The winners of the challenge was TheNightOfDarkness, KosmicKhaos, and fewdvu, a wonderful job guys, well done! Everyone who tried as well, great job, some were very close, and some just needed one answer left. But, the challenge is over, thank you all for playing, the secret chapter will be after this one, I hope you enjoy, and thank you very much for playing! Now how Matthew was brought back will be revealed to all! Please enjoy~
Chapter 27
~ASC~
Day 1...
"I hate you guys, I really hate you guys." I muttered as I placed the suitcases on the carriage and Ciel gave Tanaka a bag of money, "Now, I expect you all to behave while your away from the mansion. Don't destroy the town mansion, and make sure to come back in 6 days." Sebastian said as he also handed Tanaka my keys. "Where will you be going Young master?" Finny asked Ciel as he placed his hat on.
"We'll be visiting Matthew's home." Ciel said, a smirk on his face. Oh how I wish I could wipe that smirk off his face. "Wha! Really. I want to come too!" Finny looked at me, his eyes huge and watery and his lip was sticking out in pout. "No." I said, trying not to look into his eyes. 'I didn't knew something like that would affect you.' Sebastian thought. 'Look at him! Can you really resist!' Sebastian looked at Finny's sad face and I can almost hear the awe in his mind.
"Wow, Matthew's home. I've always wondered where he lives." Maylene said.
"Yeah, hey bring us back some souvenirs will ya?" Bard slapped my back and I winced and nodded to him.
"Well everyone, this is goodbye for now." I held out my hand to shake theirs and they tackled me to the ground, crying loudly "We'll miss you!"
"Gah! I'll miss you too! Please, I need to breathe!" They released me, begrudgingly I admit, and they entered the carriage. Tanaka bowed to me and I bowed back, "Goodbye Tanaka. See you in a week."
"Goodbye Matthew. I hope you enjoy your visit back home." He bowed to Ciel and Sebastian and he went into the carriage. Snake bowed his head to us as he held the reins, not one to really speak and I waved goodbye to him and his snakes. He whipped the horses lightly and they left.
"Ok. Now let us go." Ciel said.
"Wait. We can't go just yet. I have to figure out where I can open the damn portal."
"What do you mean?" Ciel asked.
"Look, when I first did the summoning I was in the park. If I did just suddenly opened a portal in the middle of the park, where people are at, then that would pretty much ruin our vacation."
"Hm...do you remember the layout of your dimension?" Sebastian asked.
"No, do I look like GPS...oh wait you don't know what that is." I pinched the bridge of my nose and tried to remember that night, "Let see..." I remembered in the park there was a group of trees. If I do it there, I'm sure no one will see us. "We'll have to move fast once we enter, but...the problem will be where we will stay."
"Isn't your home still intact?" Ciel asked.
"My home?" I've never thought of my house, it's been so long, but it should be there still, no one has been allowed to go in because they've tried to solve the case...but... "My family's lawyer told me when I reach 18 that the house can belong to me...I-I wonder if it's still there." Sebastian went to my side and placed an arm on my shoulder, "We'll never know until we try." I nodded and walked forward, "Let's go then." I led them down the road, trying to remember the exact location, with Sebastian's help of course, and I stopped at the edge of the road and took a deep breath, "Ok. Let's do this then."
I bit my thumb and drew the eight point star. I no longer had to chant for it to work, it's a part of me now, and I willed it to open the way to my world. It flashed red and an image appeared of the trees in the park. "Its...ready." I suddenly felt very nervous and I stepped aside. Ciel walked forward to it and Sebastian followed after, he looked to me and gave me a sincere smile, 'Don't worry. I'll be there with you.' I returned the smile and I walked to his side, "After you Ciel." He nodded and stepped into the image, it moved like water and he disappeared. "Come on." Sebastian grabbed my hand and we jumped in.
It felt like being in water, yet we were falling into this red tunnel. We couldn't breathe, Ciel looked slightly scared and I brought him close to me. Sebastian grabbed us as we came to the end of the tunnel and he caught me and Ciel before we hit the ground. "Let's go!" Sebastian ordered as he saw people coming near the trees.
The sudden smell of the trees, the sounds of cars and people, and the strange feeling of nostalgia made me unaware of the situation. Sebastian grabbed Ciel's waist and mine and he ran past people, we were nothing more but a trick of the eyes to people. Sebastian landed on a roof of a home and he shook me, "Snap out of it!" He slapped me and I touched my cheek, "Ow! That was unnecessary and you know it!"
"You wouldn't stop thinking and we were almost found out because of it. Now, are you fine or do I have to figure out where your home is?" Sebastian looked at me and I shook my head, "Sorry. It's just feels like an eternity since I've been back. My...my home's this way." I grabbed Ciel and jumped forward, Sebastian followed after me.
I skidded on the brown roof. It was so old, and the weather has not treated it kindly. I lowered Ciel down and went to my bedroom window. "Careful Ciel, it's probably still dusty." I opened the window and dust flew out, dried up blood remained in the house, and it was still strong as if the first day it happened, but Ciel wasn't aware of it. He covered his nose with his hand in, and stepped inside, Sebastian followed after. I stayed outside for a few seconds, looking at the old neighborhood. So much has changed, in so little time, and yet I feel as if nothing has changed at all. "Are you coming in?" Sebastian asked.
"...Yeah." I walked towards the window and slipped inside. My bed was still in its corner, it looked smaller, or maybe it was because I was bigger. The toys in my room are covered in dust, and the drawers look old and weak, probably termites have entered the house. "...I...I need a second." I told them, my voice almost breaking as I stepped out of the room. How long has it been since I've entered that room? It was on that day wasn't it? The scent of blood became stronger and stronger and I finally I was in front of the door.
I opened it and it screeched as it swung open. The piano was still in its corner, and so was the blood that covered it, on the walls, chairs, pictures, and even music sheets that scattered the floor and their chalk outline was there too. I remember that night, it was so clear in my head. My parents came downstairs to the music room to work on a song they've created together, it was a duet. I heard them playing their music, I was what 8 maybe 9 years old as I sat on the top step of the stairs and listened. Then I saw the light of the candle go out, they never did used the lamps, they enjoyed the soft glow. I heard the sounds of somethings hitting the ground and I rushed down the steps. I watched as the demon feasted on them, they had a shock look on their face as they stared at me, and yet I don't remember hearing them scream in pain, but then again, they were already dead. The demon was kind and yet cruel as he killed them swiftly, and he left me alive without my parents there.
