HB Chapter 10: Thirst and Hunger
The fire had spread to the second floor and completely engulfed the third floor. Nothing but violent flames licked at her hair as she gathered the children together, pleading with them to be strong and stay close to her. If it had not been for Vincent coming to get her and the girls…they might have perished in the fire.
"Stay close now! All of you! We must stay together!" Vincent yelled through the flames. The young children clung to Elizabeth's night gown, shivering in fear and desperation. Running Fawn held two small children in her arms tightly looking to Elizabeth for guidance. Suddenly a loud blast sounded through the air and the children screamed out of fear. Elizabeth screamed and held on to the children tighter than ever before.
It is the gas lines! They're exploding! We have to get these children out! We all have to get out now!
"We are leaving now!" Vincent yelled. Elizabeth urged the children to hold each other's hands as they ran through the burned hallway. Bits of debris and fallen beams partly blocked their way and they had to quickly maneuver around them. Dark smoke began to circle around, causing the children to cough aggressively, gasping for air.
"Elizabeth! Elizabeth! We cannot make it!" Running Fawn cried out. Suddenly, a loud screeching sound came from above them. A loose wooden beam hung down dangerously, and in the nick of time, Elizabeth pulled back the little Indian child before the beam fell.
"The path is blocked!" Running Fawn yelled.
"Stay calm! Come this way! Hurry!" Vincent yelled. They frantically ran past the beam, through the smoke that filled their lungs.
"Don't breath in the smoke! Cover your noses!" Elizabeth told the children. She grabbed her kerchief and held it to her nose, trying to avoid the smoke.
We-we have to get out! The smoke will kill us before the fire does! Everything…is burning! I can't seem to see anything! My eyes are burning…it hurts…I can't see anything…
Elizabeth felt herself sway and losing her balance. Everything seemed to swirl around her and she could not keep her footing. Just as she felt herself falling, arms wrapped around her preventing her tumble.
"Elizabeth! Elizabeth! Keep it together!" Vincent cried. He shook her gently, trying to get a response.
"Elizabeth!" Vincent turned to Running Fawn who was several yards ahead of him.
"Leave! Running Fawn take the children and leave now! Go down the staircase and out the back door! You can do this!"
"Mr. Vincent! I can't!"
"Damn it Running Fawn leave!" The young Indian girl moaned in fear, but ushered the children near her and made for the staircase. The fire seemed to roar louder than ever before. The heat was unbearable, making sweat drip down in buckets on Vincent's body. If he felt like he could barely stand what must the children must be going through? He counted them, all six of them were running with Running Fawn towards the stairs…they would be safe if they could reach the back door of the first floor. Vincent turned to Elizabeth, now slumped against the wall unconscious and delusional. Her head seemed to loll to one side as if in a bad dream.
"Elizabeth! Don't worry!" Vincent pulled Elizabeth to her feet, and swept her in his arms.
"I'll get us out of here! Hold on, darling! I promise…I'll protect you!"
"V-Vincent…I…can't…breathe." Elizabeth coughed hard, making her body wrack in pain. The smoke stung their throats as they tried to get through the burning hallway. Just as Vincent neared the middle of the corridor, the building shook beneath him causing him to stumble. He tried to regain his balance, it felt as if the whole the building was about to crumble beneath their feet. Elizabeth fell out of his grasp and rolled towards a burning wall. A loud screech of something tearing nearly busted her ear drums, screaming she covered her ears.
"Aaah! Ugh! Good god!" Vincent yelled in pain.
Vincent…what? I-I can't see…why…is he yelling? Vincent…
"V-Vin-Vincent!" Elizabeth cried. She tried to stand, but could not find the strength to help him. A huge metal beam had pinned Vincent down…Elizabeth could see blood gushing from his side. Now, the fire seemed to become even more powerful, as if long last finally grasping its victims.
No…Vincent…no…please no! Don't let it end this way! Oh God, please don't let it end this way! Vincent stand up! Stand up, please! Vincent! Someone! Help! Someone! Help us please!
