Chapter Four
change of plans guys! i am going to start updating this story ever weekend with Angel Wings to make my life easier! i hope you enjoy it i am working really hard to follow the set plot and add new twists. and please review the feedback really helps me.
PS: i might post twice a week sometimes since i know these chapters can get pretty short and i feel guilty so maybe like 1 on the weekend and one on Wednesday or something? i am not sure.
It felt like I was running forever until I finally stumbled out into a small clearing. I took a deep breath to calm myself when suddenly I heard footsteps behind me. Fear flashed in my eyes, how did he follow me? I spun around finding a long red haired man rather than the demon I expected. I sighed with relief as I examined the man...if that's what he was. He had long red hair, red feminine glasses and was wearing a large red coat.
"What are you doing here?" he asked furrowing his brow in confusion. I eyed the red chainsaw carefully, taking a casual step back.
"Oh you know." I said looking around innocently. "Just passing through." I pressed my lips together in the awkward silence that followed. "My names Crystal." I finally said, reaching out a hand, my white dress giving me a ghostly appearance in the dark. "And you?" the man grinned wildly.
"Grell Sutcliff." he introduced, striking a pose. "A deadly efficient reaper!"
You have got to be kidding me. I thought, lowering my hand after he ignored it. He was oddly energetic.
"So, what are you doing here?" I asked, trying to keep him talking while I looked around cautiously for any sign that Claude had followed me.
"Oh, you wouldn't understand." Grell said, taking a deep breath as if he were about to swoon. "I suppose you could say I am looking for love, but much like the night...love is cold." he said with a sigh. "But I will find Bassy, my Sebastian!" he said, breaking out into a fit, wriggling with excitement and bouncing on his heels. My jaw dropped as I watched him, the name repeating in my mind. Sebastian.
There is no way. I thought disbelief flooding me.
"Um...you wouldn't be talking about Sebastian Michaelis...would you?" I asked curiously. Grell let out a yell of excitement.
"YES! That's my Bassy darling!" he shrieked like an excited school girl, not even noticing as I stepped away. "You know my Sebastian darling?" he froze, his eyes narrowing and his grip on the weapon tightened. "What exactly is your relationship with MY Sebastian." he said, his eyes sharpening and I backed away, the red head suddenly seemed threatening.
"n-no!" I cried out, waving my arms frantically. "There isn't one; I don't know him like that!" I said quickly. Grell seemed to pout as if debating whether to believe me or not as he lowered his weapon.
"Well that's alright then." Grell said, his wicked smile spreading. He crossed his legs and dug the blade of his saw into the ground, resting his elbow on it and his face on his hand. He stared at me as if intrigued in me all of a sudden. "So exactly how do you know my Bassy Crystal?" he asked.
"Well, I, uh." I stuttered trying desperately to think up some excuse. I couldn't tell him about anything, he was a reaper and it was a reaper's job to sort out angels and demons. The society would never leave me be if word got back.
"Don't you have work to do Grell." a voice called out softly, the two of us turning to see Sebastian approach, his expressionless face lit by the lantern in his hands.
"I always have time for you Bassy!" Grell called out lovingly, running forward and leaping into the air to hug Sebastian, who merely stepped aside and allowed Grell to fall face first into the ground.
"My Lady it seems my young master has invited you to stay another night at our manor." he told me with a bow, ignoring Grell as he lifted a bloody face to his 'lover'.
"Thank you." I said curtsying slightly. "I accept Lord Phantomhive's offer, it is much appreciated." A smirk tugged at Sebastian's lips and he led me by the hand through the forest.
"Goodbye Bassy!" Grell's disoriented voice called out. I glanced back to see his face was now swollen and he seemed to be missing several teeth from his smile, blood trickling from his seemingly broken nose.
"Goodbye Grell." I called back to be polite, lifting the hem, of my dress and hurrying up to Sebastian, my entire body tensing as the manor came into view, the carriage waiting for us at the front steps as other guests walked around it, mounting horses and carriages of their own. Sebastian glanced at me from the corner of his eye, pulling me in front of him, a seemingly meaningless gesture but I could tell what it meant. He wouldn't let anyone harm a Phantomhive guest.
Once we reached the carriage I looked back to see Alois and Claude standing in the doorway, both grinning down at me. Alois was still wearing my red captain's hat and he raised a hand, tilting it with a smug smile. Claude leaned in to whisper to Alois but I could read his lips, and I tensed, glaring at them both defensively, like a caged tiger.