A hand fell on my shoulder and I gasped and spun around, Sebastian was looking at me in concern, and I just remember our mind link was in place. He saw everything that had happened. "You have to move forward, Matthew." He cupped my face and with his thumb wiped a tear that I didn't knew was there. I closed the door and went up the stairs, "Leave the room alone. Everything else is restored."
"Matthew!" He called out to me, but I blocked our mind connection. I didn't want that room touched, it was just something that I can't let go, that I refuse to forget. I entered my bedroom and saw Ciel holding an old stuff bear that my mother had given me. "It's soft, and it roars." He squeezed the small chest and it let out a weak roar. "Yeah. There's better ones than that, if you'd like to see them."
Ciel looked up at me and nodded, "But first let's do something about your clothes." I went to my closet and opened it, there were still some of my old clothes inside, though it seems I think Ciel would look uncomfortable, considering that they were for 8 year olds. "Eh...let's get Sebastian to fix the sizes of these, and then your set."
"I've finished the downstairs, but could not fix some items." Sebastian said as he clapped his hands, dust coming up from them. "Also. I found something weird."
"What do you mean weird?" I asked as I laid out some clothes on the bed. Sebastian took out from his coat a card. "It's mine!" I snatched it from him and held it close, "I thought I lost it..." I looked at the card, it was a birthday card, a small candle on the front of it, and I opened it. "Happy birthday to you, our sweet little boy. We-" I closed the card. My hand shook and I slipped the card into my coat. "Was...that your mother and father's voice?" Ciel asked as he came to me. I nodded and looked down at him, "It was something I've kept close to me, until I lost it. You know how little boys are when they keep playing with something, it either breaks...or disappears."
"Then, I'm glad I found it for you." Sebastian smiled at me and I smiled back, "Thank you, Sebastian."
"This is all touchy-feely, but I'm going to die from the dust if I continue to wallow in this room." Ciel said. I laughed and ruffled his hair, "Fine. Sebastian, tailor these please. And I'll handle the clean up duty upstairs, and fix the electronics." He gave me a slight bow and set to work on the clothes.
It was handy being a demon, what would take me 4 hours of cleaning took me only 5 seconds. It was so cool! Everything is as good as new, as if it was never damaged. I fixed the old t.v, the fridge, the lights, and even the air conditioner, and still had time to repaint the walls, fix the roof, and renovate the second floor.
Sebastian whistled loudly as he looked at the floor, "Not bad for your first time."
"Thanks. Oh and I found some clothes for you to wear...uh they are my fathers clothes...and your kind of his size." I blushed and went to my parents bedroom and took out a black sweater, and a pair of black jeans. "My dad liked being comfortable, so if you don't like how they feel, we can always buy new ones." Sebastian touched the sweater and smirked, "Your dad has strange taste."
"I know! Shut it!" I blushed and handed him the clothes. "Just hurry up and change ok!" He laughed at me and removed his clothing, "Not in front of me!" I shouted and rushed out the room. He laughed harder and shouted back, "We've made love so many times, are you still shy about my body!"
"Shut it!" My face was burning and I covered it. It wasn't because I was shy, it was because every time I see Sebastian without clothing, or so close to me, I end up wanting him. "Open your eyes Matthew." Sebastian gave me a small peck on my lips and I opened my eyes. The sweater fitted him nicely, unfortunately it was slipping over his left shoulder, and the black jeans were very low on his waist, his creamy white abs showing from it. He smirked and placed his hands on either side of my head and brought his face close to me, "Like what you see?"
"Sebastian, stop molesting Matthew." Ciel ordered as he came out of the room, wearing my old clothes. He had a short-sleeved button shirt with blue pin-stripes and some jeans that only came up to his knees. "Wow, uuh...that is a totally different look for you."
"Shut it!"
"Well uh, I guess I'll go change next, and we can head out. Ok?" They nodded and I went back into my parents bedroom. I came out with a frown on my face and a white v t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, "Why do you look upset?" Sebastian asked me, concern on his face.
"I...fit in my mother's clothing."
The two idiots covered their mouth to keep from laughing out loud at me and I glared at them. I was sooo not happy that my mum's clothes fit me! "Come on!" I growled and led them outside. People on the street stopped and stared as we three came out. "Good morning neighbors." I greeted them and they just nodded dumbly at me. "Ciel, before we go anywhere, I need to make a quick stop somewhere, a place I haven't seen in a while."
"Alright." Ciel said.
We walked around town for a bit and finally we arrived at the antique shop. I gulped and my hand touched the door knob, 'Now or never Matthew.' My little pep talk didn't work, but I forced myself to open the door. The small bell dinged and I looked around the shop. She wasn't around anywhere. Ciel brushed passed me and started looking at the knickknacks.
"Maybe she doesn't run the shop anymore..." I murmured as I looked around.
"I'm coming! Hold on!" A women screamed.
There was sounds of foot steps running down the stairs and she emerged and didn't even look up at me as she went to one of the shelves and she placed a few objects on it. "Sorry for being late, it's been a while since anyone's come to this store. You must be new he-" She turned her head and her eyes widen as she stared at me. "M-matt?"
I gave her a slight nod and said, "Hello, Sandra."
"Matt!" She suddenly grabbed me and pulled me into a hug, her body shook as I felt tears soak the shirt, "You idiot!" She released me from her hold and slapped me, "You disappear without a word and suddenly come back!" What is it with people slapping me today! "Sorry." I said.
"Sorry. Sorry! Is that all you can say! You stupid block head, don't you realized that you make people worry about you!" She slapped me again and she suddenly fell to her knees, "That day you disappeared, I thought it was my fault. You look so upset and it was dark, I should have made you stay instead of wandering at night." She continued to sob and I stared down at her. There were no words that I could say to make this moment better, there was nothing I could do, except stay where I am. I never knew she cared for me, never knew that I've caused her this guilt. "Oh, look at me..." She sniffled and wiped the tears away as she rose back on to her feet, "I must look a sight to you all. Is this your friend?" She smiled at Sebastian and I nodded, "Yeah, this is Sebastian Michaelis, and he's Ciel Phantomhive." Ciel came to my side, he had another gameboy advance in his hand, "There's more of these? Let's get it." He told me.
