Chapter Fifty-Six: Gaining Answers

Frances awoke the following morning, feeling empty, tired, and… extremely thirsty, as if she hadn't had water in a month. She didn't understand.

"Frances." Sebastian's voice was filled with the concern she could feel.

She lifted her head up from Sebastian's black clothed chest. She met his concern, confused eyes.

"Se—"

She cut herself off with how dry her throat was. She quickly sat up, turned away from him, and covered her mouth as she coughed harshly. Once she finished, her head throbbed slightly. She turned back to Sebastian who had also sat up and picked up the glass of water that he had poured from the pitcher he placed on the nightstand. He handed her the glass of water. She accepted it. She placed it to her lips and drank it. After the first sip, she nearly gulped down the contents, but she forced herself to slowly drink it. Once she finished, she handed it back to him.

"Thank you." She said, her voice still slightly dry.

He poured her another glass of water. He handed it to her. She drank the second glass. She handed the empty glass to him. The throbbing in her head dissipated, however, she still felt empty and tired. He placed her empty glass on the nightstand. He turned back to her, studying her. She looked at him with her head tilted and eyebrows furrowed.

"Malphas? What's wrong?"

His eyebrows furrowed.

"Do you not remember last night?"

She looked away from him. She tried to think of what happened. She remembered her day with Alois, tucking him into bed, then running through the forest, Hannah talking to her, then she had turned away, raised her hands then… pain erupted in the left side of her skull as it had been the last couple months, though it hurt even more now. She groaned, clutching the left side of her head. Unnoticed by her, Sebastian's eyes narrowed at the pain she was feeling. Something wasn't right. Something hasn't been right for a long time. She had been feeling pain in that area every so often. He placed a hand on either side of her head. Her eyes opened to show her confusion, the pain instantly disappeared.

"Sebastian?" She asked, confused.

His eyes flashed their true nature. His left hand moved to where she was clutching her head earlier. She gave a sharp gasp as pain ignited where he had touched as well as something familiar. She pulled his hands away from her, though he had instantly pulled back at the same time. She looked up at him with fear. Something was wrong. Something was VERY wrong. Sebastian stood up with swirling orange/fuchsia eyes.

"Please, get dressed. I shall retrieve Young Master."

"Where are we going?" She asked.

Sebastian kissed her forehead gently. He leaned his forehead against hers, looking deeply in her eyes.

"Please, do as I say."

She nodded.

"Very well."

"Thank you."

He pulled away from her and made his way to the door. He looked back at her, his eyes returned to his red.

"I'll see you in the foyer."

She nodded.

"All right."

He closed the door behind her. She frowned when she no longer felt his emotions. She got up from her bed. She made her way to her dresser. She pulled out a black chemise and black stockings. She moved to her closet and pulled out a black dress with matching black heels. She returned to her bed. She dressed quickly. She went to the bathroom. She did her hair in a half up and half down style. As she worked on the upper half, pulling it into a bun, she looked into the mirror. Her eyes widened, her hands lowered from her hair, allowing it to fall down her back. The white of her eyes were red, her face was pale as if she was sick, her under eyes had black bags under them. She splashed water onto her face to see if that would help. She dried her face with a towel. She looked back at the mirror. It only helped a little. She shook her head. There was nothing she could do about her bloodshot eyes. She continued getting ready. She pulled half of her hair up, placing it in a bun while leaving the bottom half to flow down her back. She looked at the mirror, still feeling empty. She turned away and made her way out of her room. She made her way to the foyer where the Young Master and Sebastian stood already waiting for her. The Young Master stared at her. She could see and feel the concern.

"Frances, are you all right?" He asked, worriedly.

She still felt empty and confused.

"I… don't know… I… don't think so…" She whispered.

Sebastian and the Young Master exchanged a glance. They looked at her.

"Let's go." The Young Master ordered.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"To see the Grim Reapers." Sebastian stated, walking to the door.

