Chapter Twenty Four
The next morning went well, considering the number of children. I wasn't able to save all of them, but I guess that this was better than having all of them die in the fire. I guess this was what William was talking about when he said that there would be a large quantity of souls being reaped. Well, I'll have to talk to Ciel about letting his emotions get the better of him, though I cannot blame him entirely.
After breakfast, we called for a carriage and rode to the location of the crew members. The ride was silent, as to be expected. Finally, we reached a country house that belonged to the Owen family. It was one of the only lands that remained in my jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, inside the house, the crew members were waking up. They felt a bit groggy, but otherwise okay. They were on their guard as soon as they realized that they slept through the whole night. Not only that, but they were in a noble's home as well. Why were they kidnapped? What happened last night?
The door opened, stopping their musings. They stood on guard, wondering who was on the other side. They did not expect to see Joker and Doll with serious faces walking into the room. Joker's mood seemed to have gotten considerably better, as did their sister's, upon seeing them. Quickly, hugs were exchanged and tears of happiness were shed.
"Wh-What's the meaning of this?" Beast asked as Joker hugged her tightly in his arms.
Once everyone has settled down, Joker began to explain what happened the night prior. The circus members were all shocked and sad at the baron's death, but at the same time, they felt like they were free now, and no longer chained.
Learning that Smile was Earl Ciel Phantomhive also shocked them greatly, but it did make sense. The most terrifying though, was the fact that, had they managed to get to the manor, they probably wouldn't have returned alive. It made them all thankful to whoever captured them, ironically.
"Wait, who was the one who attacked us anyway?" Dagger asked.
"The one who attacked you?" Joker repeated.
"Yeah, we were taking a break, then darts came aflyin' and hit us. We thought that someone wanted to kill us or somethin'. We don't even know who it was!"
"Well, there was a big feline monster that came out of the woods after Jumbo was down." Beast said. "Now that I think about it, it looked like Fighter's cat, just a lot bigger."
Joker sobered up. "That's because it was." He explained how we managed to save most of the children as I hid behind the wall. "I guess that we should thank her for not ratting us out and savin' us all."
"You should, if it was me, you would be dead. Most of you anyways." Ciel's voice came from in front of the door.
"You…!" Peter attempted to hit Ciel, but was stopped by Joker and Jumbo.
"The young master is correct, Miss Luna is much kinder than he is." Sebastian told them.
I walked towards them, sighing. Welcome to my country house. Forgive me for not having greeted you beforehand.
"No need." Ciel waved his hand. "You saved most of the children and sent them with Scotland Yard, correct?"
I also added some suggestions as to how the children should be treated so they can one day function in society.
"Good. With this, our work is done." Ciel said. "However, there is still the matter of the main cast." He looked at the childhood friends gathered in the room. "We can't exactly let you run off wherever you wish, considering what happened with the children. However…"
ooOOOoOOOOOOooooOOOoOOoOOOOOooOOOOOooOoOoo
The circus' main crew and the trio of the Queen's Watchdog arrived in two different carriages at King's Cross station. The circus members were now dressed in normal clothes, though expensive ones. Everyone except for Ciel and I carried trunks in their hands as we went to board on the next train.
We were going to board on the train when a little girl came by. "Sir, would you like an orange? It's one penny."
I'm pretty sure that we bought all of her oranges and paid more than she asked. However, it was to be expected when you have a group of orphans who lived in the East End, an orphan girl who might as well have and a boy who suffered most traumatizing events.
We all boarded on the first class section of the train. "My apologies, because of our sudden departure, the third class seats were booked out, therefore all of us will be in first class also." Sebastian said as he helped everyone with their luggage.
"I don't really care," Ciel answered in a bored tone as he sat down. The train left the station and the circus members began to chat, trying to get over the recent events.
"May I…" Sebastian began to peel one of the oranges. "Ask just one question? Why go to the workhouse that they were brought up in? I could guess why Miss Luna insisted on it, but…"
Everyone was listening to Ciel as he decided whether to answer. "Well, you can't run a workhouse when the patron has gone, you need a new patron." He explained dismissively. "Since Barton is nearby, he won't refuse the donation, there's no harm in introducing myself."
"Are you showing sympathy?" Sebastian asked, as though the three of us were alone.
"Cleaning up the mess is the Phantomhive's job." Ciel explained. "There's no need to sacrifice the public over the selfish actions of the underground."
"Then why did you not care about the children?" Sebastian handed us the orange.
"I've seen many things like those children in the past." Ciel answered. "Also, though I hate to admit it, my emotions got the better of me then. If it weren't for Luna, this case would have ended much differently." I had the decency to blush as I turned away. "Anyways, those children probably wouldn't have been able to move on. Weak humans, more over children. How much strength do you think they would have needed to come back from such a condition?"
"Back then, I accidently summoned a demon so I received the power to come back." He stated, receiving sad looks from Doll and the others. "However, at the Kelvin manor the only demon was you… And that demon is mine."
