Hey guys! Another chapter here for my story. I think it's a good one and hope you all enjoy it. Please review :)
I closed the book I had just finished reading with a sigh. It had been a beautiful book with a girl who had fallen in love with a man who couldn't keep her. But in the end, it all worked out and she happily married him.
"I wonder if I'll ever get married," I thought as the front door was knocked.
I got up and put the book down, brushing my skirts before I opened the front door. Outside was Ash Landers with a frown on his face before he saw me.
"Elena," he said as he bowed to me.
"Ash Landers," I replied as I curtsied.
"I have a message from the Queen to give to the Earl Phantomhive," and he held out a letter to me.
"I'll make sure he gets it," I replied as Ash smiled at me.
"Tell him it's urgent and the Queen is filled with worry for her people. Have a good day, Elena Hamilton," and he left me to return to his carriage.
I closed the door and shrugged my shoulders. It was almost like he was trying to get me to take his place as messenger. I pushed myself away from the door and started my climb up the stairs. The walls had gotten new wallpaper so I brushed my fingers along the paper and felt the softness. I kept walking until I was outside Ciel's office. I knocked it once and waited for his 'enter' before I opened the door. Old habits die hard, I thought to myself with a smile.
Ciel was dressed rather casually with Sebastian pouring him tea. From the smell, it was Earl Grey.
"Elena, are you alright?" Sebastian asked as he straightened.
"Ash Landers gave me this," and I walked forward with the letter, "and told me to tell you the matter is urgent and the Queen is full of worry for her people."
Sebastian handed Ciel a letter opener and he broke the seal that shun on the back of the letter. So that was the Queen's seal? Ciel removed the letter and looked over the ten pages of content before he nodded.
"It appears we have to locate something for her Majesty," Ciel said as he put the pages in front of him, "something of value but it doesn't say what. That it might have been on…John Stanley. He was found dead last night by some cleaners."
"Something of value?" I asked and Ciel nodded, "that's very vague. He might have considered a family ring valuable or a watch…hell, I think my necklace is something of value!"
"But this seems the Queen is interested in it," Ciel sighed, "and she has requested we give the last nine pages to Scotland Yard to help with their investigation into his murder. Sebastian, get an envelope."
That started putting things in motion. Ciel put the documents in an envelope and Sebastian got him his coat. I had put on a short lilac dress today which Sebastian found the matching coat for and black gloves to disguise my burns before he put my hair in a bun. We left the manor in his carriage and I wondered what was the point of having a police force if you used a thirteen year old boy to answer your questions?
"You seem confused, Elena," and I turned to look at Sebastian.
"I just don't understand why, when the Queen has so many at her disposal, she would use Ciel Phantomhive to find things out for her."
"It is his job as the Queen's Guard dog," Sebastian explained, "he works under the cover of darkness and takes control of the underworld. There are some things that Scotland Yard could never find out because our young master has the contacts."
"It's worrying," I replied as I returned my gaze out the window. The carriage came to a stop and we each got out. Ciel put his arm out for me as we approached the crowds around one of the walls blocking the ocean. Sebastian made a gap for us before we saw the cloth blanket over a body. So this was John Stanley…the last image anyone would have of the man was here in front of us.
"Doesn't matter," I heard Abberline say as he stood, "we won't know anything until he's identified."
"That won't be necessary," Ciel spoke up and handed the envelope to Sebastian, "we know his identity. His name was John Stanley. Sebastian has the rest of his particulars for you."
Sebastian walked forward to hand one of the inspectors the envelope before he walked back to us.
"And what is your interest in this?" the man asked as he scanned the pages.
"Doing my civic duty and co-operating with the police. Isn't that what you've always told me to do, Sir Arthur?"
"Spare me the noble protestations, what is it you want with this case?" Sir Arthur asked, "Out with it Phantomhive."
"A bit gosch (another misspelt word, sorry), but if you prefer it that way, I'm happy to oblige," Ciel responded, "I need to see any belongings that were left on the victim."
"Actually," Abberline said, "there were none. Not even any identification papers."