Her eyes widened in surprise. He disliked them, so why were they going to see them? She didn't ask. She followed after the Young Master as Sebastian opened the door. She nodded her head in thanks. The skies were cloudy today with dark grey clouds. Sebastian closed the front door. There was no carriage so Frances knew he would take them. He walked down the stairs. Frances and the Young Master looked at him. He knelt down in front of them, holding out his arms. Frances got on his right arm as the Young Master got on his left arm. He stood up as the two of them held his shoulder. He took off towards town. Frances moved her hands to wrap around his neck as she leaned her head against his shoulder.

He arrived in town in five minutes. He stopped in an alleyway. He set them down. Frances looked around. She recognized it as the alley behind the pub the Grim Reapers liked to frequent. A flash of red attacked her with a loud squeal of,

"FRANCES!"

She saw his red hair and gave a tiny smile. She returned the hug.

"Hey, Grell." She greeted, softly.

Grell frowned. He pulled back, holding her shoulders as he looked into her eyes. His eyes widened. He let go of her as he staggered backwards.

"W-What's wrong, Frances?" He asked, worriedly.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she could feel the extreme worry rolling off him in waves. Sebastian stepped forward. Grell looked at him.

"We need you to take us to the Grim Reaper Library to see William, please."

Grell nodded.

"Let's go."

Frances' eyes widened again. Grell just accepted the request. Not only that, he didn't squeal or flirt with Sebastian. She watched as Grell cut through the air in front of them. He glanced over his shoulder at them.

"Follow me."

He stepped through first followed by Frances, the Young Master, then Sebastian. They were inside the Library where they had faced the angel. There were a few Grim Reapers around. They glared at Sebastian and the Young Master in disgust while they gave Frances a curious yet disgusted look, though a few had looks of pity as well. A familiar sigh was heard. They turned around to see William pushing up his glasses as he walked towards them. He had opened his mouth then snapped it shut as his eyes landed on Frances' red eyes as well as the fact that he could sense what she was and that small thing within her even more than he had previously. His eyes shifted to Sebastian.

"Explain."

"She has had headaches only in the left side of her head near the front of her left ear. They seem to deal with her memory. (Will raised an eyebrow, silently asking why he suspected memory.) Something happened last night, yet she doesn't remember. When she tries, pain erupts in that area."

Frances looked at him. Her heart started to race. She looked back at William as she felt his wonder and curiosity.

"And you believe a Grim Reaper can help?"

Sebastian gave a single nod.

"When I placed my hand on it, I felt a surge of Grim Reaper power."

Frances' eyes shot to him. He looked at her carefully. Now that she thought about it, she realized she felt it too. William nodded.

"Very well. (He pushed his glasses up again. He looked at Frances.) Frances. (Her eyes shot to his.) Lay down on the chaise, please."

"What are you going to do?" She asked, slightly afraid.

"We need to look at your Cinematic Record. I am going to give you a cut to reveal your Records. It will help determine what Grim Reaper tool was used. (He paused a moment.) It will be painful, just to keep you informed." William explained and warned.

She nodded. Whatever needed to be done to help her remember what she forgot.

"Very well."

She moved to the dark blue chaise. She laid down, placing her hands by her sides as if she was going to sleep before she shared a bed with Sebastian. She watched William approach her. He moved his scythe forward. He cut into where Sebastian had said that he suspected the Reaper device was. Frances let out a sharp gasp of pain.

"Grell, restrain her." William ordered.

Sebastian was at Frances' side in an instant, catching her hands before they flew to her head. William raised his death scythe upwards. He gritted his teeth as he felt a resistance. Frances gave another groan of discomfort. Her legs wiggled uncomfortably and unconsciously due to the pain. Grell moved to hold her legs down. William tugged again and again. She could feel the pull and tug, but something was stopping it. It felt like a sharp glass stabbing into her brain as William tugged and tugged. Her hands turned into fists as she tried to pull from Sebastian and Grell's hold. She wanted to know, but…

"It-It hurts!"

"Then use your powers! Tell this man what's going to happen to him."

"I-I won't! (Her Father raised the whip again.) No! Please!"

He brought it down again. She let out another ear-piercing scream.

She felt another tug. She let out a painful grunt. The scene changed to the first time she thought she was going to die.

