-both a good and bad thing). Not even when she gets kidnapped she stopped showing tears. For this to happen, especially when Bastian got hurt, was too much for her. She stared at the older woman with begging eyes. "Please, please...Don't let him die."
Madame Red stared at Viola's crying face in astonishment. Multiple emotions flickered in her eyes from the light. After a moment, a determined gleam shone through and she nodded.
"Alright. Place him down," she ordered. Her voice lost its playfulness and became much like the doctor she was. Viola did as she was told and carefully laid Bastian down. The moment he laid down his eyes slid close, unmoving on the cobblestones. Viola tried not to panic because she could see he was still breathing. She released Ciel from where she was holding him and knelt down to Bastian's side. Without hesitation Madame Red used the dagger in her hand to slice through Bastian's front to check the wound on his chest. His chest...
Viola realized too late. Madame Red halted at the sight of his birthmark. Even with the blood being washed across his chest, it was too strange to ignore. Its inky black markings contrasted against his pale chest. She and Ciel stared at it with wide eyes, especially Ciel. But, Viola was impressed when Madame Red recovered the next second without asking questions. She tore her eyes away to examine the wound on his chest. Her hand skimmed at the edge of a cut. Then, she began to rip strips from his ruined shirt.
"What did this?" she asked, pressing a rag down to stem the bleeding.
"I-I don't know. I think it was a man but he wasn't human. He-Bastian stabbed him with a pipe but he got back up right after," Viola hastily explained. Her heart was beating so fast in her chest she could hardly breathe. "He said playtime was over and looked like he wanted to eat us! He-His eyes were glowing and he said he wanted to eat my soul! I don't know how barmy that man was, but he's a complete psychopath!"
During her rant, she didn't notice the man in red stopped his administration to shred Sebastian's arm off. He set down the weapon, staring at Viola confused.
"Wait a second. That sounds oddly familiar," he wondered, thoughtfully. Viola vaguely heard his voice and wondered why he tried to make it sound higher. He sounded like a flamboyant transvestite. "I feel as if I've forgotten to do something important..."
"Glowing eyes...Eating your soul..." Ciel stared at the ground for a moment. His gaze drifted towards Bastian's birthmark, which began to be partially hidden by both red blood and the white strips of his shirt. Suddenly, he gasped. "Impossible!"
"How odd! I never thought I would run into such a motley group!"
Viola began hyperventilating when she heard that evil voice coming from behind. She slowly looked over her shoulder, focusing on that inhuman man ready to kill her at a moment's notice. So, she was right. He didn't care if they were with other people. His wound still spilled his blood. His eyes shone with the hunger and lust for them. She flinched when he met her gaze and grinned to reveal his sharp teeth.
The man in red gasped dramatically at the sight of him.
"Oh, drat! That's what I'd forgotten! I was so focused on having fun I'd forgotten to watch over the Bound!" He began to throw a fit. "Oh, Will's not going to be happy about this!"
"Hm, this is unexpected," said the man. He tilted his head at all of them with curiosity. "A grim reaper, two contracted souls, two regular humans, and another demon. Quite a party I've stumbled upon."
"Who is that?" Ciel asked Viola. He noticed her trembling form.
"That-That's the man that tried to kill us," she replied, her voice wavering.
"What business do you have here?" Sebastian demanded. He was surprisingly cold and tense.
"Need you ask?" He pointed a finger at Viola and Bastian. "Those two morsels behind you are what I desire. One is a rare delicacy, after all. It's not every day I find two meals as delicious as their's. I understand you are in the middle of something with the Grim Reaper. Allow me to get my meals and I shall be on my way."
"I'm afraid I cannot allow that," Sebastian stated. His smile was still on his face, but it was becoming colder by the second. "You see, they are under MY protection. To let someone like you lay a hand on them is disgraceful."
The thing shifted his gaze between Sebastian and Bastian. Something clicked in its eyes and it laughed. "Oh! I see now. His soul is the one rumored to be the most aged a contracted soul has been allowed. I could tell by the mark on that boy's chest...You're saving that soul for yourself, aren't you? Thankfully, the type of contract made allows the rest of us the chance to devour it as well. If that's the case, I will take the girl. You may have the boy if you wish. You DID get to him first."
Viola stood there, beginning to feel sick to her stomach. How could that thing talk about EATING THEIR SOULS so casually? Were they nothing but a food source for that thing? She was a human being! How could they talk about her like she was something they were eating? Speaking of which, why did the thing make that offer to Sebastian?