"Please! Someone help!" Elizabeth gazed into Vincent's eyes, his face was blackened by the soot and his eyes gazed into hers. Elizabeth saw the loss of hope and means of escape from this burning hell…He opened his mouth as if to say something…
"Elizabeth…"
"Vincent no! Don't give in! Please!" Elizabeth's lung burned at the intake of polluted air, she knew that she could not speak much longer…soon…she would become unconscious…
"I've…always been fond of you…Elizabeth…I guess…I mean that I'm in love with you…" At that moment, Vincent's eyes closed…his chest stopped moving in the regular pattern that Elizabeth was so used to.
"No…no…no…Vincent! Vincent!" Something arose within Elizabeth's body, a desperate feeling of survival…she wanted to live no matter the cost!
I don't want to die! I don't want Vincent to die! I don't want anyone to die! Someone help! Anyone!
All of a sudden, a dark form stood before her…as if covering her in its shadow. Elizabeth could not make out a human form; the aura it gave was so strong and menacing. It overwhelmed her…she couldn't speak… The figure seemed to lean to one side and examine her and the circumstance…Elizabeth watched in quite fear.
"You summoned me? You're nearly dead and so is that boy…"
"Please…please…Help him! He's going to die! Running Fawn and the children will all die!" Elizabeth coughed; she pulled her hand away to reveal small droplets of blood. She could feel herself drifting in and out of consciousness…With her last bit of strength; she reached for the form…everyone's only hope.
"Please…I'll do anything…to save them…anything…"
The drowsiness of the deep dream was still lingering in her feverish mind, as her body tried to awaken itself from slumber. Elizabeth's head felt like someone had taken a hammer and knocked her clean out of her mind. However, as she came to her senses the pain subsided and her vision cleared. Elizabeth's whole body seemed to ache in silent pain, making her restless through the night. She had barely slept at all last night. Elizabeth's dreams continued to torture, sadden and dishearten her spirits. After more than several years she still could not forgot the dirty faces of the children after they managed to escape the fire…she could not forgot those children.
It's not as if all I have are bad memories…for there are wonderful memories that make my heart so glad…but why…does this darkness seemed to seep into my heart?
"My Lady…my Lady are you alright? Can you hear me? Lady Elizabeth, are you alright?" Elizabeth struggled to open her eyes and answer the woman calling out to her. She felt a hand cup her cheek and brush over her warm, sweaty forehead.
"You've a high fever…" Elizabeth heard rustling and the sound of water swishing around. A soft knocked sounded on the door. Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes to see a woman rush to the door, drying her hands on her apron. The door opens and the lady sticks her head outside the room. Some minutes passed by and Elizabeth hears slightly raised voices until the door shuts.
Is that…Helen?
"Helen…Helen is that you?" The middle-aged woman kneeled by her beside and grasped Elizabeth's hands tightly.
"My Lady! You're awake! Oh, my Lady I was so worried!" Helen kissed Elizabeth's hand and adoringly pressed it against her cheek. Elizabeth smiled faintly at Helen's affectionate gesture.
"Oh, Helen…I'm quite fine. I just had a little episode is all…I guess I've been working too hard." Elizabeth glanced towards the door.
"Who was that outside the door, Helen?" Helen resisted the urge to portray a look of disgust on her face and instead smiled.
"Why…my Lady you should get some rest. After all you have been through you cannot seriously expect me to let you work yourself to death!" At that, Helen abruptly stood from the bed and walked to the vanity.
"Helen who was it?" The middle aged woman gritted her teeth loudly and pulled the ribbon tighter around her hair. Sighing, she turned to Elizabeth, holding onto the basin of wash water from the vanity. Elizabeth noticed the annoyance and reluctance in Helen's gaze. Helen pushed a strand of hair away from her face and walked into the washroom. Elizabeth listened as the water was poured out down the drain and Helen's footsteps.
"Helen, who was at the door? Tell me now." Elizabeth requested, slightly frustrated with her governess. Helen scuffled out of the washroom and lightly set the empty basin down on the vanity.
