August 26th, 1889

Isn't it a natural reaction? To be scared?

It all happened so quickly; the reaction was taken from me before I even had the chance to blink. I suppose I should be grateful to Hannah and Alois. Their wretchedly selfish behavior saved me the trouble of wondering what it would be like when Sebastian finally devoured my soul.

In a way, I do pity Sebastian, he was dutiful and held up his end of the contract with such honor, even though something as powerful as he had to serve as a lowly butler to a child. Now, though – all of that work, all of that effort – gone. I know how much he was looking forward to tasting me. After all, he made it very clear that he was saving himself for my ripe, depraved soul. He carefully cultivated me, primed me to make me the best meal he would have ever sampled.

Still, as I plummet into this sea, I know he's following after me, foolishly. Completely ignorant of the fact that his endeavors to save me are all for nothing – you see Sebastian, you're too late – I am already dead.

"My lord?" I hear his voice, calling me, beckoning me to wake, to open my eyes – to reveal whether I am alive or dead – I don't. "Master, are you alright?" He asks, I listen to him as he speaks to me, I can feel my lifeless body pressed up against his. There is no heart beating in his chest, there is no oxygen filling his lungs – he is dead like me. There is something else behind his words, behind the sentiment attached – he seems genuinely worried about me. Well, this is novel.

"Young master?"

"What is it Sebastian?" I inquire briskly, still keeping my eyes closed.

I don't mean to sound as harsh as I do but for one moment, I just wanted quiet, peace and serenity; I just wanted to know what it felt like to be dead. I could feel Sebastian lay me out on the deck of a wooden boat and felt his body hover on top of me. Ah, he's checking if I'm breathing – I'll play along – I drew in a sharp intake of breath, letting my chest rise and fall with each inhalation. Seeming satisfied, he moves off of me.

"My lord, are you all right?"

"What do you think?"

"I – I don't know what to think." He pauses, placing his bare hand on my forehead, probably to check my temperature. "After what Hannah had said, I just thought that-"

"I'd be a demon?" I decide that now would be a good time to open my eyes.

Sebastian falls back, looking at me incredulously. Was it worry? Was it sadness? Was it shock or perhaps it was horror? I don't know what I must look like nor do I know what caused his reaction but I'll never forget that look on his face for as long as I exist in this world.

"You tried to kill me." I say snidely as I glare over at him, lifting myself up to my elbows. Indeed he did, when he caught me in the water, he punched a hole straight into my chest. I start to sit up with his assistance; he pulls me forward by grabbing my arm and bringing it towards him. "Were you trying to do it before I awakened? Before I could live as a demon?"

"No. Killing you wasn't my intent. I just had to see if you truly had become a demon." he reasons. In that case, what was this entire pretense for? Checking if I was breathing, checking my temperature – he has already confirmed his suspicions in the water. I run my fingers underneath my bloodied shirt – smooth, not even an indentation from the fist he plunged into me. I healed quickly.

I look around as we float along; this area is unfamiliar to me. Where were we? I think it is some kind of dam but I'm not sure. I look up to see the night sky give way to the discoloration of morning as the sun starts to rise in the sky.

I'm not sure how I'm going to get home – wait, home? I can never go home again – damn you Alois! You're the gift just keeps on giving.

"My lord, what do you wish to do now?"

What do I want to do now? I don't know.

"Sebastian, you needn't address me as such anymore. I am no more an Earl now as you are a butler." Well, I am dead after all – what was I going to do with a title in hell? Sebastians' eyebrows were knitted, as he was deep in thought.

"This has never come up before," He began, drawing his right index finger to his lower lips and stroking it lightly.

"What do you mean?"

"My contractor has died before our deal was complete. This has never come up before."

"So you heard what I ordered whilst in the labyrinth?" He nods. My final order to him was that he was to remain my butler until the day he eats my soul.

Dropping his hands and holding them out in front of his face, he looks at the backs of them. There it was, on his left hand, the letters of the Tetragrammaton written within our pentagram contract seal. It seems that my death didn't break our contract – he is still bound to me. Well, this is unfortunate… for him.

"It appears that I am still your loyal servant." He says solemnly. I scoot back, trying to stagger to my feet. Sebastian, much swifter that I am, gets to me and offers to help me up.

I swat his good intension away as I meander on my own.

"I don't need your help Sebastian." I hiss.

"My lord?" his voice is soft, as if he can see that I am struggling with my current predicament.

Well, what was I going to do? I am dead; my parents have died long before me, I have no manor to return to, I'm completely alone. Well, not completely.

I could feel my right eye start to itch and burn; so, my contract seal is still there too? I now know what I'm going to do.

"Sebastian, this is an order, teach me how to live in this world." I command.

Within the instant, he is down on one knee in front of me, his ungloved right hand crossed over his chest and his head bowed, all he utters is: "Yes, my lord."

I feel his compliance is reluctant, to say the least. I reach over and place my hand on his head, which causes him to look up at me, his eyes demonic - carmine retinas with black pupils narrowing into thin horizontal slits.

"Teach me how to live successfully in this world and I will break our contract and set you free." I attempt to soothe him. If I can be successful here, then I won't need to go to the underworld and I definitely won't need him any longer.

Sebastian nods, seemingly satisfied with my terms. He gets to his feet and curtly bows in front of me.

"Where would you like to go now?"

"Do you know, I don't much care." I reply dryly.

And it's true – I don't.