Phew, I finally was able to complete the next two chapters for "Ruby Claims The Sapphire" and focus more on this story. I love this story so much that I feel really guilty when I neglect updating it in favor of my other two. Now on to more pressing matters: we are now going to look into Ciel's recovery. It will be a long road ahead of him. I also said there would be no yaoi, however I did not say there would be no implications of homosexuality. I feel really bad for putting Ciel through such torture right now but it must go on. Sebastian was albeit O.C. Enjoy the next chapter.

Stage 8: Crossroads to my hell

Recovery Part 1

If there was one word to describe the predicament he was in, it would be utter humiliation. Ciel had just been released from the hospital three hours ago yet it seemed as if it were yesterday. Now he was at first instant being transported to a "rehabilitation clinic". The carriage bumped along the cobblestone roads of Great Britain. Ciel gripped his coat against his unnaturally skinny frame to keep out the cold. A suitcase filled with his clothes and medicine rested between him and the passenger next to him. He did not dare spare a glance at his ashamed raven butler who was fighting the urge to talk his ear off about how stupid he was for doing this to himself.

Great, now Sebastian thinks me a great buffoon. I knew I should have hid those pills more carefully, maybe under the mattress or perhaps in my office desk. Damn that demon for being so sharp. (1) Now here I am going to some prison where doctors will force me to eat a ton of garbage they call food and make me fat again so they can throw me back to the sharks to be chewed up and spit out till there is nothing left.

Sebastian glanced out the window. It had taken a majority of his self will to not blow up while packing his master's belongings. It was Ciel's fault for trying to throw his life away all in the name of being thin. He now had to wait much longer to claim his prey's soul and wait for the damn kid to get his brains unscrambled. In truth, he was much angrier with himself since he was at fault for prodding his bocchan into such a current predicament.

Neither passenger spoke to one another for the next few hours. It was shame and pride keeping them from communication. It would be long road ahead. All anyone could hope for was things working out for the best.

(A/N: I am hopelessly unknowledgeable about Great Britain and its landscape. I only know much from movies, commentators and stories from my sister who took a trip there over two years ago)

Ciel felt something shake his body. Annoyed, he swiped his hand to rid of the disturbance. It wasn't until he heard a gruff "bocchan, it is time to wake up. Your destination is fast approaching". He blearily opened his eye (he is still wearing his eye-patch) and looked out the window. He groaned upon realizing the building in the far distance was indeed where he would be spending his time; recovering. (2) It was a large four-story building that could be mistaken for a distorted stone mansion surrounded by large metal fence with spikes. The front windows were barred: to prevent escape, the windows were slightly dirty and grated so no one could see through them or out them. In short, it was unbelievable this was a recovery clinic. (3) The Great Britain Rehabilitation Clinic was certainly no different than a mental hospital.

The horse-drawn carriage skid to a stop as it reached the entrance way. Tanaka, who had been in charge of driving the buggy pulled the reigns signaling the horses to stop. He stepped off the carriage before walking up to the stone gates. Two men in white lab coats approached the other side.

"Halt. State your name and purpose. We do not take kindly to solicitors. If you do not have an appointment or you are simply here to sell merchandise, I suggest you take that buggy of yours and turn the other way" one of the men stated crossly. Tanaka scrunched his nose. Pompous windbags.

"It just so happens, that the person in that carriage do have an appointment. In fact, I was just here to deliver him for treatment as prescribed by a Dr. Reinhart", he replied pulling out a parchment delivering to the man on the other side. The rude man scrutinized it checking for any forgeries. He turned to his companion who nodded stiffly. He got out a black key with a hole on top and unlocked the gate. Tanaka came back to the buggy and signaled his horses to gallop forward.

The carriage approached the cobblestone path leading to the front door of the clinic. He pulled the reigns once again. This time he did not get off. The buggy door opened. Sebastian poked his head out watching out for potential threats. Finding none, he stepped from the vehicle and carried his master's luggage. He stood to the side waiting for Ciel to make his reluctant appearance. A few seconds later, the young lad shakily emerged and stepped on to the ground. He was aided by Sebastian who was right away ready to catch him if he fell. Ciel after all was still weak from the hospital. The blue-eyed lad glanced at Tanaka who was remorseful of his master's unfair circumstances.