She was exhausted. She had been healing people and telling them that something was going to happen to them. Her parents didn't feed her much that week as punishment for refusing yet another customer, as if being whipped wasn't enough. It was her last customer of the day. Her eyes were drooping. She couldn't hear what the woman was asking. She heard the door slam open causing her to jump. Her eyes slowly opened. She could see a blurry figure. She felt herself being turned so her back was revealed. She felt the crack of the whip as it hit her back repeatedly as her Father screamed and cursed her.

"You stupid, useless bitch witch! Use your damn powers! If you refuse again, so help me witch, you'll never eat again!"

He continued to whip her. Her eyes remained close. Each hit felt like a fire was racing through her and she was being stabbed repeatedly. She could feel him going faster and more aggressive. The blood dripped down her body in quiet splashes onto the already blood-stained floor. She lost consciousness.

All was quiet. There was no more pain. No more insults. No more being exhausted. The colors around her a lovely black and yellow-green. It was… peaceful and… beautiful. Death's embrace was welcomed and warm. She let out a sigh of content. Suddenly, she felt a pull. Her eyes fluttered open. Her heart plummeted as she realized she was still hanging facing the stone wall. She could feel the throbbing of her body. Tears filled her eyes.

*No. I want to die! It was so peaceful and beautiful! Why am I back?! Why must I endure this?!*

The door opened. She didn't even flinch. She heard her familiar steps. They came to a stop.

"Frances." Bridgett whispered, horrified.

"Bridge, get out of here! He'll hurt you!" She snapped in a quiet pain-filled voice.

Her steps continued. Then she was behind Frances.

"You're hurt. Bad. He's getting worse. That bastard!"

She began to clean Frances' wounds. They were both quiet as she worked. Frances hissed in pain only a few times. After a while, she was finally finished. She quickly placed the bloody rags into the bucket she brought with her. She moved away from Frances. Frances looked at her as she neared the steps.

"Thank you, Bridgett."

Bridgett looked at her with a small smile.

"You're welcome."

She felt another harsh tug causing her to gasp and then emit a long groan.

The scene changed again. She had just finished with the cleaning of her shop. She began to lock up for the night. She felt something was going to happen. She made her way towards the feeling. It led her to an alley where she heard two raised voices and the sounds of something hitting something as well as grunts and groans of pain.

"Let go, stupid bastard!"

Frances looked around the corner to see two men struggling to pull something out of the other's hands. It glittered in the dim glow of the moon.

"It's mine! It's for my betrothed! You let go! Now!"

Frances raced towards them and punched the man that was attempting to steal the ring. The man fell to the floor with a groan while the other also fell to the floor with a grunt. She looked over at him, breathing heavily.

"Are you all right?" She inquired.

He looked at her with surprise.

"F-Fine, my lady. (He stood up, dusting himself off.) You shouldn't be here. It's not safe for a woman such as you to be wandering about so late."

She smiled reassuringly.

"I'm all right, sir. (She looked him square in the eye until all his attention was on her.) Forget my face. All you'll remember is my brown hair and brown eyes. Return to wherever you were heading. (She blinked breaking the connection.) Good night, sir."

He bowed.

"Good night, my lady."

He turned and walked away. She was about to turn to face the other man when suddenly her body was thrown sideways. She let out a cry of pain as she slammed into a wall. She felt the man grab her hair harshly. He turned her head towards him. She gritted her teeth as she glared into the curious yet perverted desired and angry green eyes.

"What are you? A witch? (He laughed. His hand slid down her side.) I've never been with a witch before. A bitch, yeah, but never a witch."

"Oh, so you've engaged in sexual intercourse with a dog. That's disgusting."

He growled at her. He spun her around and punched her in the face.

"You stupid bitch! First, you allow my money to get away then you insult me! I'll show you!"

He slammed her head against the brick wall repeatedly. She groaned in pain. Her vision becoming blurry. He began to pull up her dress. She wiggled in his grasp. His hand went to her stockings where it covered her hips. Her eyes snapped open. She kneed him in the stomach. He staggered back. She took a step forward, staggering slightly as she shook her head to clear her vision.

"You little bitch!"

