"Oh my goodness!"
Harmony's squeals pierce throughout the storage cargo, Snake and Miguel nearly lost their hearing. Plugged their ears. It only did so much, for a moment Miguel thought the girl's squeals had shattered the glass of the linear. Jumping up and down on the balls of her feet, forgetting about expensive footwear, Ciel could get her some more.
It didn't matter, not a happy child reunited with her dearest friends. Yes, friends. She couldn't believe Snake bought them, she had a feeling, she just never thought. All his little snakes, everyone single one of them.
Here.
With her, in her arms, well some coiled around her arms. It didn't matter, a hug was a hug to Harmony. And a smile that was worth it, Snake couldn't help to smile quietly himself seeing her smile returned back. He was glad. With a plate of food for his snakes, fed them as Harmony delightfully welcomed each one. Kissing some, who return their 'kissing' her back. On the nose.
Miguel wasn't sure what to make of this scene before him. Not that he had anything against snakes or anything, it was just...interesting seeing this...Harmony so buddy and cuddly with them. Like actual friends. He wasn't sure what came over him, but it was something that made him huff and march over.
Injected himself.
"I want to meet your friends too!"
Harmony turns to the pouting boy and smiles. "Okay! Here!" Holds out two snakes for him. Introduces them. "This is Emily and Oscar." The snakes slither and coil a bit around her arms, hissing lowly at the boy. Emily being the boldest leans in closer to Miguel. Her tongue barely touched his nose. Opens her jaws showing her fangs, Miguel yelps and jumps away.
Harmony throws her head back and giggles. "Emily, be nice."
The snake hiss as if laughing. Comes back. Miguel swallowing his trembles points a shaky finger. "T-That wasn't funny." Comes back. Carefully watching Emily who rested on Harmony's shoulders.
Snake continued tending and feeding the others. A cold draft swept through the storage, chattered the children. "It's really cold down here." Miguel wraps his arms around himself. Without his jacket, which Harmony still wore, left him at the mercy of the cold.
Shivering a bit, Harmony nods agreeing just a little. Oscar comes and warps around her shoulders, too. Giving her a light squeeze. "I wish though," a sigh leaves her lips. "we could have played with the dolls."
Takes a seat. Miguel joins her. "I'm sorry, Harmony." He apologizes about to pull her in for a hug, to be reminded of the snakes. Emily mainly. Hissing. Draws his hand back. "If the boxes were easy to open then, we could have." Those words only made Harmony's face fall further. "Hey! I know!" He perks up. "I'll ask my mama if I can buy some new dolls."
Her eyes lite up at his suggestion. He continued.
"Yeah!" Waving his hands expressively. Big smile and all. Even giving a thumbs up. Winking. "Any dolls you want!"
Harmony burst from her seat, almost caused the snakes to fall off. Luckily they didn't. "That's so nice! Thank you, Miguel!" Throws her arms around him, almost knocked him over. "Did you hear that Mr. Snake? I'm going to get new dolls! Miguel is going to get me new dolls."
He turns to her, looks to the flushed boy. Then back to Harmony, not sure why but Snake felt his eyes narrowed and flashed. For a moment. Disappeared when Harmony turned around, a big smile on her face skipping over and threw herself around his legs. Giving them a squeeze. It was at that moment, that brief moment Snake and Miguel locked eyes, hard.
"Isn't that exciting?" Harmony's voice breaks their lock, she was now by the other snakes telling them. "New dolls! They'll be ever so cute. Miguel can I have one with a lot of pink dresses? And bows?"
Through this chattering he nods. Sneezed. Wipes his nose. Sneezed again. "You're freezing." Harmony noticed, goes to his side. He sneezed again, trying to smile through it. But, it was clear she could see he was freezing and it was because she had his jacket. Begins to take it off. "Here."
He holds up a hand. "No. It's alright." He refused, to sneeze again.
So she thought of another way. "Then we will share it together." Takes hold his arm, pulls him in close, so their body heat could merge together. "How is that?"
Miguel said nothing, but his cheeks crimsoned, felt his temperature rise. So, yeah. He was alright. He was just fine, began to lean his head onto hers' when two things snapped it back it.
One a light shined on them and second the presence of others. "S-Snake!?" Ciel startled. "W-What...Harmony!? And.."Ciel takes a second to register Miguel's name. More so registering the closeness between the two child. "...Miguel?! What are all of you doing here?"
