You know what; I almost forgot to say this, but thank you for all the reviews guys. They are really appreciated, and I know some people like to wait till the end, or some aren't sure what to say. Just knowing that people like my story is enough. Thanks again guys.
'If you see this, this is Arthur's narration, not thoughts just so you know.'
Chapter 18
~ASC~
"He's dead!" Arthur shouted.
"What did you say?" Woodley said as he laid the unconscious Phelps to the ground.
"Oh my..." Irene covered her mouth, suddenly afraid.
Bard rushed into the room with Finny and shouted, "What was that scream just...whoa!"
Finny went over to Arthur, "Is this person dead!"
"Yes." He said, "Most likely the blood loss from the wound on his chest was fatal. I can't be certain because it's dark but..." Bard wiped his brow and he walked up to Sebastian, "Hey isn't it kinda hot in this room?"
"Yes it is." He pointed to the fireplace and the fire roared in response, "I heated up the room beforehand but...maybe he was cold."
Ciel entered with Tanaka by his side, "What's all the racket?"
"Young master."
Ciel walked into the room and stared at the body, "Lord Siemens!" Both master and servant looked at each other and Keane cleared his throat, "A...anyway, we shouldn't move anything until the yard arrives-"
Bard shook his head, "No. It'd be better if we move the body now." Everyone stared at Bard, "I can't say it any nicer than this...meat rots faster than you might think. Even if we turn off the fire now, time will be up before you know it if he stays next to the hearth."
"Rot…you say?" Irene grabbed Kean's shirt and almost fell to her knees in shock. "Irene!" Keane grabbed her and held her up. "It's like he says. I also think it'd be better if we laid him in a cool, dark place until an expert can take a look at him." Arthur said as he rolled up his sleeves. "Well then, let's move him to the cellar until the yard gets here. Finny bring a stretcher." Sebastian ordered. Finny did so and came back immediately with one.
They took Georg away and Lau walked over to the window, "But, I'd think the yard won't be showing up for a while. Seeing as there is quite the storm." He opened the curtain and Ciel looked at the raging storm.
"So you mean we can't leave here either!" Woodley shouted.
"Why do you ask that now? It's fine right, everyone was meant to stay over anyway." Ciel stated.
"Hah! Like you can call this fine! I'm not staying at a place where a murder took-"
"Indeed." Ciel interrupted, "We surely are on the shores of a deserted island right now. It also means that there is a good chance the killer is still inside the mansion." Everyone froze in the room and stared at each other, doubt filling everyone's mind, "Now that you mention it..." Grey said, "If you think about it logically, wouldn't the killer be one of us then?"
"Wha..." Everyone stared at him in shock; they were thinking it, but to have someone say it out loud confirmed their fears.
"Why us! This isn't a joke!" Keane shouted, frightened beyond belief.
"Th...That's right!" Woodley shouted as well.
"Well first of all, we only just met each other..." Arthur looked down at Phelps who was still passed out.
"Ah!" Irene shouted.
"Lady Diaz?"
"When we first arrived the door was locked right?" She asked Maylene.
"Not that you mention it, yeah it was." The red-haired maid recalled.
"So wouldn't it be likely that someone broke in through the window, locked the door to leave time for an escape and then went back out of the window again?"
Grey went over to the window and tugged on the handle, "But if you came in through this kind of rain...wouldn't you leave footprints? Not to mention that this room is on the second floor. And the windows were locked."
Keane hummed at that, "So...someone locked it from the hallway and escaped that way after all..."
"That is unlikely." Sebastian pulled out a key, "The keys for this mansion all go with the original ward locks from when this mansion was first built. They are complex pieces so it is unlikely other than a craftsman could make an imitation, there is only one copy of each key and they are with the Concierge. Furthermore these keys have all been locked away in a safe, the only copy of the key that opens the safe is in the possession of the butler, me. Therefore the keys stored there can't be taken. Also in order for it to be locked simply from the inside, other than the ward lock, there is also a latch attached to the door. In a situation where the key cannot be taken out of the safe, there is the possibility of locking the room from the inside only. In other words..." He looked to everyone in the room, "This is a locked room murder."
"Preposterous...we're not in a novel!" Woodley shouted.
"Indeed. If anyone published this kind of crude locked room drama they'd surely get complaints." Ciel yawned.
"Eh?" Woodley said.
Ciel smirked and looked to Arthur, "Wouldn't you agree?"
"Eh...ah! That's right...surely if you used those." Arthur mumbled as he went into thought.
"What's that?" Lau asked.
"A needle and thread." Ciel said.
Everyone stared at him, "Needle and...Thread?"
"Like Sebastian says, the only way to lock the door is from the inside, but if you use a needle and thread you could easily do it from the outside. It works like this, first you jab the needle and thread in to the door somewhere to hold the latch in place, then you pull the thread down under the door and go outside of the room. Finally if you pull the thread carefully to avoid breaking it and manage to pull out the needle, the latch will close and you'll be able to lock it. Then if you pull the needle and thread through the crevice under the door, you won't leave any evidence behind either. So will the needle and thread, cleaning up is easy also. In mystery novels, it's the oldest trick in the book, not to mention plain and boring. However the criminal isn't looking to write a mystery novel of course it's more like he's trying to create a realistic smokescreen or something."
Lau tilted his head and thumbed his chin, "That sure does explain the locked room murder but..."
"It also means that anyone could be the killer..." Arthur finished.
"It definitely wasn't us! It was someone else!" Keane shouted as he pointed at Woodley. "It wasn't me either! Amongst all of us aren't you the most suspicious! You had a fight with the lord at the buffet didn't you?" Woodley shouted. "Don't make false accusations you old man! Like I'd kill someone over that!" Keane screamed, "Overall you're the one that's-
"Now, now you two. Let's calm down and hear everyone's alibis shall we?" Lau said calmly, "Lord Siemens was killed after he had retired to his room...actually, to be precise; it was between the times that the Lord rang the servants' bell and the time that the butler and co. arrived at his room. If you have an alibi to cover that time you're safe."
Keane held Irene closed to his body, "Me and Irene were in the billiards room."
"Yes." She said.
"I was there too." Grey said.
"So were Mr. Phelps and I." Arthur said.
"For the whole time, from the moment that Lord Siemens went to bed up until the disturbance, we were all in there. During that time no one left their place either, except for Arthur, who stayed at the billiard room, and the servant."
Ciel looked at Lau, "What were you guys doing?"
"We were drinking in the lounge with Mr. Woodley. Weren't we Ran Mao?" She nodded and Woodley added, "Right! We were together the entire time before the commotion started. If I remember correctly, after midnight the alcohol ran out and we had the butler fetch us some more right?"
"Yes I brought it to you at around 12:10." Sebastian said.
Everyone looked to the servants and Maylene stammered, "Us servants were all cleaning up together!"
