I

I awaken within darkness, there is no light to speak of. The shadowed outline of trees, the sounds of the night, then the distinctive cawing of the crows. I take a few steps forward, barefoot and disorientated from what had just transpired mere hours earlier. Somehow, I feel my body being led somewhere, though, I myself do not have autonomy over where it's leading me. A voice calls out to me, one that contains great darkness within it. It echoes around me, engulfs me in shadow, I feel a clawed hand cover my mouth, quieting the building scream in my throat.

"My, my… you've certainly wandered far my dear, haven't you?" a soft chuckle, "And with injuries such as those, they certainly had their way with you did they not?"

I want to cry out to this creature, I wanted to curse it from the bottom of my heart, but I could not. Something stopped me from doing so. Led me to give in to it instead.

"If you wish, my dear, you only must ask, I can make all this pain, all this suffering disappear. You're seeking something. Something akin to cold-blooded revenge, no?"

My body freezes up, as the clawed hand that had covered my mouth, trails down my skin to my neck, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. I give a shuddering breath, as the other hand does the same, trailing down my throat, to my shoulders, down over my breasts and I gasp.

"I can give you what you most desire. You only need to speak my name, and a contract will be formed. Only I can give you what you so desperately seek. Speak my name…"

From somewhere deep in my chest, my voice finally comes to the surface and a name leaves my lips, almost of its own accord.

"S- Sebastian…"

My eyes open and I find myself hunched over my desk, a light weight over my shoulders. A blanket? The articles that I had pored over the night before are scattered in haphazard piles along the mahogany surface.

I sigh and sit up, rubbing my hands over my eyes. Beside me. My white cat Clarence nudges my hand and I pet him for a moment.

"Good morning my sweet," I whisper to my cat before a voice sounds from my left and I face my butler, who's pouring me tea.

"You've finally awakened, my lady?"

"Sebastian… I fell asleep at my desk again?" I asked as he set my tea in front of me. I ran a hand through my dark hair, before massaging my temples.

"Yes, My Lady, it appears you've been doing that quite often lately, you were sleeping quite soundly so I didn't dare disturb you."

"I see…"

Clarence meows and rubs his head against my arm, and I give a weak smile as I pet him again, before resting my forehead against his.

"It seems I'm no closer to finding their whereabouts…" I sigh, as I reach for my teacup, studying the contents of it with a furrowed brow.

"Is the Earl Grey not to your taste, My Lady?" I shake my head at my butler, "No, it's not that, the tea is perfectly fine, I've been searching for the Red Parlour for over three years now, and not a single sign of it!" I cry frustrated, almost dropping my cup in the process. "Who knows how many women and girls have suffered under them, just as I have, since then."

I could feel my head start to throb. My health had never been the same since I escaped that place…

I sigh, and close my eyes.

"Sebastian, bring me a herbal tonic…" I say weakly.

"Another headache, My Lady?"

I just nod in response, as Clarence moves close to me again, and I take him into my lap, stroking his white coat.

"Are you sure you don't need me to fetch a doctor? They seem to occur quite frequently don't you think? It would be quite unfortunate if they continue to hinder our investigation like this." He said pointedly and I just sighed again.

"I don't need a doctor Sebastian, I'm not a child, do as I asked, please."

He bowed to me, with another 'Yes My Lady." Before leaving the room with the trolley he had brought in earlier. Clarence rested his head on my chest and I buried my face in his neck.

I need to find my answers, I've waited far too long for this, I must fulfil my desires, and get the revenge I want on those monsters and their organisation. It was them that reduced me to this… I was used to entertain men, to pleasure, I was trapped in hell. Ironic, how even now despite it all, I had chosen to make that contract with Sebastian Michaelis, a demon, who has no other desire or goal than eating my soul when this all ends, he does as he must, as my servant. Yet, part of me, despite it, is just grateful that I'm not alone. Even if it is a contractual obligation, at least, for a little while, I have another person to engage with. If only temporarily. He does as I ask of him, with no protest, after all, that is how a contract works.

Clarence's soft purrs comfort me, if only a little, and I rise from my chair, setting him down as I move towards the large bay windows, assessing the land around me.

I had originally had nothing, it was my father that owned this house, it was also my father who had sold me to Red Parlour, an attempt to rid himself of me when I was fifteen years old... I would never forgive him. He would forever tell me I was only worth what people would pay for me. My father was the first to be punished at the hands of Sebastian. He was killed, and this large manor house became mine. However, I would never, never be truly free until Red Parlour was found and exterminated, by any means necessary. My vision blurs and my head pounds, I feel my body caving in on itself. I had braced myself to hit the floor, but it never came.

"My Lady, are you quite alright?!" I hear his alarmed voice by my ear, whether he is panicked genuinely about my state, or the most likely scenario, worried I was dying too early - which would of course inconvenience him and the contract we made - I did not know. I tremble, trying to push myself to my feet, but instead, he sweeps me up into his arms and carries me to my room.

"I don't need to be carried, I'm perfectly capable of -"

"As your butler, it is my priority to ensure that you remain in good health. Rest awhile, you've worked enough so far. I'll see to it that I follow up on your request from yesterday."

I wish to protest, but instead, I give into him and allow myself to be taken to. He is a strange creature. One who should show no emotion, none whatsoever, maybe it's my own delusions, wishing for more than this from him, something akin to...humanity. how foolish I am. He is a demon after all...

"I'll bring your tea and that tonic you asked for." He fixed my blankets, and gave that smile of his, that strangely human smile he had perfected for his butler role.

He bowed before leaving the room, and I rolled over onto my side, my gaze going towards the slat in my curtains. As the days continued on, my desperation had grown, I cared not to postpone my searching any longer. If I could just find the answers… If I could just find Red Parlour… My eyes grow heavy, I feel Clarence jump onto the bed beside me and lay down before I finally let myself fade into unconsciousness.

Hello everyone, so I had a sudden surge of inspiration and since of course, we all want a piece of Sebby, this story was created. The first chapter is seemingly uneventful, but it will become more developed later. I'm sure you have many questions, and I can assure you I'll do my best to answer them in the coming chapters. We will get a deeper look into the character, and also, you'll find out her name and why she ended up where she did.

Please do leave a review if you enjoyed it, be it just to express your enjoyment, or even for constructive criticism, I do like to work hard to improve when I write!

Thank You!

- Jane