Before anyone could answer, you pushed through. "Harmony!"
"May!" She released from Miguel and runs into your arms.
Thank goodness, she was alright. But, why was she here? Down here...where..."Harmony, what are you doing down here?" Hold her tighter. She could feel you tremble.
She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was the cold, also, she noticed your attire was different. You looked...deathly beautiful. Her cheeks powdered. Hearing no answer, you ask her again. This time she does.
"Miguel," she wiggles out of you clapped grip. "was going to show me som-"
Lizzie abruptly appears. Holding a slice of cake. "The cake was even better than the food!" She whines coming over. You nearly forgot about, she snuck up on you and Ciel on the staircase. You where sure that he told her to stay, you doubled that. Clearly she didn't.
That girl.
"Lizzie!" Harmony leaves you for Lizzie. Delighted to see her, even more so at the cake. That held Harmony's attention. "Cake!" Reached up to try to get it.
Lizzie moved out of her range, not to be mean of course. Addresses Harmony. "Harmony!" Lizzie embraces her tightly. "I'm sorry, but the cake isn't for you, it's for Ciel."
Not the words Harmony wanted to hear. Her who face soured and fell. Those amber eyes began to well, everyone knew what was about to come next. Fearful, Ciel tries to stop it. But, failed. Harmony releases her loud tears. Tore at everyone ears, Ciel thought he was going to lose his mind. Nips at Lizzie.
"Give her the blasted cake!"
Abiding Lizzie does that. "Alright. Harmony!" The sound of her name, Harmony stops. Eyes rather puffy, but still cute, on Lizzie. Who presents the plate. "You can have the cake, Ciel it was alright. It's the biggest piece too. See!"
Harmony does, but, there was nothing. Not at all. Blinking a few times, the girl tilts her head. "Lizzie," she points."where's the cake?"
"Huh?" Lizzie looked down, all eyes follow finding nothing but crumbles.
That wasn't all either, there loomed over Lizzie and Harmony, mouth gapped open stuffed with mashed cake oozing out its mouth. Its leathery, decaying mouth and foul stench.
A bizarre doll!
Everyone was struck with paralysis. The children more so than anyone, their bodies rooted and trembled like an frozen earthquake. At the sight of the horrible creature, the musk of their fear filled the area. Exploded in shrilling scream, gripped from their throat. You sprung instantly and snatched her just as Ciel snatched Lizzie. Both of you pulled them to safety before the doll took a chomp from them. Snake snatched up Miguel who instantly clung to the man, despite the snakes. Crying for his mother and father.
So close, I can't believe that... you cringed. Staring at the doll. Heart racing with each thought whipping through your mind. They actually...but...
"May!" Harmony cried. "I'm scared!"
Your heart and stomach dropped like an anchor. "Oh, Harmony.."you squeeze her. It didn't stop her tremors or trembling. Humming to her wouldn't work either, you knew that. But, you still tried, it only made it worse just as you predicted.
Her cries worsened and tears poured, drenched through your clothes. You could smell the salt of her tears, the more she cried the more fear gripped your heart. That she was terrified.
Everyone was, Ciel saw it written on their faces. Minus Snake and May's. He held Lizzie close, she clung to him. Just as Miguel did with Snake and Harmony with her sister. If one doll wasn't enough, finding out there where more thanks to Snake pointing out the rows of coffins or as doll cases Miguel yelped. Each one of the coffins had the Aurora symbol engraved on the front. Began to move and open, more dolls climbed out. Takes noticed of everyone and attacks.
Luckily, Ronald managed to dodge the punch Sebastian threw, the two where still continuing their battle. Neither side had claimed victory, yet.
"You're as good as the rumors said you'd be." Ronald compliments.
Dodging another strike. "Thanks." Sebastian replies with gratitude. Goes in for another strike, Ronald took a quick glance at his watch. Avoiding the strike.
Realized he stayed longer than needed. "I wasn't suppose to be playing around!" Separates and ends the fight, taking his scythe, hurries off. "No way am I gonna write an apology for being late! One should know how to do their job, right? So anyway, see ya! Bassy." Gave a wink. Left a baffled Sebastian."Oh, tell May I'll see her soon too. 'K?"