"First and foremost none of us even knew what room Siemens was staying in. To find him in such a large mansion would take quite some time right!" Keane said.
"Which means that...?" Grey's eyes went to Ciel and his eyes widen. "Excuse me for asking Earl, but what were you doing at the time?"
"He was sleeping when I went to check on him, before I left back to the south side of the mansion." Matthew said as he stepped into the room, "What happened here?"
They stared at Matthew, "Where were you?"
"I was patrolling. It is my job as Concierge to roam the halls and outside at night. In fact, to get to the north side and here takes at the most 30 minutes to come here." They didn't seem to believe Matthew and they looked once more at Ciel, "Even if you say you saw him asleep, you're his servant you could be lying." Grey said.
Ciel huffed in annoyance and said, "Certainly I'm the only one who hasn't got an alibi, but I don't have any reason to kill the lord."
"Oooh? Is that so?" Grey said, enjoying the situation too much.
"What?" Ciel glared at him.
Lau smirked at Ciel, "Well you wouldn't say there was no reason at all now would you? Most of the reasons for someone to kill another are reasons inconceivable to other people. It doesn't matter how many times a genius scientist studies it, the psychology of a person is something that cannot be comprehended by other people...besides your company has a branch in Germany does it not? There could have been some memos outside of the official books with a major bank executive from Germany like him. That's something we don't know anything about though."
Woodley stared at Lau, his gaze lingering too long on the Asian man.
"You're suggesting that my Funtom Company has some kind of horrible debt? That's absurd!" Ciel shouted. Lau raised his hand in defense and Matthew frowned at the situation, he understood that there was a murder, and upon closer inspection, Georg was missing. So the drunk was killed. He thought.
Yes. Sebastian said to him.
Lau chuckled and said, "It's not an unrealistic story right. No matter how big a company is, there are times when all of it can vanish overnight."
"Wai...Wait a minute!" Finny shouted. "I don't get all the complicated stuff, but...but...Young master would never..." Finny had tears at the corner of his eyes and my hand fell on his shoulder, "Finny. Enough. Back off." Ciel said. The boy fell back and I patted his back, "It's ok Finny. We all know it wasn't Ciel."
"I'd like some insurance." Grey said.
"Insurance?" Irene asked.
"Insurance that we'll get out of here alive." Grey stared at everyone.
"What...do you mean by that?"
"Well the mansion is currently under the control of a killer you know? And we can't get out until this storm settles down," The thunder crashed outside the window, lighting up the room, and yet a shadow casted over Grey, "What if we were all 'gagged' before the storm settles?"
Everyone stared at him in shock. "Well then..." Lau said, "Let's confine them!"
"Confinement!" Matthew shouted, "Confinement!" The trio echoed, "Confine the Young master!"
"But, they're scary." Lao chuckled.
Sebastian looked to Matthew and Ciel, "If that makes you feel better, go ahead." Ciel said, "We will not refuse this. Right Matthew." Matthew frowned at that, but nodded in agreement. "If we're going to confine him, it can't be in his own room. Nobles' rooms generally have some kind of secret escape route built in. My place has them too! And, the Concierge has the keys to the entire mansion, he knows this place inside out, and who knows what he could do." Grey pointed out.
"Well then, we'll keep an eye on them while attending to Young master-"
"That won't do." Lau crossed his fingers into an X as he interrupted Sebastian, "Seeing as you might help them escape right?"
"So in other words, it'd be best if one of the guests would stay with him and keep watch." Grey walked over to Irene and Keane as he said this.
"No, thank you! Like I'd leave Irene by herself!" Keane shouted.
"I...I just can't!" Woodley said.
"I don't want to either~" Lau said as Matthew glared at him.
No way in hell I wanted him to watch us.
"Well I don't want to either, but someone has to do it?" Grey said.
Arthur sighed as he look at Ciel. If you consider the situation, the criminal can't be anyone but him...though...only some idiotic criminal from a penny-dreadful would commit another crime when there's no one besides himself without an alibi. If he was the criminal...he wouldn't have put himself at a disadvantage by explaining that cheap trick right? Matthew walked over to Ciel and they watched as everyone bickered about who was going to watch them. Then again, Matthew has all the keys, and no one has seen him but the servants, but he left to do his work, and not only that, no one knows much about him. Then when there was the fight with Irene and Georg, he went over to help Irene, though he didn't do much else, he didn't appear to be happy that Ciel was soaked by the beer, he could have easily killed the man under Ciel's orders. Such a conundrum.
"So." A hand landed on Arthur's shoulder, "It's up to you Wordsmith!" Lau said.
"Wha...what!"
"Please watch him carefully so that they don't escape."
"B-but..."
Grey smirked, liking this and he said, "We can't have three people in one room, I, myself know from first hand that the Concierge Matthew, can fight. What's to say he wouldn't kill the Wordsmith in his sleep?" Matthew glared at Grey, his fist shaking in anger. "We will have to separate the two, but they'll be able to move around still wouldn't they..." He thought for a second and snapped his fingers, "That's right. I have something good stored in my horse carriage. Would you get it for me?" He asked Bard.
Ciel sighed and looked to Sebastian, "It looks like this is where we split up. Sebastian. Escort everyone to their rooms." Ciel ordered.
"Certainly."
"Sebastian." Matthew said, "Catch this killer before anything else happens." He told him. Sebastian smirked at that and nodded.
"Well then, everyone let me guide you. This way please..." Sebastian led them to their rooms as the thunder quaked outside.
Ciel, Arthur, and Matthew stared at Grey as Bard returned with two pairs of handcuffs, one with long chain, the other a pair of cuffs that covered the wrist and some of the forearm with a two link chain connecting the two. He attached the long chain one to Arthur and Ciel and he made Matthew remove his coat and shirt, getting a gasp from Arthur, as he saw the scars, "I know you had a sword and a knife on you. Who knows what else you have." Grey riffled through the coat and pulled out Matthew's hunting knife, he then patted Matthew's pants and he felt the book in his pocket. "What's this?" He tried to take it out, but Matthew grabbed his wrist. "It's my book. I don't like it when people touch it."
He took out the book and showed it to Grey. "What if the book is hollowed out?" Grey said as he tried to grab it. Matthew pulled it back to his body and flipped the book open, "Nothing is inside." Grey nodded and Matthew slipped the book back inside his pocket.
"Well turn around and hands behind your back." Grey ordered. Matthew sighed and did so.
Sebastian came in and he frowned when he saw Matthew shirtless next to Grey, he did not like this situation at all. "Well let's put you two to bed then." Grey said as he grabbed Matthew's arm and pulled him away, "Matthew will be placed in a room that locks in the outside, preferably a room without windows, or vents." Sebastian nodded, "There's a room, but it has a window, but it's on the fourth floor, no ledging, and the window can only be open from the outside. There are no vents as well."