"In that case," Ciel replied as he tightened his grip on my arm, "I am happy to be at service. Thank you Inspector Abberline. Sebastian, Elena," and Ciel took us away.
"There is something odd about this case," I said in a soft whisper and Ciel nodded.
"It appears as if the vultures picked him dry before disposing of the body," Ciel replied but he looked distracted.
We made it to the carriage shortly after and Ciel helped me up first before he got in and Sebastian followed. Sebastian closed the door and the carriage was moving. I looked out the window and watched as London travelled past us. What else was I supposed to do as the bodyguard?
"Is something wrong, my lord?" Sebastian asked, "I say you seem more taciturn that usual this afternoon."
"And I should look pleasant when investigating a murder?" Ciel asked sarcastically.
"You're far too modest, sir," Sebastian replied, "you misheard me. I would never say you don't look pleasant."
"This case just makes me a bit uneasy. Clearly we don't have all the information."
It took a moment of Ciel thinking about the case before he looked over at me. I returned my gaze to his and he did look anxious.
"First we need a better understanding of the situation," Ciel stated.
"Meaning what sir?" Sebastian asked.
"John Stanley was murdered obviously, but was it a simple case of him being in the wrong place at the wrong time?"
"Or was he killed as a result of his work for the Queen," Sebastian finished Ciel's sentence like it was a casual game, "alright then, how do we go about locating witnesses? Assuming there are any."
"We leave that part to the Yard for now. If you want to know about Rome, you ask a Roman. We know in whose territory the murder occurred."
The carriage trudged on before it stopped at a small abandoned warehouse. The outside was in shambles with paint chipping. I ran a gloved hand along the outside and pulled back to investigate the fine layer of dust and old paint that I had taken off. I rubbed my hands together to dislodge it as Ciel walked away from the warehouse and moved around back. I followed and saw the amount of trash. Was this some form of joke to Ciel? I stepped on a pot and my foot slowly sunk into the mud. Well, I hoped to God it was mud…
"That's disgusting," I muttered, "don't tell me if it's not mud."
Sebastian helped me out of the 'mud' and brought me back to a worn path. I must have disturbed something because the smell was nauseating. Sebastian got me to a set of stairs before Ciel shook his head.
"She can't come in like that," Ciel muttered and handed Sebastian a bag, "buy her a new pair of shoes quickly."
"Yes, my young master," and Sebastian left us.
I removed my shoes and then my gloves before throwing them away. The smell didn't cling to me anywhere else as I waited. Ciel was contemplating something before he took out the letter Ash had given me.
"This seems like a strange case," he said.
"It appears the Queen isn't telling you everything," I replied and he looked at me, "she's told you enough to get you started. Nothing else that I've heard could have led you anywhere. She purposefully is keeping you further in the dark than normal, in my opinion."
Ciel nodded and a moment later, Sebastian had returned with boots for me. I put them on and fastened the buttons along the side before I stood. They were comfortable and suited the lilac dress I had worn today. Ciel took my arm and we both descended the stairs. They were steep and it was only as I got halfway that a smell was pulled up into my nose. Sebastian opened the door for us and I was shocked by the smoky room. Men lay on loungers, a pipe in their mouths before they blew out more smoke. One man, a young blond caught me by my hand as we walked closer to the central lounger and pulled me down to him.
"Sweetheart," he breathed before he put the pipe in my mouth and I was forced to take a breath. The smoke made me cough and it was Sebastian who picked me up.
"I feel sick," I whispered to Sebastian who nodded and removed a cloth from his pocket.
"Use this to cover your mouth," he said as we followed Ciel up to the centre lounger.
"I see you have found your way to my humble place of business. It seems strange that we should meet under such questionable circumstances, my young lord, and yet inevitable don't you think? I must say that I knew some day it would come down to this."
"It might come to what?" Ciel demanded.
I looked past Ciel with blurred vision to see Lau. Lau was surrounded by four scantily clad girls but it was RanMao who was straddling his waist. He had crossed his legs and his arms were lying across the back of the chair. One girl, the one to his left, was holding a pipe for him and it was smoking. The thought made me feel ill and I covered my mouth with my other hand over the cloth.