A message that the demon was not going to deliver. At all. Now, for the matter at hand.
That went bad to worse, down in storage. The dolls now fully emerged from their coffins in pursuit of you, the children, Ciel, Lizzie, and Snake. The exits blocked by the overwhelming number of dolls. Harmony's and Miguel's cries, especially Harmony's, rang endlessly. Her grip clawed into your skin, you could feel the sharpness of her nails. There had to be a way out of here, some way!
Ciel's shared the same thought, finding a way out. Also, keeping those dear to him safe. Distracted for a moment by such a thought, a doll sprung from behind at Lizzie.
She screamed!
"Lizzie!" you shouted. Throwing a hand to snatch her back, Ciel with his gun up stepped between the creature and Lizzie. Points and fired a shot from his gun. You turn Harmony from the scene and cover her ears. But it did little to muffle the shot at the creature's head. "It's okay. It's okay." you try to sooth her. "I promise, I promise we'll get out of this."
"I scared!"
She cried.
Miguel followed after. "I-I...MOMMY!"
The children where in full terror, the creatures swarmed from all angles. "I promise, Harmony." you declare. Holding her tighter. "I promise no harm will come to you! I swear on my life!" Shut your eyes. This is all my fault, all of it! I'm so sorry, Harmony. I'm so sorry, Ciel. If you ever find out...please-
"May!"
Ciel's voice cut through your thoughts. "Take Lizzie and the children on top of the luggage!"
You weren't sure what he meant for second, till he pointed, turning around see what he meant. Stacked behind, a couple of crates off the floor. It would provide the distance between and some form of safety. Nodding waste no time and grab Lizzie by the wrist. Rush over to Snake who had Miguel safety away. You pass him Lizzie, then Harmony. Who refused to let go, cursing yourself tear her hold from you, and turn a deaf ear her screams. Felt your heart clench.
Apologize.
With Harmony safe in Lizzie's arms, Miguel too. Snake turns to help you, finding the spot empty. You where gone, no, looking up spots you running back to Ciel. Surrounded by the horde of dolls, pistol pointed to click empty.
Backing up against the luggage Ciel furiously searches for some way out, but, with so many creatures coming he wasn't sure. At least...he managed to get the others safe, they where all on top of the luggage and...
"Ciel!"
A hand yanked him back by the arm. Before a doll snatched him. Another hand shot out from over Ciel's shoulder at the doll and WHAM! Smashed the its head straight to floor. Lizzie turned the kids away from the horrid sight. Blood and grey matter spattered everywhere.
Red.
Red, everywhere. It nearly coated your entire right arm, nothing new. What an annoyance. "Ciel," you stand pushing him further behind you, locked grip and everything, flick a bit of crimson to side. "stay close."
He wanted to object, mainly because you weren't up there with the others. You hadn't followed his order, instead down here, protecting him. When it should be...sensing his fury, give a mental eye roll. Now wasn't the time to debate or chide the other, that would have to wait. Another doll lunged, with Ciel you jumped back, blocked, then kicked its head off.
Rushed with adrenaline tossed Ciel up by the collar to Snake. Shout! "Catch!"
Ciel shot up so fast, by the time he blinked found himself in Snake's grasp and set with the others. Lizzie threw herself on him. "Ciel!" She cried. Harmony did the same along with Miguel.
"Wait?" Ciel rushed to the side of luggage. "May!"
You where still down there, with the horde of dolls. That clawed, snatched, grabbed, and pulled upon you. Narrowly you managed to avoid most of their attempts. Those that did land a hand, thank goodness they where already dead, ripped their arm right off and utilized it as a weapon. Mostly like a bat, not the most...graceful and finesse way. Considering the training and skills you have and had been through (Francis would be highly disappointed). Was not being used at the moment, it didn't matter right now! Still, you made sure to remain light on your feet, that much you could do and...well...you couldn't do that but at least some strength.
Slamming and smashing a few more heads to the ground, you needed to get to the others, Ciel screaming you name and to come, his hand outstretched too. Shouting like a...now he was ordering you. What a kind thing for him to do, smiling faintly, stand and step over the least smashed head. Cast your back to Ciel, his shouting rose. This time, you could him pounding his fist and his voice break. Lizzie joined him, pleading for you to return. Each of them tugged upon your heart, Harmony's the most. But, you kept your back to them and attention solely on the dolls still coming. It just seemed endless. The lot of them as far as your eyes could see...just how many of these...it didn't matter right now.