On top of that, why did Sebastian care about them? In the manor he just ordered them around to do things without a hint of remorse. In fact he called Viola childish! Why did he say they were under his protection?
When Sebastian growled it startled her. It was animalistic at best and almost unearthly. The very sound sent intense shivers in Viola's body and raised the hairs on the back of her neck. The temperature dropped lower than it did before. Luckily for them, it also managed to stop raining. Viola didn't think she could stop shivering.
"Will I have to take that as a no?" asked the thing, unfazed by the threatening growl. "Fine. Then, I will have to take both by force."
"Don't expect this to be an easy task!" the man in red exclaimed. He readied his chainsaw as he grinned, revealing his own pointed teeth. "You're not as handsome as Sebby, but you'd look marvelous dyed in red. The color of your wound has already helped your appearance. Shall we paint the rest of your body?"
"What hopes does a Grim Reaper have in killing me? Even with your Death Scythe, you cannot so easily kill me off."
"Then, I shall be your opponent," Sebastian stated, stepping forward. "You have threatened what I've already marked as my own. I cannot forgive such behavior."
"No fair, Sebby! I want to be the one to kill him!" the man in red shouted, throwing yet another hissy fit. "I'm already going to be in trouble for not doing my job of protecting the stupid little boy! As much as I'd like William to punish me-" To Viola's slight disgust, he shivered in anticipation."I don't wish to be lectured at all! It's dreadfully boring and a girl needs her rest after a night like this."
"Is that so? You don't seem to fear being punished for your actions as Jack the Ripper, Grell Sutcliff."
Whoa! He's Jack the Ripper? Viola gaped at the man, now revealed to be Grell Sutcliff. Well, she didn't see that coming. Now that she thought about it, he had the appearance Mary described. Mary did eventually tell Viola what Jack the Ripper looked liked. She described him as a man with long flowing hair with strange yellow-green eyes. She also said he had a fascination with red after hearing how fascinated he was with the blood pooling around his dead victim. Well...This is strange. Never thought he'd be like this.
"Of course not! Those women deserved it!" Grell huffed. "They were so plain and boring. They should be honored I made them beautiful in their final moments."
"Yeah, because I'd totally gloat I was killed by someone who can't decided if he's a guy or girl," Viola retorted. She couldn't help it. She needed to find a way to redirect her stress before she went mad. Insulting the she-male, even if he was Jack the Ripper, helped calm her down.
Grell bristled at her words.
"How dare you! You're just jealous you can never be as beautiful as I am!"
"The only people who'd be jealous of you are the color blind."
"What's that supposed to mean!?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. Are you as stupid as you are blind? Let me spell it out for you. You. Are. Not. Pretty. Was that slow enough for you?"
"Why, you little hussy!" Grell whirled around so he was facing her. He glared at her, rage brimming in his strange eyes. He held his chainsaw at the ready. "When I'm finished with you you'll only look beautiful in death!"
"I'd like to see you try!" Viola taunted. She completely disregarded the voice in her head calling her an idiot for mocking Jack the Ripper. One would think she knew better.
Grell looked ready to attack. But, before he had the chance of doing so, a black blur sped past him. Viola only had the chance to see the blur head for her when it was redirected from its path. She found herself now staring at the tall back of Sebastian, who placed down his foot from the whirling kick he used.
"Have I not already said they are under protection?" he asked the thing, tonelessly.
The thing stood from where he landed at the very end of the street in the crossroad. "What do you care? The girl is unmarked! Therefore, she is free game!"
"Perhaps. Perhaps not." Sebastian tilted his head to Viola. She tensed at the glowing of his eyes. They were no longer the rusty brown she'd admired (she had to admit his eyes were gorgeous. Not that she'd ever admit it out loud), but a glowing pink. Those eyes...He turned back to the thing, not noticing Viola staggered back away from him. "Even so, they are both mine!"
His voice at the end cracked from its normal and apathetic to a malicious one. In the blink of an eye he appeared at the end of the street tackling the thing with incredible speed. Once they were both out of the ling of the lamps and the moon, it was difficult to see what was happening. Even more so when Sebastian threw the thing out of sight around the corner and followed him.
Everyone was uncomfortable when the thing started screaming.
"No! Wait, I didn't know! I didn't mean to-GYAH! Have mercy!"
"Mercy? I don't believe such a word exists in my vocabulary."
"Spare me! Spare me!"
