I had to re-write this three times to make it perfect :) Hope you all like it :)
Bard opened the carriage door and Ciel walked out into the sunlight. The young boy then turned to take my hand, and assist me from the carriage. I smiled at him as I lifted the skirts of one of the heavier dresses to become level with him. It was long like the dark blue dress from the Arson case but it was a pale pink in colour. The sleeves were long and white with ruffles covering my corset. Sebastian stepped down and handed me my white faux fur muff. I shivered as a cool breeze circled around me.
"Thank you Sebastian," I said as I wrapped the muff's tie around my neck and stuck my hands into the lining, "I didn't realise it would be this cold so early in the morning."
"It will warm up as the day wears on," he said as we followed Ciel into the station, "is that all that has bothered you?"
"I've never been on a train before," I said as we walked past the big machines, "there was never money or the need for me to use them."
"Will this be like the boat?" he whispered to me and I shrugged.
Sebastian had woken me early one morning, and told me everything. He had said he wasn't so much concerned I would talk to the master and mention something that I shouldn't. He was worried I'd say something about his revenge already being completed. He had explained that when he had put the ring back on Ciel's finger, returning his soul, it was new. There had been no stain to say revenge had been taken and Sebastian had worked too hard to feed on something like that. He would not sacrifice the last three years of his work to eat a soul like that.
"It would taste gritty," he had said after a moment, "like having a bad cup of tea compared to Ambrosia."
"So he needs to complete his revenge…against dead people?" I asked and Sebastian had sighed.
"That appears to be the problem. The angel of massacre is dead; the Queen who ordered his parents' murder has perished. That is not something I can force to…repeat itself," he had touched my hand, "but he will get his revenge."
"Sebastian," I said as I held his hand, "don't worry. I will be there like before, standing there to protect him until the very end."
Sebastian had then told me he had to act dumb to facts he already knew about me. The young master had been around for those conversations and if they were introduced as simple questioning, they wouldn't hurt him. So Sebastian said everything from the scars Berrymore had given me to my cat Cake would have to be brought up in conversation like it was the first time.
The trains were all stationary as I took one hand from the muff to cover my eyes. The clock said it was eight in the morning. That explained why I was so tired, I'd barely fallen asleep before Sebastian had woken me at half six. The young master had been woken for seven and been greeted with me leaving my room, yawning. I heard it chime the hour and sighed. Why was it when you were tired, everything seemed louder than what it actually was?
"Where exactly are we going?" I asked after a moment.
"The young master was sent a letter by the Queen about a man's son being kidnapped," Sebastian explained.
"Kidnapped?" I yawned and Sebastian smirked.
"Yes, the man was told to be on this train to collect his son," Sebastian explained.
We walked to where the porters were putting cargo on-board. It reminded me of being on Destiny or visiting my uncle's ship yards. Fond memories…that's what I considered them, even if I was prone to seasickness…
"Goodbye young master," I heard MeyRin say so I moved closer, "I hope you have a nice trip."
"Yes," Ciel replied when Sebastian moved to his right while I took my position at his left.
"Now I expect you lot to behave while we're away," Sebastian explained calmly.
"A train sounds lovely!" Finny cried out with such enthusiasm, "oh fruit!"
"Finny! Will you quit running around like a bloody loon!" Bard demanded but nothing could stop the excitable young Finny.
Finny started twirling around and I was smiling, up until I realised he was going to collide with one of the cargo loaders. I was about to scream out a warning when the collision happened anyway. The man stumbled, dropping the box and prying the lid open. The cargo landed with all its weight on the man's hand. I ran forward to make sure Finny was alright first and then making sure we were not stuck for damaging the crate.
"I'm so sorry," Finny said as I gave him my hand to help him up.
"Is everything okay?" MeyRin asked as she reached us.
"Don't touch!" a man ordered and I looked around for the owner of the voice, "that's a valuable scholarly acquisition. Do you have any idea what it's worth?"
The man was old, and obviously of the snob side of the road. He had a cigar at his lips which suggested he had money and his white hair suggested he was far older than he let on. I got Finny standing before turning to the man. Finny fell behind me as did Bard while MeyRin leaned forward. It was a mummy from Egypt, nothing to write home about.
"Is that all you care for?" I demanded, "What that mummy is worth?"
"Go do dishes, girl, you wouldn't understand it if I told you," and I leaned forward.
Finny caught my waist and pulled me back to stop me from doing something I would regret. Though looking at his smug face…I wouldn't regret knocking a tooth out or two. Bard put an arm on my shoulder to restrain me as Ciel and Sebastian moved closer to see the crate.
"Huh, it's a mummy," Ciel pointed out, clearly not impressed.
"Egyptian antiquities are popular these days," Sebastian stated calmly, "the moneyed classes have taken an interest in their value as collector's items. The mummy would be prized indeed."