"Ah haha, Ciel, you play to many games as it is. You don't need another one." I took it from him and handed it back to Sandra, "Oh aren't you cute." Sandra pinched Ciel's cheek and he glared at me for allowing it to happen. "I'm Sandra Estavez, I've known Matthew since he was 13 years old. Silly boy tried to steal my merchandise, but he ended up falling on his face before he could make it out the door." The two stared at me, and my face started burning, "I thought we've agreed to never speak of it again. Besides, I just needed enough stuff to pawn for cash back then."
"So, Matthew was a thief before, well young ma-" I slapped Sebastian's mouth shut and said loudly, "Ok, it was fun visiting, but we shouldn't be keeping Sandra away from her work now!"
"Oh nonsense, please join me for some tea." She said.
Damn...
Sandra led us to the backroom where she kept a lot of her other merchandise, even though the room is supposed to be a living room. We sat down on a couch and she disappeared. Sebastian immediately turned to me, "Why did you stop me from speaking?"
"You idiot! Don't you know how weird it would be to call a kid young master!" I whispered harshly. "Who are you calling kid!" Ciel growled out. "You know what I mean Ciel! Ok look, no giving orders, no acting high and mighty, and seriously no weird mentions of our world!" They just raised an eyebrow at me and crossed their arms, "Guys!" I shouted.
"I have pan dulces!" Sandra announced as she came into the room with tea, coffee for herself, and some of her spanish bread. "What's pan dulce?" Ciel asked as he picked one up and gave it a cautious sniff. "It's a spanish pastry. Try it." I grabbed one and bit into it, they use to be so good, but now they tasted like nothing more than tasteless crackers. Sebastian looked at the tea and bread and Sandra just smiled, "Don't worry, it's not like it's roofied or something." I spit out my tea and started coughing, "Sandra!"
"What! Oh my bad, I shouldn't speak like that in front of the cute little boy~" She pinched Ciel's cheeks again and I was covering my face in embarrassment. "What is a roofie?" Sebastian whispered. "Nothing, just please don't ever mention it." I forgot Sandra's strange humor. Ciel ate his bread and finished his tea as Sebastian asked questions about me.
"How was Matthew when he was younger?"
"Oh, he was so quiet, when he did speak to me, it was quite rare, and usually it was for something he wanted me to get him. How did you meet Matthew?"
"We fo-"
I nudged Sebastian's leg and said, "I was trying to run away again, they found me and gave me a place to stay."
"Oh, so you two are related. Well I wouldn't have been able to tell, you both look nothing alike." Sandra took a sip of her coffee and Sebastian reached for his own teacup, trying to seem human. Sandra saw his half-hidden mark and she said, "Oh, do you like HIM."
"Him? Why yes, I'm actually quite fond of him." Sebastian said.
"Ah, yeah." I butted in again, "Unfortunately he was drunk and ended up with a star instead of the upside down heart star from the band." Sebastian raised his eyebrow at me but said nothing back. "Oh yes I also wanted to ask one more thing." Sebastian said, Sandra nodded and waited patiently, "What did he do here? You say he would come often to your shop, what would he do?"
"Hm. Oh well, he would play with the music boxes or just read some of the books I had here. He always asked for some kind of music to be playing, though, I don't care for the music he likes so he ended up finding someone and bought an iPod from them." She then covered her mouth and started laughing, "It was so funny seeing him struggle just to ask me something. He was really shy and had wanted to add some music on the thing. I did, but nothing comes for free."
"Yeah, but you didn't have to work me like a dog." I said, my arms crossed and a frown on my face. "Oh please, you only had to carry the heavy boxes."
"I had no muscles!"
"Well now you do, and that was thanks to me for getting you started."
I slapped my forehead and sighed, "Fine, whatever...Sandra, I've never said it before but...thank you for everything you've done for me." I smiled at her and she gave me one back, "Anytime kiddo. I'm just glad to see you're alright."
It wasn't until 2 pm did we leave her shop. I've noticed, not once did the bell ring, and from the looks of the store, it seemed that no one has come into the shop. Ciel started asking me questions, mostly about the cars running around, the 'strange' way people dressed, and especially the toys. I finally decided to take him to a mall and Sebastian and I lost him in the crowds of kids at a toy department. "Ciel? Ciel?" I called out as I looked around for him.
"I'm over here." I turned around and walked down two aisles of toys and saw him in the video game department. He was trying out the demos for the Xbox and the Wii, and I could tell he was having fun. "Young master sees to like to play with your technologies." I sighed and nodded, "Man, I should have never let him play with that gameboy. Oh well, he's going to be glued to that until the demo stops him. You want to go somewhere?"
"Perhaps some clothing for you." I looked down at my outfit and nodded, "Yes. Let's do that." I placed my hand on his back and led him away, I called out to Ciel, "We're heading to the clothing department, it's upstairs, don't talk to strangers!" He gave me a slight nod and continued to play the game. I don't think he really listened to me, but then again I have Sebastian here, he'll find Ciel if anything happens.
We walked up to the men's department and I started rifling through the racks looking for something to wear. "What about these?" Sebastian asked. I turned my head and my mouth fell open, "Put those down!" He grinned as he held the package of male thong underwear for the damn world to see.!I tackled him to the floor and we fought each other, me trying to snatch them away, and he just keeping them away. "Can I help you gentlemen?" A department helper came over and he had an eyebrow raised as he stared down at us. "Hehe...uh, yes I'm looking for some uh, boxers." Why the hell did I ask for boxers?
"Well, those aren't boxers sir." The man said.
I chuckled nervously again and stood up, "Oh, yeah. Oops."
He wasn't buying it, but didn't say anything, "There's some over there."
"Yeah, thanks." I backed up and rushed over to where he pointed so I wouldn't draw too much attention. Sebastian chuckled softly as I looked through the different types of boxers, "I thought you don't wear underwear, Matthew."
"I don't like the goofy underwear they have over there, besides these are better." I grabbed a few, all of them were black with a red outline and I went to the pants section. "Besides, shouldn't you also find something for yourself to wear?"
"Hm... very well." He left off and I continued looking through the clothes. I found a few pair of jeans, one black, two dark blue, and one light blue. I went to the shirts and found a mid-sleeve white shirt, two polo shirts, one black with red strips, and the other white with blue, and finally a black casual zipper vest, it would look nice with the mid-sleeve. "Let see, what else should I buy." I tapped my foot on the ground as I tried to think and I looked down, "Right shoes. I suppose." I found a pair of sneakers and a pair of boots and decided to go straight to the changing room to see if they fit.