He punched her in the stomach. She grunted as she slammed against the wall again. She could feel blood in her mouth. She spat it out. His hand remained on her stomach. She grabbed it and jerked it harshly. A snap was heard as she sprained his hand. He let out a scream. He backed away from her. She stood up, lowering her dress. She sent a kick to his stomach. He grunted as he fell to the floor. She summoned rope to her hands as she ran over to him. She sent a kick to his private anatomy. His eyes widened. He hunched over, pulling his hands from hers to cover it, groaning in pain. She grabbed his hands and quickly tied them together with the rope. She dragged him to a lamp post and tied him to it. She then grabbed his hair and pulled harshly so that he would look at her. He gritted his teeth with his eyes tightly closed.

"Open your eyes." She commanded.

"Never, witch." He growled.

She placed her foot against his private anatomy, pressing firmly. His eyes shot open, instantly meeting her stare. She spoke in a slow and calm tone.

"You will forget my face and the fact I'm a witch. All you'll remember is my brown hair and brown eyes."

She let go of his hair and took her foot away from his private anatomy. She walked away. She placed a hand on her head as a painfilled groan escaped her.

She felt another tug to her skull. There was a quiet clink as if a glass was beginning to break and a small flash of light green. The supernatural creatures' eyes widened when they heard it.

"No. That cannot be." William whispered.

Before anyone could ask what that meant. An earth shattering scream of pain escaped Frances' lips. Her demonic nails shredded through the chaise.

"STOPPPPP!" She screamed.

The wind and grey light slammed into Grell, Sebastian, and William, pushing them back. It slammed Grell and Sebastian into the bookcase to the left of Ciel while William was thrown into the door. Ciel's eye widened when he realized it went completely around him like it had gone around Sebastian when Undertaker attacked him. Grell let out a groan as he stood up. Sebastian stood and looked at his mate, his wife with dismay. William too stood, straightening his glasses.

Another Cinematic Record began to play, however, this one was flickering between two different ones.

Two days passed, Eloise had just finished with a customer, thanking them for their business when a blonde haired, blue eyed woman in a light violet dress and her black haired, blue eyed child dressed in a blue tuxedo came in. Eloise walked around the counter to greet them.

"Hello, how can I—"

Eloise was cut off by the woman suddenly hugging her.

"Thank you! Thank you so much! Your potion and oil healed me in just a day and a half!" The woman said, hugging her.

"Hunny, introduce yourself first." A familiar voice said, chuckling.

Eloise looked to see the man from two nights ago standing behind the woman. The woman released her.

"I'm sorry. I am just so grateful!" The woman exclaimed, clasping her hands.

"I'm glad you're feeling better."

The memory flickered.

A giggle erupted from one boy quietly followed by another giggle from another boy who looked exactly like the first child, capturing their attention. One of them was chasing a butterfly that had wandered into the shop while the other child followed after the boy.

"Ciel, wait up!" The boy laughed.

"Ciel, Finnian, you know better than to run around a store." Their Father said, sternly.

"Oh, it's all right. They're not causing any harm."

The memory flickered.

It showed only one of the boys. Ciel walked up to her.

It flickered again.

There were two of them now. Finnian stood behind his brother, looking shy.

"Today's our birthday!" Ciel said, excitedly.

She knelt down to their level.

"Oh, really? How old are you turning?"

"We're turning ten!" He said, excitedly.

"Wow! What a great age! I have a present for such great birthday boys."

She put her hands into the pocket of her dress. She summoned two green stems to her pocket before pulling them out. She held it in front of her. Finnian stepped out from behind his brother.

"Are you ready?" She asked, looking into Ciel's eyes.

"Yes." He said, nodding.

She turned her gaze to Finnian.

"Are you ready?" She asked.

He nodded shyly. She smiled.

She twirled the stems in a circular motion within her hands as she said, "Abracadabra!"

Two beautiful blue roses appeared. They both gasped.

"These roses, are magic roses. They will never die and it will bring happiness and joy always. Happy birthday, Finnian. (She looked at Finnian first then turned her gaze to Ciel.) Happy birthday, Ciel."

Their eyes grew wide. Eloise handed the rose to Finnian. He took it, smiling shyly. She handed the other rose to Ciel. He took it with a bright smile.

