Ciel had known that he would not be able to stay perched on that bookshelf forever, and it was almost too easy how Charlie plucked him off the top.
"Time to talk to your friends." Charlie had told him, holding him by the scruff and carrying him out of the room. Ciel had been taken to a room that was unlike the rest that they had passed; it was completely empty and the walls were painted white. It only took him a split second to notice the camera sitting in one corner. His stomach had turned over as he feared why he had been brought here.
"Let's see your human form again, if you please." Charlie had said, placing him on the floor. Ciel had defied him for a while, managing to skirt around the room and avoid the man's attempts to catch him again. Finally he had realized there was no alternative, and he shifted.
"Good boy, now hands behind your back." Charlie had pulled out the same length of material that they had used to bind him earlier. Ciel had grudgingly complied, letting the man bind his hands. The script he had been forced to recite chilled his blood. What in the world would Sebastian and Bard do in response to such an ultimatum? It was unthinkable to expect them to hand Alois over, and Ciel could only think of a few more options available to them, all of which ended very grimly for himself. He knew it was incredibly selfish to think that way, but he couldn't help but wonder where the outcome of this situation would land him. If Sebastian went to the police and they managed a rescue mission…as soon as they retrieved him they would put him in a Shelter, hands down, no question about it. He couldn't even fathom what the penalty might be for Bard. If they didn't go the police there would be no chance of them finding him on their own. He just couldn't see any way out. For a lad who always had a backup plan, it was very disconcerting.
"You look worried, kid." Charlie noted with a grin as he hauled Ciel back to the comfortable room that was his prison.
"Do I?" Ciel drawled, "I wonder what possible reasons I could have!"
"Haven't you learned that smart mouth of yours will get you into trouble?" Charlie asked, chuckling. He had seemed to lay off the insults and threats ever since Ciel had stood up to Claude.
"I've learnt that frequently." Ciel answered, as he was pushed into the deep chair again and the door locked behind them.
"Well perhaps you could start thinking of how to control what comes out of it." Charlie suggested, looking amused.
"Control is not my strong point." Ciel murmured, "Trust me, I've tried."
Charlie pulled out a cigarette and light up, leaning his hip against a fine desk that stood against one wall. Ciel did his best to appear calm, while inside he was a mess of nerves. He felt completely trapped. He shifted, at least to feel the freedom to do that much, and began instantly digging his claws into the leather arm rest of the chair.
"Hey, now," Charlie called from across the room, "you know how much that chair costs?"
"What's Mr. high-and-mighty-spectacles going to do to me?" Ciel demanded, drawing long scratches in the flawless leather, "If he expects me to cooperate, I need to destroy something that I can imagine is his stupid face!"
Ciel fiercely slashed at the leather. It was soft, but very tough, and he let out all his fury on the innocent chair-arm. His anger at Claude, his fear, everything that was plaguing him and dying to get out was unleashed upon the poor chair. He felt tears stinging his little feline eyes, but he just growled and blinked them again as he continued his assault. It might have been a very long or short time later for all he knew, before he pulled back, panting. The chair-arm was in tatters, the plush cushioning beneath it showing through. Ciel heard a whistle from behind him.
"That is quite the temper you've got there." Charlie said, blowing out a long stream of smoke. "I take back what I said before; I don't think I've ever dealt with one like you before. Most of them give up by now, especially after meeting the boss, but not you," he gave a deeply mirthful laugh, "you spit on his damn face! You're absolutely insane."
"I find that insanity is the only way to survive when all other options fail." Ciel breathed, hopping onto the floor and scuttling along to the fireplace, poking his nose around its dead bricks.
"Your options haven't failed you yet," Charlie pointed out, "this Sebastian of yours can gladly have you back if he just brings that little blond-"
"Sebastian would never do that!" Ciel exclaimed, "Claude is wasting his time. There's no way in hell that anyone would hand Alois over to that bastard!"
"If that's what you really think, then what do you expect to happen?" Charlie asked, appearing to take delight in the uncertainty in Ciel's face at the question.
"I…I don't know," he admitted softly, "but Sebastian and Bard will find a way to get me back, mark my words!"
(I'm so sorry that this update is loooong overdue, and that the chapter is way too short to even be called a chapter. I promise you that I'm not giving up, I know exactly where this story is going, I just haven't felt like writing lately. I go through long dry spells, then long bursts of inspiration. I just haven't been motivated lately. But like I said, I WILL finish this story, so please don't fear. Thanks for reading!)