The clothes didn't look half bad on me, in fact they look quite nice.
"You look great." Sebastian image was behind my mirror self. I turned my head and smiled at him, "You know, there's other rooms besides this one."
"Yes but they don't have you." I laughed softly and he started removing his clothing and trying out outfits. "Matthew how are we going to pay for theses?" Sebastian said as he finished buttoning a black button up with matching black slacks and belt, my did he love his black didn't he? I was also pretty sure those were very expensive. "Well pretty easy really. We make some. I know you can do it." Sebastian smirked and opened a box showing two shiny black shoes, "This Hugo Boss, I like his style of shoes." He slipped them on and I just shook my head, "How expensive your style Sebastian."
"Well, I'm the one with the money right? So I can buy whatever I want." He held out his left hand and his right hand cupped over it and he removed it after two seconds. There was a roll of hundreds in his hands and I whistled, "Wow. But I wonder if you know about the security line on them." I grabbed the roll and pulled out one and held it up to the light. "Yup, knew you'd mess up. Go look at a hundred closely in the light and you will see what is missing." He rolled his eyes and took back the roll, "Whatever you want...Love~" I blushed and he pressed his lips to me. He lightly nip my lower lip, wanting me to sweeten our kiss, I obliged and our tongues intertwined with each other. He pressed against me, one hand slipping under my shirt. I moaned softly as he tweaked one of my nipples. He smirked at this and said, "This place would be highly inappropriate to make love, but we can try."
"No!" I opened the door and kicked him out, "You-you...horny dog!" I knew calling him a dog would piss him off, but it's what he gets. I changed back to my other clothes and grabbed the other ones. I walked to the register and saw Ciel leaning against the wall, he moved over to me and asked, "Where did Sebastian go?"
"To get money. Did you find something you want? And no you can't have the Xbox, the Wii, or anything else bigger than the gameboy." He pouted and held up a set of clothes, and the store's magazine, "This." He pointed at the bottom, it was Nintendo ds, "I want the Dslite, not the DsI, or the 3D, but the Dslite, it can play games from the gameboy advance." I sighed and nodded, "Fine. But your going to get stupid from all those games."
"Would you like to buy all of these sir?" I turned my head and the cashier was a teenage girl, her name badge said she is called Marabella, and there was little kitten stickers on her cash register, and she seemed very happy. "Yes please." She gave me a toothy smile and started removing the security clips. "That will be 459.72." I looked around for Sebastian. "Will that be cash or credit?" She asked, her big bright smile on her face.
"Uh."
"Cash." Sebastian was by my side and he took out a wallet, where he got it, I have no clue, and handed her 5 hundred-dollar bills. She checked each on and gave him back change and a receipt, "Thank you for shopping gentlemen!" She took out her cellphone and quickly took our pictures. We tilted our heads to the side, not expecting this, though I think Sebastian and Ciel didn't know what she did, and I took the bags and Ciel grabbed my wrist and dragged me down to the toy section. I sighed as I stand by a corner and he dragged the poor employee through the ds section and picked game after game. Finally when he got all he wanted he made us go to the register.
"Uh...it's going to be 698.31...sirs." The guy looked at us, and then looked at Ciel. "You sure you want only these?" I asked Ciel. He nodded and Sebastian took out 7 hundreds. The guy just stared at them and he hesitantly took them, "Wow... kid must be spoiled." He muttered.
"Minimum wage idiots should learn to keep their thoughts to themselves." I glared at the guy and he flinched. Sebastian lean close to me and whispered, "Your eyes are showing." I calmed down and the guy handed us the bags. "Come on Ciel." We walked through the store and I stopped and stared at a display rack, "What is it Matthew? Did you find something you want?" Sebastian asked.
I stared at the dvds, two seemed to call to me and I shouted, "Yes!" I grabbed the dvds and made Sebastian pay for them. "We have to go back home now, now!" I jumped up and down and zipped out of the store. Sebastian and Ciel sweat-dropped and look at each other, "He's uh... a little too excited. Isn't he?" Ciel said.
"Yes. But this is probably the first time I have ever seen him like this." Sebastian sighed, a small smile on his face, and he grabbed the forgotten bags. "Shall we, master?" Ciel nodded and they walked out.
~ASC~
By the time they arrived to Matthew's home the blonde was running back and forth from the living room to the kitchen, a buttery smell in the air. "Hurry up and sit on the couch!" He said as he jumped over the couch and ripped the plastic from one of the dvds. "What has you so excited?" Sebastian asked as he sat on to the couch.
"You'll see!" Matthew rushed back into the kitchen and brought out a large bowl full of popcorn and a can of soda. "Here Ciel." Matthew shoved the items into his hands and he went to the t.v. "You guys are going to see a movie that I have always loved." He turned on the t.v. and took out the dvd from its box and slipped it into the back of the t.v. "Is this like The Wild Earl?"
"Way better than that. It's The Nightmare Before Christmas." Sebastian and Ciel stared at Matthew, "You want us to watch a nightmare?" Sebastian said.
"Just shut up and watch it for me, ok?" They sighed and Matthew pressed play on the menu disk. Matthew backed away and then threw himself onto the couch, his feet on Sebastian's lap, and his back leaning against the armrest. The intro started and Ciel moved closer to the screen as they started to sing. Sebastian was confused at the movie, he didn't understand it so well, seeing as he is a demon. He looked to Matthew and saw the smile on his face, it hasn't left since the start of the movie, and he seemed to hum the songs, knowing them by heart.
'Sebastian, watch the movie.' Matthew thought.
'Oh, so you're talking to me now?' Sebastian said.
'...Lie down for me, please?' Matthew asked, his eyes never leaving the screen, as he brought his feet down to the floor and just leaned on in the middle of the armrest, and the couch's back 'Put your head, right here.' He patted his lap and Sebastian gave a slight smirk and complied. Matthew's hand laid on the crown of his head, and he used his fingers to softly rake through the black hair. Sebastian relaxed at this and could hear Matthew's voice in his mind singing the songs of the movie.