"Welcome to my humble house of pleasures, darling earl."
"If you're trying to push your wares, forget it. The only thing you have that I want is information."
"So impatient for a young man. If you think I know something that would make it worth your while to venture so dangerously into my den of sin, then you're quite right."
"So you've already heard what happened then? I thought as much," Ciel replied and I was starting to sway, "but what else should I expect from the head of the English branch of the Chinese trading company, Kunlun, much less from an officer of the Shanghai Mafia's Green Gang."
"Oh dear, I've never much cared for fancy titles such as that one; so stiff and formal. Don't you agree, RanMao?"
"I left you in charge of the dealings in this area for a reason," Ciel answered, "so I assumed you would stay informed of any disputes that occurred in your territory."
"Naturally," Lau replied, "as per your original instructions, my lord. I could hardly forget about the protection fee I pay in order to be allowed to conduct my business."
"Well then…"
"More importantly," Lau continued, "I have something to ask you. What exactly are you talking about?"
I swayed to my right and Sebastian caught me, lifting me into his arms and holding me close. I felt unusually sick as Ciel continued to glare at Lau.
"Damn it Lau!" Ciel snapped.
"The man is just talking through his hat again it would seem," Sebastian said as Ciel looked him over and then me, "how drawl."
"What do you say about going upstairs for our little chat?" Lau asked as RanMao stood and he followed, "it's a little bit stuffy in here, don't you agree? I don't think your bodyguard can handle it."
"Perhaps if you found another source of income, you wouldn't have that problem quite as often!"
I closed my eyes as my head became fuzzy. I didn't hear Lau say anything else but I felt a hand on my head. I lifted my face a little to the contact and remembered my father checking my temperature if I had a cold or the flu.
"Father?" I croaked as something cool was put on my head.
"She's delirious," a familiar voice said gently.
"This is her first time?" another voice asked.
"One of your customers downstairs forced it on her," a boy's voice snapped.
"RanMao, I suggest you get a bucket for Elena, she'll be up in a moment."
I heard the rustle and opened my eyes, the light stung them but no sooner had I closed them again that I felt like getting sick. A hand helped me up and the bucket was put under my mouth for me. My body decided anything I had eaten needed to be gone. Sweat appeared on my forehead and a white gloved hand wiped my head with a cloth as I got sick. I started choking a little before the bucket was taken away from me.
"Here," and I felt something touch my hand, "don't open your eyes again."
I opened my hand and felt the cool drops of water hit my hand before the glass was brought up to my lips by someone else. I gulped down half the water there before the glass was gone. Someone wrapped something around my eyes and I reached up to get rid of the obstruction when a smaller hand caught mine.
"The drug is still in your system Elena," Lau said, "bright light will make you sick. Try not to eat anything for a while and rest up for a bit. If you wish to return to my house of pleasure another time, I will make sure you have only the best experience."
"Lau, back on topic!" Ciel snapped and I realised he must have been the small hand who had stopped me pulling the bandages away.
"Let's see," Lau replied from somewhere in front of me, "nowadays I suppose all the gang fights in the area have been about drugs. There's a new product that has appeared on the market. Somebody has been spreading it around town quite liberally for a while now. Frankly, it's become a bit of an inconvenience for me."
"A new product?" Ciel asked.
"Yes apparently it is cheaper and more effective and far easier to transport than common opium. It goes by the name of Lady Blanc."
"The White Lady," Ciel said, sounding shocked, "do you know why it was given that name?"
"Is it important?" Lau asked.
"No," Ciel responded.
"What's the name of the man that found at Regent Canal dock? Perhaps I may have heard of him."
"It was John Stanley, I'm afraid that was most likely an alias however," Sebastian replied.
"He doesn't look familiar to me and to think I flattered myself for knowing all the small time drug pushers in the area. What about you? You recognise him?" Lau asked someone else.
"Well, there you have it," Lau said after a moment.
"I'm looking for something the man was supposed to have had. He was carrying it on his person," Ciel said from beside me.
"Just something?" Lau asked.
