Pneumonia 2

The nightmare kept coming back. Every time I fell into even the lightest doze, it would be there. Exhaustion wore on me. Whenever I wasn't asleep, Sebastian was there, with some meal or medicine. He began to haunt me. His eyes always glinting, his face smirking. The ritual with the foul liquid became much worse. I began to struggle harder, longer, not trying to escape the medicine, but him. His restraint. My nightmare. It was hell. Days ticked by in dreams and doses.

"Have you been working again, Ciel?" It had been two weeks and the doctor was back.

"No." My voice was coarse. I knew I had been screaming at night. The doctor was unconvinced.

"Hmph."

"If I may, sir." Sebastian was suddenly by my bed. I felt myself begin to tremble. "The Young Master has been having terrible nightmares for the past couple of weeks." This, the doctor believed. I looked to Sebastian. He had plastered a look of deep concern. He was a good actor. The doctor sighed.

"I can't prescribe him sleeping pills what with the medicine he is taking now. He is still, just a child."

"I'm also right here." They ignored me.

"Have you tried warm milk and honey?"

"No sir, I have trouble waking him at all. His body is exhausted." The doctor nodded.

"You don't need to wake him, but if he wakes up on his own, get him some. Chamomile tea also works well, if he does not like warm milk. Keep him on his current medication and schedule another appointment one week from now." The doctor filled out another script.

"Thank you sir, let us hope he is better by then." Sebastian led him out. Then he gave the script to Bard and we were alone.

"Would you like some milk or tea now, Young Master?" I nodded.

"Yes, and I would like some lunch as well."

"Yes, My Lord." Those words. Those terrible words that haunt me, waking or asleep.

"Don't say that! Don't call me 'My Lord'! Am I clear?" He was confused. I had still not told him what exactly my nightmare was.

"Yes. As you wish, Young Master." He bowed and left me to my thoughts. Only one thing could distract me from my terror. The exasperation at knowing I still had to take that syrup for another week.

Something wasn't right. Young Master had never demanded I not call him anything unless I said it to tease him. In fact, it seemed as if he liked being called 'My Lord'. I wonder what changed. He has been almost afraid of me since he got sick. No, since his nightmares started. I felt the plate I was holding slip through my fingers and shatter on the floor. From just outside the kitchen door, someone gasped. I paid no mind to these trivial facts. Could I be what had the Earl so terrified? Could his nightmares possibly be about me? I knew I would have to find out, but not until I had served the Master his lunch and milk. And his medicine. He needed to get better if we were to complete our contract and I was to ever devour his soul.

"Se- Sebastian. Are you well." Mei-Rin was pulling out a broom and dustpan. I finally registered the mess at my feet. I stepped away from it, giving Mei-Rin room to clean.

"Of course, Mei-Rin, simply lost in thought is all."

"Are you still worried about the Young Master."

"Yes. He is still very sick. I was just preparing lunch and some warm milk and honey. The doctor recommended it."

"Is he going to get better, do you think."

"Of course. We will make sure of it, won't we Mei-Rin?"

"Oh! Yes sir!" She had finished cleaning and, after saluting me, ran off to who knows where. Likely going to gossip with Finny, again. I admit, when they aren't causing trouble and making messes, those three could be quite amusing. I finished preparing lunch and took it up to the Young Master. He was dozing again, dreaming again. It was disturbing to see that those nightmares could still touch him in even the lightest of dozes. I went and gently shook his shoulder, then again, a little less gentle. His frail body had become so weak and tired, it was becoming increasingly difficult to rouse him from even the lightest of slumbers.

"Young Master. Young Master, lunch is here. He finally snapped up, eyes wide and full of terror. The terror only grew as he met my gaze, only supporting my suspicion. I was the cause of his terror.

"Sebastian? What are you doing here?"

"Lunch is prepared. With your milk and honey, we have stewed beef and mashed potatoes. Along with a strawberry sorbet. Is it to your liking, sir?" He took a bite and nodded, the effects of his dream having seemed to have worn off. "Then are you ready to take your medicine?" He nodded again. I retrieved his water and pill. Once he had those, I began to fill a table spoon with the liquid. "Open wide, sir." He reluctantly obeyed. As I restrained him so he would swallow, he began to sweat. Terror filled his eyes again and he flailed about. My only choice was to release him or run the risk of breaking his jaw. As soon as I let go, he opened his mouth and screamed, liquid dripping from his mouth.

"NO!"

As soon as Sebastian let go, I felt myself scream. Unlike in my dreams, this scream was real. It ripped through my throat, setting it ablaze. I could not help it, fear had me in his grip. I jumped from the bed and fled from the room. My muscles ached from my struggles, awake and asleep, and before long they failed me. I collapsed in the hall, face down, my breath ragged. My muscles screamed with every beat of my heart. I could hear footsteps approaching and terror gripped me again. This time, I could not flee, my body wouldn't let me. A figure came into my line of vision and I closed my eyes, waiting for the brander, the pain that was inevitable when I was unable to get away. It came. I opened my eyes as the brand made contact. Those eyed glinting above me while that face stayed hidden. I could feel my back arch and my throat scream. There was no end. This hell was eternal.

He did not get far. He had barely made it out the door before he collapsed, his body too weak to carry on. I could hear him wheezing. It was his asthma acting up again. This was too much. It was time to take drastic measures. As I picked up my Young Master, Bard came up with the refill of medicine. "Oh, there you are, here, it's…" He finally saw what I was carrying. "What happened?"

"There has been a change of plans. Go call the carriage back. The Young Master is beyond even my care. He needs a professional around. It is time to take him to the hospital." Bard stood there, looking dumbstruck. I felt myself begin to seethe, my next words coming out even harsher than I meant them to. "What are you waiting for! We need to be on our way! Go!"

"Yes sir!" he scampered back downstairs as Finny and Mei-Rin approached.

"Is he really that bad, Sebastian." Finny still has trouble understanding. I sighed as I went back into Master's room to prepare him for the trip.

"He is. And while we are away, I expect you lot to keep this manor in top condition." The demon dog, Pluto, who we had managed to keep away from the Master while he was sick, made his appearance. He was whimpering. "That means you too, you should be on your best behavior so that the Young Master has a nice clean home to return to." I returned my gaze to the other two. "Am I clear?"

"Yes sir!" Even Pluto yipped at this. They saluted me and ran off to their various chores. The Young Master was properly dressed in still comfortable clothes. I was just picking him up again when I felt his back arch and the side with his mark twist and bend away from an invisible thing. I was tempted to wake him again, but decided against it. Who knows what he would do. So I carried a twitching, whimpering Ciel downstairs where Bard was waiting by the carriage.

"Thank you Bard, Tanaka, can you see to it that everyone stays out of trouble."

"Oh, oh, oh."

"Thank you."

"What? You're leaving him in charge?"

"He has been here longer than any of you. Why shouldn't I?" Bard sighed dramatically, but conceded. I climbed into the carriage with The Young Master and we were on our way. I spoke to his dreaming form. "Don't worry, Young Master. I will protect you, no matter what. I will make you safe. I will stay with you whether you want me or not. Until the end."

The dream was just ending, the same as always, but something was different. "Yes, My Lord. Until the end." I still screamed, I still struggled, but somehow, those last three words were a small comfort in an otherwise sea of pure terror.