The Assassin (Black Butler/Sebastian Love Story)

Chapter 4

The pain in my side was horrible when I opened my eyes. It throbbed and I wondered if it had stopped bleeding. The bright lights blinded me. It was morning. I thought I was still outside. Then, I realized, I wasn't.

I didn't know where I was, actually. A small room surrounded me, bare of all wall decorations. There was a dresser, though, with a mirror resting on top. I laid in a small bed with a blanket covering me. I tried to sit up, but the pain become unbearable and I was forced to stay where I was. Damn you, Martin! I cursed.

I realized that I wasn't wearing the dress anymore. My top half was completely bare, a blanket covering me, while I had been changed into pants. Someone must have taken it off so they could bandage me, but who was it? Where was I? Should I have been worried by the realization?

I didn't dare call for someone. There was no telling what kind of people had rescued me. I did remember there being a man. That was worrying. What if he had seen something of me? I began to panic. Every horrible scenario played out in my head, unrelenting.

Then, someone knocked on the door and opened it. I didn't turn my head. "Are you awake, miss?" a man's voice asked. I recognized it from the night before! It was him!

"Yes," I answered in a whisper. My throat still was very sore from screaming so much. I looked over at him and gasped, then winced from the sting. He was... beautiful.

My savior was very tall. He looked about twenty-three, but I wasn't too sure. He couldn't have been much older than me. He had a very pale complexion which made his crimson eyes pop. I thought it odd. I hadn't known red was an eye color. He wore a suit with white gloves, which made me sure it was the same man, and he seemed to be a butler. His smile was not an actual smile, but a smirk, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. I want to say it was one of arrogance. It wasn't. He just knew. There was no assumption.

"That's good. I was afraid you would still be asleep. I suppose you did have a rather adventurous night, though. It would have been understandable," he stated, closing the door and walking towards to me.

"Why is my chest bare?" I interrogated, that being my number one question at the moment.

When he saw the look I was giving him, he assured me, "I had the maid change you. I only saw your stomach when I bandaged you. I promise, I saw nothing I shouldn't have seen." His smirk turned into a smile. The question had amused him.

I said, "Maid? Where am I? Who are you?"

The man explained, "You're in Phantomhive Manor. I heard you screaming and found you last night up the road. I am Sebastian Michaelis, Head Butler. My apologies for not explaining earlier, miss." He bowed to me. I raised my eyebrow slightly.

I replied, "Please, do not apologize. There is no need."

Sebastian informed me, "Earl Phantomhive would like to speak to you if you are okay up to it. Would it be problem?" My throat was killing me, but I didn't want to object, so I told him it was fine. He left and returned with Earl Phantomhive in a matter of minutes.

I didn't know Ciel Phantomhive was a child. I almost asked if it was a joke, but thought better. The boy had dark navy hair and a blue eye. His right eye was covered by an eyepatch. The way he carried himself impressed me. He walked like an adult would, his head held high and back straight. It was surprising.

I nodded to him since I could not bow, "It is an honor to meet you, Earl Phantomhive."

"Likewise. What is your name, miss?" the Earl wondered. He wasn't beating around the bush or anything. His face held no emotion. His mouth was set in a frown. He did not look like a child at all, and certainly did not act like one!

"My name is Willow. Willow Porter," I answered. Yes, that was my real name.

"Do you live near here?" he investigated with his arms crossed. He didn't trust me. Smart boy.

"Well, I don't really know where 'here' is, to be honest. I live in London," I lied.

"Where in London?"

"I live in poverty. I don't have a home. I usually stay in the East End," I told him. I actually lived in Martin's mansion.

"Do you have any family?" he tried.

"None that I know of. I was given to an orphanage as a baby. No one adopted me, so I was kicked out when I turned sixteen. I'm twenty-two now," I explained. I didn't know my real parents. I was adopted when I was four. Ciel sighed silently, but I could tell by the way his chest moved.

Ciel finally asked, "What happened to you?"

"I was out on the streets in London last night, like usual. No one was around. Then, out of nowhere, a group of men grabbed me. I tried to get away, but they kept beating me back onto the ground. I was raped and knocked out. I woke up inside a carriage and then it stopped moving. They stabbed me and threw me out before driving off. They left me to die," I lied mostly. They did leave me to die. I hated them all for it. What if no one had saved me? Then, Martin's enemy wouldn't be dead, and I would be. Did he even realize what the risks were? Did he care?

He inquired, "Have you ever worked?"

I nodded, "Many jobs." That was a lie, but I knew enough.

He said, "How much fighting experience do you have?" This one definitely shocked me.

"A fair amount, I suppose. I would never say I'm a bad fighter. I can use a knife and gun when needed," I answered.

Ciel thought for a moment before offering, "Since you have nowhere to go, you may work as a maid here. You wouldn't start until you are able to stand and work. You would protect me and do your job while living here as well. You're meals would be provided for you. If you choose not to, I will still not allow you to leave until you're back to health."

"I... I would love to, my lord! Thank you so much!" I exclaimed. He didn't say anything, but nodded and left with Sebastian following behind him. "That was easy," I muttered, once they were out of earshot. A smile played on my lips.

It looked like Martin did know a thing or two about getting a job, though he didn't have to stab me. I knew I didn't have to take the job, but I was there, so why not? Martin was going to pay me a lot more than £2,800 in the end if he wanted to live.

In the end, I had made it to Phantomhive Manor, and in about ten minutes, I had met the two people I were to kill and gotten myself a job there. It was all easily sailing from there.