~*~Alois Trancy's POV~*~
I awoke in pain. My side felt like it was burning. I clutched my side and grimaced. I felt my side, and it was wet. I also realized I was naked. However the pain was too intense for me to give a damn.
"Master? I'll change your bandages if you'll allow me too," I heard Hannah ask.
I suddenly felt very angered by her presence. She annoyed me. I didn't like her. Not at all. I didn't want her either. I wanted Claude. Claude would take care of me.
I grabbed her with the bandages she was aiming towards my direction and wrapped them tightly around her neck, pulling her close to me.
"You aren't of any use to me. Get out and call Claude!" I told her tensely, fighting back all my pain.
"Yes my young master I'll go at once," she choked out.
She stood up straight and darted out of the room.
I laid back down on the bed. I remembered my dream and cringed.
'I've seen eyes like that before. Eyes that make your skin burn.'
I cringed again. Claude. He wasn't as nice as Avril, but she hid from me. She always hid. Claude was the one I wanted my attention from right now.
I heard Claude come in and shot up and looked at him, feeling slight hopefulness in me. I cared about it. So much. He was the first to care for me when everyone just wanted to use me. He cared about m well being. Sure it was just because he was hungry but he cared.
"Excuse me master. Might I change your bandages?"Claude said as he walked towards me.
I stiffened. It hurt when he removed the bandages. The wound hurt a lot. Ciel Phantomhive...He was to blame for this.
"That brat. He could've done a better job at stabbing me,"I said to Claude, harshly.
I always put on a serious face for Claude. I make have acted immature often, but it was better than letting him see me cry. Like he had before. That was sloppy. Reckless.
"Indeed. He used more force than he could control and that threw his trajectory off. If he had remained calm he could have managed a deeper wound,"Claude said, empty as always.
"Interesting. The way you say that almost makes it sound like you wish he had,"I said mockingly, even though I was truly afraid of that being the case.
"No it's not that. It's just that the clumsy artlessness of the cut suggests a certain...purity," Claude said, amused by it.
It angered me. He wasn't supposed to be happy about anything. Least of all because of Ciel Phantomhive.
"Purity?"I said through my teeth.
"Yes,"Claude said blankly.
Now I wished I asked for Avril. She is nice to me. She also makes me feel better when I'm upset. Also she's a better conversationalist. She isn't a brick wall.
I decided to make Claude squirm a little. Maybe get a reaction out of him.
"Do you fancy the smell of my blood? Does it make you want to feast?" I said, wondering if he would give me that look of adoration again.
"Yes it certainly does,"Claude said, after pausing a moment.
He smiled. Smiled. Claude never smiles. He. Smiled.
"Now, if you'll excuse me my lord,"Claude said as he bowed.
Claude left and went out. I sat there, staring in shock.
'Wh-Wh-What was that? A smile? From Claude...'
"That's...Sickening..."I said aloud.
It was later and I forced myself to get dressed. It was hard and painful. I decided that I needed to warn Ciel. I hated his guts right now, but demons were messing with him, once I remembered the events of last night. I found Hannah in the halls. I wanted Avril. She would get to see her brother and save him. That was what she wanted. Hannah would do though. I walked towards her, knocking her mopping bucket down.
She turned and looked surprised.
"You're out of bed,"She said, surprised.
I stumbled over to her, feeling weaker as I walked. I grabbed her and fell down on top of her. I adjusted my leg slightly and she panicked almost, like she was afraid I was going to do something to her. My breathing was heavy and I felt tears threaten to fall. I didn't want them too. I ordered them to stop. But they wouldn't. They fell on Hannah's face and she herself looked like she was crying.
"Take me...Take me. I need to see...Ciel. I need to see Ciel Phantomhive..."I told her.
She sat us both up and stood, picking me up in her arms. She turned and there was Avril. She looked at me then to Hannah. She was holding bandages in her arms and looked tired. Like she hadn't slept in a while.
"Hannah...What's wrong with our master? You know, besides the obvious,"she said, sounding tired.
"He wishes to go on a trip, Avril. Please...Let us go,"Hannah said.
Hannah was on my side. I wondered if Avril would understand. I tried to speak but, no words came out.
She walked over to me and looked down at me. She had a sad look on her face. She pressed her lips against my forehead, gently, and pulled away.
"Go. I'll follow behind soon,"She said to Hannah.
Her face was serious, despite how tired she looked. She must've been taking care of me nonstop since I passed out. Odd.
Most everything was a bit blurred from there. My mind was going everywhere. All my memories of...of Luka.