How is it that we have a window that does that, and it has no ledge? Matthew asked.
It was a mistake from the builders. We never bothered to correct it.
Grey frowned, but nodded, "Very well. Once you taken care of your master come and show us the way." Sebastian nodded as he led Arthur and Ciel to the room.
"Sheesh, what an annoying turn of events." Ciel said as Sebastian changed his clothing.
It would turn into something like this... Arthur thought as he buried his head into his hands and he sat on the bed, "Yes indeed." Sebastian said. The chain rattled, Arthur wasn't aware of it as he sighed and stared ahead. "By the way, the room that I prepared for was the room next to the aforementioned one. He refused to sleep in there though." Sebastian said as he buttoned up Ciel's shirt.
"So I heard."
"I wanted to assign him a room immediately but only Young master's room was available so I took him there. Please forgive me." Ciel yawned and stretched, the chain not attached to his wrist no more. "It can't be helped." Ciel jumped onto the bed and kicked off his slippers, "It should be cold tonight. Don't let the coke in the rooms go out."
A/N: coke is a kind of fuel made from coal; it produces very little smoke as opposed to real coal.
He looked up at Sebastian and smirked, "Even though I won't be around, be sure to give our guests perfect service."
"Yes, my lord." Sebastian said, his eyes flashing red.
"Well then please excuse me." He reattached the cuff to Ciel's wrist and Ciel looked to Arthur. "Well, let's go to sleep."
"Y...yes!" Arthur said.
"Well then, good night." Sebastian took Ciel's coat and bowed to them. He blew out the candles and left the room.
"Wordsmith?" Ciel said quietly.
"Yes."
"I'm sorry to have involved you in all of this. It must be hard to sleep when you're sleeping next to a killer right?"
"N...nothing of the sort. Um..." Arthur stared at Ciel and asked, "You don't even take off your eye patch when you sleep, Earl?"
Ciel touched it, "Hm? No..."
Arthur frowned slightly and his hand went forward to Ciel, "Maybe I'm being pushy, but I think you should let it get some air while you sleep at least. It'll heal sooner that way too-" Ciel slapped his hand away. Ciel stared at him, slightly shocked and he touched his eye patch again. "Ah...this wound, I got it when I lost my family. I don't really want to show it to anyone."
Arthur sat up straight, "I'm so sorry, I didn't know!"
"That's ok..." Ciel smiled and lay back down, "Now that I think about it...how long has it been since I've slept together with someone like this." He closed his eyes, remembering how he was a child, crying in the middle of the night and going to his parent's room. "I think the last time was when I was little and on a stormy night like this...The thunder frightened me, so I'd crawl into my parents' bed." The cuff on his wrist made a small clink as he clutched his pillow, "Now there's no one..." Something warm touched his forehead, for a second he thought it was Matthew, but when he opened his eyes it was Arthur with a sad look on his face. "Wordsmith?"
Arthur's eyes widen and he moved back and flailed his arms, "Ssssorry! B...b...because I have ten siblings and a little brother around the Earl's age, I just!"
"A little brother..." Ciel stared at him, a little surprised that the man before him had a young sibling. "Um, I didn't mean to make a fool out of you or anything." Arthur stammered.
Ciel smiled and flopped back onto his pillow, "Let's go to sleep already."
"Ah...yes."
"Goodnight." Ciel said softly.
"Good night."
Arthur stared at Ciel, Really. Can such a small child be a murderer? Really? His eyes shut, and he went to sleep.
~ASC~
My arms were aching from their positions. My back was to the wall and my knees drawn up to my chest, and I was slightly shivering, really wishing my shirt was back on me. I couldn't believe that I was caught up in this, and really wished that whoever is controlling situations would leave me alone for once.
The shadows moved to a certain spot and I smiled as Sebastian stepped forth from the shadows, and he went down on one knee and smirked, "Being handcuffed and left so defenseless, it makes me want to take you." He whispered in my ear. I blushed and he chuckled as he rubbed his cheek to my own.
"Yeah, should you really be saying that since Grey frisked me?" His eyes turned to slits as he bared his fangs at me, "Where did he touch you so I can rip his arms off and shove them down his throat." I laughed now and slipped my handcuffed hands, under my backside, and slid them down my legs till they were in front of me. "You mind?" I smirked and he tapped the handcuffs, they fell off. "It's a little strange that you can do that, but I like that you can get yourself out of a situation like this." Sebastian said as he laid the cuffs on the ground.
"Thanks." I rubbed my wrists and Sebastian grabbed them and pulled me to his chest. "Sebastian...who was it that killed Georg?"
"I don't know." Sebastian said.
"Don't make me read your mind by asking you the same question fifty times." He sighed and pulled me into a kiss, our tongues slid against each other as my arms wrapped around his neck. He pushed me up against the wall and slid me up, his body pressing hard against mine. My mind was going fuzzy as I moaned into his mouth, and he grinded his hips to mine, maybe it was the lack of sleep, or just the fact that I missed being close to Sebastian, but I couldn't help wanting to be this close to him right now. The room was cold, but my body felt as if it was on fire and he trailed kisses down my neck, to my chest. "Matthew, I want you." He breathed out huskily. My brain couldn't come up with words as my blood rushed down to my nether region. I could hear my heart beating in my ears and I just wrapped my legs around his waist rocking my hips against his.
He pressed my body harder against the wall as one hand kept me up, and the other unbuckled my pants. He stopped and looked up at me, "We don't have to if you don't-" I pulled him back into the kiss, I didn't want to talk, I just wanted this pleasure coursing through my body to increase, I was tired of the misery, the death, and the constant plague of fools. All I wanted was Sebastian, nothing more, nothing less.
He grasped my manhood and rubbed the tip roughly, my backed arch as I moaned. "I'm barely even touching you Matthew, but my, what a lovely voice you have." He whispered to me as he started pumping me. I bit my lip, trying to stifle my moan, and Sebastian placed me on the ground, ripping my pants off completely and he swallowed me whole. "Ah~" I gasped, and I found myself bucking into his mouth, my other hand pushing the back of his head. His teeth grazed my staff and I sharply inhaled. He released me and I gave him a small whine, wishing he didn't stop. "Tell me again." He said. I looked at him, my soft pants filled the silent room, and I shook my head, "I...don't under...stand." I breathed out. He stroked my members, squeezing the tip and a shaky moan came from my lips. "What you said to me, before."
My body froze, and a blush crept up my cheeks, "I-I..." I stammered. He was face to face with me now, "Say it." He urged me. "I...love you." I whispered to him, he captured me into a kiss and his hand grasped my forgotten members and he stroked the tender flesh. "Sebas...tian," I moaned and I pushed him away.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't want to be the only one." He smirked at me, "Who said you're the only one who's going to be pleasured?" He unbuttoned his pants and my eyes budged out my head, and I suddenly remembered the pain that would come after we had made love, "I change my mind! I don't want to do this any mo-" He shut me up with his mouth, and he rubbed his length against mine. I bucked and moaned in his mouth. I slightly struggled against him, and yet I held him tightly at the same time. He grasped both members together, and stroked them.