Lord and Lady Phantomhive watched the exchange in awe. Everyone usually greeted Ciel first as he is the first born followed by Finnian. However, this young lady did the opposite. Most nobles would be offended, however, they were not. In fact, due to a conversation he had overheard between his children, a plan began to form in the Earl Phantomhive's mind. He wrapped an arm around his wife's waist.

"What do you say, boys?" Their Mother reminded them.

"Thank you!" They said at the same time.

"You're welcome."

Eloise stood, smiling.

"Thank you." Both their parents said.

"You're welcome." Eloise said, bowing.

They turned to leave. The twins turned and waved at her. She waved back, smiling.

Frances' eyes snapped open. Her breathing was ragged as her head pounded in the left side more fiercely than it had before. She sat up. She saw Grell and Sebastian standing by the bookshelf with books and shelving knocked from the bookcase. She moved her gaze to her left. They landed on Ciel… no, Finnian.

"You had a twin brother?" She asked.

His blue eye widened.

"You… forget about him?"

"I—"

She recalled something Sebastian said when dealing with Vanel.

*"… I am bound to my Master by a sacrifice, a wish, and a contract…"*

Her eyes widened further. Her body began to shake.

*What else have I forgotten?! If I forgot that Finnian had a brother then…*

She shook her head. She got up and ran out of the Grim Reaper Library.

"Frances!" Sebastian shouted.

He was about to take off after her however, William held out his death scythe in front of him. Sebastian glared at him.

"Let her go." He said, calmly yet sadly, "She has to learn the truth."

Sebastian lowered his arms as he straightened. They all stared at where she took off.

Frances continued to run. She jumped through a portal one of the Grim Reapers had just cut and landed in an alleyway of London. She ran barely remembering to keep to the alleyways and shadows. Her main focus was getting to her siblings. Ensuring they were all right despite the empty feeling that was inside her. She ran straight to their apartment. She knocked frantically on the door. It opened revealing,

"Bridgett." She breathed in relief.

She hugged her tightly. Bridgett returned the hug.

"It's all right, Frances."

Frances pulled away, keeping her hands on Bridgett's shoulders. She looked around the room.

"Where are Irene and Marcelo?" She asked, frantically.

Bridgett moved to the door. She closed it. Suddenly, Frances stiffened. This… wasn't Bridgett. She… couldn't sense her humanity.

"They're in their rooms. I'll go get them."

Bridgett turned towards her. Frances shook her head.

"No." She whispered, utterly devasted, anguished, and heart broken.

She summoned her sword to her hand. She ran towards her, sword raised, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"NOOOOOO!" She screamed.

After the deed was done, she fell to the floor, releasing her sword. It clattered nosily to the ground as she released a window shattering scream that came from all around, clutching her only three beathing heart in agony. She fell to her hands as heavy, uncontrollable sobs escaped her lips. Unbeknownst to her, that wind and now black light swirled, flickered, and twitched violently around her.

…

…

…

After some time, she raised her head. The violent wind and darkness stopped. Her fuchsia eyes flashed with violent purple swirls. She had to know what else she had forgotten and who was responsible for this. She had a feeling, she already knew. After all, only he had been successful with this. She stood up. Her legs wobbled slightly from remaining in that position for so long. She made her way back to London, unable to glance back in fear of breaking down again.

She returned to London early morning. She instantly found a Grim Reaper who had just finished her collection.

"Excuse me." Frances interrupted, her voice extremely scratchy sounding.

The Grim Reaper looked at her with surprise then curiosity and slight distaste. Though, it changed when she saw her brown eyes empty yet determined.

"Yes?" She asked.

"Are you returning to the Grim Reaper Library?" She asked.

She nodded.

"I am."

"Can you take me please? I need to talk with William T. Spears."

She nodded.

"Very well."

She sliced a hole with her sharp scissor death scythe. She gestured to Frances.

"After you."

"Thank you."

Frances stepped through. She quickly made her way through the Library until she was standing in between the people she knew. Finnian was asleep on a new chaise with a blanket, Sebastian stood by his head. William and Grell stood by the door.

"Frances." Sebastian breathed.