"Who would want to collect that thing?" Bard asked as he looked at me.
"Don't ask me. I came from a hunting village in the middle of nowhere. We collected animal heads," I replied.
"Dear Lord, please forgive your children," a priest said and I looked him over. What type of priest had tattoos? I didn't even know a priest could get tattoos…until today of course.
"Pack it up immediately!" the snobby man said as he clapped his hands.
"Right!" the porters said as they picked it back up carefully.
"And you best be careful!" the man continued.
I watched as they closed the lid and made sure it was tied down. A blond man, the one Finny had bumped into, had deep scratches on his hands. That was going to hurt once he put the crate down.
"I pray no calamity befalls your actions," the priest continued.
Priests managed to send shivers up my spine so I moved away from the Tattooed Wonder to return to Ciel. I reached his side as a whistle blew.
"Why are they blowing the whistle?" I asked no one in particular.
"The conductor is telling us to get on the train as it is ready to leave," Ciel explained as he took my arm, "shall we?"
I waved to the other servants as we boarded. Sebastian led the way to one of the carriages and then to a separate room. He opened the door and Ciel walked in. He sat down on the bench to the right and patted the chair for me to sit beside him. Sebastian had our luggage which he put up on a rack over our heads before pulling down one box and keeping it beside him. He sat down on the bench on the left as I looked out the window. The servants waved and I waved back, very excited for the trip ahead. Another whistle was blown and I was smiling.
"The train's," Ciel explained as I clapped my hands together, "why are you so excited?"
"This is the first time she has been on a train," Sebastian explained on my behalf as the train shuddered. It began moving and I had to keep waving as Bard followed the window. Finny ran alongside it as I laughed. They were an incredible bunch, but they stopped when they reached the end of the platform and the train started picking up speed.
"This is going to be a long trip," Ciel said on a sigh.
The train only got quicker and Sebastian moved over so I could sit by the window for a few minutes. The station soon became a distant memory as fields overtook the industrialised city of London. It reminded me of Low Row really, with nothing but fields and a few houses. My uncle had chosen it for the reason that it was isolated. As well as being isolated, it had given me many opportunities to draw. I sighed as the train evened out its speed and I returned to sit beside Ciel. Sebastian returned to his spot and I watched a gloomy Ciel look out the window.
Sebastian sighed as he opened the box he had put by his side. It turned out to be a travel tea set which made me smile. Sebastian lit a match to warm the kettle as he took out a sieve to put the tea leaves in.
"Put out another cup for Elena, before she jumps out of her seat with excitement," Ciel said with a sigh, "what tea did you pick?"
"Today's tea I picked because I have always found the scent of Williamson & Magor's Summer Darjeeling to be the perfect complement to the view from a train window. Wouldn't you agree, sir?" Sebastian replied as he handed me a cup.
"It smells lovely," I said with a smile. Sebastian poured another cup and held it out to Ciel carefully.
"Come my lord," Sebastian said when Ciel continued to look out the window, "we are meant to be acting as if we are off on holiday, we don't want to be found out. Please try to muster up some levity. Almost as much as Elena…"
"Yes yes, I know," Ciel replied as he moved his head a little from the window.
"You seem bothered of late. Have the Trancys so preoccupied you?" Sebastian asked.
"They haven't," Ciel replied, "I am curious of course but for the moment that's all. The Queen's orders take priority over all else."
"Young master," I said calmly as Ciel stood to move to my other side, "if you have any questions about the Trancy household…I will do my best to answer them."
"Thank you Elena, that might be necessary later," Ciel replied as he pulled back a curtain to look out onto the hall, "that's Lloyd Ackroyd then? And the kidnapped boy was his only son?"
"Yes, if the police are informed, the hostage will be summarily killed. Instructions Lord Ackroyd received indicated that he should deliver the ransom on this train," Sebastian explained.
"The ransom of five thousand pounds, was it?" Ciel asked.
"Is that the going rate for a boy's soul these days? You humans have an interesting way in pricing these things," Sebastian commented as I sipped my tea.
"The man responsible for the kidnapping must be on the train. We'll find him, take him into custody and rescue Lord Ackroyd's son. That should dispel her Majesty's distress."
"Indeed," Sebastian replied, "now do you want your tea?"
Ciel took the cup and sipped it. I had finished mine in the time it took for them to complete their conversation so I handed Sebastian back my cup. I moved into Ciel's old seat to look outside, seeing sheep fly by. I think I was going to like trains.
"May I make a suggestion?" I said as I spotted water ahead, maybe a lake.
"What is that?" Ciel asked as he handed Sebastian his finished cup of tea.
"We should investigate the other passengers. The kidnapper may be posing as a traveller as we are."
"Sounds like a start," Ciel said as he stood and took off his hat, "the passengers may have gone to the dining car."