"Ah~ Sebastian." I moaned out loud as he bit my neck. My nails gripped his coat, "Sebastian, I'm going to- Ah~" I breathed out as he rubbed my tip with his thumb. "Wai- Sebastian." I bit my lip and he whispered into my ear, "Go ahead." He nipped my ear and his hand stroked our harden members faster and I let out a loud groan as I felt myself come, Sebastian following after just a few seconds. We panted as we stared at each other and he smirked at me, "I want to take you again Matthew, will you let me?"
I blushed and a question plagued my mind, Will it hurt again? I thought.
Sebastian stopped and looked away, Well...not if I actually prepare you this time. My eyes widen and I smacked Sebastian's chest, You bastard! I knew you were going too fast. Sebastian just smirked, You still liked it right. I smacked him again and glared, Screw you! I don't want you anymore! Sebastian laughed deeply and kissed my lips, Then when you're ready. I blushed and took his hand into mine, Then, next time we do it properly...just not right now because I'm starting to feel lightheaded. Sebastian smiled and nodded, "Come let's get you clean up before I have to go back to work." I stopped and looked down, noticing that I was the only one that was dirty. He chuckled as I glared at him, "You know it pisses me off that your too perfect."
~ASC~
Sebastian stretched happily, as he walked down the hall. "Who knew that he'll fall asleep in the bath, his stamina is rather weak. Though...I'm glad that he can now rest." He walked through the open door of Georg's room and looked at the fireplace, "Well then..." He walked over to it and bent down, "Don't let the coke in the hearth go out.' Was it." He took a small shovel and started removing the ashes out of the fireplace. He paused when he saw something inside.
"As I thought..." He mumbled, a dark shadow was behind Sebastian, a menacing aura filled the room, "This is-"
~ASC~
"..rd. Bard!"
Bard's eyes open and he saw a black shape in front of him. He quickly made a grab for a gun under his pillow, and Sebastian grabbed his arm. Bard's eyes widen when he realized who it was, "What the hell, it's only you!" He released a sigh of relief, "Don't come in here while hiding your presence, I thought you were a ghost or something. What do you want?"
"Wouldn't a bullet go through a ghost?" Sebastian asked Bard raised an eyebrow, clearly not thinking things through. "It's about the schedule for this morning." Bard lay back down on the bed and wrapped his blanket around him. "That stuff can wait till tomorrow right? I'm tired man." Sebastian pulled the cover off and laid a hand on his shoulder, "But I'd like you to listen right now." He insisted. Bard stared into Sebastian's eyes, and he tsked, grabbing his pack of cigarettes he said, "Fine. I get it." Sebastian smiled and started his insane list.
"Well then, first up is breakfast, but since I expect it to be held more around lunch time, I'd like you to prepare something a little heavier. I've put a herring pie and a spinach quiche in the storehouse, so please take those out. I can't stress this enough, please don't take out food such as the kidney pie. Then after that, I made plenty of curry and put it on the stove, so please use that for dinner. Next, as an appetizer, use the cut vegetables for-"
"Hey, hey!" Bard whispered harshly, "Even though you say it one by one like that, I'm not a recorder! Like I'd remember any of that!"
"Right." Sebastian sighed and handed him some papers, "Which is why I prepared this memo with instructions for 3 days of the schedule and where I put the food I prepared in advance...as well as instructions on how to heat it up."
Bard took the papers and stared at them with sleepy eyes, "Wha? Even though it's something like this, for you to personally hand out instructions is..."
Sebastian looked forward and Finny sat up and yawned, "Whazzup?"
"Finny. Did I wake you up?"
"Mr. Sebastian? What's wrong at this kind of hour...?" He rubbed his eyes wearily, slightly nodding off, and Sebastian walked over to him, "Finny, you won't be able to do your job in the garden for a while with this storm going on. From tomorrow on I want you to change the coke from the hearths in the mansion. Please do it first thing in the morning. Is that ok?"
"Yes." He yawned as he fell back in to his bed. Sebastian went forward and covered Finny with the blanket, "Well then please go to sleep, tomorrow will have an early start." He walked towards the door and looked at Bard, "Then I'll leave tomorrow's matters in your hands. Chef." Bard stubbed his cigarette out and mumbled, "Will do." Sebastian left the room and Bard buried his head into the pillow.
His eyes snapped open and he stood up and shouted, "Chef!"
~ASC~
There was a knock at Maylene's door, she moaned as she woke up and looked at the door, "Hmm... who is it?" The knocking persisted and she snapped to attention, "I'm coming!" She reached for her glasses and ended up falling off the bed. She grabbed her glasses and rushed to the door, "Sorry for the wait." She peeked out and her eyes widen in shock, "I'm sorry about the hour." Sebastian said as he held a cage with a white owl.
" ! Wwwhat is it at this time of night! You couldn't be sneaking in for you-know-wha-"
"There's something I'd like you to do first thing in the morning." Sebastian interrupted.
"Ah, yes." She scratched her chin in embarrassment, After all...
"Please release this bird at dawn. There is a letter around its leg." He handed her the cage, a familiar scent came off of Sebastian, and she stared at the bird, "A letter you say? For whom..."
"It's better if you don't know. However...I'm sure there'll be a time when it'll come in handy." He looked at her, his eyes serious and he said, "Immediately at dawn. Will that be ok?"
"Yes it will."
He patted her on the shoulder, "Well then, I'll excuse myself. I'm sorry for the late hour." He turned his back to her and started walking away.
"Ah." Maylene tried to call him back.
"Oh, and another thing." He said as he stopped at the steps, "You shouldn't carelessly open the door without checking who it is at this time of night."
"Huh?"
"Seeing as you are a lady." He smirked and left.
"Sebastian...?" She stared at his retreating form.
~ASC~
Arthur sighed, Urgh...I can't sleep. He thought. His eye opened and he stared at Ciel, Even so...13? The same age as my little brother Ed he's still a snot-nosed kid... He remembered his brother and rolled his eyes. He turned his gaze to Ciel, and stared at Ciel's closed eye, noticing that he had long eyelashes for a boy. Ciel rolled over and mumbled in his sleep. Arthur chuckled softly as he looked at Ciel, "When he's asleep he looks as cute as his age suggests he would be. Instead of being 'The Earl,' I'm getting more of a 'Ciel' vibe right now..."
There was a long sigh behind him and a deep voice said, "Indeed, he's a lot cuter when he's asleep."
"Eh!" Arthur shouted, "Wai…you were still here!"