"Bocchan, if I may give some words of advice…" he inquired Ciel who dumbly nodded "the doctors here are said to be top notch. They are here not to hold you prison, but to aid you on your way to recovery. Listen to any helpful advice they give you. Unfortunately because this is a hospital I am not eligible to visit or tend to you. I can only come to you if your relatives are present. I am not merely saying this because of the contract; my only desire is the full restoration of your physical wellbeing".

Bullshit, was Ciel's response. He knew that is he said that out loud he would get harshly berated by the elder. The young heir felt despair as he was led inside the great building followed by Tanaka and two unsympathetic brutes. The door was opened to reveal a long white corridor. It was filled with men in lab coats rushing to and fro to their designated rooms and nurses carrying clip boards following their superiors. But Ciel's attention was to the floor.

"Ahh, good afternoon, Mr. Phantomhive I see we meet again" a familiar voice called to him. Ciel shot his head up. It was Dr. Reinhart wearing his usual pair of specs and lab coat. Sebastian who was just as confused inquired the man as to what he was doing here.

"Oh yes, well Mr. Michaelis it just so happens that I am a head physician here also. (4) I come over to inspect that the patients here are well treated and not exploited" he said this mainly to the two hulks standing a few feet behind the butler. Now if you will follow me I shall introduce you to the head of this fine institution. He will explain the regulations and activities of this place".

Dr. Reinhart led the group up several flights of stairs. They had to stop a couple times due to Ciel's asthma. Thankfully, Sebastian had not neglected to pack his inhaler. They came upon a wooden door. There was a large plaque that had the words "Dr. Nathaniel Zephyr" inscribed in large black letters. Dr. Reinhart ushered Sebastian and Ciel to step back a little. He knocked two times.

"Pardon me, Dr. Zephyr but the new patient has arrive and would like to speak with you".

"Come in" was the curt reply. He nodded to Ciel to follow him inside. Ciel gulped. He could imagine countless possibilities as to what the man looked like. Would he be unpleasant like Henry Baltimore, no smile and a rude was of speaking, would he be crude and perverse like the Viscount, or condescending like Sebastian? He would have to see for himself. The doctor ushered Ciel to enter. It was not as large as his but it was just as presentable. There were book cases filled with all sorts of books, piles of scrolls, and pictures of pictures of past caretakers and doctors. He turned to a desk and a chair facing away from them. Reinhart stepped up precariously. He coughed to get the person's attention.

"Dr. Zephyr?" he inquired. The chair spun around to reveal a man in his early forties with brown tied up hair, bangs swept to the side, a tweed grey suit. His face was stern yet his grey eyes showed slight mirth. He leaned over the desk to get a glimpse at the other person next to him.

"Ahhh yes, Dr. Reinhart this is the patient you were telling me about, eh?" he replied with a cockney accent. Ciel could feel as the guy scrutinized his smaller than normal frame.

"Last letter that you wrote to me, he was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia, was it?"

"Unfortunately, yes; apparently he had this problem dating back to over a month. From what his personal butler told me, it started with cutting his food into smaller portions then it progressed into eating less than normal. He began to consume diet pills in an attempt to "aid the cause". That is possibly where the black bile transpired".

"Black bile, you say?" the doctor asked flabbergasted. Dr. Reinhart nodded. He had told Zephyr about the Anorexia but never had it manifested into black bile.

"That was exactly my reaction when I heard it. And by the description they were contraband diet pills as well". Ciel clenched his fist. He hated how the doctor's spoke of him like he was had committed a crime. He had interrogated several suspects in his time as an Earl, but to have the tables turned on you was a whole different matter. Like being on the wrong end of a telescope. Dr. Zephyr turned his gaze toward the young aristocrat.

"I do beg your pardon, young Phantomhive. This must to be rather unpleasant for you and your family. However, your problem could have been prevented had you put more consideration toward your own health and turned in those pills to the authorities" he scolded the lad. Ciel bit his lips unable to find a proper rebuttal. The doctor was right but he didn't like it.