I was conscious that we were in the carriage and driving. It was getting darker and darker. by the hour. My wound was getting worse and worse. I felt blood. It was hard to breathe. I felt my mind fade into memories.
"Come back! That's my father's!"
Luka and I stole a bag from some old coot. We ran away from them, laughing. It was an amazing time. It was later at night when we got back to our place and began sorting through the bag
"Crips. There isn't much here," I had said, annoyed.
"Brother... Do you think this is medicine?" Luka said, so innocent.
He held up a bottle of medicine. It didn't matter to me.
"Chuck it,"
"I wonder if he'll be alright without it. I mean..do you think he's gonna die?" Luka said worriedly.
"Nah I doubt it. Besides what do we care if he does? He's a stupid old man!" I said excitedly.
I smiled, then I saw something behind Luka's hair. It was red. I lifted his hair up, frowning. There was a red bump. It upset me. I hated it when Luka got hurt and I couldn't help him.
"What happened?" I said angrily.
"I was the baker. He threw a stone at me," Luka said, carelessly.
I didn't understand that. He should be upset. Everyone treated us like this. he should be furious. So I became angry for the both of us.
"That bloody sod!" I shouted.
"I'm okay,"Luka said, calmly.
I felt anger start to swell inside me. I felt myself shaking. I yanked the medicine away from Luka and chucked it at the wall.
"It's not just him. It's all of them. They...They can all just drop dead!"i said, my anger turning into happiness," As soon as our parents died, everyone treated us like nuisances. I wished they'd die! Every last one of them!"
"I'm sure your wish will come true brother! I know it will! It's gotta! After all you can eat three kindey pies at a time and run faster than Springhill Jack!" Luka said, excitedly, then started running," Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, and Jump! Yeah! You can do lots of terrific things which means you'll get loads of terrific wishes!"
"Listen. Luka. You have to stick with me always from now on. If anyone dare throws a stone at you, I'll throw a pile of horse manure at them, understood?" I told him, not wanting my brother to be hurt ever again.
"Yes, Your highness," Luka said, bowing to me, then smiled widely.
Luka and I went out to the river to get some water when we saw dead bodies floating in it.
"What happened here?" I said surprised.
Following the river, I could see red. The whole town was on fire. All of it. We ran up river as fast as we could, though it wasn't like we cared about the people's well beings. There was fire, fire everywhere. And lots of death. Everyone was dead. And I was happy about it. Why shouldn't I be? They all deserved to rot.
"They're all dead," I said, surprised.
I felt a darkness inside of me. It began to swirl and turn into joy.
"But how?" Luka asked surprised.
"That old man with the medicine, the sodding baker who threw stones at you..."I said, listing off all the people dead.
"And that lady who used to throw rubbish at our house, Miss. Lila," Luka said.
"And the rotten vigor who'd always spit on us,"
"And the shoe shiner who'd brag about his sweets? Him too? "Luka asked, smiling.
"All the bounders who were so nasty to us are dead, every last one of them! Dead good and proper! Everyone, everything, is all gone!" I cheered.
"Gone!" Luka said, mimicking my excitement.
We danced around and I laid on the ground. We ruled this place and no one could stop us. Everyone who I hated, every single one of them, good and dead!
"Come on. With them out of the way their stuff belongs to us now!" I said happily.
Luka and I went around taking everything from all the people around us. It was all ours now. Luka went another way. I told him to be careful.
"Pearls don't suit you old lady! You ever look in a mirror?
A gust of wind blew by me and I looked down the direction it came from. It was getting awfully late, and much colder.
"Luka! It's time to go home!
I wandered around for a bit. He wasn't coming. I got worried.
"Luka?"
'Darkness. Without a single beam of moonlight. So dark.'
After wandering around more, running around more I suppose, I found him. Luka was lying on the ground, almost like he was sleeping.
"Luka? There you are! I was calling you," I said to him.
I picked him up ad held him fast in my arms. Then I noticed he wasn't reacting.
"Come on wake up, what's wrong wif you?" I said, before I caught on.
He wasn't moving. He wasn't breathing. His eyes were empty. Dead.
"No...No! Please no! Don't leave me alone! Please don't!" I shouted.
Tears poured down my face. There was nothing now. Everyone was gone and dead, even Luka. I was the only one left.
All alone.
It was some time later when some men found me. They put me on a carriage and took me away to a manor. Some rich man place. There were other boys on multiple carriages. I didn't care. I had snapped since my brother died. Nothing mattered much any more.
"Ahh...quite a group today. That's Her Majesty's spider for you. Ensnaring so many helpless innocents like meaningless flies," a man had said before we went in.
I wondered what he meant.
