Comforting Darkness

Chapter 53: The Tutor, Determined

"So, what's the plan now?" Bard asked as they were standing in an alley.

It was afternoon and the policemen, already stationed at the Funtom Corporation shops, changed Sebastian's plan of seeking a temporary haven in the company, entirely created by young master himself. It seemed, however, that the real Earl worked as quickly and effectively as his younger brother and, needless to say, Lord Randall jumped at the opportunity of getting rid off the Queen's Watchdog, the annoying boy ridiculing him quite often by solving his cases.

Sebastian was thinking about fleeing England and setting up a base in another country, but he needed time to prepare and that meant a safe place... Such a place crossed his mind right at the moment a policeman discovered them and whistled for reinforcements.

"Everyone, this way!" The butler ordered and the whole group followed in a heartbeat; young master in the strong arms of his gardener.

Sebastian pointed at a shop, a photographic studio, and they all hurried inside just in time; they stood away from the windows as the policemen passed the shop in a rush, thankfully, without throwing a glance through the door's glass. The fugitives let a breath out quite relieved, but then a sudden flash blinded them momentarily taking them fully by surprise.

"Lovely! Caught some nice expressions there, I did! Exclusive photographs of wanted men will sell for a very pretty penny!" The man who took the photograph, Mr. Pete, spoke with a smile, as always.

"I am afraid your joke will find no laughs here." Sebastian said sighing, somehow thankfull it was the specific man who sneaked up on them.

"Oh, do not worry, my good sir! The Phantomhives are frequent patrons of mine. I would never sell off scandal photos of them all willy-nilly... So, what kind of photograph were you interested in today?" He asked smiling.

"A tableau vivant..." Sebastian said coolly, referring to a popular way of being photographed as a model in front of a static scene, and the photographer asked for the theme in a totally meaningful way. "The legend of King Arthur." The answer came in the same manner.

"Understood. Request received. Come right in, to the interior." Mr. Pete said pulling away the requested background and revealing a door.

The group followed him through the dark room of the studio, where he worked on the photos he took, to a dark, winding staircase and then to a heavy door leading to London's underground waterway, where all kinds of wastes were dumped ever since the 1858's Great Stink; in other words, the London's drainage system expanding under the bustling metropolis was indeed the best way to move around unseen. All the while, Pete was mindful enough to inform Sebastian that even though this 'photograph' was on him - "a freebie" as he said - he would not hesitate to sell it if he ran out of money... starvation was not a sport he liked to play.

The sewers' stink was quite unbearable as soon as the heavy door opened. Bard and Finny were left quite speechless by the vast, maze-like construction, but Snake and his snakes' had a really hard time; the pale man had turned to yellow and Wordsworth around his shoulders... was actually retching like he was about to vomit. It was the first time Selina saw a snake reacting like that and felt really sorry for the reptile, but could do nothing more than help Snake quickly wear around his face one of the 'masks' – a simple piece of cloth – Pete provided them along with a map and light. Mey-Rin was also quick to cover young master's nose to protect the fragile health of the child.

"Would you mind if we added two telegrams to our order? One to Lord Claus and one to Lord Deidrich." Sebastian asked.

"Not sure I will be able to get a hold of Mr. Claus, but I will try." Pete promised and then bid them farewell in his usual cheerful way.