"Were you willing to spare Lord Sebastian and Viola when I specifically said they were mine? Not only that, you injured one of them. No, you shall not be spared. You will be punished appropriately for laying your filthy, uncultured hands on them."
What followed was a high-pitched scream of an inhuman nature. That was the only way it could be described. It pierced the silence of the night, causing the three conscious humans to wince. Grell swooned.
"Oh, what a merciless man! If only he and I played in such a way!" he sighed, dramatically.
Viola threw him an incredulous look.
"What are you, a masochist? Who'd want to 'play' with Mr. Sebastian when he's acting like that?"
As if to emphasize her point, there was another scream. Sebastian's chuckled echoed.
"Oh, my. How unsightly you're beginning to look. Well, no matter. I don't suppose you need THIS anymore. After all, this hand is what touched them in the first place."
Yet another scream and the sound of something cracking.
"It's his true nature," said Grell with a shrug. His eyes lit up as he gave a love-sick smile. "Who'd want a good little butler with nary a terrible word to say? The stoic, passionately obsessed, and malicious nature that lies beneath that innocent mask...how handsome it looks on him! Oh, how I wish to bring it forth! Yet, he has only revealed such a sight upon laying eyes on you two."
He sneered at Viola and Bastian.
"Whoa, okay, no. Don't give me that look. I've no idea why he acted like that just now," said Viola. She knew Sebastian was a sadist underneath his kind exterior, but she didn't know he was like that. She didn't even know why he was protective of her and Bastian all of a sudden. "I'm not into stuff like that. Heck, I don't even like Mr. Sebastian. I don't know why he's acting like a psycho all of a sudden."
"Don't use such a plain word to describe my Sebby! He's above such a word!"
"I guess you're right. Sociopath or deranged would fit better. They'd fit you, too, now that I think about it."
Viola knew that was probably the wrong thing to say. In fact it was the straw that broke the camel's back. Grell growled, trembling in renewed rage.
"How dare you talk about me like that!" he shrieked like a woman during her time of month. He brandished his chainsaw at the ready and revved it. "I've had enough of your insolence! Tonight, your story ends here!"
"Wait a moment, Grell!" Madame Red cried. She stood back up to stand in front of Viola, much to everyone's shock. "I-I have no qualms against Viola. I don't wish to see her dead."
"What! What is this change of heart, Madame Red?" he exclaimed, taken back. "What do you care? After you've chopped up all those women, what does one more matter? Also, you didn't go ahead and kill the brat like you wished!"
Madame Red shook her head, biting her perfectly red lips.
"This child and girl...This child is-"
Viola saw it coming. As the Madame struggled to finish her sentence, Viola saw Grell begin to move. He moved too fast for her to see, but she reacted at the slightest movement. She grabbed the collar of Madame Red's coat to jerk her out of the range of Grell's attack. Madame Red gasped, staggering back a few inches away from the weapon's tip. Grell was also astonished for a moment when someone behind grabbed HIS coat collar. He was pulled backward onto the ground. On his back spread-eagle he was unable to register what happened as a foot stomped on his arm. He cried out, releasing his grip on his chainsaw.
Sebastian snatched up the weapon. Viola was at a loss for words at his appearance. He was covered in blood from head to toe. It was speckled on what little white shown through his tail coat, streaks were on his face, and nearly dripped from his hair. Not only that, there were several slashed on his clothes. He looked like he belonged in a slasher film with his smile still in place.
"It seems everyone is hard of hearing as of late," he commented, casually. He repeatedly stomped on Grell's head, smile never faltering. "I tire of repeating myself. It also applies to you, Grim Reaper. Despite being the protectors of that particular soul, I will not hesitate to kill you should you attempt to bring harm to her."
"Wait, Sebby! Ah!" He cried out with each stomp.
"I've always wondered. Grim Reapers don't appear to die from physical assault. But, what if I were to use this?" Sebastian wondered, pointing the weapon down at Grell.
"Wh-What are you saying?"
"The Death Scythe can make mincemeat out of anything. It follows that it would make mincemeat out of you as well, no?"
Grell squeaked, paling at the sight of his own weapon. Viola thought that was pretty sad to cherish his weapon only to die when it was in the hands of another. "Please, wait! Sebby, stop!"
If Viola wasn't sure of Sebastian's sadistic nature before, she was sure of it when he simply looked innocent in his reply.
"I think not."
It definitely didn't help when he raised the chainsaw over his head with the gleam of a deranged murderer about to enjoy his kill. Grell screamed when he began to bring it down.
"ST-STOOOOOPPPP!"