"You're late Sebastian." Ciel said as he rubbed his eye of the sleep.
"Huh?" Arthur looked at Ciel in surprised, "Earl! You were awake! U-um did you hear...?"
"Give me the pillow already." Ciel said as he held an outstretched hand.
"Huh! Pillow?" He looked to Sebastian who smirked and went to Ciel's side, "This is what you'd call Young master's security blanket I guess?" He switched Ciel's pillow and Ciel threw himself on to it, "Nonsense. I just like this pillow."
Sebastian chuckled, "Would you also like a lullaby, or would you like Matthew to come sing to you?"
Ciel sat up immediately and shouted, "No way! And like you've ever sung to me before! You sense of humor sucks! Don't say it like you want someone to misunderstand!" He flopped back down and grumbled, "Go back to your room already. I'm going to sleep!"
Sebastian smirked as he held the pillow to his chest, he didn't hear Ciel complaining about Matthew and he wondered how the blonde would feel if he told him so, "Please excuse me. Well, I will return to my work then."
Ciel hmphed as Sebastian covered him with the blanket, and he was soon out like a light.
So fast! Arthur thought, So he really can't sleep without this pillow? Even though he didn't say anything about it before...he must have been holding out...
"Mr. Wordsmith, I'm sorry to have caused you trouble." Sebastian bowed to him.
"Not at all." Arthur shook his hands, smiling nervously at the butler.
"Young master stands firm as the Phantomhive family's head of house, but he's still 13. He's still a child." Arthur smiled sadly at Ciel, "That's right. It's only natural for him to be uneasy when he's been caught up in this kind of incident."
Sebastian stared at him, "You don't believe Young master did it?"
"Yes. I don't think the Earl would do something like that."
Sebastian bowed to him, "Thank you. I'm really glad they chose you to watch over him... But tell me, what do you think about Matthew?"
"Huh? Ah well...I really can't believe he did it either."
"And why is that?" Sebastian asked.
Arthur looked at his hands and remembered the solemn look on the man's face, "He seems like he can do it if he wanted to, but...he seems like...he's tired. I mean, like he's been suffering for too long, and all he wants is some peace in his life." Sebastian stared at him and looked away.
"Did you know that his daughter died?" Arthur nodded glumly, "He also had two sons right?" Sebastian looked at him and nodded back, "You've heard about children missing before right? Well, those three were some of the victims. Edward was killed before his eyes, and Damien took his own life when he stabbed his father," Arthur's eyes widen in surprise, "He wasn't himself, Damien, and when he saw what he did, he killed himself, even though Matthew forgave him, he died. His daughter had been hurt badly, three stab wounds, one infected, and he tried to nurse her to health, but...she was born with a fatal disease that she kept hidden from him." Sebastian walked over to the door, "She died in his arms... the grief was too much that he himself wished to die. He's barely being pulled out of the brink of despair, and I worry he may return any minute."
"I-...I didn't know..."
Sebastian squeezed the pillow and said, "Mr. Wordsmith, I'm leaving Young master in your hands."
"Ah..." Sebastian turned and walked away. Arthur sat on the side of the bed and looked down at his hands, However, in the end, the situation doesn't really allow for anyone but the Earl or Matthew to be the culprit. He turned his head and stared at Ciel's back, But I really can't imagine them being the killer at all. Are some of the others lying? He thought as images of everyone came to his head, And if so...who? As for the people who were with me, I can be sure no one left their place...so that would mean...it's either one of the servants who were working together at the time...or one of those three... He sat up and pressed his hands to his mouth as he thought more on the subject.
Those three are really suspicious. But when they met us in the hallway they were certainly coming out of the lounge. So then the most suspicious ones are the servants... Sebastian and Maylene came to his mind, they both were mysterious, a clumsy maid, and a skillful butler, And amongst them the most suspicious ones are...the two that found the body first. For example, if they managed to perform the locked room maneuver before we came running at Lord Siemen's scream...what would be their motive? Could they have pin the crime on the Earl and run off together? A butler's life is dedicated entirely to his master; he has to give up everything. So he can't marry without his master's consent either. He tapped his chin and stared at the warm embers, Tormented by the thought of their future in a love forbidden by their master...? It's the most common plot in mystery novels today...it's not impossible. The butler Sebastian was unusually calm when Lord Siemens died too. Was it because he's the killer? But then why would Matthew be blamed? Was it because he knew of their relationship? Maybe he was a victim of circumstances? He buried his head into his hands, But...why am I advancing the story on suppositions? Even though I'm writing a mystery novel! This reasoning didn't hold up from the start... He lay down in the bed and stared at the ceiling. Though first of all, no matter how much I think about it, it's impossible for anyone to hide the murder weapon and perform the locked room with the needle and thread in the small amount of time before we came running in there. Also, why did I start some monologue to prove the Earl's and Matthew's innocence...who did it...and why... His eyelids grew heavy and he fell into a much needed slumber.
~ASC~
It was dark in my dreams; I was just walking on a cobble stone path. I've had this dream before; my family was usually at the other end, and no matter how much I ran, I wouldn't be able to reach them, so instead I would walk. This time, it was Sebastian that was at the end of the path, he along with Damien, Edward, and Toby. They were smiling at me, Sebastian holding his hand out to me so I can grab it and be with them. I reached my hand out and my fingertips touched his, my other hand going forward to get his other hand, and I was yanked out of my dream by the door creaking open.
My eyes roamed the dark room, usually I would be able to see who it was, but since I've been stressing my body, it was nothing but a black room and I looked around, there was a loud boom as the lightning lit up the room and I caught a glimpse of something silver coming at me.
"Fuck!" I jumped out of the way and heard a clatter, the instruments that were behind me had been knocked over, I scurried up to my feet, a lot harder without my hands to help me. "Are you the killer?" I shouted my voice wouldn't leave this room; the music room is padded with soundproof walls as to not disturb the mansion. He didn't say anything; he was staying still so I couldn't tell where he was. I heard running footsteps coming at me and I threw myself to the left, rolling on my side and forcing myself back up to dodge again.
I panted and looked around, "Where are you, you son of a bitch!" I growled out, backing up slowly. There was a whooshing sound near my left and I threw myself to the right, my body hitting the piano, making a loud bang as I fell to the floor.
"Shit..." I groaned.
"Die!" I heard a harsh whisper and felt something nick my eyes and the bridge of my nose, "Gah!" I screamed as I rolled over to my side, the blood burning my eyes. "Venite ad me serpens principis!" (Come to me Serpent Prince!) I couldn't see the seal being made with the bloody tears, nor could I see the murder's face as the lightning lit up the room. But I did hear Basilisk hiss as it tried to kill him.
