Allow me to take this time to apologize for the temporary deletion of my story "Ruby Claims The Sapphire". My beta GespenstKAF noticed an error with my naming of a character and had to fix it. But I messed up so I had to delete everything and start over. But do not fret your reviews will not have suffered in vain. I appreciate all who bother to review. It means a lot to me. Good news, I am allowed to take college courses again, yay me!
On another note, It might take me a tad longer to update my stories because I will be so focused on my schooling. It is important that I don't get distracted because that is what caused my downfall to begin with. But that will not happen again, because I am now wiser and less prone to distractions since I have more important goals to reach like achieving a 4-year transfer or achieving a career in Environmental Studies. It wont be easy I know.
Last time we left off, Ciel was reluctantly dropped off by Sebastian. Now all there is to do is see if Ciel will come out with his sanity in tact or he will improve his condition. Read to find outl
Stage 9: Displeasure to make your acquaintance
Recover Part 2
Ciel P.O.V.
Just as soon as my breathing has calmed down, I prop my arms under my head on the rather scratchy uncomfortable bed I have been forced to sleep on. How long since I met Clarice? She was eccentric and weird. Not quite like Mey-Rin but close to it. I feel something run down my cheek and I go to swipe it off. I put my hand to my face to realize it was a tear. Dammnit. Laying here thinking about that troublesome maid is causing me to get all sappy. Can't let that happen, can we? Who am I talking to now? It must be an effect of being trapped in a mental hospital.
I lie on the bed for some time. Finally, I come to the decision of touring the hospital and see what goes on. Surely, the doctors won't mind if I take a little walk? I tip-toe to the door and peek through the cracks; there is no one coming. I smile to myself as I quietly yet enthusiastically turn the knob and walk wherever my feet drag me. I went down in various corridors and hallways taking in everything this place had to offer. (1) A blood-curdling scream startles me and I duck into the nearest dip in the wall. A group of doctors rushed a guy strapped to a gurney through the hallways into a room. I was lucky that I wasn't run over. If I had to guess, the man screaming was probably suffering a freak nightmare. Who knows? I'm not a doctor. Putting that aside I slip out from the wall and make my down further.
The hospital was certainly different from the mansion that's for sure. The walls were a plain white, the floors a black-and-white checkered design, and the doors were a standard grey color with names written on them. My peripheral hones in on a flash of light coming from down the corner at the end of the candle-lit hall. I strode over to it before skidding to a halt. It would be unseemly as heir to the Phantomhive family fortune to just jump in their like a vagabond. I breathe deeply taking into consideration I have to watch my asthma and not over-exert myself. I turn my head around the corner and think that maybe I should go back to my room now.
Normal P.O.V.
Ciel's eyes twitched at the scene playing before him, a rather bad play if you ask him. (2)This "idiot house" was worst than he had imagined it to be. There were two people each at a table playing board games of some kind. A middle-aged man with his eyes crossed pointed whizzed his finger in the air making buzzing sounds. One person was in a corner muttering incoherent sentences, one girl was on all fours running in circles like a dog chasing its tail, one man was counting plastic beans, sometimes placing them in a cup only to dump them out later, one guy was rubbing his left hand over his bandaged arm. The bandages appeared to need some changing. Over at the walls were lined up white plastic chairs. There were several people in their early to late teens scribbling on some sketch pads (?) with pencils not paying any heed to their surroundings. These "nut jobs" were his companions for the next couple months!
Ciel was partially relieved he wasn't the only teen in this place. Or at least not the only sane one. He straightened his petticoat (A/N: He is still wearing his petticoat at this point) and slowly approached the people in the room. He was about to utter a "hello" when a blur rushed in front of him. It was the same girl who was making dog noises. Ciel was finally able to get a look at her; she adorned a heart-shaped face, long sleek black hair that reached mid-back, fair skin, and doe-brown eyes. (3) She was dressed in a simple white hospital dress. She put her hands up to her chin like a dog begging for food. She started talking to the Earl in a rapid fashion.