Sebastian opened the door and we followed him out. Ciel stayed close to me as Sebastian took point. I felt the motion of the train through my shoes, even if I had to hold up the dress. Sebastian walked forward to open the door with dining cart marked above it. Ciel slipped in with me following and then the butler.
"Hahaha! It's the find of the century I'm telling you!" the snobby man from before said, a group of women hanging on his every word, "yours truly discovered none other than the Pharaoh Smenkhkare hidden deep in the Valley Of Kings. Hahaha!"
"How crass for a man to be bragging about robbing a grave," Ciel muttered.
"I was fortunate to have met the Pharaoh during his lifetime. Actually, I found him to be an affable man of impeccable virtue. It's odd. Even taking into account the desiccation; his face is quite different than I remember," Sebastian said, looking oddly confused.
"The mummy is a fake then?" Ciel asked him, "perhaps that means the archaeologist is our kidnapper."
"I couldn't say, my lord," Sebastian replied as I pulled up my skirts.
"Let me at him. I'll beat a confession out him," I muttered but Sebastian caught my arm with a smirk on his lips.
"There may be time later for such an act, Elena," he said as I dropped my skirts and pouted. Ciel smirked at the comment and my look before he turned to look at a new person. This man appeared to be crazy…and he was flipping through a book. What the hell was he doing?
"The train that left St. Pancras at nine oh clock will cross the Cambridge-bound route at Bedford at ten eighteen. This is thrilling! A great moment not to be missed!" the man cried out, "we reach Derby at one oh five. Oh oh, there will be a slight slowdown, what with the weather, the porters will have a hard time of it. Seven minutes at least!"
"Is he reading the time tables?" Ciel asked, clearly as confused as I was.
"Yes it appears so," Sebastian replied, "in fact, I'd believe he's developed an unhealthy obsession with them."
Ciel started moving forward as I fell behind the pair. I was starting to get warm, and I knew in less than an hour, it would be uncomfortable. Ciel nudged a small green bag on the floor with something peeking out at the top. What the hell was that?
"Careful, you damned brat!" a short man snapped at Ciel.
"I see you're from Japan, my good sir," Sebastian stated calmly, "the scroll work on your furoshiki wrapping cloth is exquisite."
Sebastian reached down to pick up the bag when the short man grabbed it to hold onto it. I doubt he would let us see it…not unless we were willing to kill him for it.
"Hands off!" he snapped, "this is a family heirloom."
"I'm sorry, my boy," a short grandmotherly woman said, "he's so stubborn when it comes to his things. Please accept this as an apology."
The woman held up a small tray with rice. The rice was moulded into pyramids with a small piece of fruit on top. It looked lovely but I had eaten enough on the way here.
"Thank you but my lord has already taken his tea," Sebastian said calmly when Ciel didn't answer.
"Thank you for offering," I said as I poked my head around their shoulders.
"Yes of course. I understand. Would anyone else care for one?" she asked as she moved down the train, "I have plenty and they're delicious. Some have bonito flakes and some have pickled plum. Here please help yourself sir," the woman said as she lifted it up to another passenger.
"I don't want your food old woman!" a man snapped at her, "everyone knows cholera is rampant in Asia. Are you trying to poison me?"
Another man tried to shoo her away and I tried to move past Ciel to give the passenger a piece of my mind. The Japanese man moved forward to defend his wife as Sebastian caught my waist and Ciel put a hand on my stomach.
"You know nothing! That isn't true!" the Japanese man snapped as he moved to his wife's side.
"Please calm yourselves. Sir, don't you think it is ungenerous to adopt that attitude when these travellers have journeyed so far to our great country?" the tattooed priest asked.
"Sod off!" the rude passenger snapped.
"You English dog!" the Japanese man snapped as he grabbed the collar of the man's shirt.
"Look here! The train will arrive at a quarter past the hour…" the time table man muttered.
"It is God's will that brought us here today," the priest continued, "let us pray."
"My, what a stir," Sebastian said with amusement.
"Everyone! Please control yourselves!" a new man said and I turned to look at him. He reminded me of the dead Abberline, "calm your tempers! Resume your seats! I can understand why you are all uneasy. It is true we are transporting an assassin on this train but you mustn't worry."
"Oh dear," I groaned before I put my head in my hands.
The gasp of alarm told me no one on this train was aware of anything happening outside of this carriage. Did that mean they were self-absorbed or ignorant of the facts?
"He's been kept under strict armed guard at all times. He's restrained and unable to move. But fear not!" the police man said.
"Run!" everyone else shouted as they ran past him.
"Elena!" Sebastian called and threw me into one of the chairs by the wall as he held onto Ciel. The passengers trampled the policeman
"I recognise him from somewhere," Ciel said as Sebastian put him back on his feet. The butler then moved to help me up where I brushed down my skirts. I moved past the man and dropped to my hunches to give him my hand.
