1692

Act XXII

Cake of the day: Croquembouche

I stopped my sprint, and collapsed to my hands and knees out of sheer exhaustion.

My labored breathing suddenly became the only sound in the winter forest.

Was I really going to die tomorrow, along with Ciel?

This... This is ridiculous... I'm not going to die.

I can't die like this, I didn't do anything wrong, in fact, I've been the one defending this God forsaken town from demons!

I could just let them take over, I suppose, then watch them try to execute me. I could just let the demons feed to their hearts' content.

I gripped the moss and fallen leaves as I gritted my teeth.

They can't take me, not like this, and I won't let them take Ciel.

I snarled, lashing up to my feet, and screaming to the snowy heavens. "That's it! Our names won't be remembered if we die like trampled flowers!"

I refuse to be forgotten, written off as less than worthless.

I've screamed and cried, none have appeared to hear me.

I've pleaded and begged, none have appeared to help me.

"I refuse to live as a caged bird! They are the real monsters! They are beings that live off of fears, and their words are like knives as they continue to play with our lives! They've tried to control me as if they owned me, but I'm not going to let them steal my freedom, or take my life!"

I'll channel the anger swelling inside me. I can no longer afford the luxury of hesitation.

"I'll make myself the one that they will be afraid of!"

There is a wild fire inside me now, a burning desire that I can't extinguish.

I screamed with passion and anger, flamed igniting at my fingertips, brighter and more powerful than ever before.

I struck the base of a small tree, which easily crumpled and fell underneath my wrath.

I continued to attack the air violently, rage and hatred surging through my veins.

"I won't be hunted!" I yelled, "No... I won't be hunted, I won't be hunted..... No, I am the hunter!"

I whipped around violently, as I turned I caught a glimpse of a figure.

I stopped sharply. There stood Sebastian, his expression cold.

"Oh, it's you," I growled.

"Oh, it's me?" He replied sharply, "How have you been? Because I've been really busy trying to find you, you know, after I found out you were a witch."

"What are you going to do about it, huh?" I hissed, "Are you going to tell Bram? Who knows, maybe if you tell him, he'll just go ahead and kill me off tonight, and Ciel too for that matter, oh why not!" I snapped, anger swelling in my voice.

There was silence for a few seconds.

"No," He replied flatly, "I'm not going to tell Bram. I've seen what you girls are protecting the town from, and quite frankly, you're doing a damn fine job. I won't let you, or Ciel, be forgotten. I won't let you die like trampled flowers. If you're a witch, then I'll be a warlock."

I smirked, "Hell yeah."