~The Tale of Mystery~{Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji: Red Hood Diary- Spinoff}

Ch. 8 ~Mystery, and Her Longing Life~

Mystery didn’t know how long she stayed in the village with the two orphaned boys. She and Luka got along well, but it was slow between her and Jim. Jim was protective of his brother and would watch Mystery carefully. Now, Jim trusted her taking care of them.

Mystery didn’t know how long exactly time had passed. She felt like she was slightly growing older, but she remained the same person. And of course, her dreams with the crow didn’t disappear. Mystery couldn’t figure out what he wanted. Maybe the crow was something like a guardian angel.

Luka and Jim were outside somewhere playing. Mystery had told them not to go far and she knew they would listen. She sat down and stared out the window and watched the village. Ever since she came to this town, she was given horrible treatment. Not just for caring for the two boys, but because of her cloak.

She wasn’t beaten like Luka and Jim have, just gossiped and judged. She would hear what they would say.

“It’s that girl.”

“She wears the devil’s color”

“Not even a lady- noble or commoner- would wear that color”

There were other comments, but they were worse. Her thoughts ended when she heard the door open then close. Jim and Luka walked in looking down and that was when Mystery noticed a few bruises on Jim. Mystery kneeled down them. “What happened?” she asked.

They glanced at each other then looked back down. “Boys, what happened?” Mystery asked softly. Luka looked up at her with tears in his eyes. “We were playing and these older boys talked about you. They were calling you names!” Mystery didn’t look surprised. She glanced at Jim who still didn’t say anything then looked back to Luka. “And then what happened?” She asked again softly.

“I told them to stop and that you meant a lot to us. They just said more mean stuff about you and…” Luka looked at Jim, who had his fists clenched. “I punched them…” Jim said surprising both Mystery and Luka. “After that, I yelled at him never to speak of you that way. He punched me back and kept repeating. I kicked him and when he fell, me and Luka ran back here.”

Mystery looked down at them lovingly and sadly. Mystery put her delicate fingers under Jim’s chin and lightly lifted it to her. “Jim, you didn’t need to do that. You got hurt in the process and I don’t want that to happen to you and Luka. There’s nothing we can do about it. Just ignore them.” Mystery said and Jim looked back down.

Mystery got a cold, wet rag and gently held it to Jim’s bruises. Afterwards, Mystery lightly kissed the bruises then made dinner for herself and the boys. After the small meal, the boys fell asleep in her bed for the night while Mystery stayed up. She cleaned the only dishes that they had and looked out a window that led to a forest area.

After a few minutes of daydreaming, she finally noticed something in one of the trees. Her blue eyes traveled to it and saw a crow. She could faintly see its eyes glistened crimson, like the crow’s eyes in her dreams. Could it be possible for it to be the same crow?

She stared at the bird as it stared back. After staring at the crow for what felt like forever, Mystery looked down. She walked neared the bed and took off her cloak. After folding it and placing it on the side table, she crawled in with the two sleeping boys. After a minute of her settling in, she felt both boys snuggle into her for warmth. Mystery’s eyelids lowered. She still felt bothered.

She wanted to stay with the boys and care for them, but then she thought of her life she didn’t remember. How long would she be here? What if she did have a family and they were worried sick? What would Mystery do? At the last thought, Mystery fell into her dreams, knowing the crow would be waiting for her.

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For a while now, I noticed Luka looked happier than usual. Happy as if he made a new friend. I asked him why and turns out he did make a new ‘friend’, but he wouldn’t show me who this person was. As long as he wasn’t hurt, then I was fine with it.

Jim on the other hand didn’t know who Luka’s friend was. He spent more time with me while Luka was off with his new friend. To be honest, Jim looked a little bit jealous without Luka’s company.

I was thinking through a lot of things. About Luka and Jim, my unknown life, my dreams, and Jonathan.

Jonathan…

After I had lived with him, I started to feel warm inside. I realize now that I might have had feelings for him, but something feels like I’m not meant to be with him.

Days continued on with the same routine: Mystery and the boys would wake up in the morning and eat breakfast, Luka and Jim would go off and play while Mystery cleaned the house, Mystery would find and prepare lunch and dinner, they would eat then tell stories, and finally sleep for the night.

As the days passed, Mystery’s desire to know her life bothered her deeply. She couldn’t ignore this feeling any longer. She then decided what she would do. How would she tell Luka and Jim?

“Luka, Jim, can you come here for a minute?” Mystery asked. Luka and Jim ran in, smiling and looking up at her. “What is it, Mystery?” Jim asked. Mystery knelt down in front of them, frowning. “You two know that I want to find my life right?” They both nodded. “It’s… It’s been bothering each day and I need to know. I’m going to leave-” “No, Mystery, you can’t go!” Luka interrupted and hugged her tightly.

Mystery lightly pulled him away and looked at them. “Please, you must understand. If I do have a family out there somewhere, they must be very worried. I’ll only be gone a short time and if I don’t find anything or if I find them, I’ll come back.” She said. “So, you’re leaving us for your other family?” Jim asked sadly. “No. If I have a family, I’ll come back and take you two with me. I can’t take you with me though. I feel it might be dangerous and… I must do this on my own…” Mystery said.

Luka and Jim looked at each other then back to Mystery and nodded. “Everything will be fine.” She said as she rubbed both their heads in comfort.

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The next morning, I left the town. This was hard for me and both Luka and Jim. I would only be gone for a while. The last words I said to them was to stay safe.

Mystery walked onto the path leading out the village. She wore her cloak, hood up and carrying her basket. She looked over her shoulder and Luka and Jim were watching her leave from the house. Mystery had left the horse, Evol with them so they would have company. Mystery waved her arm good bye and Luka and Jim waved back, still frowning.

Mystery turned back and began walking down the path. She continued to walk and sensed something. She looked up and saw a crow flying in the sky. Wherever she was going, the crow seemed to watch over her. Mystery glanced back and the village was growing smaller. The path ahead of her still remained outstretched.