"Here," I said and the man took it to stand.
"If it isn't the Earl of Phantomhive!" the man exclaimed when he turned to look at Ciel.
Whatever way he had stood, he had caught part of my skirts and fell on his face again. I giggled into my hand and the policeman turned over to look at me.
"You're so sweet," he said as I gave him my hand again, "you look familiar."
"I'm just the Earl's bodyguard," I replied as I brushed down his lapels, "you look familiar as well."
"I'm Inspector Abberline," he said as he put his hand out to me.
"Elena Hamilton," I replied as I took his hand to shake.
"Elena, that's a nice name," Abberline said softly, "I'm hungry. Will you accompany me to the dining cart for some food?"
"Young master?" I asked and the earl shrugged.
"I don't see the harm, I could use some tea," Ciel said as Abberline took my arm and brought me out.
"Yes, my lord," Sebastian replied as they followed behind us.
Abberline opened doors for me as I walked on, a fake smile on my lips. But the laughter was real. Every time he tripped, it made me laugh which in turn made him laugh before I gave him my hand to help him up. We found the dining cart and Sebastian sat down with Ciel at one of the right tables while Abberline sat on the left.
"Will you join me?" Abberline asked and I shrugged.
I sat across from him, holding my hands on my lap, catching my thumb with my fingers before letting it go. I was fidgeting, wanting nothing more than to be sitting beside Sebastian and Ciel. I took a deep breath as a waiter showed up and Abberline asked him the specials. It had started getting very warm, and sweat was beading on my brow.
"Eel pie and mash…ten of them," Abberline said as he looked to me, "do you want anything?"
"No thank you," I replied as I raised my hand to pull at my necklace.
The waiter asked Ciel and Sebastian the same question before he left. Abberline hummed to himself as he waited for the waiter to return. The waiter did, rather quickly, with the pie. The smell made my stomach turn, and I covered my mouth and nose.
"Eel pie and mash…brings back fond memories," Abberline said as he cut into the pie, "traditional English food just like mum used to make."
He ate a half of the pie in one go and moaned with delight. The sight only made me feel queasy. Oh I hoped this feeling passed before we found the kidnapped boy.
"I say, quite a fuss there, wasn't it?" Abberline said as he ate a bit more.
"Oh yes, quite a stampede. If only we knew whose fault it was," Ciel muttered sarcastically, "should you be here? Sir Arthur is sure to call you on the carpet if you dined with me or my bodyguard."
"Oh pish posh," Abberline replied as he waved his fork, "I didn't want to pass up the rare opportunity to get to know you, Earl Phantomhive. It's something that I've waited for. You see, my twin brother spoke a lot about you."
"Twin brother?" Ciel asked as he raised a piece of his pie to his lips, "you mean there's more than one of these idiots wondering about the world?"
"I miss him. I wish we could have shared this meal today, I think he would have enjoyed it," Abberline said as I jumped out of my seat and ran back the way we came.
I found a bathroom before I got sick, the smell having become too much for me. The eel pie had been wrong to my nose, and he had ten of them in front of him! Did he have a second stomach? The thought didn't help my poor stomach as I felt a cool hand along my head, pulling my hair out of my eyes.
"You should have told us you weren't feeling well," Ciel said as I turned.
Sebastian was holding back my hair and I thought the sickness had passed but then I caught the smell of eel on the earl. I returned to the toilet while waving one hand at the earl.
"Please," I begged, "please move away. You smell…oh hell," I croaked before I put my face against the wall.
"I smell?" Ciel asked, clearly offended.
"Eel," I groaned as Sebastian took off his glove to run his hand across my forehead.
"Young master, Elena is referring to the pungent smell of eel pie. It must have unsettled her stomach while the detective was inhaling his lunch," Sebastian explained, "can you move, Elena?"
I braced my hands on his arm to stand, only to sway as he caught me. He put his hand back to my head and sighed.
"It appears you have a temperature," Sebastian spoke softly, "it is probably due to the heavy dress."
"I'll rip it off," I groaned as I pulled at the ruffles on my skirt, "I thought it was going to be cold…"
"Sebastian, bring her to our compartment," Ciel ordered as Sebastian lifted me.
We walked in silence as Sebastian put us in our room. He sat me down and reached for my luggage above the chairs. He handed it to Ciel before returning to me. Ciel put it down on my chair and opened it.
"Why was I handed her clothes?" Ciel asked as he pulled at the sleeve of a red dress.
"Locate her thin powder blue dress. It will bring down her temperature," Sebastian explained as he had me stand. He undid the buttons of my dress and the ribbons before undoing his tie.
"Is this it?" Ciel asked as he held up a pale blue dress.
