Maxwell White - the supposed last member of the Order of the Blood Serpent. Hiding out in a quiet corner of Woolwich seems like a good idea for a wanted cultist. How badly I want to bring this bastard in... him and his whole damn cult. I wonder if they remember the things they've done.
Sebastian, Ciel and I have been staking out the house for the last two hours, just waiting for something to happen I suppose. We've had no real schedule to follow with the recent deaths, so we figured now would be as good a time as any to wait. The butler checks his pocket watch, and Ciel lets out a sigh.
"It's getting late - I doubt they'll be out at this hour-"
Seems he'd spoken too soon - before the young lord can finish, three hooded figures are briefly illuminated by the streetlights as they quietly slink toward Maxwell's home. Falling silent, we follow the three inside, careful not to be too obvious. The three continue single-file up the stairs, and quite obviously break into a room on the second floor.
"Hey, what the-" An older male voice is cut off, and sounds of struggling echo in the otherwise empty building. We make our way upstairs and carefully look around the corner into the room. The two larger cultists hold Maxwell down, who has a gag wrapped around his mouth. The smaller figure stands with his back to us, staring down at the struggling man.
"You've neglected your duties, Mr. White." The assumed leader speaks, his voice sounding off - like two or three men speaking at once. "You and the rest of those defecting failures. Did you really think I wouldn't come back?" He chuckles. "Those who remained loyal would never rest until I returned - and return I have. Though you knew that in your heart, didn't you... Detective?" My heart freezes in my chest as the figure turns his head slightly toward the door. "Do come out, won't you, love? Bring your little friends, as well."
The three of us step out, though I stay slightly behind. Something about that voice... the way he's talking... could it be him?
The cultist turns, and removes his hood. The mere sight of that familiar scar under his eye sends my body into an internal panic. It's Tomas - yet, not Tomas. His skin is far more pale, and his hair is gone - he looks like he hasn't eaten in days. His eyes glow slightly, seeming to burn right into my soul, and the sadistic look behind them brings back far too painful memories.
"I assume you're here for him." He mutters, gesturing to the man behind him. "Why bother? I'm afraid this is all in vain, Detective - you'll never really stop me, only delay the inevitable. The new order will be brought to realization, with I at the head of its arrival." He grins, letting out another chuckle.
"You're a fuckin' lunatic." I growl, refusing to take my eyes off the man. My voice cracks slightly from fear, and I move a shaky hand to grip my pistol. "No matter how many times you come back, we'll always send you running."
"Oh, yes, hiding behind your precious headmaster as always. You hunters are so cowardly, you're setting a wonderful example for our son."
"He's not your son, you bastard." My voice is barely a whisper, but the twitch in his lips shows that he heard me nonetheless.
Tomas tilts his head to the side, and the two cultists holding Maxwell tighten their grips. "No matter - all will be right, in time." He turns quickly, producing a blade from his belt and raising it above his head.
"Sebastian, stop him!" Ciel calls out. Without hesitation, Sebastian knocks Tomas to the ground. I produce my pistol and fire at the men holding Maxwell down, hitting one in the shoulder and missing the other. Tomas shouts something at the unharmed cultist, who turns and directs his attention to dragging Sebastian off of his leader. The room begins to darken, turning almost pitch black in mere seconds, though the sound of scuffling can still be heard. I instinctively pull Ciel behind me, listening for anything getting too close.
Tomas chuckles, and I swear I can feel his breath on the back of my neck as he speaks. "We'll meet again, my pretty Lily - your new friends won't keep me from what I want." His tongue flicks the back of my ear, and the light comes back into the room as I whip around, my knuckles white from gripping my pistol. Tomas is gone, but my nerves refuse to calm down. The cultists are here, but neither appear to be moving. Sebastian pushes one of the limp bodies off of him and rises to his feet, brushing his coat free of dirt and dust.
"Well... that was less than helpful." He mutters. "Young master, are you alright?"
"Quite." The teen nods, glancing toward the bed. "Detective?"
"No.. no, he can't be...he was... but we..." It's getting harder to breathe. I can hear Ciel call me again, but the ringing in my ears drowns him out. My vision goes blurry, my thoughts pounding painfully in my head. He can't be back, he can't be back, please oh god... My head begins to hurt, and I sink to my knees, one hand clutching my chest as I struggle to take a breath. Why, why is he back?! Why does he continue to torment me?! He's going to find me again - no, he's going to find Sam! Why is the room so small? Why can't I breathe? Why, why, why-
"Detective!" Ciel calls once again, his voice cutting through more clearly this time. I manage a deep breath and shake my head, managing to focus my vision again. Sebastian lets go of my shoulders. Had he been shaking me? What happened? "Are you alright?" Ciel asks, his brow furrowed in concern.
"I..." I sigh, my shoulders drooping with exhaustion. "I have a lot of explaining to do."