"Hi I'm Fifi. Do you like dogs? I like dogs! I look young but I'm actually quite older see I was taken in by wolves because my human parents left me on the streets but that is alright because I have accepted that I am a dog. I am here because I was captured and placed in this cage where I can be "re-educated" into human society then I will be free to return to my brethren so…
"FIFI THAT"S ENOUGH!" , a voice yelled out of the blue. Ciel and Fifi turned to see who had bellowed. It was a man in his late teens to twenties with shaggy tangerine hair and green eyes dressed in a white hospital frock and pants glared down at the frightened young girl. He was medium built but not totally muscular. Fifi whimpered under the man's burning gaze. The person sauntered to the girl ignoring Ciel.
"Honestly, what am I to do with you? The fact you think you're a dog is bad enough, even worse is that you must re-iterate it to everyone that comes your way and slobber all over the place…"
"Now wait just a minute good sir. This young lady has not done nothing wrong. You talking down to her like she is a common house slave does not give you right…" Ciel put in. The guy rounded and Ciel and screamed at him.
"Stay out of this you little twerp! Just because you are all dressed up in some snazzy little suit you pilfered out of the trash and cleaned it up to look good, you think you're the boss of everyone and butt into things that are none of your busines. This little wench here has been an outmost pain the neck since she got here. How I talk to her is none of your business. So do yourself a favor and go back to whatever orphanage you came from".
Ciel froze. No one, not even adult or children his age had ever talked to him in that way. Not even Sebastian had gone up in his face and spit in his face. His small shook, his eye threatened to spill tears, and his fist flat against his side. "Fifi" whimpered behind him. A hand was placed on the angry man's shoulder. He snapped his head to the direction only to shrink from his normal size. It was person in his late twenties. He was a tad shorter than the tangerine haired man. He had fair skin, shoulder-length wavy brown hair, blue eyes, and a broad build.
"Samuel, you seriously need to calm the hell down or else the doctors will come in here to sedate you. Is that what you want? (4) To be put in the hole for several months like last time when you attacked a harmless visitor without provocation?"
The tangerine-haired one known as Samuel got a look akin to fear on his face at the mention of "the hole". He stepped back a ways from the brunette who glanced at him emotionlessly. Samuel twisted his death glare at the two frightened children before leaving the room. The brunette gave a reassuring smile to the two youngsters. He went over to Fifi and patted her head calming her down. She stuck her tongue out happily.
"I really am sorry for Samuel here. He has some anger management issues ranging from his childhood. Don't let his temper affect you. Just stay away from him and you will do just fine. Oh, and Fiona, put your tongue back in your mouth. You are drooling all over your new clean frock" he stated gently to the dog-girl. Fiona slipped her tongue back in nearly spitting on Ciel. Ciel cringed in slight disgust wiping saliva off his coat. He walked away from the weird girl over to the brunette.
"You look new. Are you a new patient or are you here to visit someone?" the brunette asked curiously to the blue-haired Earl. Ciel hung his head covering his eyes in shame. If he told this no-body who he really was, then he would probably get mocked by this no-body for
"falling so low and being forced to mingle with commoners" and all that balderdash. Then again, there was a slim chance that a lot of these people didn't even know who he was. He would take a chance and hope his family's reputation stay out of hot water.
"Actually, I am new to this place. The name is Ciel by the way. I was brought here against my will because my folks back home believe I have an eating disorder that has gone out of control. So I am here until some doctor says I am cured and I can go back and resume my normal life" Ciel stated opening one eye to see if the stranger bought his bluff. The brunette didn't give any indications that told otherwise.
"I feel for you little one. I never did tell you my name apparently. I am Marcus Arburough from the western countryside of England. In the event you are asking I am in here because of an addiction that I shall reveal in due time. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ciel… forgive me for asking but you wouldn't happen to be Ciel Phantomhive of the Phantomhive Family Estate would you?" he inquired. Ciel winced.