"Yes, and it's possible that this something was the reason he was killed in cold blood. Which is why there is something I would like you to do for me."
"And what is that, my dear Earl?" Lau asked as Sebastian returned to sit beside me.
He lifted the glass of water back to my lips for me to drink some more, a headache had formed over my right eye as the pair had spoken.
"I want you to spread a rumour about me. Let it be known that I am in possession of something valuable that I took from the man who was murdered."
"Darling, that couldn't be easier. And may I be permitted to know why?"
"If we spread that rumour far enough, the killer is sure to hear it and he'll have to doubt the authenticity of the article he stole from John Stanley. Then he'll be forced to come after me for the real thing."
"Oh I see! You're using yourself as bait, you clever thing you. A courageous act indeed from the Queen's loyal Guard Dog," Lau commented, "speaking of which, I've always wanted to inquire about something. How is it you remain loyal to your lord and master? It seems to me she makes unreasonable demands of you."
"I doubt you could ever understand it," Ciel commented dryly, "you left your country for another. If you never put down roots, you could never understand the depths of mine Lau."
"You've got me there," Lau replied, "I will do as you ask. But I doubt you should dangle yourself as bait when your bodyguard is as ill as she is."
"She will survive," Ciel replied as Sebastian got me standing and then lifted me up into his arms.
"Make sure to put her to bed when you arrive home. Let her sleep the worst of this off and then she should be right by the next time she eats."
Sebastian bowed with me in his arms as Ciel brought us back to the stuffy room. I didn't feel sick right then, just really tired so I closed my eyes behind the bandages and yawned. It meant I inhaled some smoke which made me cough but no sooner had my mind told me to cough, we were outside in the open air. Ciel brought us to the carriage and Sebastian got me in and lying across one seat. I felt something wrap around me and I yawned again.
"Will she be alright, Sebastian?" Ciel asked.
"Her heart was racing earlier but other than that, this will pass. As Lau said, the first time is the hardest for people to adjust to. Her body is telling her something is wrong and because she has never been in an opium den before, it won't know what the drug smells or tastes like. She knows now and we can make sure this doesn't happen again."
"Put her in her bed immediately when we return. In the room she used when Prince Soma was our guest," and the carriage came to a stop.
"Yes, my young Lord," Sebastian replied as he picked me up. I was asleep before he had taken another step.
A scream broke through the haze in my head. I looked around myself, trying to figure out where I was now when I recognised the bed. We were in the London townhouse for the case of John Stanley. I rubbed my eyes and yawned, thinking another few hours would not have hurt. Another scream made me get out of bed rather shakily and grab a shawl that had been thrown around a chair. I ran to the door, feeling a little lightheaded before I pulled it open and found myself looking at everyone. Pluto was on MeyRin, Finny was bouncing and Bard was pulling on Pluto's suit to get him off MeyRin. Sebastian and Ciel were at the door of the drawing room which I moved to rather slowly.
"Stupid mutt! Let her go!" Bard snapped at Pluto
"Pluto! You bad boy!" Finny said as he bounced.
"I said let her go, you rabid cur!" Bard snapped.
"Sebastian, do something about that horrid creature," Ciel ordered before he looked over at me, "you shouldn't be out of bed.
"Certainly," Sebastian replied as he took a step closer to Pluto, "Pluto, kennel!"
Pluto looked up at Sebastian and moaned before he ran off. He disappeared down the stairs just as Tanaka was coming up them. The pair narrowly missed each other on passing but it was enough to make sure neither was hurt. Ciel held me at his side to make sure I didn't sway too much. The bandages were gone so it was the hope I wouldn't feel sick again for a while.
"Can anyone tell me what that was about?" Ciel asked.
"Can't be certain but maybe he's righting," Bard said as MeyRin got up and covered her cheeks which were infused with a bright shade of red.
"Oh don't look at me!" MeyRin whispered.
"Was it just me or did he seem to be concentrating intensely on what MeyRin has in her pocket?" Sebastian asked as he took over holding me.
"Oh did he now?" MeyRin asked as she reached into her pocket and pulled out two sweets, "oh."
