Lost Soul

Flight and Fight

The song for this chapter is 'Come away to the water' by Maroon 5. All rights to respective owners.

"I don't go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me."

Celine pushed the horse harder than she should have, and he had to stop for water in an alleyway. She looked around, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. She urged the horse to drink faster; uneasiness knotting in the pit of her stomach. She heard heavy foot steps and a dark chuckle.

"Well it seems that little Diamond has a big secret." One of the burly stable hands had followed her from the circus. "Because of yer little stunt, I lost my job!" He lunged, and knocked her off the horse. Celine quickly jumped to her feet; glancing around for a possible weapon. The man threw a punch, but it had just barely grazed the side of her head. She retreaded a few steps, trying to avoid the man's surprisingly accurate blows.

"Please! I'll pay you! Just don't tell anyone." She begged; the end of the alleyway approaching quicker than Celine anticipated.

"Shut the Hell up!" He roared, and threw another punch. She wasn't quick enough, the man had punched her in the gut, knocking the wind out of her. She gasped for air, and stepped on a fallen pane of glass. It shattered, and she quickly picked up the largest shard.

"Stop or I'll scream and alert that policeman over there!" The man looked over his shoulder, and Celine lunged. She made a deep gash on his face, and stabbed the shard into his forearm. He howled in agony, and threw her to the ground. She yelped in pain; she had falling on her injured leg.

"You crazy bitch!" She scrambled to her feet, and drove the jagged shard of glass into his throat. Everything seemed to slow down, along with an eerie silence. Blood gurgled in the man's throat, and he crumpled into a bloody heap on the ground. Celine dropped the shard, her entire body trembling.

"Oh my God." Blood soaked the front of her clothes, and parts of her hair. Another set of footsteps echoed through the alley, and she backed up fearfully. She saw Joker's orange hair, and nearly wept with fear and happiness.

"Tessa? What're ye doing here? I thought ye were deliverin a letter." He walked closer, but she backed away from him. He glanced at the ground, and looked horrified.

"Please don't turn me in." Her breathing sped up, and tears began their relentless stream down her cheeks. She crumpled to the ground and began sobbing into her bloodied hands.

"What happened?" Joker stepped over the man's body and embraced Celine. He rubbed soothing circles onto her back.

"I had just finished delivering the letter, and I wanted to get back so I could practice with Doll, but I pushed the horse too much. So I stopped for water; not realising that he had followed me. He knocked of the horse and started to throw punches." She sniffled, and rubbed her eyes.

"He didn't hit you, did he?"

"Once." She stared in horror as the man's fingers and legs were still moving. More tears streamed down her face. "He's still alive." Her voice trembled along with her body. Celine pulled away from Joker, and went to find another shard of glass.

"I'll take care of it. Go back and clean up. Yer a mess." He smiled slightly as he took the shard out of her hands. She unwillingly smiled back, and shuffled over to the frightened horse. She rubbed its neck soothingly, and mounted the beast. She glanced fleeting at Joker, who was still watching her.

"Go! I'll be right behind ye." He called, and Celine flicked the reins. The horse reared and took off down the alleyway.

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The footman stared at the ground in fear as Elijah stomped angrily around his bedchamber.

"Why didn't you bring her to me?!" He slammed his hand on the desk with a loud thud; the letter crumpled in his fist.

"Her Highness ran out before I could catch her. If you would have specified, my Lord, I would have gotten her." His voice remained collected while his body shook with fear.

"Just go get Ash." Elijah sighed into his hands, and ran a hand though his untidy black hair. He tossed the letter to the servant. The footman bowed slightly and left the room. The footman exited the room, and walked briskly towards the parlour. He opened the door. Inside, he saw Ash cleaning up the remainder of afternoon tea. He looked up, and stared at the footman.

"Yes, what is it?" He inquired curtly.

"Her Highness has sent a letter. She said it was urgent." Ash's lavender eyes rose from his work.

"Well, don't just stand there, give me the letter!" He ordered, momentarily losing his patience. The footman handed him the letter, and Ash read it over. His brow furrowed. "Why Hyde Park so late at night? Doesn't she know its dangerous to go alone?" He pocketed the letter, and picked up the tray of dirty dishes. "Very well, you're dismissed."
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Celine scrubbed her hair, arms, and body to get rid of the vile man's blood. The water was a steady stream of pink. She wrapped the towel tighter around herself as she went to the girls changing tent. Her hair hung limply around her shoulders, and she plaited it. She glanced down at her arms, and nearly cried out. She quickly threw on her slip, and walked over to a full length mirror. In the flickering candle light, she could see all the scars left behind. They were on her legs, thighs, hips, torso, and her back also. She felt the desire to find a small, sharp blade and watch her blood run red. She turned away from the mirror, disgusted. She quickly threw on a clean dress, and left the changing tent. She saw a girl running towards her.

"Come on Diamond! I'm gonna help you get ready!" Doll grabbed Celine's arm, and drug her towards the first tier tents. "I already got your costume. I just wanna do your hair and make up!" She smiled brightly, and shoved her into a tent.

"We don't have a show tonight." Celine said slowly. She glanced up, at Doll, who looked highly uncomfortable.

"Joker will explain it to you in the way." The tone of her voice refrained Celine from asking more questions, and with a deep sense of foreboding.

After Doll had helped Celine get ready, both girls fastened black cloaks around their necks. Celine had a two daggers sheathed on her thighs, and she fiddled with them nervously.

"I'll be right back. There's something I need to do first." She said quickly, and darted over to Ciel's tent. "Psst. Smile! I need to talk to you. Can I come in?" He stuck his head out, and held the flap open for her.

"What is it?"

"I think they're off to kidnap children." Ciel raised an eyebrow. "And they want me to go with them. What do I do?" He snorted.

"It's obvious. Go with them and catch them in the act." Ciel stared at her and laughed mirthlessly. "That is, if you're not as weak as you appear to be." Celine scoffed at him, and stomped out of the tent. She put her hood over her head, and ran to the entrance of the circus.

David stepped out of the shadows, holding two documents. He watched Celine leave Ciel's tent and run towards the entrance. He glanced down at one of the documents, which had a picture of Celine with her full name, title, and much more. He grinned evilly.

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