"I am not saying such to criticize you. I am speaking to you as a responsible adult would to a child. I am going to discuss with you how the recovery process shall work. You may want to sit down for this". Ciel did just that.

"The remainder of your stay here will depend entirely on whether you make any recognizable progress or not. For most, it will take weeks, or months, even years if so be it. You will be monitored regularly by our staff. Meals will be personally given to you by trained nurses. You are expected to consume at least a portion if not all. We will also be keeping watch for symptoms of purging. Our top doctors will be weighing you. Your medical files state that the last you weighed at (5) 39 kilos. That is awfully low for someone of your age group. No, that is not acceptable. Do not fret, young sir. We are not here to hinder but to help you".

Dr. Reinhart nodded at Ciel sadly.

"I am truly sorry that we could not meet personally under better circumstances, but this was the best and only option. Do think well on this, young Phantomhive. If not for you then for your family and servants?" he said hopefully. Ciel hung his feeling guilty. He knew that he was being rather selfish by not getting the help he needs and expect people to be "okay" with his unhealthy habits. The last thing he needed was another harsh lecture from his aunt. He ultimately came to the most difficult choice he would ever make as an Earl: let someone else temporarily run the show.

"Alright then Dr. Zephyr, I shall comply with the set regulations of your institution. And do my best not to be a burden during my stay here" he stated in an uncharacteristic show of submissiveness. Dr. Zephyr looked pleased with said answer. He sat upright from his desk.

"That settles it. Let us begin your journey to recovery by bringing your things up to your new home for the next few weeks or months. (6) Oh I almost forgot, you will need to sign a waiver stipulating that you are under the care and jurisdiction of the staff at this clinic and your time of leaving will be up to my jurisdiction meaning that when I have decided you are well enough is when you can go home. And not worry about the state of your mansion, your relatives will be tending to matters there". He got out a printed piece of parchment and quill pen and handed them to Ciel. All he had to do was sign the dotted line. Ciel carefully skimmed the contents of the parchment checking to see if there were any loopholes. Finding none, he picked up the pen and dipped it in the ink tray and carefully yet eloquently signed his name. Then he placed the pen back down.

"Now that all the complicated paper work is done, let us proceed to your room" Dr. Zephyr noted. Ciel and Dr. Reinhart led by Zephyr exited the room. Standing outside was none other than Sebastian who looked as if he would rather be out cat scouting (A/N: Tee-hee, cat scouting). He followed after his master.

The room was...well he couldn't exactly call it a room. It was small square box, with a singular barred window. A square rectangular bed standing on a metal frame with a basic box-spring mattress and plain white sheets stood in a corner perpendicular to the window. There was no dressing beau, just a closet with a couple of metal hangers. There was no walk-in bathroom.

"There is no need to worry, our nurses change the sheets often to prevent contamination. Normally, we would give access to walk in bathrooms but in attempted suicides and bulimia such as yours, we block access to such unless escorted. As for the barred windows, we have sadly had cases where patients would usually make an escape attempt only to fall to their deaths, or hang themselves from the window sills. Also is the case where patients diagnosed with mental health problems, for some reason jump out the windows. And yet, it was also a matter of staff negligence. So just recently, those bars were installed to prevent future tragedies like those mentioned".

Ciel paled and clutched his petticoat tighter. It felt chilly in the room. Dr. Zephyr stared sympathetic at the child.

"I do apologize for the slight draft, Mr. Phantomhive. (7) I will fetch a nurse to warm up a coal pan right away". Dr. Reinhart, I will be leaving you in charge of helping Ciel get comfortable in his temporary room. Don't disappoint me", he ordered the younger doctor before leaving to find a nurse. Dr. Reinhart sighed. Sebastian walked into the room and placed his master's luggage next to the bed. He proceeds to unpack when he was stopped by a gloved hand.

"Don't worry about it Sebastian. You go on back to the mansion and make sure that aunty doesn't get too cocky with her authority and also that Lizzy doesn't try to decorate the whole house pink" he replied with a smile. Sebastian was about to protest but was stopped by his master's stern gaze. The butler closed his eyes and nodded reluctantly.

"Alrigh, my master if that is your wish, I shall comply".