"Yes," I groaned as I raised a hand to cover my mouth.
Ciel handed it over to me and I dropped it to the bench. Sebastian stopped undoing my buttons to hold the tie out to the earl.
"Young master, may I cover your eyes? To save Elena's pride?" Sebastian asked and Ciel nodded. Sebastian tied the tie and put Ciel sitting.
"I apologise but I don't have another tie," Sebastian continued as he pulled my arms free of the dress and then took my gloved hands so I could step out of the dress. It was like a weight had been taken off me…literally as well as figuratively. A cool breeze circled my waist, the top of the corset…making me feel a little better. Sebastian turned me to look at my corset before he undid it to access the underskirt. The corset fell to the floor and I wrapped my arms around the bodice.
"This is not the red light compartment!" I muttered as he undid the ribbon at my back.
"The blue dress is past your knee while this underskirt goes to your ankles. You must change completely," Sebastian replied as I gave in.
I wrapped my arms protectively across my chest as he undid the underskirt and it fell to the floor. My stockings followed and were replaced by thinner versions of the same thing. An underskirt was thrown over my head and tied before Sebastian touched Ciel's arm.
"She's decent," Sebastian said as he picked up a corset that had white ribbons. Ciel touched his eyes as he pulled off the tie, blinking against the glare before he spotted me. The corset was tight and I groaned as Ciel did.
"You said she was decent!" Ciel muttered.
"Was there anything on show that would damage Elena's pride?" Sebastian asked innocently as he tied the ribbons.
He pulled up the blue dress, undoing the buttons and ribbons before putting it over my head as well. The sleeves were to my elbow with white lace and white ruffles across the corset. The blue bodice had butterflies sewn on as the skirt flared at my waist to just below my knees. Sebastian pulled ribbon tight and then he went to my hair. He pulled out the curls I had worked on and twisted it into a chignon before undoing my gloves. I clenched my hands as Sebastian cleaned up the dress and put it in my luggage.
"Better?" Sebastian asked and I nodded.
"The breeze is nice," I whispered, "I think it was the heat."
"The smell of eel wouldn't have helped admittedly," Sebastian said as he handed me a glass of water, "we will continue the search once you have finished that."
I sipped the drink to test it. I wanted to make sure I wasn't unsettled by the taste before I swallowed the rest. Sebastian took the glass from me before handing me a pair of boots. I tied them quickly and then returned my gaze to my burnt hands.
"What happened to your hands?" Ciel asked as he looked closer.
"My family house burned down, and my parents died. I was in the house while it burned and my dog…he heard me scream. He came in after me and pulled me away. But part of the roof fell on him and I lifted it off him. He died in my arms…I couldn't save him," I replied as I touched the scars.
"My lord, we should return to our search," Sebastian said calmly as we all stood. We exited the compartment and started into the hall.
"What were your thoughts before I left you?" I asked Ciel and he looked forward.
"All in all, there are quite a few suspicious characters on the train," Sebastian commented.
"Yes, the priest with the tattoo, the sham archaeologist, a surly Japanese man and a maniac obsessed with timetables. Quite a group but I doubt our man would want to stand out," Ciel said as he same to a stop.
"Let us not forget the assassin whose travelling on board as well," Sebastian pointed out.
"Excuse me," a blond man said as he squeezed past us.
I leaned in against the window and found myself looking over his features. His eyes were covered by a hat and his blond hair poked out. The hand he used to bring down the brim of the hat was covered in scratches…the same type of ones you'd have if you had a crate dropped on you.
"Hey!" I snapped as I stepped closer, "you're the man that was loading the cargo on the station!"
Ciel reached forward and caught his arm, stopping it from moving so the man had to look down.
"My bodyguard is right. You're the porter I saw at the station. What are you doing on the train dressed as a traveller?" Ciel demanded and the man looked annoyed.
"Damn!" the man snapped.
"He's the kidnapper!" Ciel shouted as he gave chase.
I followed after him, determined to make sure Ciel wasn't hurt as Sebastian ran behind me. One order from Ciel and the demon would be faster than us, catching the man off guard. But no order had been called and I wondered if his eye-patch had to be missing for the order to take effect. I had seen something similar to Ciel's eye…but it had been Alois's tongue. The latter had only been visible when Claude was nearby, while Ciel's was always there. Had he signed a different contract? These were questions I wanted an answer to; it might help me find out who was going to win this chess match against the Trancys.
The kidnapper closed a door behind him and Ciel ran to catch up. I heard the sound of protesting metal as Ciel pulled the door open wide to see the kidnapper.
"Stop!" Ciel shouted as the kidnapper decoupled the train cars.
The kidnapper laughed as he closed the door for the slowing car. There was too much of a gap for a human to jump without receiving fatal injuries. A demon would probably make it without too much damage, if any at all.