The movie was close to ending now, Santa Clause free, and Jack was back. Sally left the snowy town and Jack followed her to the hill. He started to sing to Sally and Matthew repeated the words softly in his mind, it sounding sweeter to Sebastian than the two characters in the movie. Credits started coming out and Matthew sighed happily, "What do you think?" Matthew asked Sebastian.
"interesting, a demon would never act like that really. Being together with Sally for so long, Jack should have been able to sense that she was his soul mate." Matthew laughed softly and looked to Ciel, "What do you think Ciel?" The small Earl was passed out on the floor, small pieces of popcorn stuck to his face, and the soda empty on the floor. "Ah, I suppose running around made him tired." Matthew patted Sebastian's shoulder, and the black-haired demon removed himself from Matthew's lap. "I'll take him upstairs, mind cleaning up?" Sebastian shook his head, "Not at all."
Matthew gently picked Ciel from the floor, and took him up to his old bedroom. He changed the sleeping Earl into a large t-shirt that used to be his own nightwear, and he laid the small boy on to the bed and covered him with the sheets, "Sweet dreams Ciel." Matthew lightly ruffled his hair and left the room.
'He fell asleep right after the movie ended, I'm surprised he even held out that long.' Sebastian chuckled in Matthew's mind and Matthew smirked, 'Yeah. I forget that he is still just a kid. He's always so serious and tough, and he's also very lonely, even if he doesn't say it.' Sebastian stayed silent and Matthew walked down the stairs and went to the music room.
'Sandra says you listened to music when you were younger. Can I ask why?' Sebastian asked as he leaned against the wall opposite of the music room. '...My mother was a pianist and violinist, and my father was a singer and a pianist. Anyways, to answer your question...it's very complicated. Music is what brought my mother and father together, they both were late for their performance, and ended up sharing a cab. And as long as I could remember, even perhaps when they were still dating, music always filled their lives.' Matthew bent down and touched the chalk outlines, 'There was always music playing inside the house, either from my mother's or father's collection. Or almost always from them.'
'Then, music is what reminds you of your family?'
'Yeah, it is something I can't forget.' Matthew closed his eyes and let his hand touch the floor near him, remembering how his parents would dance together to the sound of music. '...You know, you never told me about what happened after you died. It's impossible to come back with out help of some kind.' Matthew opened his eyes, stood straight up and turned his head to Sebastian, "I don't want to tell you... I'm sorry for sounding so selfish today, but I want to keep it to myself. It's-" Sebastian pressed a clawed finger to Matthew's lips, he was in his true form, and his eyes stared right into Matthew's, "I understand you wish to keep them close to you, I won't pry." He pressed his lips onto Matthew's forehead, then onto his lips, "I love you."
Matthew wrapped his arms around the demon's waist and laid his head on his chest, "I love you too, Sebastian."
~ Origins ~
What was left of my soul was gone from my body. William must have reaped it. I don't blame him for doing it though.
It felt like I submerged in warm water. My body was drifting, but I couldn't tell in which direction, up, down, left or right, all of this seemed lost to me. My eyes wouldn't open, do souls have eyes? And if so, what would I see? I felt light as well, almost as if I was the air. Is this what happens when you die? I don't see a white light, nor do I hear anything...No, wait, I do hear something, it's soo faint. The warm fluid passed over my body and I heard two people humming, one a man, the other a woman.
'...Damien...'
A male voice, not the ones humming was calling out to me. Who is calling me by my real name? It sounds almost familiar, yet I was not able to wrap my mind around it. The humming hasn't stopped, not that I wanted it too, it was gentle, and comforting. I heard giggling and once more the strange, yet familiar voice called to me.
'Damien...'
My eyes opened, a bright light blurred my vision. I blinked a few times and my eyes stared back to soft hazel eyes. "M-mom!" I sat up and stared at her, she looked the same way as I remembered her, long curly blonde hair, bangs almost covering her eyes, and a soft smile always on her lips. "After so long of waiting, we finally get to see you again." She pulled me into a hug and I hesitantly held her, "...We?"
"Don't tell me you forgot about your old man." I turned my head and my mouth fell open, "Dad!" He looked the same as my mother, blonde hair that reached up to the nape of his neck combed to the back, except for one lock, clear blue eyes, laugh lines etched into his cheeks, below them a strong jaw, and a smirk on his face. His arms were crossed, broad shoulders always sticking out, and he said to me, "It's good to see you, son." My mother had let go of me and I stood up, my legs were shaking and there was a large lump in the back of my throat, and I threw myself at my father. His arms caught me and he held me tight. Tears started to fall, as I tried to say something to him, but I couldn't speak. I was 19, and yet I felt like a 3-year-old unable to speak correctly through my cries.
He softly rubbed my back, and he whispered, "I know, son, I know."
We released each other and I rubbed the tears away from my eyes. "You've grown so big son." My father told me. "Yeah well, 12 years does that to a person." I chuckled softly and my mother went to my father's side, holding his arm in her own. "We're sorry we weren't there for you. You've been through so much and dealt with it all on your own." My parents looked at me, sadness was clear in their eyes, "It wasn't your fault. I'm doing...well I guess I was doing good. I had found a place to belong, made dear friends, fell in love, had three...I-I have no regrets."
"He didn't mention us. Did he not like us?" I felt my body freeze at the voice behind me. "No dummy, it makes him sad to remember us." I hesitantly turned around and all three where there, looking at me. "T-toby, Damien, Edward..." They smiled at me and ran full speed, tackling me to the ground. My arms went around them and they chattered away, saying how glad they were to see me.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I repeated over and over as I held them close to me.
"It's ok." Toby whispered. They removed themselves from my hold and smiled widely at me. "You took really good care of us while you were back on earth!"
"Huh?"
"Yeah. Oh wait, Matthew! Please come out!" They shouted. I raised my eyebrow and I saw a shadow rise up from behind them. It took a shape, and I realized it was me, except it's eyes were hollow, only a smoldering red light was in the darkness, and it's body is made entirely of shadows, with the rare flashes of white coming forward like small flames. "What on earth?" I said.
"No not on Earth! Here!" Toby said as she grabbed the shadow me's hand. "He's you, he came a few weeks after we died. He's been taking care of us...though he can't talk, but he's super strong!" As if to prove her point the thing lifted her up over its head and she screamed happily as he held her up. "How is that...and how are all of you here? Are we in limbo... or is this what happens when we die?"
They all looked at me, it seems they didn't knew either.
