On top of a hill on the outskirts of Cesa sat a secluded mansion. The exterior was rather worn-down, and the interior was quite tacky.
*
"Is everything in order?" A woman's voice called out.
"Yes, madam," a man nodded his head.
"Excellent," the woman then turned her attention towards a little girl.
"Why do you look so glum?" She questioned with a glare.
"You should be thankful we kept you for this long!" She exclaimed.
She then quickly turned her attention back towards the man.
"Sebastian?!" The woman cried.
"Get the car already, would you?!" She demanded.
"Yes, madam," he bowed, promptly taking his leave.
"Anyway..." The woman began letting out an exaggerated sigh.
"Do you know where you're going?" The woman asked the girl.
"N-no..." The girl whispered, looking down steadily at her lap.
"Let's just say they cater to and create freaks such as yourself," the woman smirked.
"Now then," The woman narrowed her eyes.
"Any more questions, Rachael?" She asked with a sneer.
The girl shook her head.
"Excellent, now then get in; we're running quite behind schedule." The woman said, anxiously checking her watch as a car pulled up.
*
As they arrived, the woman sat down across from a man wearing a lab coat.
"Now then, we just need you to sign the paperwork giving up custody." A man began.
"Where is the girl?" He asked.
"She's with our butler outside," the woman said.
"She needed fresh air; you see, her health is not exactly the best..."
"Oh?" The man narrowed his eyes.
"Interesting, as the paperwork told us otherwise..."
"U-uh well...!" The woman began, looking around frantically.
"Lucky for you, respiratory problems are not an issue in her case," the man sighed.
"We'll gladly take the little nuisance off of your plate..." The man said with a smirk.
"Now then, bring her in." The man said.
"Y-yes, one moment...!" The woman cried, scrambling out of her chair.
*
"Sebastian!" She cried as she ran out of the building.
"W-where is she?!" The woman cried, looking around desperately.
"Madam Rachael said she wanted to pick a flower for you as a parting gift," Sebastian explained.
"Bullshit, Sebastian!" The woman shrieked.
"You..." She growled.
"You always did have a soft spot for that little runt...!" She exclaimed, grabbing him by his tie.
"Perhaps maybe I have..." He mumbled, closing his eyes.
Run, madam Rachael, run as fast as your little legs can carry you... He thought to himself.
* "Y-you can't tell anybody!" The girl exclaimed. "Rachael," he began. "I'm a wanted criminal...!" Rachael cried, putting her head in her hands. "Rachael," Alastair said once more. "I don't want to go back there, so please...!" "Rachael!" Alastair shouted, startling the girl. "Did they tattoo you?" He asked. "Huh?" She sniffled. "Didn't think so," he smiled. "W-what do you mean...?" Rachael asked cocking her head. "Christ, been meaning to get this thing removed for a while now..." Alastair mumbled as he slowly began to pull down the bandages covering his neck. As he pulled them down, they revealed the number '367' in red ink. "Man," he frowned. "I wonder what I should replace this with anyway, much to think about..." He muttered, losing himself in thought. "Y-you..." Rachael whispered. "You were there too...?" "Huh?" Alastair asked, quickly snapping
A few days had passed since Rachael had moved into Alastair's apartment. Things were going relatively smoothly, much to Alastair's surprise. "Hey," Alastair called out from the kitchen. "I contacted the person who wants to hire an exorcist," Rachael, who was sitting on the couch quickly sprang up. "Really?!" She exclaimed. "But," Alastair continued. "I have some competition..." He frowned. "See, they're looking for the best of the best." He said. He then noticed Rachael giving him an annoyed look. "Hey, what's that look for?" Alastair asked, giving an annoyed smile. "You're so full of yourself!" Rachael huffed. "H-how?!" Alastair cried. "I'm coming with you!" Rachael exclaimed. "R-Rachael, I don't think that's a good idea-" "Why not?" She questioned. "The job sounds pretty dangerous and," "That's fine!" Rachael exclaimed, giving a big smile. Wha