The others looked away as well. They were threatened by Sebastian who revealed his status as a demon after all. The rest had been easy to piece together, all the information they received from Joker and indirectly, their now deceased benefactor. I guess that they feel some guilt at Ciel's current condition. They are also slowly coming to terms with their artificial limbs and whatnot. It has been quite harsh on them after all.
"I'm arrogant, but… not so much that I'd irresponsibly save someone just to brag about it." Ciel finished.
We finally arrived at Barton half an hour later. On our way to the workhouse, Sebastian stopped a milkman. "Excuse me, sir, but could you bring us to Renbon Workhouse?"
"Renbon Workhouse?" The old man repeated.
"Can you let him ride until we get there?" Sebastian asked.
"Since it's on my way I don't really mind, but what business do you have over there?" The milkman asked out of curiosity.
"Just a few things." He answered as he put some coins into the milkman's hand.
On our way to the workhouse, we encountered two children singing the nursery rhyme. "He learnt to play when he was young. And all the tune he could play was "Over the hills and faraway…" Over the hills and a great way off, the wind shall blow my top-knot off."
The cart stopped minutes later and the milkman pointed towards a road. "It should be over the hill over there."
With that, we bid our goodbyes and walked on the road with the circus members chattering happily behind us, reminiscing about the old days. Ciel was the first to see the workhouse and his shock was so apparent that nobody said a word as they hurried to see the workhouse, only to see an abandoned building that looked like a haunted house. It was in ruins.
Joker trembled in anger, having realized what happened. Beast, Jumbo, Doll, Wendy and Dagger just stood in shock, not wanting to believe that what they were seeing was true. All that time, they thought that their brothers and sisters in the workhouse were still alive…
"No!" Peter screamed. "This can't be! We all promised to have fun when we saw each other again!"
"Stop, Brother Peter," Jumbo said. "It won't bring them back."
"All of them…" Joker said as Beast tried to comfort him. "He killed them… He used their bones to make our limbs! How could we have been so stupid?"
"In any case," Sebastian told us. "It seems Baron Kelvin was lying. Seeing the way this place has aged, it has been uninhabited for a considerable time." He bent down to take an old teddy bear. "Judging by the way that doctor was talking, the children from here were probably…"
"Pff… Haha… Hahahahahhahaha!" Ciel laughed hysterically, shocking Sebastian and I. "There was nothing here! The thing they were protecting didn't even exist! They didn't know about this, they became so desperate… that they almost died!"
His words seemed to anger Peter even more, though he knew it was the truth. We just watched him have his episode silently. It may not be fair to rub it in their face, but I guess that it's better sooner than later.
"Their desperate hope was ridiculously crushed like a worm. Superficial. Cruel. Revolting." Ciel held his sides. "Isn't it even more demonic than a demon!" He finally calmed down. "And I'm the same. I'm also filled with the same ugly contents as them." He grabbed his coat. "I'm a human being! Sebastian!"
His words shocked the circus crew as they did Sebastian, even if only briefly for the latter. I just looked at him. All of us are filled with those disgusting things, but they are disgusting because we are also filled with good things. That's how humanity is.
"Yes you are. You're different from demons who are revolting and possess complex evil intent. Telling lies…"
Ciel turned towards the crew. "Since the workhouse is no longer here, it seems that we don't have much of an option. We'll be putting you on a probation period ourselves. However, you will not be residing in the Phantomhive manor, or the townhouse in London. You'll be staying in the Owen country house since it isn't too far. Luna already agreed."
The crew looked at Joker, waiting for his decision. Amongst them, he might as well be the leader after all. "We'll do it." He told us. "You… You killed Fa- no, that man. The man who allowed our brothers and sisters die for his selfishness. You helped us realize that our efforts were futile. And it's the best way to repay our debt towards Figh- Miss Luna."
The others followed his lead and we made the arrangements on our way back. The crew will be left to themselves most of the time, but they were to keep the place clean and make sure that the food supply was never empty. Eventually, they may even become new servants in the Phantomhive manor, but first, I guess that this is a training period of sorts. Sebastian will be giving them lessons too.
All in all, I thought as I petted Koruru, I guess that I was able to participate actively in this case, compared to the others. The first case we had together, I was only there to give suggestions when I wasn't blacking out. The second time, there really wasn't much I could do, being captured and all… And the third one was rubbish.
Well, it seems a bit brighter now, doesn't it?
(Meanwhile, in Shinigami Realm)
"Really, Will, Sebas-chan wasn't there and there weren't even souls to reap! The names just disappeared off the list in the middle of the investigation! The people who were supposed to die didn't even come!" Grell complained to his superior.
"Then there is nothing you can do about it. Who knows, it might even happen more often in the near future." William adjusted his glasses.
"But Will- The council is being so mean, sending me over there that night! Will!"
(Funeral Parlour)
"Well, well, it seems that someone took my warning seriously." A voice crackled inside the dark room. "But that earl… Even though I told him… to hold each and every soul dear. Because you hold great power you gradually fail to understand the importance of things that cannot be recovered." He looked at a pendant. "You will realise that once it's too late. How many times have I given you and the others the same warning?"
"However… To have someone like her around… My dear earl, you sure know how to choose your companions. A demon and an angel who are almost friends…"