I scuttled backwards, my eyes hurting so much. "Left!" Basilisk hissed at me and I flung myself to the other side, to slow it seems, as something sharp cut my shoulder deeply. "Ah! Kill him already!" I ordered. I heard Basilisk screech and I heard a startle gasp, there was instruments being knocked around, I could only imagine Basilisk wrapped around the murder's body, trying to crush him to death, then I felt something thrown at me and Basilisk scales touched my bare chest. There was a screech as the door was opened, then locked.
I breathed heavily as I winced from the pain. "Sssorry, Masster." Basilisk hissed.
"It's ok. Were you hurt?" He hissed a no, and I sighed in relief.
"That's good." I laid there on my side, trying to breathe in air, a few minutes passed and I started chuckling, "That was bad, I almost thought I was about to be- GAAH!" My chest started burning, feeling as if I was being torn in two. Basilisk tried to pick me up, its body length allowing it to force me to sit up as the pain continued to stab me continuously. Something warm and wet went down my stomach, probably the blood from my eyes, and the smell of iron infiltrated my nose. "Massster, are you ok!"
I couldn't speak as the pain pulsed through my body. "Massster! Massster!" Basilisk cried, my vision was fading and he wrapped his slithery body around my own, it was warm, and the pain was fading, and yet...a familiar hollow feeling came into my heart, and it felt like my soul was being ripped apart. Sebastian...it hurts so much. Tears fell down, mixing with the blood, and the pain continued till my body could no longer hold up, and I passed out, Basilisk trying hard to wake me up.
~ASC~
There was a strange imagine of a ghost in Arthur's vision, "...smith." It said, he blinked and tried to go back to sleep, "Wordsmith." He opened his eyes fully this time and saw Ciel hovering over him. "Please wake up."
Arthur sat up and screamed, "Whoa! Good morning!"
"Wordsmith." Ciel said a serious expression on his face, "Something is wrong around here."
"Huh?"
"Even though it's quite past the time that Sebastian is supposed to come and wake me...he still hasn't come."
"Wha!" Arthur's eyes widen, No way. Did he actually run off!
There was a knock on the door and Tanaka stepped in. "Please excuse me." Ciel's eyes widen in horror. "I'm sorry to be this late."
"Tanaka...where is Sebastian?" Ciel said, his voice almost trembling.
~ASC~
I don't remember when Basilisk had returned, but I do remember being shaken awake and being dragged out of the music room by Grey. "What the hell happened?" I heard Keane say, my eyes trying to open, wincing as the blood that had dried, burned even more. "How terrible." Irene said, I heard more footsteps and something grabbed my arm, it was soft and someone was crying into my chest.
"How did it end up like this...?" I heard Grey.
Something rubbed my eyes, I groaned when I felt it, and my eyes started to open, everything red and blurry at first, I looked down and saw Finny holding on to me. "Wh-what do we tell… the Young master..." Maylene cried, holding a bloody handkerchief to her chest.
"What is-" We heard a gasp and I turned my head and saw Ciel's eye wide in shock. "Ciel." I said softly, I looked to what everyone was staring at, blinking away the rest of the blurriness, and my eyes widen, and I fell to my knees. Finny tried to pick me up, sobbing in my ear, but he too fell by my side.
Sebastian was staring at me, blood splattered on the carpet, and his body was unmoving, a fire poker sticking out of his body, his skin was pale, with a small hint of blue, and his tantalizing eyes were wide with horror. His beautiful body has been tainted by death.
"Se...bas...tian?" Ciel took a hesitant step forward and I shouted, "Maylene!"
She responded to my call and grabbed Ciel. "You can't! Young master, you shouldn't go closer!" Ciel started to struggle in Maylene's hold, "Let go!" Finny rushed over and I pulled at my restraints, the cuffs cutting into my wrist as I did so, You can't be! Not you! I screamed in my mind.
"You can't Young master!" Finny shouted.
"Stand back!" Ciel slapped Maylene's hands away and screamed, "Don't order your master around!"
"Young master!" Finny cried and Ciel started walking forward to Sebastian, his bare foot stepped on the blood, and he stared down at Sebastian's form. "Sebastian...stop fooling around. Sleeping on the floor doesn't look all that comfortable to me." The dead corpse never answered back and the cuffs strained under my strength, a small pool of blood forming behind me.
"Exactly how long are you planning on pretending to be asleep?"
Bard looked down and muttered softly, "Young master." Hoping Ciel would listen to him.
Ciel stomped on Sebastian's chest, "Didn't you hear me Sebastian? I said get up." Ciel grinded his teeth and pulled the poker out of Sebastian's chest, "Why you..."
"Earl!" Arthur shouted.
Ciel threw it away and grabbed Sebastian's bloody clothes, "Sebastian! Wake up this instant! That's an order!" He shook the body and when he didn't receive a respond, even as he slapped Sebastian repeatedly, "Didn't you hear my order! Who said you could just die!" Everyone stared in horror at Ciel, the restraints broke from my wrist and I stood up walking over to him. "I won't allow this Sebastian! Open your-" I grabbed Ciel's hand and he looked at me in surprise, Bard walked over and said softly, "Young master, give it a rest will you. He's already..." Ciel stared at us, not wanting to hear the words, "Dead..." I finished my voice empty of all emotions as I stared at Ciel.
He released Sebastian and looked at his dead butler in shock, "You're kidding...right?" Maylene and Finny started crying harder, holding each other and I stared at Ciel, "Are you dead? Sebastian." Ciel closed Sebastian's eyes and he touched his cheek, "You, my butler... You...only you...you were supposed to be by my side until the end."
Grey walked over to Bard, arms crossed and seemed disappointed, "If we leave him here, he'll rot. It'd be better if we moved him quickly." Bard flinched as he looked to me, expecting me to scream and shout in defense of Sebastian. I didn't do anything as I stared at Ciel.
"...Yes." He responded back.
Maylene walked over to Ciel and picked him up by his arms, "Come, Young master."
"No! Let go!" Ciel started to struggle, and something replaced that hollow feeling in my chest, pure rage, as I watched Ciel scream for Sebastian, "Don't you dare leave me behind Sebastian!"
"Young master!" Maylene shouted in shock.
"Sebastian! It's an order! An order." He grabbed at Sebastian's coat, trying to have a grip on him, and instead pulled off Sebastian's pin. "An order!"
"That's enough!" I shouted and I slapped Ciel. He stared at me in shock, his eye trembling from the fallen tears. "He is dead."
"No!" Ciel whimpered, not wanting to believe me.
"He won't come back."
"Stop Matthew." Maylene pleaded.
I gripped Ciel's shoulders and made him stare at me, "..." I wanted to scream at him, saying that Sebastian will never be by his side again, that he had abandon us, and will never return, instead I looked down at Sebastian and my eyes closed as tears refused to fall, and instead blood replaced it. "Get this out of here immediately, there is a killer here, he is well armed, and he has to be incredibly strong in order to attack both Sebastian and me." I felt them staring at me and I touched my heart, the seal was gone from my chest, the burning feeling last night was because Sebastian was literally being ripped away from me. I stood up, and Finny went to me as he tried to stop the bleeding from my eyes.
