Disclaimer: Not mine! *cries*
A/N: Sorry for whatever fault I had and thank you for those few people who like my story. I appreciate it. :) I'm sorry if this is a little mainstream and out of season :(
Chapter IV: The Pied Piper of Dreams
The cold winter breeze was felt more that day than usual. A lot of people, too, were busy preparing for the holiday season—that is, the month of December. Although a lot chose to stay indoors to savor the heat of their fireplaces, of course, some still found joy in spending time with families outside. Every month of December, merchants build winter bazaars to sell their products. Usually, they put it on top of frozen rivers and ponds to add more colorful thrill on their publicity stunt. Right now, many had lined up at London, especially near the famous Thames.
Oz and the company decided to have a visit at Central London that night. They have gathered some information from Sharon and Break that the bazaars, with its colorful lights and decors, look splendid during the night.
"Are you sure you want to go, Master Oz?" Sharon Rainsworth, the daughter of Duchess Rainsworth, asked the carefree lad in front of her. "It's awfully cold outside. It's the middle of winter, so I suggest that we visit it tomorrow."
"But, Sharon, you're the one who told us that it's beautiful there at night," Oz said back.
"Y-Yes I did… but I am not sure as I haven't seen it yet personally. Liam just informed me."
"Then, will it be better if we take a look?"
Sharon thought for a second. She, too, wanted to see it with her own eyes, so she just decided to agree to the boy's plan. Oz had won at last. It only took them fifteen minutes by carriage before arriving. It was indeed grand. There were many people gathering at the place; there were various Christmas items—sweets, gifts, lightings, decors, refreshments, street meals and such—being sold; there were even street performers and public theaters entertaining the customers and the visitors. Indeed, the weather was no match for such festivities.
"Hey, I think Miss Alice and the young master shouldn't wander off too much by themselves. You might get lost," Xerxes Break, Sharon's adopted brother, warned Oz and Alice who were quite enjoying themselves too much.
"What are you saying, Break? There's no way I'll get lost." Oz laughed at the thought, but his smile was replaced by a startled look when Break said something like, "you might not get lost, alright, but someone might take you away. If that happens, it will be very troublesome to find you amidst this crowd and snow." He tried to regain his cheerful self, knowing that Break really has the habit of scaring people by his words. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, could it be you don't know?"
Break was about to answer after seeing Oz's confused gaze, when Gilbert Knightray—Oz's manservant and best friend—took the trouble of responding to the question. "There had been disturbing news regarding some unusual kidnappings around London and its neighboring boundaries."
"Kidnapping?" it was Alice who asked, "Is that a work of some psychopath?"
"Who knows? The people called this man Pied Piper, for his method is very much similar to the Pied Piper of Hamelin in fairy tales… though it isn't certain if the man is indeed a male or a female."
"By the fairy tale, you mean he uses an instrument to lure children out from their beds?" Oz asked, getting more interested on the topic now. He just like adventures so much that he was often considered as a risk-taker, someone who likes putting themselves on unimaginable troubles.
"Quite similar, but not entirely. According to the information the Scotland Yard had gathered, he hypnotizes them and uses some kind of tune to make them submit to his orders. He only works at night."
"When did it start? I have no idea."
"Just weeks from now. It looks like the Queen has not been informed since her infamous Watchdog isn't making a move yet."
Break chuckle upon the mention of the title. It was his turn to share some thoughts. "I wonder what will happen if the Dog's puppy is to be caught by the hand of that sick bastard. Will he make a move without the Queen's orders?"
"Probably," Oz stated before a question escaped his lips. "So he kidnaps any children of all ages?"
"Oh, I'm afraid that's not the case, young master. You see, so far he only takes boys, ages ranging from fifteen and below, nobles or peasants; but looks like he took a lot from the nobles. I had a feeling that he's looking for someone." Oz looked a lot more confused now. He asked Break how well the latter is sure of his deduction. "Well, you haven't asked but he never asked for any ransom and he abandons the kidnapped boys in front of churches after a day or two with a note attached to them. 'He is a fallen one, far from what I've imagined him to be,' is what the note said." Oz felt a chill ran down his spine. The guy was a fanatical psychopath, or so what he believed he is to be. "If I were you, I would stay close to where the others are."
"You don't have to worry too much. I'm not a child anymore." Oz tried to convince himself that everything would be fine; after all what he said was true.
"Oh, yes, look who's turning 16 this month?" Break teased. "Oops, my bad… I mean 26." It only happened that the man stopped from his untimely gags when Sharon hit him with her fan. The lady started scolding him that they ended up spending their spare time with nonsense talks. However, Oz remained silent, listening to the others' petty quarrels. His head was immediately preoccupied with endless thoughts, which seemed to be the cause of his faint headache. For a moment, his world became silent, until the same thing from before happened once more.
You seek for peril. Be careful or you'll end up getting lost.
Another ring, another whisper—what he knew after that was he was already back home, lying comfortably on his bed.
It happened unexpectedly.
It was the same day the Earl held his son's birthday party. When the celebration ended, everybody went home and the Earl and his family prepared for an early rest. However, Vincent chose to stay in his work room for a little bit. Something was bugging him that he couldn't brush it off from his mind. He was sitting on his huge armchair, thinking of the course of action he would take, when the door to his workplace opened, revealing his two children with their nightdresses on. "What are you still doing in here, kids? You should go to bed."
"We just want to say goodnight to you, Daddy," Ciel said as he approached his father.
Vincent greeted them both with a hug. "Ah, I don't know what I'll do if I lose my two precious angels."
"We're not going anywhere, Father." Zwei looked at her father's eyes. Somehow, she could see anxiety in them.
"I won't leave you," it was Ciel again and his reassuring smile.
"Yes, I know." Vincent put a single kiss on each of the children's forehead and bid them goodnight. Zwei led her brother back to his room. She had promised him that she would sleep with him again this time. The room has no lights on for Sebastian put them off a while ago when he set them to bed. It just happened that they went out to find their father. Now back to the dark room, Zwei made sure that she had her arms around her brother.
"I-It's too dark in here," Ciel whispered.
"Are you scared?" Zwei asked. She felt him nodding so she tightened her grip on him. "Don't worry, I'm here. I won't let you go." Holding unto her sister's words, Ciel instantly fell asleep at ease. No hindrances where to bother them that night.
It was an ordinary winter night—the moon hiding, the trees dancing, the breeze singing—everything seemed to be playing along with the weather. There was just one thing off with the night—a tune, a lovely melody synchronizing with his ear, something which only him could hear.
"Come, child. Your playmate's waiting. The party is not over yet."
A/N: Just ask me if you have any questions. Please, review if you like. :)