Chapter 8: A Negotiation

When I opened my eyes, everything around me looked hazy. I rubbed them, trying to get my vision to clear. Where am I? I pushed myself into an upright position, my vision slowly coming to. I noticed Ciel was sitting across from me on an armchair. Then I looked down and realized I was sitting on top of a sofa.

''What happened?'' I asked.

Ciel looked up, scanning me for a moment. He answered, ''We're in the parlor. You fainted before, so I had Sebastian bring you in here.''

''Oh,'' I answered, gripping my seat cushion, ''I never fainted before. I wonder why-'' Then suddenly, I remembered. Ciel had his gun pointed at me. A shot was fired.

''I never hit you,'' the Earl said, as if reading my mind. ''Shooting one if my own pieces would be quite a mistake.''

"But then…what was that loud noise?" I asked. "I heard it right before I passed out.''

''The gun wasn't loaded. But it still made a noise when I pulled the trigger." I looked down at my feet, not saying anything. "Did it ever occur to you," the Earl continued, "that I haven't a need for such thing?''

''Oh,'' I breathed, feeling slightly embarrassed. Of course it wasn't loaded. Demons didn't need guns. I couldn't tell if Ciel was frustrated with me, or perhaps just angry his little plan hadn't worked out. I stretched my legs out, swinging them over the side of the sofa. ''It's really unusual for me to faint out of fear. It-''

''It must be a side effect,'' he cut in.

''Side effect?'' I repeated. ''Of what?'

A strained look came over him. He tapped his fingers on the chair's armrest, as if contemplating whether to speak or not.

''Ciel, what side effect?'' I tried again.

His gaze traveled sideways. Finally, he said, ''Apparently, you don't have much more time left in this world.''

I leaned forward in my seat. ''What do you mean?''

''If you stay here much longer, you will disappear. From this world and your world. Or so Sebastian says.''

His words felt like a punch in the gut. ''H-how can this be?" I stammered. "I spent so much time here a few months ago without any repercussions!''

''Yes, and you used up most of your time then,'' Ciel explained, ''And since it's nearly all up, it seems to be taking a toll on your health. Fainting is a side effect of traveling from your home world to this one.'' I didn't respond, letting Ciel's words sink in. ''Sebastian should have informed you of this the last time. Though, I never planned that you would stay here for so long.''

I closed my eyes and put a hand on my forehead. ''You have got to be kidding me.'' I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it.

''This is quite ironic,'' the Earl continued, ''seeing as how I went to all that trouble to try and get you to comply with me, when all along your mere presence here was the key to this deal.'' He let out a low chuckle. ''Now you have no choice but to take me back with you…if you want to keep existing, that is.''

''But that doesn't make any sense,'' I started, ''if you came to my world, the same thing that's happening to me would happen to you.''

''If I were human,'' the Earl finished.

I stood up, clenching my fists. This was the epitome of being screwed. I glared at Ciel, my heart pounding. ''You are unbelievable!''

Ciel's smirk didn't waver. ''I'm not the one that makes the rules. Had I known, I wouldn't have wasted time capturing that convict.''

''But that's your job,'' I grumbled.

''Was my job. Ciel Phantomhive doesn't exist in this world anymore, remember?'' He stood up, reaching into one of his pockets. I watched as he took out a small sheet of paper, and unfolded it. He held it up for me to read.

In memory of

Ciel Phantomhive,

Who died on Aug. 26th, 1889.

''These have already been mailed to my acquaintances,'' he continued, ''and when they arrive at their destinations, I will have to disappear.'' Then he started tearing the paper up, letting the pieces drop to the door. ''By taking me with you, you're not only helping yourself, but me as well. We both have to leave here, sooner or later.''

I tried to block out what he was saying. Every word he uttered was just another push to get me to comply with him. But now that Katie wasn't in danger, I didn't have to give in. ''No,'' I said, ''I don't."

Ciel look surprised. ''You would be willing to stay here, just like that? And leave everything and everyone you know behind?'' He scoffed. ''You're more ruthless than I thought."

I gritted my teeth. His words were like nails on a chalk board, though I didn't let them get to me. ''If it would stop you from getting your way, I just might. Right now, I only see one way to make this fair. '' I stood up, looking him straight the eye. "I want you to play a game of chess with me. If you win, I'll take you with me. But if you lose, you let me go. No tricks, no exceptions."

Ciel's jaw tightened. ''That is a tempting offer…but there's no need for me to accept it.''

''Well if you don't, I won't take you with me. I'm the one who's in charge of where we go now.'' I crossed my arms. ''You always used to say, children have a knack for games. Are you afraid you're going to lose?'' Ciel opened his mouth, then closed it. He looked off to the side, as if contemplating whether to accept the offer. I knew that if he did, there was no guarantee he'd let me go, even if I did win. But I had to try. I wouldn't hand over an easy victory.

''Well?'' I said, raising an eyebrow.

''Fine,'' he answered, ''if it suits you, we'll play.''

I smiled. ''Good.''

''But this round of chess will be the final game between us.''

''It most certainly will.''