A Love Beyond Time

Chapter VI

How boring.  Everything in this silly little word seems to bore me as of late.  Hearing of the dreadful crimes that this organization: Brothers of the Undead, caused would normally make me chuckle.  Alas, my world is now only viewed in the dark colors of black and white.  I rarely feel any need or desire to smile.   It seemed I was in a perpetual state of depression or melancholia, as these newer doctors like to call it.  Times were changing rapidly. A fresh new year is upon us.

I twirled a lock of my hair around my index finger, my long nails webbing through the thinning strands.  My mind was as blank as a sheet of fresh parchment.   Oh, how I longed for a moment of joy and entertainment.  Just then a brilliant thought occurred to me.  A small smile pulled at my cheeks.   I reached into the bottom drawer of my brown desk, grabbing the metal handle, and forcefully yanking it wide open.   At this point, my methods seemed most erratic to the naked eye.  Within the drawer there was a multitude of pictures and small knickknacks I had collected over the years.  Seeing them again after a long time of neglect stirred my blackened heart.

'Now, where could that pesky thing be hiding, hm?'  I thought to myself.   I started tossing the papers resting on the top out of the drawer allowing them to momentarily flutter through the air before assuming their place on the carpeted floor.  The grand window behind me provided little lighting, despite it being the middle of the day, due to the heavy clouds in the gloomy sky above. I stood upright once more and took a singular candle, placing it on my desk.   I opened another drawer and grabbed a small tin can as well as a sheet of sandpaper.  Opening the can I removed a thin, wooden stick, coated in potassium chloride.   I swiped the tip of the stick against the sandpaper, allowing for a small flame to appear.   I hastily lit the candle with the friction lighter and blew out the flame.  This should now provide amble lighting for my impromptu adventure through my memories.

I dig further into the drawer, throwing things that are not the item I desired to the side.  After a moment, my urgency heightened.   Is it not here?   Where else could I have stored something so precious.  Normally, the loss of any item would never plague my mind, let alone cause me to worry.   This item, however, was no ordinary thing.   It was one of the remaining memories I had of someone near and dear to me.  Finally, I was able to locate the item I needed.   It is a small photograph, the corners of the film bent with aging and small pieces crumpled unevenly.   Relief took place of my distress as I pressed the photograph to my chest. I sat in my chair, crossing my legs and letting my head fall back onto the headrest.   A single tear rolled down my cheek. It was a photograph of myself and (Y/N) aboard the Campania.  There are moments where I wished more than anything that I could return to the past and stop everything that happened.   Or, at least, was able to keep her safe and out of harms way.  A long sigh escaped my lips as all these thoughts toyed with my brain, picking my mentality and sanity, or what little I had left, apart.  I needed fresh air.   I quickly stood from my chair, grabbing my coat, and shoving the photo in my pocket.   I'll keep this picture with me always.

Stepping out the door a huge gust of cold wind slapped my face.  I gripped the rim of my hat, pushing the brim further down to keep my bangs in place.   I couldn't let anyone else see who I truly was.   While walking down the street, men and women alike kept their distance from me.   In a sea of people, I stuck out.   Anyone would be able to spot me, even from kilometers away.   I had no reason to seek refuge in the outer world.   I had no desire for any object nor the money to purchase such a thing.   Nothing really mattered anymore, only she mattered.  The thought of her stung my heart.   That's when it happened.  My breath hitched, my eyes widening. I rushed into an alleyway, peeking my head slightly over the wall to observe.  It's her.   A grin, against my will of course, grew widely on my face.  She is so lovely, so beautiful.   I wished I could hold her close even for a moment.  I needed to speak to her...it doesn't matter what happens after.   I take a deep breath, about to step forward when a hand roughly grabs my shoulder, forcing me away from the wall and spinning me to face the darkened alley.

"Undertaker..."

"Demon..." I could not fathom my utter stupidity.   How could I forget so easily that wherever she went, he was to follow like a lamb.

"I advise you to keep your distance from My Lady.   She has a solemn duty from Her Majesty that she must fulfil.  She already has much on her plate, I don't believe she needs to add an encounter from you to that," the Demon urged.  I could sense that he meant business today. He was not in the mood for any of my shenanigans.  However, something he mentioned piqued my immediate interest.

"A duty from the Queen?  What could that be?"

"I presume you know about the presence of an illegal underground organization known as the Brothers of the Undead, correct?" My heart leapt in my chest.

"You mean that group that was involved in that incident a few days ago?" The Demon nods his head.

"Correct.   Her Majesty has given My Lady the honor of eliminating this group.   I have been ordered to protect and aid her in this affair, as well as serve and keep her safe from anyone who may lead her to fail this mission.  That includes you, Undertaker." For a moment my spirits sank. It would only make sense that I could be an immediate danger to not only her task, but also to herself.  Me being involved would only bring about dangerous chaos the likes of which would only amplify.

"...I understand," I sadly admit.   It would be for the best if I was to keep at a distance from her. The Demon smiles at my response.

"I'm glad that you understand.   Now then, if you'll excuse me, My Lady requires my assistance." The Demon shoved past me, venom dripping behind his every movement.   I watched as he approached (Y/N), taking her arm and leading her down the cobblestone street.   I was about to retreat when something caught my ear.

"(Y/N), Mr. Butler, wait for me!" The sound of a young man's voice rang through the street.   I flicked my head sharply to the left to see where the voice originated from.  A young man with messy hair and glasses pushed to the crown of his head, rushed to her side. He came to a halt on a patch of ice.   He grabbed onto (Y/N)'s free arm as he fell, dragging both her and The Demon along with him.   The Demon became very worried for his Lady, asking if she was injured.  The young man received a quick scolding from the Demon.

"My apologies, mate.   I'll be certain not to drag the two of you with me the next time I tumble!" He had a cheeky smile.   There was something about him that I didn't like.  Not one bit. Although, my reasons for feeling this way were unclear to me.

"Come, Theodore, let's make haste.  We have much to do!"

Ah, so his name is Theodore.  I will most certainly keep that in mind.  When the three of them disappeared beyond my sight I slipped out of the alley and hurried quickly to my place of residence.  I was grateful to see her once more. I made sure to burn the image deeply in my mind.