"I can answer that for you?" The voice that had called my real name from the beginning seemed to echo the entire place. I look around and couldn't find who it was. "Oh right, sorry. Forgot about the glasses." Just as soon as the voice said that, some guy appeared in front of me. "Ah!" I jumped backwards when I saw the large double ended scythe in his hands.
"Woah, easy there Damien, I mean Matthew." He smirked at me. The man had dark brown hair, greenish-yellow eyes, and was taller than me by a few inches, for some reason he was wearing a suit, it seemed to remind me of what William wore...wait...
"You're a reaper!"
"Yup. Can you guess who I am?" Twirling the scythe around he planted the blade on the white floor and leaned against the weapon, careful not to get cut by the other end. "I'll give you a hint." He cocked his head to the side and little Edward grinned, and the older man grinned like him as well.
My eyes widen, and I stuttered, "E-edward?"
"Bingo!" He clapped his hands and looked back to everyone else, "Mind giving me a few moments with him?" They shook their heads and turned to leave, "Except you, Shadow." The Shadow-me stopped and walked to Edward's side.
"Edward...you-I..." He turned around and I stopped talking, "A lot has happened. I know. We were only 12 when that happened, though I'm glad to say I reaped the bastard's soul... It didn't change the fact that I left you." Edward sighed and bent down, a chair appearing out of nowhere. "I don't think you know how much we needed you. You were our ground, when we needed to know something for sure, we'd just look at you...and we knew the answer. But...when it happened, we needed you, but you... we depended on you too much that we ended up hating you for not being able to help us." The Shadow-me touched his shoulder and Edward smirked as he looked up to me, "Imagine my surprise that reapers are mostly people who have sinned. It's our punishment in our world, we can never be reincarnated."
"What do you mean sinned? And reincarnation?" I asked.
"Oh, yeah. You don't know this, but I've always envied you, in fact to the point that I wished you'd died along with your parents." To say I am surprised was an understatement, I thought for a second he was just joking, but the serious look on his face proved to me that he was not. "Matthew, tell me when did you and I first met?"
"First year, you were in the sandbox, and I was trying to play with you."
Edward smirked and hanged his head low, "Yeah... those days are still fresh in my mind. Do you remember my dad?" He asked, looking up at me.
"I've never met him, don't you remember?"
He nodded and sighed, "Yeah... my old man was a true bastard. Son of a bitch would beat me if I did something wrong, or if he was just pissed. I guess that's why I hated you." I was still confused, not understanding what he ment. "Well...I remember seeing you on the first day. Your mom and dad both came to drop you off, all the little brats there wouldn't stop crying for their own mum, except you. You seemed shy, yet you wanted to be there. You were...so innocent, and I hated that..." He shook his head. Edward sighed once more and looked up at the white ceiling, "You're probably wondering, why you? I don't know why, maybe it was cause you were the easiest to hate, seeing as how for 3 whole weeks you never spoke with anyone, yet continued on as if nothing was wrong, while I had to hide my bruises and hate having to go back home. That innocent smile you gave everyone, and how clueless you are to the bad things in the world, you took everything in strides, as if everything would be fine. When everyone who wasn't naïve like you, knew that it wasn't."
"Edward, I-" He raised his hand to stop me once more and the Shadow-me patted him on the back, "Then, that day came. You walked over to me, wanting to play in the sandbox, but to afraid to ask if you could. I was getting sick and tired of you just standing there the whole time that I screamed at you to just play in the 'damn box'. Hahaha, the startled expression of yours still makes me laugh." He wiped a tear away and digged his hand into his breast pocket. He took out a cigarette and he pulled out a red lighter. "You ended up sticking with me since then, always chattering away when something interested you, but most of the times you stayed silent. I don't know why you clung to me, but you did." He exhaled a large cloud of smoke and tapped the cigarette on the handle of his scythe, the ashes falling to the ground, and then disappearing, as if it never existed.
"One particular day. My father beaten me till I couldn't move, then the scumbag abandoned me. Though I'm glad he left. That day, I hated you so much, you and your happy life with your mother and father that cared for you." He stubbed out the cigarette and signaled for me to come closer, "Sit down, I'm tired of looking up." He said. I looked around, wondering what I could sit on, then I remembered how he made the chair appear. I bent down, and a white chair appeared under me. He sighed and shook his head side to side, his hands gripping his hair, "That day, that day... That day I told you everything that happened to me, the only reason I did that though, was because I wanted to see what you would do. To shatter your happy world. You looked so shock as I showed you the bruises, and you even look ready to cry. Yet, there was no pity in your eyes, nor were your tears fake...I-I was so confused. You were promising that you would never dare tell anyone after I told you that I would be taken to an orphanage, if someone found out, and that I would be all alone..."
He shook his head and continued, "Though, as this horrible fate would have it, someone found out, and they told someone, and they told someone, and soon I wound up in the orphanage." Edward started to smile and a laugh came to his lips, "I remembered you came to me, crying your big eyes out, saying over and over that you were sorry. Even though I know you never told anyone, you still apologized to me, thinking it was your fault. Your tears surprised me, they...frightened me. I didn't knew why you would waste your tears over someone like me, I didn't knew why you cared so much. After that, I stayed at the orphanage, thankfully the place sent us to schools. But people started talking about me, people felt sorry for me. I ignored all of them as you stuck by my side." Edward stood up from his seat and started walking around me. Shadow-me touched the death scythe, a sad look in his red eyes as Edward continued to pace around.
He stopped behind me and placed his hands on the back of my shoulders. "One good thing came of being in the orphanage, I was able to meet Toby. Though I was afraid to talk to her. I remember my thoughts of her were that of a really cool girl who doesn't back down from anything. When she joined us in school, you had approached her, asking her if we can borrow her crayons. She said only if she was able to watch us, so we couldn't 'break them.' You were somehow able to get her to hang out with us, and I was grateful for that. With her in our small group, it made me feel strangely happy. And it was thanks to you, you were the glue that held us together as a group, without you, we'd never would have spoken to each other, and I wouldn't have people who actually cared for me." He paused, I knew what was coming next, and he seemed hesitant to speak. His fingers tapped my shoulders and he leaned down, his chest pressing against my back, and his arms wrapped around my neck, "Then, the day after your parents died, and they took you away into that horrid hospital...it felt as if I lost someone dear to me. Toby and I would worry so much about you, wondering if you were ok, and if you were safe."