"Hmm?" I heard Lau, "It would be impossible for the confined Earl and blind Matthew to have committed this murder right? Things just got interesting." I felt Lau's eyes on me, they were cold and yet I could feel him searching the entire scene.
Something held my hand, it was Ciel's smaller one and he started to tremble as I knew he was staring at Sebastian still.
~ASC~
Arthur stared at Ciel and Matthew; he was surprised by both their reactions, but mostly by Ciel's as he shook. He was standing with his small back shaking in grief, even so, not once did a tear fall down from his eyes. Did his pride as the master drive him to restrain himself so...or does this mean that even his tears have dried up already...
"What the hell is with this mansion?" Keane shouted as he held Irene to his body, "To have two murders overnight!" Arthur walked over to Sebastian's body and checked it; he noticed the blood around Sebastian's head. "That's not right..."
"M...moreover with that..." Irene whimpered as she looked at the murder weapon.
"He was stabbed with the poker alright. How brutal."
Arthur's eyebrows furrowed and his eyes widen as he grabbed Sebastian's head, "There are also traces of being hit in the head. He must have been hit from behind while collecting ashes." Bard was by Matthew's, gripping his arm as his eyes remained shut. He could care less for this situation and wished to return to his room, so he may heal his shoulder and eyes of their wounds, and be away from everything. "You're saying that wasn't enough to kill him...so they gave him the final blow by stabbing him in the chest?"
"Either that," Grey's voice echoed in the room, "Or they just continued attacking without checking if he was already dead...Two hits would be more likely to kill him than just one...strange. Hm?" Grey said as he looked at Arthur who was analyzing Sebastian's body.
"Even though he didn't die from the blow to the back of his head...why did the killer go out of his way to stab him from the front?" Last night blared into Matthew's mind and he spoke up, "I was perhaps attacked before Sebastian was killed." Their eyes were focused on him, he could feel it. He then, heard Bard's clothes rustle and his stubble chin being scratched by his hand, "If you were, then why attack so many times. Certainly it makes more sense to attack from the same angle a second time though."
"Perhaps there were multiple culprits." Arthur said.
"What!" Maylene and Finny shouted.
"Matthew says he was attacked, probably before Sebastian was killed, what exactly happened Matthew?" Arthur asked.
"I heard my door opening, I didn't know the time. I called out to him and he tried to attack me. We struggled for a bit, and he slashed at my head, he only nicked my eyelids and the bridge of my nose, but he still tried to attack me. I suppose I put up too much of a struggle and he left." He left out the burning pain, Basilisk, and that Sebastian had visited him in the middle of the night.
"Then there has to be two. For example, one of them came from up front and started chatting to attract his attention...meanwhile the other one, perhaps the one that attacked you, snuck up behind him and hit him over the head. Then in a flash the one up front gave him the final blow by stabbing him." Arthur explained.
"Well no matter how, it's certain that this killer didn't feel any mercy or hesitation." Lau said, "To have killed even that butler, the culprit must be extremely-"
"Stop it already!" Finny shouted, his grip around Matthew's body left, and he held Ciel, trying to protect him from Lau's cruel words. "Why are you even having this conversation in front of the Young master? Please think of his feelings."
"Finny!" Maylene shouted, she bowed to Grey and hurriedly said, "P-please excuse him!"
Grey frowned at the two servants, and said, "...Well certainly, instead of standing around the corpse like this, why don't we temporarily move this thing-"
"Sebastian."
"Excuse me?" Grey said.
Matthew's eyes opened and everyone stared in shock as his pupils turned to slits with blood still staining the white around them, "It's Sebastian, not corpse, not thing, Sebastian." He walked up to Grey, who grinned wanting Matthew to do something. Instead Matthew shoved my hand into Grey's coat and took out his hunting knife. He stabbed the cuffs still on his wrists and they fell to the ground with a clatter. "I'm going to take a shower." He announced as he brushed passed Tanaka who looked straight ahead, and yet a hint of concern was on his face.
Grey scoffed at Matthew's retreat, thinking in his mind that he was a coward who wouldn't confront someone. "We can discuss who did it and such later over some food."
"Isn't that just a little too easy going!" Woodley shouted.
"Indeed...there's no point in being hasty." Lau said.
Grey stretched as he whipped around, his mid-shoulder length hair swished behind him and he said as he walked to the door, "It's decided then. So you guys are in charge of cleaning that up." He turned his head and started at the four servants, "Oh and...The preparations for breakfast also."
Tanaka gave him a small bow, but the trio stood silent, their loyalty divided into staying with Ciel, and doing what their told.
"I'm going ahead to the dining hall, I'm starving." Arthur glared at Grey, unable to believe how rude the man was. "We're going too." Keane said as he pulled Irene away, not even asking her if she wanted to go. Everyone turned and looked at Ciel. He clutched the coat around his shoulders and sighed, "It's as they say. Move Sebastian to the basement. I'm sorry for losing it."
"But..." Maylene started, but looked away instead, not wanting to defy Ciel.
"Young master..." Finny stared at him, tears wanting to fall again. Ciel ignored the two and stared at Tanaka.
"Tanaka."
"Yes."
Ciel walked up to him, his hand clutching Sebastian's pin, "Sebastian is dead. From today on, you're my butler." He held the pin to his chest, the small chain brushing against his knuckles, "I entrust you with the management of the mansion and supervision of the servants. This pin," He held it out to Tanaka "Will be returned to you also." Tanaka smiled sadly as he looked at the pin, "The pin of the head butler...how nostalgic. Should you really be hiring an old man like me?"
"It's just until I've found a replacement." Ciel turned away.
"Certainly." He bowed to Ciel and Ciel handed him the pin. "I'll hold on to it firmly." He clipped it on and clapped his hands together. "Well then, first we'll prepare the morning bath. Maylene, the hot water if you will. As for you two, please carry the hot water to the Young master's bathroom after moving Sebastian. Hurry!"
"Yes!" They said in unison and left the room to do as they were told.
"Let's go Young master; you'll catch a cold dressed like this. Let's give you a change of clothes first. The head of the Phantomhive house should not be shaken by something as trivial as the death of a servant." He smirked as he thought of his old master Vincent Phantomhive, "I never once saw the master lose his composure due to such trifles."
Ciel chuckled softly, "You're as strict as ever...old man." Tanaka smiled down at him.
Finny and Bard came in with the stretcher and a blanket. They covered Sebastian's body and they placed his body on the stretcher, taking him away. Arthur stared as they left and Tanaka came forward to him, "Mr. Wordsmith."