We were all stripped down and led into a room, in nothing but pieces of cloths over out privates, where an ugly old man sat down and examined all of us.
"Next!" he said, his voice raspy.
He looked at the boy in front of me and smiled.
"Move on,"
I was shoved forward and stood. He tapped his cane, beckoning me foreword. I obliged and came closer.
He looked at me. I was looking back at him, my face emotionless.
Suddenly I felt his cane shove into my chest and I fell to the floor. It hurt. It wasn't like I had much meat on my bones.
"Your eyes disgust me boy! When I look into them I can scarcely see anything more than fifthly rain water!" he shouted at me.
He then proceeded to hit me again and again with his cane, laughing. I wanted to cry but it wasn't worth it.
"Next!"
We went down to the cellar to get cleaned. I leaned against the wall and overheard these other boys talking.
"There are these fairies see...All you have to do is make a pact with them and they'll grant you any wish you want," one boy whispered.
"Cut it out! Are you a bloody idiot? Didn't you hear what that old man is gonna do to us?" the other boy whispered sadly.
I wasn't interested in him though. I came up to the first boy and put my hand on his shoulder. I smiled at him.
"How do you do it?"
I snuck out later than night and went right where I needed to go.
'A spider's web wet with morning dew. Like a veil that hides your true face.'
I ran into a spiders web and stopped.
"Hoheo Taralna, Rondero Tarel" I said to the sky, smiling.
I waited for a moment. When nothing happened, I frowned. It hadn't worked. I knew it wouldn't.
"Useless story," I said angrily.
Then it started to...snow?
"Wh-Is this snow?" I said stunned, as I held my hands out, I saw what it was," Ash!"
Suddenly I was on a spider's web. I wasn't where I was It was much different. Like a violet abyss. Then I saw him. He appeared a large spider at first.
"What is you wish?" I heard a voice say.
It was terrifying but I was interested all the same. Also, I wasn't prepared for the question.
"Wish? Wh-What wish?" I stammered out.
"Your wish. Why would you call me if you didn't have one? Perhaps theirs someone you'd like to get even with."
"I hated all the villagers. But they're all dead. And I don't care about that old pervert, I'll escape. Except I don't have anywhere to go back to. No where," I said solemnly.
"In that case...You have no business with me do-"
"Yes!" I interrupted.
"Alright then, but you have to tell me what your wish is," he said.
I didn't have one. I panicked. Then I saw his face. That face looked like it wanted me. Like it needed me.
"Well?" he paused," As I thought,"
Then it all vanished. Even the spider man vanished. I opened my eyes and found myself in the woods again. I looked around.
"If you can determine a wish, I shall make a contract with you,"the voice said, without a face.
"Hold on tell me! Are you a fairy?" I asked, stupidly.
There was a pause.
"I am a demon,"he said.
Then I felt myself wake up in my "bed" down in the cellar. I looked around at everyone sleeping.
"A demon..."
The old man wanted me next. For pleasurable gains. He hated me, but I would show him. I made myself look as pretty as a girl.
'Finding a wish? That became what I never knew I had. I purpose for my life.'
"Another of my dolls has broken?!"the old man said.
I heard glass shatter on the other side of the door. I took a deep breath and waited for my que.
"Yes sir. I'm afraid several more have collapsed from infection my lord," a butler said.
"You know how fragile they are!"Soak the entire room and anti-illness* solution! the old man shouted.
"I beg your pardon lord. We have prepared Jim for you today," the butler said.
I tensed at my name. It was almost time for me.
"Jim? Is that filthy brat all you have to offer me?!"he whined loudly.
That was my que. I opened the door enough for half my body to be seen. I looked at him seductively, and he blushed.
"Is this real? Your Jim?" he stammered, falling out of the bath tub.
What a sick old man. All alone and sexually deprived. I would have had to fix it.
I held my leg out to him and smiled down at him.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Forgive me father dearest,"
The assault continued. I pleased him until I was black and blue all over. Then I knew my wish. I made a deal with the demon. I called him Claude. It was sometime later, and I was still pleasing that damned old man. In return though I became his "son" and would get his inheritance if he died.
"Sebastian Michealis,"Claude said, in human form, across from me.
"Is he a demon too?" I asked harshly.
"Yes, that's right. It was he who wiped out your village, pursue int a contract with a certain individual," Claude said, blankly.
"And who might that be?" I asked, wanting to know.
"Sebastian has already eaten his soul"was all Claude said.
"A demon killed him. Luka," I said angrily.
I, out of anger, poured my hot tea into the saucer. That bastard was going to pay.
