The Hunt for Jack the Ripper (The Phantomhive Diaries #1)

13. Ciel Phantomhive

Ciel perched himself in the middle of his bed, legs crossed, as he retrieved the newspaper clippings once more, after waiting until everyone had retired for the night. Even Sebastian. He believed this was a task he must undertake in solitude. Something he doesn't think I can do anything by myself. While yes, he did need help with certain investigations but this was a personal matter to him.

In addition to possessing the newspaper clippings of the incident, he also had an aged photograph of his family - himself, his parents, and his brother. Surrounding this cherished family portrait were other pictures, depicting individuals whom Ciel suspected of being responsible for the brutal murder of his parents and loyal servants. Among them were Francis Midford, his aunt and Vincent's sister, as well as Dietrich, a German associate of his father whom Ciel hadn't seen since the fire three years ago. Another figure was Chlaus, another German associate who had aided Ciel in salvaging the tarnished reputation of the Funtom Company. However, despite his assistance, Ciel couldn't dismiss him as a potential suspect. There were two more individuals who had worked for Vincent Phantomhive, but their names eluded Ciel's memory. One was a man with a scar across his eye, while the other was a woman wearing a feathered hat and concealing her face with a fan in the photograph. Even if her face were visible, it wouldn't assist Ciel in identifying her, as he only recognized Chlaus and Dietrich as his father's closest confidants. If he were to approach either of them for identification, they would undoubtedly question his motives, jeopardizing their current alliance. Therefore, for the time being, Ciel marked a question mark beneath the enigmatic photographs.

And last but not least, the Undertaker.

Ciel found this task quite challenging. Despite his efforts, he couldn't come across any photographs of the Undertaker, not even prior to the fire incident. It seemed that the Undertaker had a strong aversion to being photographed and went to great lengths to avoid the camera altogether. Therefore, Ciel had to resort to cunning tactics to obtain a camera and capture at least one picture of the Undertaker without his knowledge. And finally, he succeeded. He now possessed a photograph of the Undertaker, caught in the act of loading a casket onto his cart. This discovery added the Undertaker to Ciel's growing list of suspects.

There were only a few questions.

Who would do something so cruel? Why did they want to kill his parents and set the house on fire to get rid of the evidence? Why destroy the family like this? And why sell him and his brother to endure so much suffering? It no longer mattered to Ciel. Whoever they were, he was going to make them suffer.

Ciel's eyes welled up with tears as he gazed out of the window, fully aware that the killer was still at large. They continued to taunt and torment him, their very presence a constant reminder of the danger lurking outside.

"I don't care who you are," Ciel muttered even if the bastard couldn't hear him. "Whether you're a lord, a lady or a commoner, it doesn't matter to me. You destroyed everything I cared for. Now, I will come after you. I will take everything from you and make you suffer the same way I suffered. You can change your name, you can move to a different country, you can run and hide all you like, I will find you. And I will make you pay for what you've done...By any means I find necessary."

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Ciel emerged from the inferno, his nightshirt soaked in crimson. The flames raged on in the background, casting an eerie glow. Echoing in his ears were the anguished cries of the savage creatures, imprisoned within. Those very monsters had tormented him and taken away his beloved brother. May the wicked burn in hell. If they didn't show mercy towards him and his brother, why should he?

"You can change your name..."

Ciel brushed aside the strands of hair obstructing his vision, uncovering the newly imprinted Faustian contract on his eyeball.

"You can run and hide all you like..."

As he looked up, his gaze met the angelic statue, adorned with a gentle smile and clutching an open Bible. Its outstretched hand pointed towards the heavens, a poignant reminder of a God who had never come to his rescue.

"I will find you..."

He then looked to his side.

Sebastian stood right beside him, fully transformed into a human and attired in the customary butler's attire. Astonishingly, despite his involvement in numerous acts of violence, not a solitary droplet of blood stained his impeccable appearance. This enigmatic being would be the one to serve him faithfully and remain by his side until the contract's fulfillment. Only then would they uncover the true abomination accountable for all of this chaos.

"And will make you pay for what you've done..."

In the final moments, both individuals gracefully bowed towards each other, showcasing their unwavering devotion. Despite its transience, Sebastian alone wore a smile, for he possessed a profound understanding. He was aware that once the agreement concludes, his desires would be fulfilled.

He would get Ciel's soul.

"...By any means I find necessary."