They came.
You parried to side and struck. Hard and fast. Showering yourself in crimson, still continued. Smashing another one, then another, buckle and kick another with enough force to send them crashing into one another. Quickly you get up at the sound of the others screams. Your head whipped around and eyes grow big. You thought...thought the dolls where focused on you, no!
You had created distance between you and the others. The dolls went after. Using their teeth and nails began clawing and eating away at the luggage. Tearing and breaking it down.
"NO!"
You shout and push off like a typhoon. Grab one by the throat and tear it away. Do the same to a few others, but it only did so much and you where...panting...and slightly...staggering...your body was aching to use...but you couldn't. Not here...not with the others, clenching your fist drive it hard (not too hard) in the back of a doll's skull. Smash it right through.
Red...everywhere.
Pull your fist back, feel a sharp and searing pain. Ciel's eye widen in horror and shock, the doll, sunk its teeth straight into your left shoulder, your hand flew over your mouth to conceal the scream ready to erupt.
Damn it!
You screamed, trying hard not to fall, buckle and drop to your knees. The same pain came again, this time from the side and growing. It was like being stabbed with a sharp metal rod. Another doll managed to sink their teeth into your thigh and hold themselves there. Ciel turned Lizzie and the children away, watched with Snake helplessly in horror as the young woman bleed out and drop.
Those eyes, those golden-yellow eyes locked with Ciel's for a moment. In that moment he saw something...something broke inside, felt every nerve of him scream inside. Like a fire. He cracked and screamed.
"May!"
A bloody leg shoots up from the pile of dolls, knocking a few back, followed by a hand, clawing its way, desperate scream, and head emerge. Ciel wasn't sure how, but his heart flipped with joy seeing you. Even if covered and...it didn't matter, you where alright. For now, he couldn't say the same about himself and the others. The dolls still kept tearing away, Lizzie and the others screamed. Minus Snake. Who held the latching Miguel. Harmony clung to Ciel with Lizzie, with this extra weight pulling you down, and agonizing pain prevented you from reaching them. A sense of dread rolled in the pit of your stomach, with the sinking of your heart, at the sight of the others fears.
You had to reach them, you had to get them! Save them! Even if it meant your life even it meant...as you slipped under (Ciel gripped Lizzie and Harmony close). Your last thoughts the same as Ciel's declaration.
"I promise to protect you at least! No matter what happens!"
Ciel, Harmony...you cry. There was so much...so much..their lives they had to be...how could you fail? How could? They couldn't win, no, they just couldn't...you promised...you...just a simple ray of hope. Please! Anything! Something! Please! Please let them live! You plead to the universe. If you only had the time...just something...anything! Sebastian, please! Please save them! Save our children!
The last sound you heard that would forever remain branded on your heart, their screams and...silence.
Your heart sunk.
No. NO!
Life was so simple, it was, just you and Harmony. From the beginning, the moment you both arrived here in this country. On the cold, dark, fogged streets. Harmony was crying and hungry, you were tired and sore. But, you had to make sure she was well, kept her close to you so she could have every ounce of your body heat. It was a long journey, but it was worth it. To give Harmony a better life, you weren't sure why it was here you came but you did. Every second that passed, your strength slipped away...you began to slip away. Only the sounds of Harmony's cries kept you to the Earthly plane. Flickered the flame of life in you, as you laid curled up on the streets. Praying and hoping...that the universe would be kind and...and...give you any thing, the universe it answered, they did. An answer that still sat bitterly in the pit of your stomach. One you wish to exterminate.
But, couldn't. That answer...that smile of theirs and those...eyes. That long grey hair...cackling laughter. Still haunted you, woke you up in cold shutter.
A chilled shutter that over time became warm, when the good doctor Angelina came in. She gave you and Harmony a home and much more. Presented you both with a place to live, so you and Harmony could live out the rest of your lives together. So Harmony could enjoy life growing up, into her own. Explore what life had to offer. There was nothing but good times of love and warmth all around. The day she started to crawl across the floor to reach her favorite ball. When her stubby little legs became strong enough to toddle around and straight into your arms. To fall at Angelina's feet, earning a hearty and loveable laugh from the women. Keeping track of Harmony's growth on the kitchen wall. Something she secretly kept going even now at the manor. Her excitement when each season came. Especially when it became Spring. It was her season.