William and Grell looked up. She was kneeling on the ground, attempting to catch her breath. Sebastian woke up the Young Master. He sat up rubbing his tired eye. He opened it to see Frances knelt on the ground. Her breaths were extremely heavy. The two of them moved to stand next to William.

"Do it." She whispered.

"Are you sure?" William asked, "It's a memory blocker and it could shatter your brain when it breaks apart."

Frances nodded. She lifted her head to look directly at William. All of them resisted the urge to flinch back at her red, tear-filled eyes.

"I have to know what else I have forgotten. I have to know if there is something that will tell me why he did this."

William stared at her for a long moment. He nodded.

"Very well. Grell, assist me."

Grell nodded.

"All right." He whispered.

The two of them walked away to get started on looking for something to break the memory blocker.

Ciel… or rather Finnian recalled what William told them about it. It had been several hours since she left. His butler was still as a statue staring at where she had left. He did not show an ounce of emotion on his face beside the twitches of his eyebrow and hand every so often. He turned to William. A glare in his eye.

"What is it?" He inquired.

William pushed up his glasses.

"A memory blocker."

"Memory blocker?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes. You see, we had a few… eccentric Grim Reapers that made some things to help cope with being a Grim Reaper. When they were discovered, the council put a stop to it and locked the things in a secure location."

Finnian let out a scoff.

"Obviously, not secure enough. Especially when a retired Reaper was able to smuggle out his death scythe, several times."

William narrowed his eyes at him. They remained quiet as they awaited her return. Finnian returned to the present as Frances began to mutter.

"What else have I forgotten? Is everything a lie? (He noticed the demon butler stiffen at her words. She shook her head.) No. (She looked up at Sebastian.) I know the love I have for you is real. No one has ever made me feel the way you do."

"How do you know?"

Frances gasped and flinched back at the coldness in his tone.

"Sebastian." She whispered.

*Malphas.* She whispered in his mind.

He glared at her.

"You asked yourself, "Is everything a lie?". Why should the feeling you have be true?" He asked.

She closed her eyes and shook her head.

"Alone. Forever alone." She whispered in a broken voice.

The demon butler gasped at the absolute heartbreak her soul was already experiencing and now he could feel the darkness take over. He took a step forward with a hand stretched out, however, she stood up and fled from the room and ran again. Tears streaming down her cheeks. He lowered his hand as he returned the step forward he took, his head bowed.

"Why would you ask such a thing?" The Young Master asked.

"She isn't going to make it, my lord." Sebastian said.

The Young Master gave a light scoff, closing his eye.

"Of course, she is. She's a hybrid. Not only that she's a strong—"

"My lord." Sebastian interrupted, sternly. Finnian looked at Sebastian. His eye widened when he saw the seriousness in his eyes, "She is not going to make it."

An earth-shattering scream that blew out all the windows of the Grim Reaper Library caused the two of them to flinch. Finnian looked in the direction of where she had run off to.

"All the more reason for her not to question her feelings for you. We both know she loves you enough to save your life and allow me to be eaten and offering her own soul for you to consume. This is a memory blocker not a feelings restraint."

Sebastian stared at the young boy in awe. A small smirk appeared on his face.

"You have truly matured, my lord."

Finnian gave a small smirk.

Throughout the Grim Reaper Library, all the Grim Reapers heard the tortured scream of the hybrid. They could feel the utter heartbreak she was experiencing, the darkness that was consuming her. Some of them could relate to the pain she was experiencing. Another ear-splitting scream filled the air. The Grim Reaper that allowed her to jump through her portal was standing a few feet from one of the broken glass of a window that could view the young lady (Though, one would barely see her through the black light and ferocious wind that blew violently around her.), trembling fiercely.

"That poor hybrid." She whispered.

Her friend nodded beside her.

"I've heard she's a strong one, even before turning into a half demon."

"She is strong."

The two female Reapers looked over at Ronald. He stood next to the broken window, leaning against the wall staring at the young woman, who was now sobbing violently. An uncharacteristically serious look upon his face. His eyebrows furrowed ever so deeply, his arms crossed across his chest, right leg tucked behind his left.