"That's it. You've got one of those Funtom candies on ya," Bard said.
"Forgot about this. The nice lady gave it to me, yes she did. Said they were becoming the rage all over London," MeyRin explained.
"When we said we'd never tried one, she insisted. She was a really nice lady, right MeyRin?" Finny asked as he took out two similar sweets, "said we had to try one for ourselves. Apparently they're so good that adults can't get enough and they make you feel wonderful all over."
"She says it's addicting," MeyRin said after a moment.
"Well give us a-" Bard said but Tanaka was suddenly between them.
"Hold on just a minute!" Tanaka ordered. He took a sweet from MeyRin, must to the latter's annoyance.
He unwrapped it from the pink wrapped to have it open in his palm. It was a grainy white crumb that looked unpleasant and less than a sweet. It was the same shape as a tooth really and that made me feel ill again.
"Lord Phantomhive, I think it is fairly safe to say this sweet was not made by the Funtom company," Tanaka stated.
"It wasn't?" Ciel asked.
"This wrapper is genuine but our quality control is not so lax as to permit a candy this unshapely. I guarantee you that, Lord."
Tanaka lifted the crumb up in his gloved hand to his mouth. His tongue slipped out to lick the item before he looked shocked. It was almost like he had been shocked when he turned to look at Ciel with worry creasing his brow.
"This is…" and Tanaka ran out of energy. His ordinary figure shifted until he was the man I had fed in Houndsworth. He was kneeling and holding a cup of what appeared to be lemonade, looking exhausted. It had probably taken a lot out of him to say anything before Bard had eaten the sweet.
"Oh oh!" MeyRin gasped.
"Oh no! He ran out of time!" Finny whined.
The candy had fallen to the floor where Sebastian picked it, careful not to jostle me in the progress before he stood up straight, the crumb in his hand. He lifted it to his nose to smell it before he pulled it away.
"Some kind of narcotic," Sebastian stated, "I believe it is derived from opium. Perhaps further refined," and he showed it to me.
I took it in my hand and sniffed it, smelling something similar to Lau's place only this smelt worse. Sebastian retrieved it from me and looked to Ciel, who looked slightly puzzled.
"I assume this is the new drug that Mr Lau spoke of before we left with Elena," Sebastian said.
"We found Lady Blanc," Ciel replied and looked to me, "you should return to bed Elena."
"I want to help you," I stated but Sebastian kept a good grip on me.
"You are in no condition to argue," Sebastian said as he brought me into my room, the others following, "you need to rest."
I yawned as Sebastian tucked me in. MeyRin stayed for a moment before she left with Bard and Finny. Tanaka was probably still in the hall. Ciel sat on my bed and took one of my hands in his.
"Get well Elena, I'm certain when we return from our investigation, we would have solved this."
"I hope so," I replied as I yawned again, "what time is it?"
"Late afternoon," Sebastian replied as he looked to his watch, "I will start dinner preparations at once."
The pair left and I turned onto my left side, away from the door to look at the curtains. I yawned again before I curled up and closed my eyes. They were wrong about me never being in an opium den before. I had when I was ten, my father and uncle had brought me. Not to do drugs but to speak to the man in charge. I had spent the majority of my life in Houndsworth with the occasional visit to cities such as London.
"Ellie?" my father asked as he waited for me to catch his hand.
"Daddy?" I asked and he smiled as he picked me up, "I saw the cutest dog."
"Really Elena?" my uncle asked and I nodded in his direction, "what colour was it?"
"Brown," I replied as my uncle touched my hand.
"Are you planning on staying with us long, Frank?" my father asked.
"Not very long Martin, long enough to feel less pain over Helen's death."
"It was tragic," Father replied before he touched my cheek gently, "she will be greatly missed."
"Did Aunt Helen like dogs?" I asked uncle and he laughed.
"Loved them," he replied as he took me from father.
"Do you think we could get a dog someday, Daddy?" I asked and my father shrugged.
We had arrived at a broken warehouse where uncle put his hand on the faded paint. He ran his fingers over it before he looked at it.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" my uncle asked and I saw my father nod.
