The World As We Know It

Chapter Two

A week passed since the arrival of my new neighbors. I rarely encountered either of them, which suited me just fine. The few times I had, it was nothing more than a glance as one or both went inside their apartment. Blake had started to avoid me, to my delight, after his conversation with Sebastian. Life seemed to be going back to normal.

However, as I cheerfully made my way up the stairs to the TV lounge where the Game Club hung out, I noticed a familiar figure sitting comfortably in an armchair outside from the room. The black suit had been traded for a black turtleneck and slacks, but the unnatural eyes were very much the same. I hesitated. With him sitting outside the room, not only would I have to pass him, but he would also be able to watch me through the glass wall. A group of girls sitting at one the tables nearby chattered softly amongst themselves while stealing glances at him. Delightful. He just had to be hot.

Steeling my courage, I rushed up the final step and focused only on the making it into the room. If I made it in there, he couldn't bother me. To my relief, he didn't look up from his book as I opened the glass door, but a smile tugged at his lips when he greeted me loud enough for the rest of the room to hear. Heads snapped towards me as the door closed between the two of us, and I could only give the other members a weak smile before retreating to one of the empty couches. I earned a few odd looks, but it was still early enough that nobody wanted to be bothered. With a sigh of relief, I watched Aaron play Fallout 4 on the TV. He was stuck on a quest that required him to pass through tripwires in the right order. Upon seeing me, he set down his controller and asked me to help him.

Peering closer at the screen, I pointed at the note.

"Well, you actually need to walk through the laser, not around them. They don't hurt you. It's part of opening the door."

He chuckled, throwing his hand in the air.

"I knew it had to be easier than what I was making it."

Aaron returned to his game, and I pulled out my phone. While checking emails, I glanced over my phone to check on Sebastian. Our eyes met as he gathered his things. I was given a knowing look and an amused grin as he slowly walked away. Shuddering, I returned to scrolling Facebook until my class.

His presence disturbed me. I couldn't concentrate in class. I decided to give up on notes after unconsciously sketching a pair of eyes with the same inhuman expression as a certain someone. After the hours finally passed, I hurried to the bus stop, hoping to avoid any more contact with that tall, dark stranger.

Of course, luck was not on my side. The bastard was waiting for me outside the building of my last class. He sat on a green bench seemingly engrossed in his book, but he snapped it shut upon my arrival. He stood to greet me, but I couldn't help but feel as if he was purposely towering over me.

"Are you done for the day?"

I studied him for a moment before nodding.

"For today. What about you?"

He smirked.

"My last class ended about an hour ago."

So, he was waiting for me. How the hell did he learn my school schedule?

"Hm. Well, I need to catch the bus. See ya."

He stopped me.

"Why don't I give you ride home? We are neighbors."

I gave him a strained smile. This guy was barking up the wrong tree if he was trying romance me.

"Sure. I suppose it would be faster."

Triumphant, Sebastian led me to his car. The whole thing made me uneasy, but it was physically easier on me if I didn't have to walk down that god awful hill. Plus, if he had wanted to do something to me, he would have already done so.

The ride home was filled with small talk, but I had the distinct feeling that Sebastian was probing me for something. There were too many questions about my personal history, and not enough about his. Anytime I tried to focus the conversation on him, he would deflect the question and return to me. When we arrived at the apartment, he knew more about the last five years of my life than my own mother. Except for that one thing. That thing I couldn't bring myself to remember.

He seemed dissatisfied when I exited his car. He didn't say anything, but there was just a look on his face when I grabbed my bag that made me feel uncomfortable. I had no idea what he was expecting out of me, but I was sure he had the wrong girl.

"Thanks for the ride! I guess I'll see you later!"

He nodded, looking thoughtful.

"I believe my classes are the around the same time as yours. Would you like a ride to school tomorrow?"

I hesitated. I wouldn't have to get up as early or walk up that hill, but could I handle another round of Q&A with Sebastian?

"Sure! That would be great!"

It's not like I had anything to hide, right?

As I was greeted by my fluffy companion, I couldn't help but wonder what I had done. This sinking feeling of dread wouldn't fade, no matter how many logical arguments I gave my conflicted mind. I tended to be a little naïve, and I was afraid that I had made a mistake associating with that strange man. Cosmo's presence was usually reassuring, but even he couldn't put my mind at ease tonight.

The boy waited impatiently in the living room as the man fixed tea. How hard could it be for Sebastian to get that girl to talk? Most women melted at the Demon's feet, yet that girl resisted him. With a huff, Ciel set the laptop to the side to accept the teacup.

"Progress?"

The man frowned.

"None. S's brother claims that the two were close, but she has yet to mention him. I can tell that she's hiding something, but she is mistrustful."

Ciel sighed. He was more than done with this tiny apartment and less than nice part of town. Though he had no fear of being shot, he found the neighboring people to be boorish and simple. The latest contact was with a man so ignorant that he couldn't even string together a grammatically correct sentence. Without a proper washer and dryer, Sebastian had to wash their clothes at the local laundromat, a place where all the uneducated seemed to pool. It disgusted him.

"How long are you going to take? I'm more than aware of your other methods."

A smile crept across the Demon's face.

"Isuppose I could quicken the pace. A few soft words and a night of fulfillingher darkest fantasies should be all it will take."