"Shall I retrieve her, your highness?" Alois shook his head.
"No Claude." he responded, before finally leaning forward and dashing down the stairs, stopping in front of me, leaning in, his face mere inches from mine, his smile never faltering. I was flooded with a mixture of emotions, fear, and adrenaline and anger all rushing through me. But I grit my teeth and met Alois's gaze, even if my brave front was foiled by my eyes. Sebastian glared down at the blonde watchfully.
"I do hope you enjoy my game." he said with a grin. "I promise we'll have more fun next time." he leaned in a bit closer as if to kiss me before I could pull away but instead Sebastian intervened, taking a step forward just enough to separate us, his arm draped around my shoulder to guide me gently to the carriage.
"A gentlemen would never show such affection in public." he said, his tone deadly serious as he made up a quick excuse. Alois glared up at Sebastian and Claude appeared at his side, ready to defend his young master should he overstep his boundaries. But Alois smiled after a moment, taking a step away from us, his eyes meeting mine.
"See you soon Crystal!" he called out as I climbed into the carriage, waving to me as I did, a fierce look in his eyes. And I couldn't tell if that boy wanted to love me or kill me. I shivered at the thought and the carriage took off with a lurch and I sighed in relief, turning to Ciel who was already seated beside me.
"I'm sorry for taking so long," I said apologetically. "And thank you for..." I trailed off as Ciel's head bobbed with the carriage. He was asleep, his one eye closed in peaceful rest. I smiled for an instant before looking away to stare out the window at the forest as it rolled past.
"I'm glad you're alright." Ciel's voice interrupted my solitary thoughts and I turned to look at him.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" I said sincerely. But he just shook his head.
"No, no it's quite alright." he said casually. "Please don't take this the wrong way but I was only worried about the Phantomhive reputation." I nodded.
Of course, there is always a reason. I thought, suppressing a sigh.
"I saw Claude lead you away and I had Sebastian follow you. You vanished for a while but he eventually got you back...after all what kind of name would it give me if I let my guests get lost in the woods." he stated. I bowed my head slightly, grateful for his concern...even if it wasn't with the best intentions.
"Thank you. And I am sorry to have worried you." I told him politely, yawning. My eyelids slid down, and my entire body felt heavy.
"So, what exactly happened Crystal?" Ciel said, sounding totally stern and awake. "What did Alois want? And did he hurt you; your costume is in tatters?" I paused for a moment, deciding it was best not to answer I bowed my head as if involuntarily, allowing my eyes to close. For all he knew I was too asleep to answer anything. I heard him sigh, and fade to silence, hearing the seat shift under him as he turned and rested his elbow on the windowsill, undoubtedly watching the passing scenery. It only took a few moments for my pretend to become a reality and I quickly fell asleep, I was thrown into a familiar nightmare, and I fear I must have been twitching in my sleep, but when I awoke Sebastian was already helping Ciel out of the carriage. I groaned, trying to accept what had happened as I reached out to take Sebastian's helping hand. My foot slipped on the step and I slid down to the ground, Sebastian caught me, my head level with his chest.
"You'd best be careful my lady." he said with a hint of mischief in his voice. I smirked up at him.
"Why? Aren't you here to catch me?" I teased, my eyes seeming to sparkle in the dark night. Sebastian smirked and led me to my room where a blue nightgown was waiting on the bed.
"I shall bring up the tea madam." he said, leaving me to alone. I changed quickly, plopping down onto the bed once I finished. There was a sharp knock on the door and I responded without introduction.
"Come in!" I called out and Sebastian stepped forward, placing a cup of tea on my nightstand.
"You really should check before admitting someone to your room." he said in mock concern. "A young lady such as yourself should be more careful." I smirk at his mock worry.
"Thank you Sebastian." I tell him kindly. "But I don't think an intruder would get into the Phantomhive manor." he smirked in return.
"Well of course." he said, his raven bangs falling into his face. "If I could not protect those in my Master's home what kind of butler would I be?" he asked and I chuckled, reaching over and sipping the tea, the sweet minty taste of sleepy time tea.
"Thank you." I tell him softly, handing him the cup. "For everything." he smiled, bowing silently before leaving. I blew out the candle on my nightstand and curled up under the blankets. The world spun around me as I spiraled deeper and deeper into darkness, until I became fully engulfed in my nightmare.