"He picks the strangest places, I'll give him that," Father had replied as he brought me around to the back of the warehouse and showed stairs leading into a basement, "Ellie, stay right here. We'll be back soon."
Uncle put me down and walked down with father. I saw smoke leave before they closed the door and I was surrounded by darkness. I hummed to myself and smiled but it was when an hour had gone by that I became frightened. I heard something rustle near me and I screamed. I got up and ran to the door, pulled it open and disappeared into the smoke. I held my breath as I ran down the aisle and stopped when I saw a woman. She was sitting on a man's lap wearing a pretty purple dress.
"And who are you?" the man asked.
"Elena Hamilton," I replied and coughed, "is my daddy here?"
"Martin?" the man asked and I nodded, "he went upstairs. I was supposed to speak with them, so follow me."
He stood and the woman followed, but he took my hand and held me tight. I didn't know the man and yet he and the woman stopped reaching hands trying to grab me. He brought me to the front door before he took a left, leading me up another set of stairs before he entered a room.
"Lau," my father muttered, "were you too high for our talk?"
"Hardly," Lau replied, "though I believe I found something of yours."
"Elena!" my father said as I ran to him. Lau released my hand and I hugged my father tight.
"Daddy there was strange noises and I got scared and…" I was sobbing before he picked me up and put me on his lap.
"I'm here Ellie," he said softly as he wiped my eyes, "I'll always be here for you."
"Do you promise?" I asked and he nodded before he picked up my hand.
"I promise," and he kissed my hand before looking at Lau…
I opened my eyes and felt the blankets fall away from me. I had met Lau before and he had been so nice to me. I lifted a hand to pull through my hair.
"I must have repressed it," I whispered as I dropped my hand, "otherwise I would have known who he was."
I moved to get out of the bed and ran myself a bath to wash the smell that clung to my clothes. It took an hour before I felt clean enough to put on the cream dress and clean corset. I pulled my hair into a bun and gloved my hands before I made my way down through the house. Ciel and Sebastian must still be out, I thought as I made my way down the stairs. A knock at the door drew my attention from my contemplation so I changed direction.
I brushed down my skirts before I unlatched the door and opened it, finding the smile I had put on my face fade away. The person at the door was not someone I had expected. I had hoped it was Sebastian or Ciel and they had forgotten their key to the townhouse. Instead, I was facing Sir Arthur from Regent's Canal Dock that morning I assumed.
"Sir Arthur," I said, a frown forming on my face, "what brings you to the townhouse this evening? Lord Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis are out at the moment…"
"You are the boy's bodyguard?" Sir Arthur asked and I nodded.
"I have been for a few months," I responded as he pulled me forward, turning my back to his chest so he could get access to my hands. I felt the click of metal as he tied them behind me. Our conversation had not been unnoticed and Finny came out, looking at us with confusion.
"May I ask why you put handcuffs on me?" I asked as I struggled against them, straining my shoulders.
"You are under arrest for aiding and abetting in a criminal act," Sir Arthur started pulling me down the stairs.
"Elena!" Finny cried out but I shook my head.
"Finny, stay there. I've done nothing wrong, I'll be back with the earl and Sebastian soon," I said as Sir Arthur pulled me away from the door and into a carriage waiting for me.
He threw me in and followed, the horses made anxious noises before we were being driven somewhere new. I saw the lights fade around me before we came to a stone building. The carriage came to a stop but I didn't move.
"Who have I abetted?" I asked.
"You have been found to be an associated with Lau, and his opium den," Sir Arthur said as the door opened and two guards were waiting for me. "You will be questioned, and we will determine the case after we have heard your confession."
"Confession?" I laughed and he scowled at me, "I have nothing to confess to!"
"We'll see how you respond when we have 'questioned' you. The Queen is against 'questioning' the earl as he is a peer of her realm. However, the rule does not apply to a butler and…a maid or a bodyguard for that matter."
He pushed me out of the carriage and into the arms of the two guards waiting for me. They chained my hands in front of me and handed the end to a man who was cloaked. He held a lantern in his hands as he brought me towards what I now recognised as the Tower Of London. A place of torture if my book was correct and they wanted a confession? They wouldn't get anything from me as I had nothing to confess to.