"Now there is Ciel Phantomhive. he is the human party to Sebastian's new contract. With this particular soul Sebastian has a singular obsession. One fiercer than he should feel for his pray,"Claude explained.
"Hoheo Taralna, Rondero Tarel, Hoheo Taralna, Rondero Tarel,"
I stuck my tongue out, activating the contract between Claude and I. His eyes glowed a demonic reddish pink and he bowed, suddenly in a butler uniform.
"I order you to make this Ciel mine,"I ordered.
"Master,"Claude said, looking up at me.
I was very pleased with Claude. He was mine. He was mine and no one else's. I was the one thing he desired.
My "father" passed away shortly after I made the deal with Claude. I got everything from him. At the funeral, I played the part of distraught son, sobbing over his grave.
After the burial, I walked with Claude.
"According to your order's master, I have freed the boys. And I have seen to the inheritance,"Claude told me
"Fine. But what about Ciel Phantomhive,"I asked irritated.
"May I ask a question? Why would you like to posses Ciel Phatomhive, rather than kill Sebastian?"Claude inquired.
"Simply killing him isn't enough. After death he would just peacefully rot into a skeleton in some patch of Earth. No. That's too good for him. You see I want him to know an agony worse than death. The boy's the key. We'll use the young master Ciel he fancies so much,"i explained, killing and blowing away a meaningless flower.
"Magnificent,"Claude praised.
"Ciel Phantomhive is mine. And so are you, Claude,"I said smiling.
"Yes, your Highness,"Claude said with a slight bow.
I returned back to the real world, waking up in the carriage, as I heard a horse neigh and felt a jolt. I heard a crash outside and the carriage pulled to the side and I slide down, my wound's pain coming back to me. The carriage crashed into a tree and I was getting ready to yell at Hannah when I looked him and saw...
Well, he was a man with sharp teeth, red hair, and glasses. I thought for a moment he was a woman.
"Hello!"
"Who are you?
"What a shame. Names and ares are no fun at all. We'll do this quickly then. Uhhh let's see... Jim Matkin. That's your real name. My what a dreary name. Well no matter I suppose. You are at death's grim door. Aren't you?" he said, getting close to me.
He sure talked a lot. He was annoying. I couldn't really say much though because he never let me get a break in.
"Now normally I wouldn't leave the office for something like this, but as it happens we have tinsey issue with your soul," he said, but then we heard something loud on the roof of the carriage.
Hands shot through the roof and the roof began to come off.
"Ugh...this looks bad," he said, frowning.
Then the roof came flying off and it revealed Hannah, standing there.
"Oh I knew it was a demon," the man said, whining," Your not just a pretty face. How did you get something like her?"
"Hannah kill ginger over here would you?" I ordered.
My wound was killing me. It hurt so much. I cringed away in pain. Also this man was an annoying prick.
"A bloody little nipper here aren't you? I don't want to fight. I just want to-
He was interrupted because Hannah leapt into the air and came crashing down onto the carriage, sending me flying.
I landed somewhere in the woods. I hurt everywhere.
'Claude...'
"Don't look at me! You lot make me sick! You demon! You're just like him," I had shouted.
"Yes master," Claude said with a bow.
"Don't. Say that," I said, shaking.
Claude just watched me, then he bowed with the triplets.
"Yes. Your highness. Yes. Your highness. Yes. Your highness. I changed my mind. Say it. Now!" I ordered.
Claude, walking away from me, smiled.
"Yes, Your highness," he said smugly.
I slapped Claude across the face.
"Would you do anything to obey me then? Are you a pet? My loyal dog?" I shouted at me.
"I abide by our contract. I'll make one hell of a feast out of you. That's all," Claude said, looking at me blankly.
I was crawling away from the scene. I managed pretty far until I came to an old tree alone. All my memories.
"Then look at me like that. Not the way I would look at some villagers face! And not with the craving look the old man would give me. Look the way you did that day, like I'm all you care about. Please Claude," I begged to no one.
"Hesitation into resolve. Passion into composure. Love into grave markers. That master, is what makes a Trancy Butler."
'He's just hungry. That's it. I know that well enough. My feelings are nothing more than a poorly made sauce clouding the flavor. But now I'm here,'
I looked over to me and saw a wild dog, snarling at me. It was coming for me. And I was ready for it. I closed my eyes, waiting for more pain. The dog growled loudly and then it yelped. I felt something wet splatter onto my face.
"What are you trying to do young master? Why are you here? Your goal is incomplete. You do not yet have Ciel Phantomhive." I heard Claude ask.