W-w-well I uh...NO! No. That is a totally different Ciel. I mean surely the Ciel Phantomhive wouldn't dare be seen hanging around a mental hospital of all things, now would he, he he he?" he chuckled nervously. Marcus laughed softly.
"I suppose you are right. I mean these spoiled brats always walk around like they own the place, the only reason they would come here is just so they can sniff down at everyone and talk about how misfortunate everyone is" he scowled disdainfully. "Ciel Phantomhive is no different. He is what thirteen years old and already managing his own company? The little twerp even had to add insult to injury by pointing out how poor everyone is by having his butler trolling behind him. Cant do anything by himself. Even brush his teeth. Poor guy, waiting hand and foot for that ungrateful…" Marcus's rant was cut off.
"Put a sock in it, Marcus. Has it ever occurred to mention your little beef about rich people to someone who actually cares?" a sarcastic voice droned. Marcus and Ciel snapped their heads in the direction. It was a young female in her late teens with long blonde hair and blue eyes laying her head down on one of the tables. She was dressed in a long white hospital frock that reached her ankles and a plain button down jacket and white slip-ons. From a distance she seemed like your typical blonde-haired, fair skinned, blue-eyed female. Except her skin had a pale-peach hue to it and black bags under her eyes. Marcus rolled his eyes.
"Ciel allow me to introduce you to this piece of work here, meet Sonya. (5)She is in the process of being cured for her chronic insomnia. That means she either sleeps too much or sleeps to little. No one is really sure why though. She refuses to talk about it with anyone even her closest friends. Speaking of which, I still have to introduce you to everyone."
"Oh, uh-no thanks I was just about to leave anyway. See the master of this place-"
"Nonsense, what better way to know this place than by getting you acquainted with the people inside. I mean if you are already going to hell anyway why not have some fun while you're at it" Marcus chuckled at the inside joke. Of course, Ciel wasn't laughing. He paled when the world "hell" came up. Marucs pulled at his arm and began introducing him to everyone present. He pulled Ciel up to a couple of tables.
"The two guys playing chess; Rodger and Nixon. Poor fellows are the unfortunate victims of OCD and a slight bit of schizophrenia. No one is quite sure how these two became friends but they did so. These two souls didn't have the best start in life. Then again, who does now a days?" he scoffed bitterly to himself. He gestured to another table to where Sonya except she was now surrounded by four other girls. Like Sonya they were in their late teens and had lean tall builds and reasonable sized breast (A/N: Like Ciel wouldn't notice? Tee-hee). Their gowns were torn in strange patterns which resulted in them look like a shirt and skirt combo. Each of the girls had chestnut brown, blonde sleek or wavy, cropped red, and finally black hair covering one of her eyes.
"The girls you see are named: Chelsea, Rita, Igraine, Andromeda, and Susie. These ladies call themselves La Dominica's. And yes they do in fact act and work together like a gang would. But don't let their tough demeanor fool you. They are just as messed up Sonya and more" he explained. One of the girls, Andromeda pulled her cropped red hair behind her ear before turning over to Marcus and giving him the finger. (6) Marcus flinched as if burned. He gave his own version of the bird. Vulgar girl, thought Ciel with disdain. Marcus gestured sadly to another table.
"Over at that table is a boy named Cain; his story is albeit sadder than most here" Marcus shut his eyes as if trying to block out a very painful memory. (9) "He was born with a defect of the brain and left here by his scum-of-the-earth parents for not being the perfect child that they wanted. And then if that wasn't bad enough, they have not once attempted to try to visit him or send him a letter. They are still alive you know. He has a brother you know. But knowing them, that boy is unaware that he even has a brother, or maybe he does and is too ashamed. Poor kid has been here a long time but we all love him dearly. He is such a sweet boy. Those people don't know what they are missing out on".