The stairs were steep as neither Sir Arthur nor the guards followed me. The cloaked man stopped at a gated door and my dress was ripped from me, leaving me in my underskirt and corset. My shoes were removed as well and I felt childish.
"Make sure she has no weapons on her," a man said and my hair was undone to remove any clips I had used.
I was brought further in where I could see the Rack, an Iron Maiden, boiling water and tools that surrounded me. There was a tank of water with a chair for dunking witches and other people. They intended to punish me for a crime I had never committed as I spotted Sebastian. His shirt was ripped and there were cuts on his chest.
"Sebastian!" I sobbed and he lifted his head to look at me.
"Elena? What are you doing here?" he asked as the man undid my chains and tied me up similarly to Sebastian.
"They arrested me at the townhouse. Said I had aided and abetted in a criminal act," I shrugged me shoulders painfully, "you?"
"They arrested myself and the young master an hour ago," he said, "for knowing of the document that John Stanley had possessed as well as being aware of Lau's current position."
"Is Ciel alright?" I asked as a sniffling old disgusting man moved towards me.
"He is most likely being held in a room somewhere near us," Sebastian replied, "I suggest you close your eyes."
"Why?" I asked as the man lifted a whip and struck me.
"Tell me your name," he said as another man whispered in his ear.
The man stepped away as did the whipper who went to prepare something else. He put the whip down and looked over the knives he had in his possession.
"What does he want?" I asked Sebastian and he turned to look at me.
"They assume we know something," Sebastian whispered as the man returned, "just close your eyes. They'll try and frighten you."
"How?" I asked as I was unchained and brought forward to stand in front of an Iron Maiden. It was a sarcophagus with metal spikes in the body as well as the door. The man lifted one of my hands so I could touch the spike and felt the sharpness, and immediately recoiled from it.
"You know about the Iron Maiden, little lady?" he asked as he pushed me a little closer, "you would stand closer to the spikes and I close the door. See the door; that would stab your body but nothing vital. You'd be alive in the morning but very weak."
"You're trying to frighten me," I said as he moved me away. He appeared to be ignoring me which I didn't much mind.
"I never particularly liked that one," he said as he brought me forward to an identical one but there were no spikes, "I prefer this one. I put you in here and lock the door. There are coals on the bottom and I put boiling water over them and you are…steamed alive."
"What do you want with me?" I asked as he brought me to the dunking chair.
"I want to know where Lau is," he said as he brought me to the chair and strapped me in. I fought against him but the other man stepped in and helped. I was lifted up via the chair and brought over the water, and slowly lowered until I was at the same level as my chest.
"Where is Lau?" the man asked and I shut my eyes and shook my head.
The dunking was a horrible experience and I tried to hold my breath against a scream but eventually my lungs protested and I released that scream. The water filled my mouth as the chair was lifted. My head ached slightly as air rushed to greet me and I coughed up water.
"Where is Lau?" the man asked again and I shook my head before I was dunked again.
"Where is he?!" the man snapped as I was raised again.
"I don't know!" I snapped back.
"That's not what I want to hear," and I looked over to see Sebastian, who was watching this with worry creasing his brow. I then knew why I was there. I wasn't there to be questioned properly; I was there to make Sebastian talk. If he saw me suffering, they believed he would say something to help me but I smiled at him.
I was a pawn after all and if this meant Ciel Phantomhive survived for a little longer, and Sebastian got out, I would take each dunking. He pulled me out after the tenth time and turned to look at Sebastian.
"Are you going to help your friend?" he asked Sebastian, who smiled.
"Fine I admit it," he said just as Sir Arthur was coming down to join us, "I'll tell you everything you want to know."
What do you think? It took me a while to write it but here it is. If you've watched the anime, you know what's next :) Talk to you all soon and for anyone whose interested, I have a poll on my profile I think :) I want to know if anyone would be interested in a sequel to this story. Anyway, I hope to have the next chapter up soon :)