His hands tightened on my shoulders, slightly shaking as he remembered, "...When...when they brought you to the orphanage, you seemed different. There was a hollow look in your eyes, your innocence was killed, smothered out by the truth of the world... When you were back, you seemed so far away from everyone, and yet you still clung close to me and Toby. Finally one night, you started to cry and I came over to your bed. Again, your tears scared me, you who should never ever shed tears through those big eyes, were crying because you've lost your mother and father, and no one believed you when you tried to tell the truth. Even I didn't believe you back then, and I'm sorry for that." His grip tightened on my shoulders, and he whispered, "I realized then that, I never wanted to see you crying ever again. So I tried my best to be the leader, just to make you happy. I tried to come up with ideas of fun stuff to do, of things we can laugh at, anything to keep those tears away. But I guess...in the end, I've failed." His hands wrapped around my body, as he buried his head into my back, "Can you ever forgive me?" He whispered softly, desperation in his voice.
Why was he asking me to forgive him? Shouldn't it be the other way around, I abandoned him and Toby. I never tried to help them after what happened, I just hid in my shell, and tried to wish the world away. "Why, why did you say that? It's me who should be asking for your forgiveness. It's because of me that everything happened! If I had just died that night, I-"
"I would have been left alone! If you had died, I would have lost my dear friend, and everything that had meaning would have been lost! Can't you see that? My destiny is to forever wallow in my sins...never to age... never to be with the people who I love...never to start anew. But you, you're a survivor, everything in your life that puts you deeper and deeper into hell, it's all to see how hard you can continue to try to pull yourself out." I opened my mouth to disagree with that, and he covered my mouth with his hands, "You have no idea how much your wanted, how much your needed. The world may continue to move even if you died, but the friends that you made can never ever forget you, because you are just that important to us. As soon as I woke up at the Reaper's department. They told me what I was to do, and I knew I was given a chance to try to watch over you. I saw your entire life Damien, I saw how you fell deeper into a hole, thinking you can never crawl out. I also saw how you took yourself to another world, you asked for a second chance because you wanted to try again. If that's not a survivor, then I don't know what is."
I grabbed his hands and pulled them down, "But... I caused more harm, than helped. Because of me, everyone around me would get hurt, some way or another."
"It wasn't your fault though. It was mine, that stupid worm would have never gotten into you, if it wasn't for my hatred when I was smaller. Somehow, my hatred called that demon forward, and it infected you, and cursed you, all of it was my fault. My hatred for you was so strong, it called it forward, though, because of that it's curse came onto me as well. So that's why we all suffered, because I couldn't control my jealousy, because I hated you for everything you have."
My heart stopped at his words, and my body trembled, "If-if that is true, then what about the second worm? It couldn't have been you if there-"
"That's because it laid an egg in you. They can go undetected for so long, and hatch after a year of being within a host, then it slowly started to cause you misfortune, unnoticeable at first, but then, it causes you the utmost pain. It would have taken it time for that to happen though, but when your's and the young'un Damien met, his worm doubled in size to compete with the younger worm within you. But... It was the most unfortunate thing that the worms encountered that Joker guy. That mansion you were all in, it was like swimming into an ocean of blood with great whites. The worms were going on a frenzy, trying to escape your bodies to go to the other children, trying desperately just to feed off of the misery in the air. The worm in Damien however grew to strong, to fast, that it controlled Damien into trying to kill off the other worm. Yours tried to do the same, but was only strong enough to force Damien to kill himself."
Tears stung my eyes, all of this wasn't controled by fate, it was all just a series of misfortune, caused by the Jynxes. Those worms, those damn worms. Every damn time. Can we ever break free from this dreaded curse? Will we ever have a moment of pure happiness?
Edward laid his chin on the crown of my head, "I...I have some news to tell you Matt."
"What else can you tell me?" I was afraid to know, yet I asked anyways. He smiled and buried his face into my shoulder, "Well, when I first became a Reaper, I was made to be this age and not a year less or more. As the years advanced, I kept a watchful eye over you, and even brought your parents soul, and took care of them. I did the same for the children, and when that demon guy released this small bit of your soul," The Shadow-me disappeared in a blast of dark light and it looked like a small flame mixed with black and white, Edward held out his hand and it landed on the center of his palm, "I made a grab for it, before it could disappear. The only reason I brought it, was because the children and your parents seemed unhappy, they wished to see you, but souls can not go back to Earth, not after they were already reaped." He placed it in my own hands, it was so small, so fragile like a snow flake, it thrummed in my hands, and I released it, it floated ever so gently around me. Edward chuckled at it and it transformed back into me and I looked up at Edward, studying him.
"Your not telling me what you want to say." I said.
He smirked and patted my head roughly, "Stupid. Anyways, as I watched over you, I saw you getting weaker and weaker. When the spike stabbed you into the heart, your soul was damaged beyond repair and I snatched it before that other reaper could do so."
"And?" I asked, he was leaving something out still, I just know it.
"Well...Matthew, I have two options for you. 1. You can either stay and be reincarnated with everyone. Or... 2. You can go back."
"Is that it?" I asked, I stood up and looked at him, "Of course I'm staying!" I shouted, "I have waited for this my entire life! I'm finally reunited with my parents, your here, and so are my young ones! There's nothing left on Earth for me."
"You say nothing?..." Edward eyebrows furrowed as he walked over to the Shadow-me, "Like I said before, this is a piece of your soul, from when the demon broke your bond to each other." I nodded, "Ok, fine and dandy, let's just patch up my soul together, and then it's done." Edward smiled sadly and shook his head, "You still don't get it. Don't you wonder why it's covered in shadows?" I opened my mouth, and then shut it, that thought never came to my mind until now. "Why is it like that?"
"Well normally...a soul that has been ripped apart like yours, well...they can't survive. Shadow would have never made it if it wasn't for that demon. A piece clung on to Shadow, and has kept him from dying. That is why he is covered in darkness, and that is also why he can't speak, since originally demons can not speak human language, they have to learn it." I looked at the Shadow-me and it just blinked, and tilt his head to the side, the feather earring on his ear defied gravity and floated where it could. "S-so I can't have that part of me back. Ok, big deal, we'll both exist then."