"You should have seen her cutting the heads off the undead last month. And when two humans were in danger, her wind was so strong that it sent the undead flying so hard into the walls that it snapped their necks after already cutting more than two dozen undead. But… everyone has their breaking point, even a strong one like her."

Ronald and the two ladies continued to watch the violent wind and darkness that surrounded the hybrid.

Deeper into the Grim Reaper Library, Grell and William were looking through some journals from the more… eccentric Grim Reapers. Well, William was looking through them. Grell looked in the direction where he felt she would be based on where they were in the Library. They heard another loud sob. Grell gave a small whimper. His eyes filled with worry for his friend.

"Oh. The poor girl." He murmured.

"Indeed." William said, pushing up his glasses.

A few minutes of silence passed. William gave a quiet sigh.

"Come on, Grell. Let us find something else to help her."

Grell slowly nodded.

"All right." He whispered.

He pulled another book closer to look through it.

Deeper still into the Grim Reapers Library, the council sat in their chairs of their extremely, tall podiums. The seven councilmen looked towards where the sobs were coming from. Though, they were much quieter due to how deep in the Grim Reaper Library they were. The head of the council— a man with brown hair, thick brown eyebrows, a dark brown mustache and lowcut beard with a strip of hair on his chin, brown eyes behind black square glasses wearing an immaculate black and white suit with black gloves— sat in the center. In front of him was a red book with a golden edge near the booth's edge and two golden designs like the latch that closed the book along the spine's edge, a dark green design swirled within the golden edge and accents. Along it's spine, a green circle with the letters FM in golden letters sat at the top.

"That poor creature." One of the council men muttered.

"I dislike when a human gets involved in the supernatural realm. It never goes well for them." Another commented.

"We may not like it, however, it is all as He planned it to be." The Head councilman said.

Sebastian had made his way towards his mate. He easily found her outside in the Grim Reapers' always sunny courtyard of sorts. His heart thumped painfully in his chest at the sight of her. The dark light and harsh wind that swirled around her, taking out her small bun, making her hair whip about her face, the tears that poured down her cheeks, the utter loneliness she felt, and the song that seemed on loop that he only heard the melody of as it was a part of her soul song. He had never heard the sad words before.

*Now I live in dark~~~~ness, out there on my own~~~, forced to brave the wor~~~~~ld, alone. Everything seems hope~~~less, no chance to~~ break free, I can't hear the song~~~ inside~~~~ of~~~~~ me~~~~~.**

He walked over to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" She screamed, instantly turning around, yanking her shoulder out of his hold, and shoved an open claw palm into his stomach.

His eyes widened in surprise as he flew backwards. He moved his back down and used the friction to jump back onto his feet, still skidding backwards. He placed his hands down between his legs onto the ground to stop the movement.

"Everything I touch gets hurt or worse!"

She was instantly at his side and began to punch him, repeatedly. He frowned as he quickly dodged each punch.

"Alois—"

"Don't say his name!"

Due to her emotional state, she did not see her next move as a bad one. All she saw was pitch black darkness. She grabbed his arm and used her wind to knock his feet out from under him. He fell to the floor. She began to punch again. Her fist connected with the concrete as he moved his head causing her hand to break. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her down to his chest.

"Let me go!" She screamed, pulling her injured fist back only to throw it at his face.

He caught it. She tried to pull away as she kicked him.

"Let me go! Let me go, right now!"

Tears continued to roll down her cheeks. The demon butler rolled over her. His darkness wrapped around her legs as he laid his legs against her.

"Please." She begged, "Let me go!"

"No. I'll never let you go. You are mine. My wife. My mate." He growled lowly, demonically.

"You don't even want me." She whispered, brokenly.

His frown deepened.

"I never said that."

"You doubt my love for you!"

His gaze softened. He leaned close to her ear.

"Never. I've never doubted your love for me. I… I just can't lose you." He whispered, sadly.

Her hand moved up his chest. She leaned back. He leaned back to look into her eyes, seeing the brokenness inside.

"People change every day. I… will never be the same. Not after—"

A sob broke through her words. He sat up and pulled her tighter, having her sit curled in his lap. He began to run his hand through her hair as the other ran slightly up and down her lower back. He began to sing their song.

