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

42. Ciel Phantomhive

I'm genuinely sad that Yana Toboso is going on a hiatus after August but at the same time, I'm glad she's going to take some time for herself and to plan out the final chapters of Black Butler since she's been working on this manga since 2004. And as a writer, I can understand how exhausting it can be so I hope she gets much needed rest before we reach the conclusion to the manga. 

Now, on with the show. 

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Fire. The fire was everywhere. It spread throughout the floors, the ceiling, and the walls. The torrid heat burned through Ciel's soft cheeks as he relentlessly searched for a way out of the burning mansion. The overwhelming smoke and heat made it difficult for Ciel to breathe in any semblance of air. A hoarse cough escaped his lips as his wide eyes were frantic to spot a way out of this inferno that appeared to have no end. Someone, please help me. There was no one here that could help him. No mother. No father. No brother. No Tanaka. He was alone.

Yet, amidst the rising flames, a shadow stood. A tall, foreboding silhouette with glowing red eyes.

Sebastian?

However, when Ciel's gaze landed on the gun, his face paled and his heart pounded rapidly. No. It was him. The monster who murdered his parents. He's here. He's coming for me. He was here to finish the job. With a wicked grin plastered on his shadowed face, he raised his gun towards the boy. Ciel's instinct to protect himself kicked in, despite having no weapons to defend himself, and he brought his arms up to shield his face.

"No! No!"

BANG!

Ciel's eyes snapped open and his lungs took a sharp inhale.

"Are you all right, master?"

When Ciel glanced up, he saw Sebastian staring down at the young earl with a rather confused expression on his face. Sebastian never appeared to be the type of man to show concern, no matter how much he tried to pretend to be. He was a demon, after all. All the emotions Ciel could recognize were condescending.

Ciel soon noticed he was being carried in Sebastian's arms. Similar to an infant. He must have passed out from exhaustion while walking home and Sebastian resorted to carrying him the rest of the way. Oh, how pathetic he felt in this position. If anyone saw him like this, it could tarnish his reputation. Giancarlo wasn't with them, either. Ciel speculated Giancarlo followed his instructions and went to Brown's Hotel to wait for Chlaus Albiker. Good. As a detective, he should be competent enough to deliver the evidence of Vanel's treachery to Chlaus efficiently. Hopefully, he wasn't as useless as Randall.

Upon arriving home, Ciel was relieved that the mansion was still intact. It did not catch fire again like it had two years ago. He needed to remind himself that what he saw was just another nightmare. Nothing but his mind playing cruel tricks on him. It wasn't real.

"Yes..." Ciel responded. "I'm all right. Much better now. You can put me down now."

Sebastian nodded. "Yes, my lord," he said before carefully setting him down on the ground, making sure he stood on his feet.

Ciel nearly stumbled forward because of the slight numbness in his legs and fragile body, but was able to regain his footing before he could fall flat on his face. It would be unfortunate for him to add a broken nose and a busted lip to his list of injuries.

The distant sound of gravel crunching immediately alerted him of someone approaching and he suddenly heard his aunt's voice calling him.

"Ciel!" she cried out.