He looked down and Tanaka placed clean slippers in front of him, "I'm truly sorry, for something like this to happen..." Tanaka bowed to him and Arthur shook his hands and head, "It's ok...Rather than I stay with him...please stay by the Earl's side." He looked down as he sighed, remembering Sebastian's words.
"I deeply appreciate your concern, well then..." Tanaka turned around and started leading Ciel away, "Let's go Young master. We shouldn't keep the guests waiting."
Ciel stopped and looked at Arthur, "Please, can you check on Matthew for me?"
"Ah, his wounds, of course."
"Fair warning Mr. Wordsmith...don't startle him." Ciel said as he left.
Arthur raised an eyebrow at this and went off to look for Matthew.
Maylene pointed him down the hall way and he thanked her as he held a small bowl with antiseptic bandages, and some cotton balls. He knocked on the door and waited. There was no response and he wondered if Matthew already finished bathing.
He heard sloshing noises and he touched the door knob, He must be depressed, perhaps he doesn't want to speak to anyone...but, He opened the door and steam hit his face. "Gosh it's so warm." He stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. He looked around and saw the bathtub filled with warm water, and by its side was a small metal stool with a bottle of pills.
"That's strange? I know I heard someone...oh my god!" Arthur dropped everything and rushed to the bathtub, he stared into the water and saw Matthew underneath, eyes closed, his feather trying to float up, but being held back by the small chain. "Suicide isn't the answer!" Arthur shouted as he grabbed Matthew's arm. Matthew's eyes snapped open, blood leaked from the cuts, and he stood up faster than Arthur would have expected, and a knife was pressed against Arthur's throat.
"I-I." Arthur started to stutter as the knife radiated heat from the hot water. "Author Arthur?" Matthew stared at him in confusion, blood dropped into his eyes, and he dropped the knife as he shut his eyes from the pain.
"Wait, I-I'm here to help with your wounds."
"Leave me." Matthew said as he slid down the tub until he was once again submerged. He opened his eyes, and stared at Arthur, eyes emotionless as the pink hot water washed away the blood from his wounds, the scars seemed to stand out even more in the water and Arthur noticed that Matthew had a towel wrapped around his waist. "I know your upset," Arthur started, hoping Matthew would hear him out, "But Ciel sent me here to heal you." Matthew blinked under the water and closed his eyes as his hands clenched and unclenched, small bubbles escaping his lips. Arthur frowned and went to pick up his supplies.
He heard the water sloshed again, and this time some of it fell out. He turned his head and Matthew was sitting up, his fingers running through his hair, fixing it so it wouldn't stick to his face. "...Sebastian told me about your three kids..." Arthur suddenly said. Matthew froze for a second, and he turned to stare at him, "Did he also tell you that they were orphans? They were taken from me before I could. When I tried to save them..."
"I know..."
Matthew laid his back on the tub and chuckled as he stared up at the ceiling, "I failed to save them...just like the others...hehe!" He started laughing harder, his body shaking, Arthur stared at him in shock, "What I must have done to piss off either god or the devil...to be cursed to have the ones I love killed before my very eyes, and yet I alone must survive? How cruel...how very cruel..." Matthew tilted his head back against the rim of the tub and laid his arm over his eyes as he breathed out.
What could you tell someone whose life is like this. Do you tell them that god is testing their faith, do you tell them that things get worse before they get better... Arthur picked none of those thoughts and just asked, "Will you let me clean your wounds?"
"..." Matthew didn't respond at all to Arthur.
The novelist grabbed his supplies and set to work on the wound on the shoulder, it wasn't a deep cut, but it would require stiches, something he didn't have. He grabbed a cotton ball and dipped it in the alcohol, "This is going to hurt a bit." He said, Matthew didn't say anything, as his eyes stared at the ceiling still. Arthur pressed the cotton ball into the wound and Matthew didn't even flinch as Arthur rubbed it in the wound.
He grabbed one roll of bandages and wrapped it tightly around the wound. "When the rain clears up, you might want to go to a hospital to get stitches." Arthur said, he grabbed another cotton ball and saw red bite marks on Matthew's right shoulder. "Did the killer do this?" Arthur touched the wound and Matthew grabbed his hand, "Leave that one alone."
"But a bite mark can get infec-"
Matthew glared at him and he shut up. "Leave it be." Arthur nodded and walked over to Matthew's head, "Here comes the hard part, close your eyes ok." Matthew released a breath and did as he was told.
Arthur studied the wound and smiled, "Wow, you're lucky. Your eyelids could have been stabbed through completely and you would have lost your eye sight." Matthew hm'ed at that and Arthur sighed as he cleaned the wound, Matthew's eyes twitched as he applied the alcohol.
Arthur stopped and stared at Matthew's wrist that were holding the sides of the bathtub. "Who do you think is the killer?" Matthew suddenly asked as he stared at Arthur. "Uh...I honestly don't know." Arthur wrapped the bandages around the wrist, and stood up, "It's not a bad job, though I wish I had better supplies with me-"
"Towel." Matthew interrupted.
Arthur raised an eyebrow at the blonde, "Pardon?" He asked.
"To your right." Matthew said.
Arthur turned around and spotted the towels, "Oh." He grabbed it and walked over to Matthew.
"Get out...I don't like to be seen naked, nor did I appreciate being touched." Matthew said as he grabbed the towel, the one around his waist slipping off from the weight of the water, Arthur stared at him, his mouth open in shock, "But, I had to clean your wounds." Matthew ignored him as he waited.
Arthur huffed and stepped out of the bathroom. He heard the water moving and falling and the door opened. Matthew stepped out of the room, a large towel around his waist, and another around his shoulders, covering the faint star pentagram.
"I've been meaning to ask...why do you have that." He pointed at the faded mark and Matthew touched it, "It's a broken soul." He walked passed Arthur and hovered at his door, "Author,"
"Ar-thur." The novelist corrected.
"I know. Watch your back... because the only people I trust are those of this mansion. My orders were to take care of your needs and I will see to it, but, everyone other than my dear friends and master, I can give a damn. Someone wants to hurt my family...Whoever it is, they better hope I don't find them. Because if I do, I'll kill him." Matthew stared at Arthur, eyes full of rage. He entered his room and Arthur scratched his cheek, "This...is going to be difficult isn't it." He sighed and stayed in the hallway, unsure where he should go.
A few minutes later, the door opened and out came Matthew, there was a puzzling look on his face as he looked into his room and turned to face Arthur. He was dressed in black once again, and he fixed his sleeve and slipped a book into his pocket, and finally tucked his knife into his sleeve. "There should be food ready for you." He said at Arthur, "If there was anything that man could at least do, was be a damn well butler." He closed his door and led Arthur to the dining room.
'Such a solemn person, this Matthew is. I still know nothing of him to this day, but as we walked to the kitchen, I couldn't help but think we all were forgetting something.'
Please review...