"Don't let him go, Sebastian!" Ciel ordered.
"My lord," Sebastian replied as he jumped for the car.
I pulled Ciel back and closed the door. He glared at me as I put my hands on his shoulders.
"I'm your bodyguard; I'm not letting you fall out of a moving train," I explained, "now think!"
"Think?" Ciel asked clearly confused.
"The kidnapper," I said calmly, "when you do a trade, you never hand over things easily. You have to have leverage. I didn't see a small boy. So if you were the kidnapper, what would you do?"
"The boy," Ciel said calmly as he looked to the door, "you would not make things easy. You would take the money and leave Lord Ackroyd to find the boy. So…the boy might be still on board this train."
"Where?" I asked him, "where would you hide a boy without arousing suspicion?"
"He wouldn't be a passenger…but where else could you put a boy?"
"He was most likely unconscious," I said calmly, "he wouldn't have screamed, alerting people to his location. So the kidnapper had to put the boy on board."
"That's it!" Ciel said with a smirk, "the kidnapper put him on board as part of the cargo!"
Ciel ran off with me following him through the carriages. Abberline spotted us and ran near me, trying to grab my arm to pull me to a stop as Ciel opened one of the train's doors.
"Where are you going?" he asked me but I didn't answer.
"We're going to the goods wagon," Ciel replied as he ran.
"Wait Ciel! What do you mean you're heading for the goods wagon? Come back!" Abberline called out.
"Sebastian will take care of capturing the kidnapper himself. We only have to worry about the child," Ciel said as he came to a stop.
"What cargo are you thinking about?" I asked Ciel.
"Only one piece of luggage would be big enough to hide a boy," Ciel replied, "that mummy's coffin."
"I say," the archaeologist snapped.
"Oh shut up," I snapped at him.
I heard someone fall so I turned to see Abberline clutching his stomach tight and groaning in pain. What was it this time?
"What's wrong?" Ciel asked him.
"It's my stomach, it's killing me!" Abberline moaned, "this isn't right. I know I rested long enough after eating."
Ciel put a hand on his hip and looked exasperated. I heard a similar moan and showed Ciel it was the Japanese woman. She, like Abberline, was clutching her stomach and moaning as well. Oh this wasn't good.
"Oh, I hope it's not cholera," one passenger said as he backed away.
"I'm leaving! Let's go!" another man called out as he ran for it.
"You bastards! That's my wife!" the short Japanese man yelled.
"Did you by any chance eat one of the lady's rice balls?" Ciel asked Abberline.
"Yes…and it was heavenly," Abberline replied with remembered bliss.
Ciel sighed before running off again, and I trailed his heels. I ran past him and quickly opened the goods wagon door for him to run in unhindered.
"Is that it?" Ciel asked as he pointed out the mummy's box.
"I hope so," I muttered as I stood by the door, "quickly sir!"
Ciel moved closer to pull the box lid off and show me the sarcophagus's lid which looked beautiful. I heard a shuffle from outside and peeked out. There was nothing there so I went back to my position.
"Just hang on," I heard Ciel say as I spotted he had found the boy, tied to some sort of box underneath the faux pharaoh.
I turned to look back out the door where a man was standing, a white top loose around him. I stepped in front of him, knowing his eyes were on Ciel.
"Not in this lifetime," I snapped as I took out my baton to extend it.
I hit him on the side of his head and he snarled at me. He then reached forward, catching my neck and lifting me off my feet. I raised my hands to stop him from choking me before he flung me towards one of the crates beside the door. He walked past me and caught Ciel in his grasp.
"Ciel…I'm sorry," I croaked as my eyes grew heavy and my head hurt.
I closed my eyes, and the last thing I saw was Ciel being shuffled past me. The earl looked at me, worry creasing his brow as I fell further behind the crates…
"My head," I groaned, lifting my hand to cover it only to have a box hit me painfully on the stomach. I coughed at the new wave of pain joined that of my head and my neck. What had happened?
Images floated to the fore of my mind and I was reminded of the man dressed in white going for Ciel. I had tried to stop him but he had been stronger. He had picked me up and thrown me like a rag doll against the wall of the train.
"Ciel!" I yelled as I sat up, pushing the box away and standing up on shaky legs.
It took a few moments before I was free to walk out of the goods wagon. I heard a whimper and turned to see the boy was still in the box. I changed direction and put my hand out to the boy.
"Come on," I said as he looked up at me, "take my hand and we'll get you to your father."
He took it slowly before sitting up. His bright blue eyes looked sweet as I clutched my stomach and we walked out. The boy watched me with curiosity as we returned to the passenger rooms.
"What's your name?" I asked him and he looked at my hand before answering.
"Thomas," the boy replied, "Thomas Ackroyd."