It was a life for you and her. It was just you and her, till it expanded and more came. A new cousin, a new life, more for Harmony. She loved it. She smiled her brightest. She was loving life, that's all you wanted...that was all cared about. Till it became more...
If...
"The floor isn't a proper place for a lady," Sebastian said a coy smile on his lips, tore a doll off, and scooped you off the floor. "Now," in a flash sets you down on top of some other crates. "stay here. My goodness," he shakes his head. "so filthy."
Grabbing your shoulder, surprised and relived at his presence almost threw your arms around him, when you remembered. "Sebastian! The children! The chil-"
His finger rest on your lips, his own lips on the other side. "Shh." Meets your eyes.
Swallowing, nod. He takes his finger back and leaves. You watch him easily end the rest of the dolls, leaving nothing but...a pool of blood. That struck a chord, Madam Red's echoed in your mind and the words of others. Shoulders drop, no matter what...you could not escape the color...you...biting your lip a dibble of blood falls from the corner.
"Baroness." Sebastian called to you.
You lift your head finding him at the bottom, hands out towards you to help. And that smile, but there was something else you noticed. It was quick, his eyes moved briefly to your injures and there was this flash of red in his eyes.
"Come now," he continued. "it's all over." Looking behind him, see Ciel, Lizzie, the children, and Snake and his friends down and well. Ciel held Harmony in his arms, she was still shaking terribly.
The sight of her, you sprung up. "Harmony!" Forgetting your position, almost fall straight to the floor. Lizzie gasped. Luckily Sebastian jumped up just in time and caught you delicately in his arms.
The others come over. "Baroness, you should be more careful." He chides you, in softer tone, you noticed. "Come now." He sets you up.
"May!" Lizzie's eyes began to well at the sight and condition you where in. Points. "You're hurt!"
You nearly forgot about that trying to see about Harmony, to be instantly reminded by the sharp, scrooching pain that shot from your injuries. Grab your shoulder first, with one hand and with the other use the crates next to you, to support yourself from falling. But, it was clear it was taking its toll on you. Though some of the blood was dried, it still slipped out. Your condition wasn't the best.
But, it was just pain. After all. You'd be fine...hopefully. Still, it was injuries none the less. Stupid girl, Ciel wanted to say. "Sebastian," he orders. "find something to stop my cousin's injurie-"
A heavy and quick tear interrupted him. All heads turn to you, ripping at your dress. Creating strips and gaze for yourself. You didn't need Sebastian for that, you could do this yourself. And so you did. Began wrapping your injuries, unaware of the eyes on you.
"There." you tighten the fabric around your thigh. Wince a bit. Look up finding their eyes. "What?"
Ciel was pointing a shaking finger at you. Fuming. "What the HELL! You don't just start ripping your clothes off!" He shouts, with redness rooted across his nose. "That is completely...completely..."
What was the big deal? Looking down, you only shorten your dress to your mid-thighs. That was all. Not a big deal really. Well, the dress was tattered now. And you where missing a shoe. How did that happen? Oh well, give a shrug.
"Don't shrug it off!" Ciel flustered. Growling. "Never mind. Can you stand?"
That was a good question, losing the crates support stagger and stand. But for a few seconds, your thigh screamed and you where back to the use of the crates. Ciel's eye narrows. Turns to Sebastian. "You will carry her. Your lateness caused this."
"Yes." Sebastian bows. "Master." He turns to you, your eyes warn him not too. "Baroness," He walks over, curse his height, his lips smiled slowly in self-appreciative amusement. Leans in a bit. "if you don't mind." You did. Open your mouth to object, find yourself swooped up in his arms. Fold your arms, quickly stop from the pain.
Ciel turned back to the pool of dolls, a question on his mind. "Why are there so many on this ship?"
"I think," Sebastian answers, calling Snake over, hands you off. Giving you a quick little pat on the head, slips a hand into his coat. Takes out some knifes, throws them to the side.
Into some other crates. A yelp came. A familiar one.
Rian Stoker.
Who was hiding.
"It would be good to ask him." Sebastian suggested.
