WITHOUT

Begin.

Ethan stared at the spoon, then the plates....The food smelled mouthwatering.   He felt a tightness in his stomach, he then felt it do a small flop.     A small voice could be heard at the back of his head.     He closed his eyes as tightly as he could....Maybe if he squeezed real tight, he could block out the tingly sweet crackle of the owner's laugh.

Two young maids entered the dinning room, took their place by the table.   A rattle of a chain was heard, two sets eyes darted to the other end of the table.  Ethan peeped at them, saw their stunned faces, he tried to give the slightest of smiles but saw one of the spirit girls pull the other close.     They were scared of him.

They had no idea who, what he was.....And, they were already scared.    Ethan dropped his eyes to his lap, he may as well keep his eyes respectfully down (Because that's where all creatures like him should look)      He was something that should never have happened.   The doctors at the hospital had made some mistakes....What should have never happened, happened.    Through a sheer fluke, he lived.

A foot in two worlds. With a soul sparked by electricity!

Clark swept into the formal dinning room minutes later.    She did a brief scan of the room, nodded.    Told the young maids to take a seat.    Originally, she had wanted to tell all the servants all at once.   Benton had recommend to tell the servants in sections.   

"Small groups. They can ask questions....You can answer them.   Ethan can sit or stand beside you....He can meet them too.   He, and they will feel better!   Doing it that way..."      Benton had then smiled, he thought it was a marvellous idea.

Clark still felt all in one go.   Get them all, make a day of it. Cover everything, show Ethan to everyone.    But, she did have to admit....It could be a very daunting experience. Ethan wasn't really himself at present....The situation could go wrong/get out of hand!

Small groupings would be wise, she could spend time explaining things in more detail, answering questions (Have no misunderstandings)       This group of servants weren't many, they were a little different to her last batch (More would be coming. Her and Benton had decided forty work better for the house)      But, for now....Twenty would be the working number.

It was the kitchen staff's turn this morning.

A cheerful group of four - A cook, an assistant and two kitchen maids.  The maids would be upgraded to just servers.

Clark smiled at the girls (They couldn't take their eyes off Ethan)     She glided, then sat beside Ethan.    The straightjacket was still on, blindfold folded neatly on the table.   Again the thought of "This is not what she wanted for him!" passed through her mind.     He was slumped in the chair (Or as much as the tough cloth of the garment would allow)    His face down, eyes to his lap.

She gently lifted his head, he hadn't rested.   One eye kept rolling to the back of his head.   Clark silently cursed under her breath.   She cupped his face, Ethan slumped towards her...She quickly took hold of him.    He was dying.    Not death in the straight forward way....But, something beyond death it's self.

He was being weakened, slowly taken.

She tilted his head, looked into his eyes....He was being "consumed".      Black magic!       Clark suddenly pulled him close, hugged him.

"Boy.  Don't you dare leave me, or Trinity.    You hang on.   Or I'll beat you back to life..."      Clark gave him another tight hug, shoot her eyes to the girls.   They were sitting at the table, they were now standing beside her and Ethan.    The cook and assistant had joined them now.  Cook took one look at her assistant, snapped her fingers.