"Well Thomas, my name is Elena Hamilton," I replied as I tightened my grip on my stomach.
I pushed us into a lower class dining cart and I saw everyone was standing. The priest was tattooed on more than his hands, the short Japanese man had a knife in his hands and the archaeologist was looking confused. Everyone was looking to the window on my left so I looked out, not seeing anything of interest.
"You're Ciel's bodyguard," Abberline said as he clutched his stomach.
"Where is he?" I demanded and they pointed to the window.
"The assassin on board took him, I think they're on the roof," a passenger said, "and now there's a bomb on board, cholera and…we're all going to die!"
"How do you get to the roof?" I asked.
"You have to go through the first class dining car to the maintenance area," Abberline told me as I handed the boy to a young woman.
"Thanks," I said as I touched my head, and pulled it back to see blood.
"You're hurt!" the timetables loon said.
"All in a day's work," I said as I ran past them to the dining car.
Everything ached but I couldn't repeat the last five months. I couldn't curse myself to hell for failing Ciel again, not when I had him back. I heard something hit the roof of the cars as I ran, not sure what the hell was hitting it. I pulled open the door of the dining car, and I ran down halfway when I spotted him.
His eyes were bright gold, his hair black like soot and his butler outfit covered by a small cloak. A top hat covered his head and he had a cup of tea in front of him. I put a hand over my heart as my other went to retrieve my baton. But the baton wasn't there, and I remembered I had dropped it when that bastard had thrown me.
"Elena," Claude said as he sipped his tea.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded, putting my back against one of the chairs.
"The master has been looking for you," Claude said calmly, "you are his."
"I'm not his property!" I snapped, feeling my throat ache, "leave me alone!"
"You will return to him if you want Ciel Phantomhive to survive," Claude stated calmly.
The car shuddered and I looked up to see the roof lifted high. What the hell was going on? I turned back to Claude to find myself looking at his chest. I gasped as he caught my throat and looked into my eyes.
"You are such a foolish girl," Claude said, "you thought Lord Trancy would send anyone but me after you?"
"You're his…puppet!" I croaked as he tightened his grip on my throat.
"I turn sugar into salt, a stray dog into an earl…I can easily turn a disobedient maid into a corpse," he said calmly as he lifted me higher.
"I won't go…back," I groaned, "I'd rather die…!"
The train was shook and Claude let me go. I fell to the floor, braced against one of the tables as he kept his balance. Tears were dripping from my eyes as I looked at the butler. He cleaned his clothes before he pulled an envelope from his pocket. He dropped down to my level and I flinched.
"For Ciel Phantomhive," Claude said as he put it in my hands, "if he wants to know more about us, he can come in the front door."
He started to leave me, and I turned to watch him go. He stopped and looked at me over his shoulder.
"Remember Elena, I can show you something far worse than hell. If you want the boy to live, you will do what is expected of you."
He left me there, the train frozen and the letter cold in my hands. I heard people talking and leaving the train. I couldn't move as tears fell. He would kill Ciel if I didn't return to the Trancy Estate. I looked down at my hands and clenched them. He would show me something worse than hell. Could he? Hell was where the sinners went, and in my opinion Trancy Manor had been a worse hell. How could he show me something worse? I stood rather shakily and sat down in one of the benches.
"Sebastian will protect Ciel," I whispered to myself as I looked down at the letter, "Claude won't be allowed to hurt him."
I stood, clutching the letter tightly. I wasn't sure how I was supposed to leave the train. Where was the door? I looked to the messed parfait style dish and spilt tea.
"Claude had been on my right," I said as I walked forward, "Abberline told me the maintenance area was through those doors."
I walked forward, opened the door and I was greeted by a fresh breeze. There was an opening to my right so I walked over to it and sat down to shimmy off. A man spotted me and helped me the rest of the way.
"There's a train heading to the station over there," he pointed out.
"Do you know where Ciel Phantomhive is?" I asked him and he looked confused, "never mind."
I walked forward where another man, one of the porters, helped me up. I was in the lower class seats and I didn't care. I would find Ciel soon. I sat down in one of the benches and the Japanese couple joined me. The woman looked happy as she looked me over.
"You poor thing, did the train stopping hurt you?" she asked as the man glared at me.
"Slightly," I replied as she opened up a box and showed it to me.
"Do you want some tea?" she asked and showed me what she had.
"A cup of Earl Grey would be nice," I said to her as she caught one of the waiters, handed him a little money and her tea sachet. He nodded and walked off, returning moments later with the pot of tea for me. I poured myself a cup and sipped it as the train started moving again.
"Is something bothering you?" the woman asked as I poured myself another cup.
"Did you ever try and run away?" I asked her and she shook her head, "I ran away."
"From who?" she asked.
"A boy. He didn't like me, hated me for reasons I'm still not certain of. But he found me…and he threatened someone I care a lot for," I said softly, "and I don't know what to do."