Edward sighed, "You really just don't...you just don't get it!" He shouted. "Why do you think a demon soul would stick to a human soul without devouring it! It's because..." He stopped and took a deep breath, and calmly continued, "It's because that demon loved you very much, he would have been here by your side now, if it wasn't for the contract he made with the child. It's the only thing keeping him alive." Edward touched the Shadow-me, and his entire body changed into the shadow version of Sebastian, "So...what will you pick?" Edward asked me.
"I-I-" My voice trembled and I saw mother, father, and my children behind Edward, they looked at me, but they didn't give me a hint of what I should do, all they did was smiled and encouraged me to pick what I wanted. Shadow-Sebastian extended his hand to me, wanting me to take it. "No!" I backed away and shook my head, "No, I had my chance on Earth and messed up! I want to be with all of you! I have to be! I have to!" I shouted. Edward went to me and placed a hand on my shoulder, "There are people on Earth who need you, you dummy." The Shadow-Sebastian's form shifted to Ciel, to the trio, to Tanaka, then it started turning into my summonings, each and everyone that loved me, and cared for me were appearing in the remains of mine and Sebastian's soul. Tears fell as I looked at it, it was turning back to Sebastian and I fell to my knees and buried my face into my hands, "I don't want to leave all of you... I want to stay!"
They all came to me and wrapped their arms around me, "We'll see each other again, that's the point of reincarnation." My father told me. "Yeah! Then, next time we can do things properly!" The kids shouted as they grinned at me. My mother softly touched my cheek and smiled, "I'll love you always my child, but you must not worry for us. We will be together again, someday." I held them all tightly, wishing they'd just tell me to stay, and I looked to Edward and he smiled at me, "Don't worry Matt. I'll take good care of them, ok?" I nodded and they released me.
Shadow-Sebastian went down on one knee, his mouth opened and soundlessly he told me, 'I love you.' The last tear fell down the corner of my eye and I brought my hand up. He placed his hand to mine and we clasped them together, "I-I want to go back, I want to be with you again." I told him, he nodded and looked to Edward.
"Alright, but like I said, damaged souls can't survive. So I have some friends of yours that wish to help you." I looked at him, confused at what he ment and then the white world we were in started having red symbols being made. It was all my summonings, each and every one of them came out of their world and came towards me, "The book was destroyed when it touched the water, but your blood had also spilt onto the book and has kept them safe for now. They all agreed and wish to become one with you, so you will live...but you'll be a special kind of demon, a host actually, you'll still have your human soul within you, but I guess in percentage about 10% of you will be human, the other 90 will be your new soul, a demon soul. Will you be okay with that." I looked to the Shadow-Sebastian and nodded, "Yes...it will be fine."
"Good!" Edward grabbed his scythe and pointed it at me, "Then in the power invested in me, yada yada yada, I join this damaged soul with these!" He cut my chest and I fell backwards as I felt every soul from the book rushing into me. My light body started to feel heavy, and I bit the inside of my mouth in pain. It felt like forever, till finally the last one, Shadow-Sebastian looked at me one more time and he slipped into my soul. A pulse ran through me and I couldn't breathe, I looked at Edward, worried that something went wrong, instead everyone just stood together and Edward whispered to me, "I couldn't find Toby, and after all this is done, I'm going to be punished and force to work on the other side of our world. Maybe, someday I can find her, then, someday you will also see her, along with your family, and your dear children." He smiled sadly to me and my hand reached out to them, wanting to go back, and yet at the same time wanting to go to Sebastian.
The pulse came again and I felt myself disappear, darkness surrounding me once more.
Edward frowned and the small Damien tugged on his sleeve, "Did we really have to lie to him?" He asked. Edward nodded and ruffled the boy's hair, "How can I tell him that he'll never be able to see you guys again because you helped him? I've interfered too much, so the chances of you ever being reborn are so slim now, and there's no guarantee you will be together. I'm so sorry." Edward bowed his head and they shook their head, "We knew the risk, and we are ok with everything, we have faith that we will be back together." Matthew's mother said as she smiled down at the children, "Isn't that right?" They nodded and looked up at Edward, "Thank you for everything Mr. Edward."
Edward chuckled softly and placed his hands behind his head and he leaned backwards, "Nah... It was you guys who did everything. Now, let's get you guys back." He slashed the air with his scythe and a door opened up. The children stepped into the door and Matthew's parents followed after. Edward walked to the door and lingered a few minutes outside, "Goodbye, my dear friend. If life is kind to me and you, we may see each other again...someday..." He stepped into the door and it closed behind him, the white world shook and collapsed, revealing a slumbering Matthew, curled up, his body slowly changing...
~ASC~
My eyes snapped open and I saw the bodies floating around, many dead, and a few still alive. My legs started to hurt and I looked down as my shoes were killing me, and my legs were trying to stick together. I forced the shoes off, for some reason the need for air wasn't affecting me. When I pulled the shoes and socks off I saw my feet starting to grow longer and webbed. My lower legs stung and I pulled my pants off next and my legs stuck together and started to morph into a mermaid's tail. As I looked at the tail I felt something warm on my stomach and looked down, there was a strange mark forming under my belly button, just below the scar from the knife wound, was an eight sided star surrounded by two circles, the inner one touching all the tips, and the outer one with a double coils interlocked, forming circles in the outer ring.
'How strange.' I thought. I touched it and it glowed softly, a small feeling of euphoria passed over me and I blushed. My stomach growled and I looked around, and I took in a lung full of water, somehow I was able to breathe, and something delicious was near by. I looked over and saw a massacre of the undead surrounding a lone life boat. I licked my lips and thought of calling the mermaids to join me for a midnight snack. I traced their symbol, and they came out, smiling at me, and I tilted my head towards the buffet. They nodded and swam forward, I looked at my tail and copied their movement.
Soon we surrounded the boat and I grabbed body after body, but the delicious taste did not come from them. I heard muffled voices and looked up, and there was Sebastian. My heart beated loudly in my ears as the thought of being with him, flooded my mind and my hands shot out as his face neared the water. The look on his face was of shock, he didn't recognize me, and I pulled him into a kiss. He struggled and gave up just as quick. I knew that he remembered me as I deepened my kiss. I was glad to be back, I could not for the life of me, forget this demon, because I love him, and I want to be with him forever.
~Please Review~
Ah I feel as if this chapter wasn't enough! I'm sorry everyone! It's been a little difficult since I just came out of orientation and I start college this monday. Like I said before, my updates will now take some time, more so than usual! Thank you for reading, and please take care!