Ciel hung his head in morose. How awful is it must be, to having been abandoned by the very people who gave life to you then to just callously discard you because of something as petty as a birth defect? His stomach lurched at the thought of maybe having something similar happen to him. Would his own remaining family desert him when it got to be too much? Would his servants abandon him and tell him the hell with it? What of Sebastian? The butler was like a father figure to him even if he never voiced it out loud. Surely Elizabeth could reach deep into her pink-ribbon patented heart to accept him despite all his short-comings. He hoped. Elizabeth was one tenacious woman when she wanted to be.
"Ciel, oi Ciel you listening little man?" a concerned voice asked. Ciel propped his head up and glared.
"Don't call me little man or you will regret it" he growled at the teen. Marcus shook his head laughing. Ciel was certainly an interesting character. He introduced Ciel over to the people holding sketch pads, then to a group of people who coincidentally suffering troubles with eating disorders. There was even one girl who had bandages wrapped around her pale arm; a cutting victim apparently. It was all so much to take in. He was never much one for socializing. Most people said hi, others told him to "fuck off" or something akin to it most didn't even pay him notice as they were all to fixed up in their own issues. This was all a bit much to drink in. As if things couldn't get any worse, his stomach growled. Oh god not now of all times.
"By Joe! Is it nearing supper time already? It must be since your stomach is telling us so. It would be lovely if you met everyone but as you see they are not present for the time being. Anyways, I think its supper time for everybody. You might want to make a trip back to your room before one of the doctors or nurses notices you are missing. If they catch you outside your room without jurisdiction, you will be confined to your room until further notice. Alright and I will see you later".
Ciel wiped his brow of the sweat that had gathered on his brow. He thanked whatever higher being out there for allowing him to escape the horde of nut jobs he was forced to co-mingle with for the remainder of his stay. However, the amount of stress put on him from his stay here would be pushed to the limit when the time came for his newest struggle; eating food and holding it down.
Nathaniel Zephyr was in his office going over Ciel Phantomhive's documents. His eyebrows scrunched together in contemplation. In all years he ran this clinic, did he experience a patient quite like Ciel's. He recalled their meeting in his head. Ciel seemed serious when he told him that he wished to get better and would do his best not to cause any more problems for his family and house servants. Then again his tone or matter of speech sounded albeit pat to him. A lot of his more desperate clients have used the same type of excuse in order to be released early. (7) Only to fall back into remission soon after. He had made that mistake once about seven years ago with a young girl who had paranoia and it almost cost him the credibility of the hospital and his career. The scandal was soon forgotten with the whole "Jack The Ripper" case. He took that time to fix his shattered reputation and do more to help his clients get the help they so needed. So be it, if those meant keepings extra watch on them a.k.a. being an outright pain in the ass. Ku Ku Ku Ku. (A/N: Oh if only the Undertaker were around. XD)
Meanwhile…
In another part of the clinic, someone had different plans for the newest addition to the clinic. He sure as hell had no concern for the affairs of the patients nor did he care if they were to just drop dead. He was out for bigger fish. (8) At one point Dennis Revini was a great and kind physician/doctor who fell on hard times when the clinic he worked for had closed down because of multiple health violations and a great number of botched medical practices. He applied for a job at another clinic and had much more luck at this one than the previous. Not to mention that he had been paid handsomely for his work as well. It was during this time that he found money to be more important than the welfare of the patient.
The once good-natured doctor became greedy and diluted. He would only do work for higher paying clients or if the family of less wealthier families could back the money from its original cost then he would do it. In most cases, he would demand despicable things from them; even sex. If in the mod, he wouldn't even help the patient at all. That all stopped one day when a fellow colleague and worker notified the London Police about his deeds and had him arrested for abusing his status to extort families of victims for money and causing the "accidental" deaths of his patients during surgery. He was sentenced to jail for a minimum of twenty years; a slap on the wrist. However, the cruel doctor was in no mood for spending twenty damn years in the slammer. No his plans were not finished yet. With careful planning and simple-minded guards he managed to slip out of the jail unnoticed. Then he disappeared into the night not to be seen again until six years later.