"Why don't you speak to this boy, tell him to be nice," the woman said and the man touched her hand.
"I doubt it is that type of relationship," he said simply.
"I was his maid," I said and she looked confused, "and he was my master. I ran away and the person I care for, he put me in his home and has only been nice to me."
"The boy the assassin took," the Japanese man explained to his wife.
"I'm his bodyguard, but this boy threatened him. I don't know what to do. I can return and…suffer or stay where I am…and possibly get the person hurt."
"Can you guarantee it won't happen?" the woman asked as I sipped my tea, "can you be certain that if you did return, he wouldn't go after the boy?"
"No," I said slowly, "no I can't."
They spoke to themselves as I considered what they had told me. I couldn't be certain Claude wouldn't go after Ciel if I returned. Claude rarely kept his word unless it was to Alois. If I returned, I could only make things worse. If Claude managed to kill Sebastian, Ciel would be an undefended king. But if I was there, I could be the next defence. The train came to a stop and I looked out on the station.
"We were going to London city, if you would like to share a carriage?" the woman said calmly.
"That is very generous of you, but I don't have any money on me to pay," I said to her and she dismissed that thought.
"Come dear," she said as she stood and took my hand gently.
"Thank you, you are very sweet. I'm sorry I didn't try one of your rice treats," I said to her, "but I had eaten quite a bit this morning."
"Do you want one in the carriage?" she asked as she got me to the platform, "I still have plenty."
My stomach gurgled and I smiled at her.
"You're feeling better," I pointed out as she brought me to a carriage.
"Yes, it turns out I made an error in what I had eaten," she said as she stepped up and the motioned for me to follow her, "there are certain food pairings that should never been mixed. The pickled plums and eel pie was one of them."
I sat down opposite her as she sat with her husband. The carriage started moving and she handed me one of her rice treats. I took it carefully; worried it would crumble as I ate it. I bit into the top, tasting the pickled plums but then the sweet rice. It was beautiful as Abberline had said. I ate it quickly and she handed me another one which I ate a little slower. The carriage came to a stop and the door was opened.
"We have to go to the university," the woman said as she got out, "we're in the centre of London now."
"Thank you for the food, the advice and the carriage trip," I said as I got out.
I waved them goodbye as I walked off towards the Phantomhive Manor. It would take me an hour to get there…and that meant time to think.
"What am I going to do?" I asked myself.
I opened the gates and closed them behind myself; there were no carriages as I walked around the back to the servants entrance. Bard opened the door like last time and looked me over.
"Elena! What happened?" he asked as he brought me to the kitchen.
"Is the young master back?" I asked and Bard nodded, "how long?"
"Twenty minutes," Bard replied.
I stood and walked out to the hall. I had come to a decision on my walk. I would not go back to the Trancy Estate. I would stand my ground and protect Ciel. It had occurred to me that I needed to practise, to be able to take down someone like that assassin on the train. I needed to be able to protect Ciel from a demon. There was only one person I knew who could help me in that respect. I walked to the office and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Ciel's voice called out and I opened the door.
"Elena?" he asked as I closed it behind me.
Sebastian was pouring tea but stopped when he looked at me. I knew my throat was black and blue; there was a small red mark on the top of my hairline with what could be described as a small stream of blood down one side of my face that had dried. I looked tired, my hands were shaking and my clothes were dirty. But I stood still, looking at Ciel. This boy…I vowed to myself, I would protect until my last breath.
"Young master," I croaked with a hand over my heart, "I have a letter for you."
I opened one of my pockets and pulled out the folded letter. I walked forward and handed it to him. He took it and looked down at the writing.
"Where did you get this?" he asked as he turned it over, spotted the seal and froze.
"Claude Faustus," I replied as I put my hands at my sides, "the butler for the Trancy Household."
Ciel got a letter opener and opened it. He skimmed through the contents before putting it down.
"It's an invitation to a ball at the Trancy Estate," Ciel said as he looked me over, "in a month's time."
I looked down at the desk I was in front of, and spotted a spider. It had a big body and miniature legs. I pictured it looking at me, and the eyes glowing a bright gold. I watched as it scuttled across with ease…up until I raised my hand and dropped it. I felt the spider's body before it became an indent in the desk. I hated spiders…
"What was that?" Ciel asked as he looked to where my hand had been. The dead spider matched the colour of the desk so he wouldn't pick up on the mangled body. I wiped my hand on my skirt to remove the remains.
"Just a nuisance," I answered as I turned away, "nothing to worry about while I'm around, young master."
So that's the chapter finished :) What do you think of Claude's threat? What did you think of the spider at the end? Thanks for reading and I'll have the next chapter up soon. Please review or PM to let me know what you think. Thanks for reading :)