Grell was done for. They all knew it. Or, at least, that's what they thought.
The chainsaw was halfway down when a metal pole came out of nowhere. It managed to stop the attack. Viola glanced down at the ground where a hedge clipper pierced into the ground next to Grell attached to the pole. Everyone, astonished, cast their eyes upwards. Viola's jaw dropped at the familiar figure perched on the edge of the rooftop above.
"Please pardon the interruption," said another familiar voice.
"M-Mr. Spears?!" she stuttered.
Oh. Oh, no. How was this happening? The man before her incredibly resembled her English teacher, William T. Spears, down to the same eye color and his suit. Mr. Spears was the one teacher who absolutely had it out for her. Every time she so much as spoke to her friends or passed notes in his class he gave her detention. It didn't help he was also the only teacher in the whole school who didn't fall for Ciel's silver tongue. Instead, it seemed like Mr. Spears hated Ciel as well. That being said, she often had detention with him. Her friends often said Mr. Spears always asked to have detention with her was because he had a crush on her. While Viola would admit he was attractive, his strict personality was a turnoff. She absolutely despised him-for both his personality and his strict grading system. Freakin' essays.
What the heck was he doing here? How was it possible for him to be there? Now, things were starting to get weird.
Mr. Spears glanced at her in confusion, yet he was oddly intrigued.
"Yes. My name is William T. Spears from the management division of the grim reaper dispatch," he introduced, fixing his glasses. He scowled at Grell. "I have come to claim that Grim Reaper."
"Will! William!" Grell exclaimed as he painfully looked up Mr. Spears. "You came to rescue—"
He was interrupted as Mr. Spears jumped down to land on his head. Viola flinched at the cold action. Mr. Spears opened the notebook he carried, uncaring to the man under his feet.
"Dispatch member Grell Sutcliff. You are guilty of having violated our ordinances. First, by killing those not on the list of the dead. Second, by using a death scythe without submitting an application for said use. And, lastly, for skipping your shift to keep watch over the Bound, thus allowing a demon to attempt to eat her soul."
With each accusation Mr. Spears kicked Grell around like he was a rag doll. Sebastian, Viola, Madame Red, and Ciel were unsure of what to say to such a thing, though they all silently agreed he deserved it.
The abuse didn't end. William grabbed Grell's long hair at the ends and began to drag him away. "We will return to headquarters right away and have you submit a written apology and report."
"Listen!" Grell complained, looking tattered and bruised. "I was just about to get killed, you hear? You're so cold—"
"Quiet," Mr. Spears ordered. He flipped Grell over so he bashed into the ground in a near-bloodied and humiliated heap. Then, he walked over to Sebeastian and bowed. "I apologize for the trouble that thing has caused you. My card."
He handed a white card to Sebastian, who wasn't sure of what to make of this.
"I...see..."
Mr. Spears straightened to give him a disgusted glare.
"Really, having to bow to a noxious beast like you is an affront to all reapers," he stated, condescending.
Sebastian chuckled darkly. "Then please keep watch over your underlings so as not to inconvenience said noxious beast," he smirked. "Humans are so easily tempted. When they are poised on the edge of the hellish despair…and a spider's thread of salvation presents itself, they will invariably grasp it…no matter the manner of human."
Viola was surprised. She was beginning to see what Grell meant earlier. Sebastian wasn't the good little butler like she initially thought. He spoke of humans as if they were beneath him...just like that thing.
William fixed his glasses. "Taking advantage of that, you devil's seduce humans and live by leeching off of them, isn't that right?"
Sebastian smirked. "I do not deny that."
Mr. Spears didn't look impressed with such a reply. He looked back at Ciel.
"Though as a collared pet dog I suppose you're somewhat better than a mad dog with no sense of fidelity, hm?" Ciel didn't say anything. He merely looked back. Then, Mr. Spears turned to Viola and handed her a card as well, much to her surprise. "Miss, I suggest you take Sebastian Emrys and leave the company of this dreadful creature. Sooner or later, the temptation of that soul will prove too much for this demon. And, from the aura of your own soul, it may happen soon."
Viola opened her mouth to say something. However, Sebastian interrupted her.
"And I suggest you do your duty. If you are truly keeping guard, then you will not let an incident like this to happen again. " He gestured at the unconscious Bastian in his bloodied state. His infuriating smirk radiated innocence. "But, I think your assistance is unnecessary. After all, security around her is quite lax despite how important her soul is. As I've said before, try to bring harm to her again and I will not hesitate to kill you."
