Half Complete

Surprise

The old man took us through a grand staircase and to a sort of a waiting room. " I'll send for someone to attend you" , he mumbled uncomfortably and walked away, closing the door behind him. I sighed and flopped down on the sofa in an undignified heap. This day was turning out to be exhausting. And it had barely begun.

"Can wa trust them?, Ciel asked me. He seemed to be more comfortable with the king today. Ciel usually didn't trust easily and I had rarely seen him act friendly to strangers. But he was still his cautious self. I was about to reply when the door swung open. The boy I had seen earlier sauntered in. His hair was curly and messy and I wad sure that the impish grin on his face could mean only trouble.

"So you're the new recruits, heh? Don't look like much. But still since the king selected you two, you must count for something " he chuckled. Then he straitened his clothes "I'm Will and I'd like to know you're names, especially that of the lovely lady" he said , taking my hand and kissing it. I sniffed, blushing a bit. This guy was a humongous flirt. I was about to retort when Ciel interupted, " I'm Ciel and this is Clarissa" he said pointing to the window.
"I'm sure that the window is called Clarissa" he said under his breath and winked at me. "Um... call me Clarie" I said pinching Ciel. He was acting strange. Maybe the grief had finally got to his head.

" Definitely, Miss Clarie. Now follow me to the infirmary. You'd have to meet my sister first" he walked forward. I pulled Ciel along with me. " What was that?" I whispered. "What was what?" He smirked.

"Why are you acting so strange? "Ciel looked wound up, like a panther ready to pounce. "Hey Will, no offence but is there something wrong with your leg?" Ciel spoke up , startling me. Will's leg? "Your gait is like that of the soldiers who have had injuries to their leg"
Will smiled, a secretive smile. " You're an observant one , aren't ya? Well I am not under the liberty to say, unfortunately. You'll find out the truth soon enough" he stopped in front of a set of doors. "This is Lydia's infirmary. You two are to be checked for any injuries before the rookie test."

"Test?" I asked. "Well did you think that the Chief would let anyone join the White Hoods?You have to prove your worth first . Sister they're here" he shouted as he swung open the heavy doors.

"Oh Will , it's you. You've brought them, right? Well , I'm Lydia, the castle's medic and it would be an absolute pleasure to know your names" a woman sitting at a table got up, brushing her hands on her skirt . She had  cinnamon hair braided in a long plait down her shoulder and eyes the same hue as Will's. But while the boy was like a sea squall she was like that cool breeze on a hot summer day, musical and calm.

After all the introduction was done she took Ciel's hand and put it on her face. Ciel gasped ." Don't worry, young man. I just want you to remember my face just like you do your friend's. "She said looking at me. "But... But how do you know?" Ciel stuttered. "Oh, you're not the only person with special eyes that I have met. I know that your kind remembers touch like we do with sight." She said. " Now both of you are fit enough, just a good night's sleep is enough . Will shall take you to the rest of the way. Go on , I have work to do. "

"Yes yes, Come along" Will piped up and walked briskly forward. Ciel looked a bit starstruck and I couldn't blame him. The lady was weird for sure. " What's next?" I asked.
We had come to a secluded part of the the castle grounds now. The walls cast an almost ominous shadow on the ground and I was suddenly reminded of how Will had almost disappeared into the shadows earlier. A cold shiver passed through my spine. It was quiet, too quiet for a bustling castle. My instincts were screaming at me to run. "Why have you brought us here?" demanded Ciel  " What are your intentions" His hands were going to his sleeves.

"That's for me to know and you to find out, he smirked and leaned against the wall. There was a strange grating noise."Wha..."Ciel said as someone grabbed us from behind. "Let us go" I screamed, trying to pull away. But the grip was too strong. The world faded into darkness as we were pulled inside , the opening in the wall shut off, Will's grin the last thing I could see.

It was dark...... so dark that I couldn't see a thing in front of me. Suddenly there was a thump beside me. I stifled a scream. The pressure on my shoulders also disappeared. A hand grabbed mine." Don't scream, it's just me", Ciel's voice sounded in my ear. I almost sobbed with relief. "Those imbeciles didn't know what hit them. It's dark....is it? They don't know that I live in perpetual darkness . Poor fools" Ciel whispered.
With a jolt , I realised that this was how everything actually appeared to Ciel. The inky black atmosphere was horrible and the dead silence was killing me. I kept imaging things lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce on us.

"I knew we shouldn't have trusted that boy." Ciel muttered. He looked relatively calm."Don't fret, Clarie, I'll get us out of this mess . First time I'm leading eh?" He joked.

"Don't play around now, idiot! " I said."This place is creepy. Get us out fast and then we'll have a few words with the stuck up king .I'm sure that he knows something about this" It was a bit cold and I shivered. There were sounds of water dripping down and the walls seemed to be made of stone. My pupils gradually adjusted to the light and I could make out vague shapes..... doorways and arches , most probably.I drew my sword and there was a clang as it settled firmly in my hand. There was another swish as Ciel drew his daggers. "Listen to my footsteps and try to follow them. I'll help you if you stray" he whispered.

" Are you ready, princess?" He asked in a mock cheerful voice, mostly to alleviate my fear. But that was not needed. I had learned to bury it down really early in my life. "I was born ready" I said as we began our trek into the unfathomable darkness. ...

Crazyrak here! Thanks to  atroXityfor the awesome cover! Hope you enjoy the chapter. Please vote and comment