Sebastian got up and bowed to Ciel for what would be the last time for at least several weeks, er months. He walked out of the room leaving his master alone. Looking out the window, Ciel could only watch helplessly as two of his most faithful servants drove the buggy back to jolly old England. Without warning, he ran straight for his bed and sobbed into the mattress. He had just signed off everything he knew to endure this punishment. What would his parents think of him?

He was bumped from his crying stupor (?) when he heard the clicking of heels approaching his room. He composed himself standing straight up preparing for the person. It was a young woman in her late 20's with bright red hair, green hair and freckles on her olive face. She was dressed in a white nurse outfit and white heels. She carried in her hand a metal pan that was steaming in several places.

"Oh hello, you must be the new arrival. I am sorry if this is abrupt I was ordered by Dr. Zephyr and Reinhart to prepare a coal pan so here" she answered blushing as she did so. Ciel stepped aside to allow her to do her tasks; placing the coal pan inside the mattress.

"Oh, where are my matters? I should introduce myself. Not because it is protocol but because it is common courtesy. I am Clarice, one of the nurses assigned to tend to all the patients needs" she said gesturing a hand to Ciel. Ciel stared at it unsure. Normally he shook hands with fellow business associates or his relatives. Clarice lost her smile knowing she was possibly making Ciel a little uncomfortable.

"That is alright if you don't shake my hand. I would likely be a little unnerved if some stranger came up to me expecting to shake their hand. Anyway, if you ever feel you need to talk to someone come to me and I will see what I can do. I have other things to do. Nice talking to you" she said.

The nurse smiled when she finally got a response even if it was delayed.

"It's Ciel.

Ciel's P.O.V.

I sat on my new bed. Oh who am I kidding? This couldn't even pass for a bed. It was a lumpy mesh box filled with sheep's wool and metal coils. The pillows were flat and the sheets smelled like expired beer. "Sigh" perhaps if I explore a bit, I just might convince Dr. Zephyr that there is someone at this place worse off than I am. Now what it is that people do here aside from getting ordered around by a couple of people in lab coats?

Oh well, it is still early morning (approximately 10 o' clock). I begin to tip-toe over to the door leading to outside. Suddenly, my ankles give way and the air got knocked out from my chest as I collapse to the floor.

"Cough" "Cough" "Cough"

I panic as I struggle to breathe. Where is that damn inhaler? Oh there is it on top of the luggage. I waste no time in jumping over there to grab the inhaler and breathe in. I transition between exhaling and inhaling. My heartbeat slowly steadies into its regular rhythm. It takes me a while to realize that I was shaking. Not necessarily from the lack of heat in the room; rather the logic that if my ailment didn't kill me first, my asthma would. It was day one of my stay here and already I hated it. Yet, that was just the beginning of my troubles.

Ciel Phantomhive, you poor damned little fool. Your hell erm, recovery has only just started. As if no one knew already: I abhor mental institutions. Oh yes, they all look pristine on the surface, but look inside and it prints a different picture. I know that this is a rehabilitation clinic but it is still just as grim. Not all clouds emit a silver lining. As I said previously, Ciel has a rough road ahead of him. The rehabilitation clinic has its own secrets yet to be revealed; good and bad.

(1) Typical cynicism of a person suffering from an eating disorder. This is also interpreted in Ciel's P.O.V.

(2) A reference to the movie " The Secret Garden" minus the barbed wire fence.

(3) I couldn't think of a better name. I sort of got the inspiration from the movie "SuckerPunch".

(4) A rather sad that reigns true to this day. In every hospital, there are those who see patients as "cash cows" or "casualties" only meant to die so they can collect benefits. Some people are just too cruel.

(5) 88 lbs.

(6) Head doctors/physicians will often require you to sign a form stating that you are under the responsibility of the doctors or that they cannot take any immediate action unless given permission from the family. These can also include liability waivers.

(7) This was mostly seen in the rooms of the wealthy. Servants would fill a metal two lidded pan with hot coals and place it somewhere in the recipient's mattress. I guess that would be the duties of the nurses.

Next Chapter: Ciel explores his new "home" and meet some new people on the way. Ciel also discovers that the people in this place may not be what they seem.