I opened my eyes, feeling tears in my eyes. Claude was holding the dog, bloody and dead. He threw it away. I was so pleased to see him. I felt the tears spill. I crawled to Claude on hands and knees.
"It's just you now. You're all that I have left," I said to him happily.
"Come now master. Don't say such ridiculous things," he said coldly.
"Shut up. Shut up, shut up! You're the only one. You're all that I have! You and Avril. You two are all I have,"I yelled at him.
I hugged Claude's leg, sobbing.
"Hoheo Taralna. You can't even leave my side! Never! Not you! Please Claude. Do you know...I think you, you're my highness!"I told him.
I worshiped him. I wanted him to stay with me so badly. So much.
He came down to his knee, and looked me in the eyes. He wiped away a tear and leaned in close. I felt my heart racing slightly, unsure of what he was going to do.
"What a thing to say to a butler,"he told me kindly.
I smiled and blushed.
Then it all went black.
~*~Avril's POV~*~
I tried to catch up to Hannah as fast as I could. I found her fighting with Grell and losing. I smelt Alois' blood and followed the trail. I saw Claude with him.
'Stay back Avril. It's his time to die. No more playing pretend with him dearest,' my master thought to me.
I stopped, a little ways away from the two and looked at the scene. Claude said something to Alois then suddenly there was blood. Claude had killed Alois. I felt like someone had stabbed me in the gut. Yet another boy I had lost to this man...No... To this demon.
Claude stood up, holding a ring.
"Don't worry master. Have no fear. Yours is a crass soul that would give his love to a butler. I could hardly work up an appetite for that. I'll keep you. I can use your soul. Indeed I can," he said to himself, smugly.
I saw Grell come in, covered in blood. I didn't much care for him. I walked over, fighting back any emotions, and stood beside my master, over Alois' body.
"So that's what's going on? Yes that boy was slated to die tonight, but the soul ledgers wasn't affected. Well, I did assume a demon was involved," he said, matter-o-factly.
"Will you be taking him Grim Reaper?" Claude asked, flat.
"I just need to keep the accounts balanced. I would just as sooner watch how this thing plays out. You see, I think it will be interesting,"he said, fascinated.
"So does that mean you haven't taken Sebastian's side?" Claude inquired.
My ears perked up. Anything to do with Ciel and Sebastian I wanted to pay close attention too.
"Taken his side? Please don't insult me with such an idea. The only true way for me to prove my love for dear Bassy is with a death match!" he said, flaunting around.
"Master shall I get rid of him?" I said, stiff.
Grell looked at me for a moment then got upset.
"No! He...You? No! That isn't fair! He hated you!"Grell whined.
Before he could go any further, and before my master could order me anything, I shoved Grell into a tree, breaking his arm.
"Go back to doing your little job. You are no longer needed here. Good day you horny transvestite,"I growled to him, my demonic eyes reflecting in his glasses.
He nodded then left.
"A bit drastic don't you think Avril? No matter. Avril do you know what I intend to do with Alois' soul?"he asked me, smiling.
"No my lord,"I said empty.
"I intend to confuse your brother and mix his soul with our Lord Trancy. We will achieve Ciel that way and also I will torment my brother. It is perfect. Don't you think?"he gloated.
I nodded.
"It is a brilliant plan my lord,"
"Good. Think of it this way, you'll get to take care of your brother! That sounds good doesn't it? Now... take care of the body will you? I have to get back home and clean up. See you later tonight Avril,"he said, winking, then left.
I was about to kneel down to Alois but I sensed Hannah nearby. I turned to her direction and saw he cut up and bloody, her maid outfit now barely covering her huge chest. I glared at her, fully away of her intentions.
"Go on then. Do what you will. Just leave the body. I was ordered to take care of it,"I said flatly.
She nodded then sat down on top of Alois' dead body.
"And now. Shall we discover your wish my lord?"she whispered to him.
She then jabbed her finger into his eye and ate it. It was disgusting and wrong.
"Goodbye Miss. Avril,"Hannah said then left.
This time, I kneeled down to Alois and held him in my arms. I hugged him tightly, feeling myself loose control. Tears fell down my face. This boy was to be nothing to me. But he meant more than i cared to admit. I couldn't save him. Everyone I cared for, I can't save any one of them. My master makes sure to take everything good away form me. Like it's his mission!
I cried for only a moment before I gathered some flowers and dug a grave for Alois. I hummed one of his favorite lullabies I sang to him and then when the grave was deep enough I stepped out. I laid him in the grave and made it look nice. Then I sang the song to him.
"Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes
And when again they open, the sun will rise.
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.
Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.
Here is the place where I love you.
Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you."