"My Lady…you need to rest-"
"Helen! Do not run circles around me!" Elizabeth shouted. Helen's angry gaze averted from Elizabeth to the wood floor.
"It was…the Earl Phantomhive…my Lady…" Elizabeth gasped, party surprised and partly irritated.
Ciel…came to see me? He actually came to see me?
"Why would you prevent him from visiting me? Helen why would you do such a thing?"
"My Lady you don't understand! The Earl Phantomhive holds no true affections for you! He is a spoiled child who misses his pet that gave him short-termed entertainment! You are nothing to the Earl Phantomhive! Do you hear me, my Lady? You are nothing to him! Don't you understand that you are merely a worthless figurine for his licentious desires?"
"That's not true!" Elizabeth yelled. She tossed the comforters back in anger.
"My Lady! You must not get up!" Helen warned, crossly. Elizabeth ignored Helen's frustrated warning and stomped towards the door. Those words that came from Helen's mouth were not true!
Lies! Everything she said…it is all lies! Ciel…Ciel is not the person he once was and he has shown me he loves me! The darkness in his heart is keeping him back!
"My Lady!" Helen yelled. She grabbed Elizabeth by her wrist, stopping her from reaching the door. Elizabeth struggled to release herself from Helen's strong grasp, but the older woman held her firmly.
"Helen! Let go of me! How dare you say such a horrible thing! How dare you!" Elizabeth tried to push Helen away from her in mad fury.
"You let go of me!" Elizabeth screamed. Helen twisted Elizabeth around, so her back was against her chest. Elizabeth struggled in vain as Helen wrapped her arm around her wraist, preventing her from moving.
"I tell you the truth my Lady…please…my words were never meant to harm you…but to release you from your inner most doubts…" Helen whispered softly next to Elizabeth's ear. Gently running her hands through Elizabeth's hair, and murmuring honeyed words Helen spoke the words that seemed to embrace Elizabeth steadfastly.
Ah…my body…
At this minute all the vigor seemed to leave from Elizabeth's body and she slumped to the cold floor in Helen's arms. Elizabeth's mind cleared from everything…the only voice she heard was Helen's…calling her softly, speaking to her heart…
No…what is this? I feel so…light-headed and my body…is so weak. What's happening to me?
"My Lady…don't you tire of being a crutch for the Phantomhive boy? How abundantly have you desired to unlock the depths of Phantomhive's heart…yet…?" Helen smiled indistinctly and held Elizabeth's face to her own. The young girl's lips were a rosy pink, the pink of life and youth…it was this rosy pink that drove Helen's thirst. Such a vulnerable, innocent…and open soul…Touching Elizabeth was next to ecstasy!
"H-H-He-Helen…" Helen shushed Elizabeth, running her finger along her pink lips…down to her neck…to her chest…
"He cares nothing for you…he regards you with disdain and anger. Casting you away like some withered rose. Your heart yearns for his warmth. You desire for him to touch you…love you…" Helen pushed back blonde curls and licked Elizabeth's bared pale neck.
"I can touch you, my Lady…where even the Earl Phantomhive cannot reach…Won't you allow me…to fill that private part of you, my Lady?"
Ciel sat across from Edward, watching the man sneer at him from his seat. When Ciel arrived at the Middleford estate, he learned that his aunt and uncle had gone away on business and the only ones there were Edward, Elizabeth and of course the servants. How shocked he had been when the servants revealed that Elizabeth was bedridden! Apprehension was not enough to really describe what was going on in his mind.
Sebastian stood next to the couch, casually glancing from Ciel to Edward and around the room. Ciel sensed the butler was distracted by something, as he kept looking out of the room. Ciel sighed and leaned into the couch, meeting the irritated gaze from his cousin.
"Helen sent you back down here, huh? Well it's a good thing she did! Eliza needs her rest…" Edward mumbled.
"I had no idea she was feeling ill. My intention was to call upon her today." Ciel explained, hearing the dislike in Edward's voice. The blonde man shrugged.