Sebastian: Your~~~~~~ eyes see but my shadow~~~. My~~~~~ heart is over~~~~ flow~~~~ing~~~, there's~~~~ so much you could come~~~~ to know~~~~, you're~~~~~ content not~~~ know~~~~ing. Tend~~~erly~~, you~~~ will~~ see~~~~ my~~~~~~~~ soul~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.*

They remained quiet except for her sobs that slowly subsided as her tears dried. Her eyes opened, blinking a few times to clear the haunting images away. She looked unseeingly at his chest. Her wind and black light had disappeared. The silence lingered for a while.

"I need to know what else I have forgotten. If he said or showed anything that could have helped us…"

His tendril of darkness tilted her chin up so her eyes met his fuchsia ones.

"Even if he has, it isn't your fault. He betrayed your friendship and violated your mind and tampered with your Records."

She moved to lean against his chest. Sensing this, the demon butler released her chin. She leaned her head against his chest, her hands resting against his chest on the lapels of his tailcoat. His hands continued running up and down her back and through her hair. They remained quiet for a few minutes. They sensed a familiar Grim Reaper. They both looked towards the door to see William standing there.

"We have found a solution."

She nodded.

"All right."

He turned and headed back inside. Frances made to get up to walk inside, however, Sebastian had other ideas. He picked her up still in his arms. She nuzzled into his chest. She breathed deeply, inhaling his smokey firewood scent. She felt the calmness that he sent her. She was completely relaxed in his arms. He carried her through the Library to the room they were in previously. He placed her seated on the couch. His gloved hands slowly sliding across her body as he released her. He moved back. William approached her. He pushed up his glasses with his death scythe, looking at her. She stared back at him, steadily.

"From what we read, if a being is strong enough, they could resist the Memory Blocker. It causes a lot of pain to the being. Specifically, in the area thus resulting in…"

"Headaches." William and Frances said at the same time.

He inclined his head ever so slightly.

"We came to the conclusion that because you are a half demon, you are strong enough to resist it. Sebastian has taught you how to feel your darkness (She nodded, even though it wasn't a question.), if you sent it to the Memory Blocker combined with my death scythe, we should be able to break it."

She nodded. She took a deep breath and slowly released it. She looked back at William.

"What does the Memory Blocker look like?"

"It's a light green rectangle."

"Grim Reapers and the color green."

Grell gave a snort of a laugh as William's lips tilted upwards slightly.

"Indeed." He agreed.

His face grew serious.

"Are you ready?"

She nodded.

"Let's do this."

She laid down and closed her eyes. She felt his scythe near her head. She felt the darkness instantly. She pulled it forward. William's scythe cut deeply into her head, she winced at the pain, but ignored it quickly as she thought about the Memory Blocker. She could almost see it in her mind. A rectangle as William said, but it had a crack in the middle of it. She gritted her teeth as pain erupted in her brain at the left side of her head.

"Now." She heard William say.

She sent her darkness to it as William tugged. She let out a pain-filled groan. She clenched her hands into fists as her eyes squeezed tighter, gritting her teeth even more. She felt him tug again. Unconsciously, her legs moved. Sebastian quickly moved over to her and held down her legs. She jolted as a crack was heard. Pain exploded in her mind. She could see the crack growing bigger. A cry of pain escaped her lips. She breathed heavily. She felt another tug and with a loud cry sent her darkness at the Memory Blocker. William tugged longer. They could feel it. They were al…most… there! A loud glass shattering sound echoed through the room alongside a painfilled scream from Frances. A few seconds later, she became silent. She took her last breath. Her hands relaxed, her legs laid still. In fact, her whole body was still. Sebastian moved to stand by the Young Master. They all waited. After another second, her true Cinematic Record spilled from the open wound in her head.

*'Emma's Theme' from "Once Upon a Time" belongs to Michael Kosarin, Mark Isham, Michael Weiner, Alan Zachary, Scott Michael Smith, Peter Rotter, Justin Hopfer, Greg Ballinger, and Jennifer Morrison. The words are different to suit her situation.

*'Don Juan Triumphant' from the 1989 version of "The Phantom of the Opera" belongs to Harriet Schock and Misha Segal.