Mr. Spears and Sebastian glared at one another. The tension between them was heavy enough Viola was uncomfortable being around them. Finally, Mr. Spears broke eye contact. He walked back over to Grell.
"Alright. It's time we returned, Grell Sutclif." Grell said not a word as he was dragged. "Good grief…we're understaffed to begin with and now I shan't be able to clock out on time thanks to you."
Viola jumped when Sebastian threw the chainsaw towards Mr. Spears. To her amazement he caught the weapon with two fingers without ever looking back. Whoa. That reminded her of when someone threw a paper plane in class at him and he caught it without every turning away from the blackboard. Mr. Spears glared at Sebastian out of the corner of his eye.
"You forgot this," Sebastian replied, innocent.
Mr. Spears held his glare for a second before nodding.
"Cheers," he replied, tonelessly. "Now, if you will excuse us."
He turned back and walked down the alley with Grell in tow until they vanished into the dark.
Sebastian sighed and turned to face Ciel. "Forgive me, sir. I have failed to capture the remaining culprit."
"Can someone please tell me what's going on?!" Viola exclaimed. For the first time since she was a kid, she stomped a foot down like she was throwing a tantrum. She tried to hold back the tears prickling her eyes as she glared at the two blinking humans and an amused Sebastian. "What was that thing that attacked us? Who was Grell? Why was Mr. Spears here? And why did Mr. Sebastian have creepy glowing eyes and acted like a complete psycho!?"
"I have a question for you," said Ciel, recovering from her outburst. He narrowed his eyes-Viola paused. Wait, she could see both of his eyes. His right eye was uncovered. She expected to see a matching blue eye, but it was a strange deep purple. Those mismatching eyes looked at her accusingly. "Why is it Lord Sebastian possess such a mark on his chest? Did he make a contract with a demon as well?" His eyes narrowed further. "Are YOU a demon?"
"Do I look like a demon? That Thing wanted to eat my soul, too!"
"Then, why does he have that mark?"
"Young master," said Sebastian, breaking their argument. They fell silent, but continued their glaring contest. "Perhaps it would be best to continued this conversation at the townhouse? Lord Sebastian requires medical attention immediately.
Madame Red nodded.
"That would be for the best. Although I'd like to know what's going on as well, Bastian is injured. He's lost quite a lot of blood."
Viola glanced down at Bastian. He was still unconscious with the blood oozing from the wounds. She felt guilty. He wouldn't have gotten hurt if it wasn't for her. Her own desires shouldn't come before Bastian's needs. He didn't deserve that.
"Yes, of course," Ciel agreed. "But, I still expect an explanation from you, Viola."
"That should be my line, YOUNG MASTER," Viola growled back. Why was she being accused? She didn't even know what was going on! Ciel seemed to understand most of the situation and it frustrated her. She wanted to know why she and Bastian were attacked.
Ciel huffed, much to her irritation. "Enough of this. Let us return to the townhouse. I'm tired."
"Yes. It's been a rather...eventful night," Madame Red said.
"Don't think I've forgotten your actions tonight, Madame Red. You and I will have a chat before I speak with Viola."
Madame Red smiled sheepishly. Viola couldn't help but wonder what Madame Red did that got her nephew made at her.
Well, she did have him at knife point before I got there, she reasoned. Maybe he was mad about that? What happened between the two of them, anyway?
Sebastian picked Bastian up, reminding Viola of when he first rescued them in that Italian mafia mansion. He began to walk away to speak to Ciel about something. She couldn't help but glare suspiciously at his back. She knew there was something weird about him. Tonight just proved her right. The questions on her mind mostly surrounded Sebastian Michealis, the butler of the Phantomhive family. Why did he act like this all of a sudden? Why did he threaten to kill anyone who dared harm her and Bastian? And, more importantly, why did he have the same glowing eyes from her nightmares?
Viola had a feeling she wouldn't like any of the answers. She wouldn't like them one bit.
XXX
Okay, I have to admit. I had fun writing this chapter. Not because this is the turning point of the story, but because of how I got to write Sebastian. I never thought I'd enjoy writing him as a sadistic person. It really doesn't help I've been studying terror and horror in one of my English classes so I've been reading those kinds of stories lately. It's just so much fun writing someone who actually enjoys killing other people. Plus, Sebastian's a demon. He has to enjoy it because he's a sadist. I don't normally like Sebastian (I only like how he looks and the fact he can bake. Other times he just annoys me), but I writing him like that.
Please review!