He had escaped to a hovel in upper England. He lived amongst several brigands who shared in his disgusting philosophies and greed. They went by a "survival of the fittest mindset"; grab whatever they can and put it to use. Yep they were a depraved group of individuals. One night when the man had saved up enough pounds, he decided was now the time to put his six-year plan to fruition. He rented a room at a cheap hotel and started work on his new I.D.; a young physician/psychiatrist named Paris Archibald. Without his beard he was now a man in his mid-thirties with a clean-shaven face, slick ash-brown hair, reddish brown eyes and a pale complexion. No one not even his bands of thieves recognized him. That is precisely what he was hoping for. Without looking back he set out to finish where he left off; strike it rich as a doctor. He applied for work at a clinic. It was a high paying hospital too with high paying clients, and not a site of society's wretches anywhere.
Then one day, an opportunity arose in the form of a young man in his late 20's named Dr. Nathaniel Zephyr. He offered "Paris" a spot in the Great Britain Rehabilitation on the condition he move to the countryside and work as a part-time physician to the patients there. He was even offered higher pay upon arriving. With high hopes and a greedy heart he shook the hand of the young doctor and set out to pack for the long trip over there. Upon arriving at his destination, he was met with great disappointment when he discovered it was not just a rehabilitation clinic but an "idiot house" at that. He grimaced when he saw firsthand what he would be forced to deal with for the next few years. He saw insomniacs, drug-addict, nymphomaniacs, people in straight-jackets screaming for god-knows-what, and everything else. These people didn't belong to a clinic. They should be moved to a mental hospital. Was this not the best hospital in the country? He confronted the doctor about this. Zephyr told him his duty as a doctor/physician was to see to the welfare of the patients. Paris would have scoffed at him had he not remembered the great wage he was to receive his labors.
A decade had passed, his feelings had not changed. He was a respectable physician to many of the nurses and doctors at the hospital yet to some he was nothing more than a greedy, rotten, man who was only out to benefit himself. Unfortunately, they could not prove nor catch him in his heinous acts so they kept it to themselves. He was after all the second head next to Reinhart. Paris Archibald did his job well enough, for the right price. He would stifle money from the families of these patients for as long as said being wasn't on the verge of getting better. A golden opportunity came in the form of Ciel Phantomhive. This boy came from a filthy rich background and was in the right shape to be exploited. He would use whatever tactics he had up his sleeve to make sure he stayed and ensured him lots of money. The man let out a crazed laugh as he thought of the horrible things he was yet to do.
Clarice rolled a tray over to her new patient's rooms. She smiled when she remembered the obstinate yet shy gaze of the young man she would be tending to. She knocked on the door waiting for the right answer. A "come in" was sounded. She opened the thick metal door and entered the Earl's room. Ciel was facing his head to the barred windows.
"It's time to eat, young one. Doctor Nathaniel Zephyr assigned me to be the ones to hand you your meals and see that you don't plan to relieve yourself soon after" she told him softly. Ciel rolled his eyes. He was hoping they would forget. Now this bothersome woman was here forcing him to eat. He reluctantly sat himself into an upright position and went over to pick up the tray of whatever he was being served. It was tomato soup with thick rolls on the side, and a glass of cold milk. His lips went into a straight line. Clarice leaned forward.
"You better eat it because I am not leaving until you consume every last bite or drop. I have a funnel and I'm not afraid to use it" she threatened. Ciel sweat dropped. Women sure could be frightening creatures when they wished to be. Even Sebastian had told him such. With a shaking hand he dipped his spoon into the hot liquid, blew on it lightly and sipped it up. A shiver went up his spine as the creamy liquid trickled down his throat. He took and slowly ate the rest of his meal. All that was left was two loaves of bread and a half-empty/full cup of milk. He held his stomach with a pained expression. This was the first time in a while that he had something decent to eat.