"It came as a shock. She was completely worn when Vincent brought her to the mansion." Ciel almost jumped out of his seat. Vincent brought Elizabeth to the house? When? Why?
"Vincent Tudor?"
Edward nodded.
"Yes, Vincent Tudor! He and Elizabeth have been spending an awful a lot of time together. He's a good chap and loads of fun to be around. Elizabeth really likes his company and so do I. Mother and Father positively enjoy having him around…" Edward continued. Ciel gritted his teeth together in a slight jealous rage. Sebastian's hand rested on Ciel shoulder, giving it a small squeeze.
"Young master…" Ciel breathed deeply and shook his head.
"I'm not going to lose my head. I do have some measure of self-control…"Bored, Edward glanced at his pocket watch.
"Well Earl Phantomhive I must be off. My work begins within the next hour and I cannot afford to be late. Mother and Father should be back in the afternoon." He stood and reached out to shake Ciel's hand. Just as Ciel reached for him a sudden feeling of bereavement fell upon him. He could feel something so horrid falling upon his consciousness it was almost over bearing! Ciel staggered forward, losing his balance. Edward look at Ciel confused about his sudden change of countenance.
"Ciel, are you alright? What's the matter?" Sebastian's eyes widened at the change of the aura of the manor…he knew this feeling…
"Master Edward, would you please take care of the young master for me? I have some urgent business to attend to." Sebastian asked, forcing a smile. Edward looked bewildered but agreed and helped Ciel lie down on the couch.
"Hey! Get ahold of yourself! Get him some water!" Sebastian heard Edward yell. Quickly, Sebastian ran up the stairs and through the east wing of the manor…
I can feel it…a demon is hunting…to another demon it is a regular occurrence but to a human who has a contract with a demon the feeling is unbearable. The young master was affected most strangely…it can only mean…
Sebastian rounded the corner…inside this door was one of his own kind. He could feel it, the demonic sense of pleasure that came from hunting a weakened and vulnerable soul.
However…this demon picked the wrong soul to hunt!
Sebastian kicked down the door with such force it was sent flying across the room, and the loud banging echoed off the walls.
"Lady Elizabeth…" Elizabeth's body lay sprawled on the bedroom floor; her eyes wide opened and mouth agape. Sebastian rushed to her side, gently lifting her in his arms. He stared into her eyes, looking for any sign of a spark or recognition of the world.
"Lady Elizabeth! Damn!"
To think…again I failed my young master and not detected the presence of a demon! Now that Lady Elizabeth has become involved…my young master will not rest until he finds out who is behind this! But Lady Elizabeth…? Who would target her?
Sebastian gazed at the young woman, slowly scanning over her body for any sign of injury. He was relieved to see that there were none, at least which was certain.
I can still feel a presence inside the manor…but it is steadily leaving as if fleeing. I suppose it felt my threat. From what I can gather it is much weaker than I.
"Yet it hides its presence so well…it must be…" Sebastian turned his attention to Elizabeth. She was breathing fine; the impact and seriousness of the demon's words had completely paralyzed her body. Whoever the demon was it was desperately hunting her and starved by its hunger for her. Sebastian glanced at Elizabeth again, there was no visible sign of a contract...yet he could sense that the demon was greatly attached to Elizabeth...
Something in Lady Elizabeth's past must have triggered such a demon to react to her sorrow...for we demons feed on the fear and trepidation of humans...Lady Elizabeth, what could have happened that caused such a demon to appear before you?
Hello! I hope everyone's weekend and Thanksgiving went great! I went to TN to visit my fiancee's parents and we had a good time. I ate lots of food and I think I should not have...but it was all so good! Anyway, here is the 10th chapter and I hope you all will love it! Also, a lot of people seem to be getting Vincent Tudor confused with Vincent Phantomhive (Ciel's father)? They have no relation whatsoever! So don't think there is some underlying plot between Ciel's father and Vincent Tudor, don't worry lol. Well I worked my butt off for this chapter, it is coming along well but I still have my moments.
Thank you all for reviewing and favorting "His Butler"! Please continue to review!