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

26. CIEL PHANTOMHIVE

Sorry once more if this feels roughly written and unedited. But like I said before, I got a new job and it's been very busy lately. I still hope to continue writing the story and being able to share with you guys. Thanks for being patient. Happy reading. 

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"Someone. Please help."

Those were the words Ciel heard in his head over and over again. The same words he pleaded but fell onto the deaf ears of the people who were meant to protect children like him. As if Ciel were still there. Only, he was no longer shackled and trapped in that dreadful cage. Instead, he was held down onto the stone table. The same one where his brother was held. Both his wrists and ankles were gripped by black shadowy hands. And no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't escape. He half-expected one of the cultists to be hovering over him. But alas, it was his own brother standing over him, holding the bloody knife in hand. A wicked grin splayed across his ghostly white face. And as usual in Ciel's nightmares, his brother's nightshirt was drenched in darkened blood.

"Now, it's your turn, brother," he hissed before plunging the knife into Ciel's heart.

Ciel finally opened his eyes, nearly gasping from the shock. His heart pounded fast...His heart was pounding. It was still beating. It was all just a nightmare. Thank goodness.

However, the moment he woke up, a dull ache began to take over the right side of his face. Oh yes, I remember. They bloody punched me.

Ciel finally opened his eyes.

Everything hurt. From his head to his face. Ciel wasn't sure if it was the chloroform or from the punch he received to the face when he woke up and tried to kick one of the goons in the backseat of the car. Either way, it wouldn't have made much of a difference. They were planning on hurting him anyways. Why should he expect anything else from these bastards? He even woke up with his feet tangled together and his wrists tied behind his back. These bastards were prepared. What Ciel didn't expect was for them to kidnap him so soon. They could have at least waited for the other guests to leave instead of acting out now and running the risk of getting caught.

How careless they were. They were lucky Sebastian was busy making dessert or he would have massacred them in seconds.

Ciel didn't know where he was but he had a feeling who took him. It was only a matter of time.

Then, a familiar voice spoke to him.

"So, the policeman of England's underworld...One of the royal families who have done the Queen's dirty work for generations. Her bloody guard dog tasked with eliminating anyone who disagrees with her." The voice chuckled. "Just how many damn names do you have? And how many families have you destroyed, Ciel Phantomhive?"

Groaning in pain, Ciel lifted his head to glare at the man who had the gull to kidnap him from his mansion. Fuck.

"I thought it would be you," the boy growled.

It had to be him.

Azzurro Vanel.

The man stood over him, looking down at him with a lit cigar between his fingers and a mischievous smeared on his ugly rugged face.

"So, you're not surprised it was me?" Vanel asked.

"Not really," Ciel said plainly. "Lord Damiano was in contact with someone from the Aristocrats of Evil. And I received information from an outside source that Lord Damiano was working for a mafia in London. Of course, it had to be you. No one else had control of the Italian mafia in the East End except for the Ferrero family. I assumed it could have been your father as he's the leader but then I recalled he was travelling overseas for a family funeral.... Do you feel proud of that? A family of yours dies and you're here smuggling and selling drugs? You shame your family, Azzurro Vanel."

Vanel chuckled in amusement. "Come now, Little Lord Phantomhive. Do you know how difficult it is for the Italian mafia here? You Englishmen have nothing but tea on the brain. It's difficult to penetrate those small minds of yours. So we have to think outside the box to make money. So, we created the drug trade."

"In the Pharmacy Act of 1868, the opium was declared as a restricted substance too dangerous to be traded freely in the city," Ciel said while rolling his eyes. "The Queen gave me orders to eliminate the drugs and not allow the vermin that trades them to run wild ever again."

Vanel scoffed in annoyance. "This is why I hate all of you Englishmen. The Queen this. The Queen that. You act like the woman was your own mother." Bending down in front of the boy, he firmly grasped his face. "You line your pockets while you bind us with rules. But we're all the same, you and I. Why can't we just get along?"

Ciel stared at him dead in the eyes. "I left orders about your stupid key to my servants. If I don't return, they'll make sure the authorities get it. I'm sorry but I have no interest in getting along with someone like you."

Letting out a frustrated growl, Vanel stood up and pointed his gun at Ciel's face. "You little brat! Don't underestimate me! My men are already waiting at your estate. Where's the key? Spit it out or my men will kill all of your servants one by one."

After a moment of silence, a malicious smirk crept across Ciel's face. "Oh I think they'll be all right. But you better pray that your lapdogs know how to play fetch."

Out of nowhere, Vanel's fist collided with Ciel's face, causing the young boy to crumple to the ground, emitting a pained groan.

Vanel let out a frustrated snarl before grabbing the phone to contact his crew. "The time for talk is over. Kill them all."

Just as he hung up the telephone, someone entered the room.

Ciel found it difficult to raise his head off the ground as he watched a young boy enter the room. The Chinese boy had shoulder-length auburn hair and narrow brown eyes that widened in surprise when he spotted Ciel lying on the floor tied up and battered.

"What the fuck!?"