"I see you only ate a quarter of what was given to you but that will do for now I suppose. Well it is still early in the day. Is there anything you want me to bring? Like papers to write on, puzzles, or some board game to entertain yourself with?" she asked. Ciel's mouth twitched up into a half smirk.
"Could I have some alone time please? I am a tad tired and wish to be left alone. I am still experiencing jet lag from earlier" he pleaded laying his head back on the pillow. Clarice studied the Ciel for a few seconds.
"A-A-Alright, if you insist, but if you need anything at all just press on the white beeper next to your bed. I will be there in a jiffy. Don't do anything stupid while I'm away okay? She said jokingly. The clicking of heels quieted down as she disappeared.
Ciel opened one eye. He sat up before rushing over to the bathroom that was connected to his room. He checked the inner surroundings of his bathroom; no mirror, only lit by a few fading light-bulbs, and a white porcelain toilet. Just great he couldn't see himself. He threw himself on to the bed and screamed out all his frustration into the pillow. This place was going to suck. He knew it.
I get that many of you suspect Ciel is behaving like an ungrateful spoiled brat. It stems from having everything handed to him on a silver platter from the time he was born and raised in an isolated, prim and proper outset where he does not come into contact with people save for his parents, other aristocrats, their children and his cousin, Elizabeth. The inspiration for the inner workings of the Mental Hospital were from books and movies like Shutter Island, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, It's kind of a funny story, Girl Interrupted, SuckerPunch, ect. Ciel meets the other residents of GBRC (Great Britain Rehabilitation Clinic) where he meets a multitude of wacky and hostile characters. Their stories will be explained in later chapters. The La Dominca's (Of the Lord) or you could call them the "Female Lords". If I offend someone I apologize but do note it is a fanfiction and it is not meant to be literally correct. Now it would not be a story without a villain working his despicable deeds now would he? I was originally going to feature Nathaniel Zephyr as the main villain but then he would be in charge of the hospital if he was. Dennis is based off of people who exploit or abuse others for their own twisted ends not caring who gets hurt in the end. Just like animal abusers and corrupt child-caregivers.
(1) Ciel is about to be run over before he quickly stuffs himself into a corner of the hallway and how do they miss him?
(2) Watch "It's kind of a funny story". You will get an idea what its like.
(3) Sometimes though not always hospitals will provide patients with an outfit to where aside from their other clothes. Do they wash them I do not know.
(4) Solitary confinement
(5) There are three forms of insomnia known by doctors. Most insomnia cases are brought on by cases of stress, depression, changes in sleeping environment. They are: transient, acute, and chronic. Chronic Insomnia is by far the more extreme version of sleep depravation. Regardless, it can have far reaching consequences to a person's health.
(6) "The bird" or "the middle finger"
(7) Sometimes if none at all, patients who claimed to be cured will return to practing habits they picked up when developing their disorder via: anorexia, cutting, bulimia, passive aggressiveness, ect.
(8) Nemesis Game, a slightly disturbing thriller mystery movie/novel.
(9) This is based on my opinion on parents who abandon their children because of something they can't control. Every life is precious no matter who he/she is. Simply because a person is disabled does not give anyone the right to just drop them off somewhere when they prove an inconvenience to the family or parent or become a "waste of space". It gives me comfort to know that God is watching out for those unfortunate souls and will have a place waiting for them in heaven. It just goes to show you what happens when you don't give someone a chance. They just might surprise you. I'm not saying that you should date them or take them into your home, I am saying that you should never write off someone just before you know them.
Next Chapter: Ciel is tempted to fall back into old habits. Archibald uses that to his advantage. Clarice interferes. We hear more about Samuel. And what is the deal with a moving shadow? Stay frosty and review.