As the two pulled up and stepped out of the car, Alastair's eyes narrowed. "You feel it too?" He questioned, turning to Rachael. "M-mm!" Rachael nodded her head. * Stepping into the worn-down mansion, Alastair slowly began to remove his eyepatch. "H-hold on...!" A voice cried out. Alastair quickly spun around, met by an older-looking woman. "O-oh, sorry, didn't mean to barge in; it's just..." "Can you save her?!" The woman cried desperately. "No one else has had any luck; some are plain frauds and-" Alastair placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "We'll be glad to assist, lady, but it'll cost you," He said with a smirk. "A-anything...!" The woman agreed. "Oi, Rachael," Alastair called out. "Eh?" He said, noticing the girl was nowhere to be found. "J-just a second, miss...!" Alastair chuckled nervously. "Please be careful it's dangerous up there!" The woman
"Jacob?" Alastair questioned. "Jacob was my butler," The girl began. "We were quite close, you see..." She continued, looking down steadily. "He was sort of like a big brother to me." She said, smiling sadly. "One day, he made a vow to protect me no matter what," "That is until..." Alastair impatiently looked down at his watch. "Tragedy befell us..." The girl whispered. "And that tragedy was...?" Alastair asked, followed by a yawn. "He was struck by lightning..." The girl sniffled, trying to hold back tears. "Eh?" Alastair was suddenly dumbfounded. "That's terrible!" Rachael cried out. "Alright, enough with these foolish antics," Alastair huffed. "If we're not going to take this seriously, I'll be on my way-" Rachael quickly grabbed him by the sleeve of his shirt. "Hah, what's gotten into you, Rachael...?" Alastair grumbled. "Look!" Rachael cried, pointing towards the window. "Hm?" Alastair looked down. As he looked out, he noticed lightning. "You feel that too, yes?
Upon arriving back home after a silent car drive, Rachael headed straight to her room, Alastair headed to his office. "Time to cash this bad boy," he muttered, taking a seat at his desk. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. "Hm?" He cocked his head. "Rachael, it's open," Alastair called out without looking up. "Rachael, huh?" A man's voice called out. "Is that her name?" The voice asked as the door opened. "H-Honch...!" Alastair quickly jumped up in his chair. "What the heck are you doing here?" He questioned. "Aya told me all about your little situation," the man said. "I decided to come home early just to meet this special little girl," He smiled. "Not to come and check on your own daughter, hm...?" Alastair muttered. "I beg your pardon?" Honch asked. "It was nothing," Alastair sighed. "Anyways, try her bedroom, pretty sure she's in there moping away." "Oh, wh
As they walked into the restaurant, Alastair surveyed the room. "Hm..." He frowned. "What's the matter?" Rachael questioned. "I-it's nothing..." Alastair mumbled. "I was wondering where you went off to!" A voice called out. Suddenly Alastair's face lit up. "R-RIKI...!" He cried out. Riki studied the girl beside him for a moment. "And this is...?" She asked. "O-oh, this?!" Alastair stammered, pointing at Rachael. "This is my..." "I'm his co-worker, Rachael." Rachael smiled. "Co-worker...?" Riki frowned. "Aren't you a bit too young t-" "Kids, they say the silliest things, huh?!" Alastair cried, quickly cutting her off. "I'm watching after her, at least for the time being!" He chuckled nervously. "Right..." Riki said. "Anyway, a pleasure to meet you, Rachael!" Riki beamed. She's so cute when she smiles like that...! Alastair thought to
Sitting up in his bed, Alastair stretched and let out a yawn. He then turned his attention towards the clock on his nightstand. "Oh jeez...!" He cried out, quickly jumping out of his bed. "Is something the matter?" Rachael, who was sitting on the couch already dressed, questioned. "I have to go pick Kiernan up from camp; I overslept..." Alastair grumbled. "Kiernan...?" Rachael asked as she cocked her head in confusion. "A-ah, right, you two haven't met yet, huh?" Alastair said as he quickly took a swig of orange juice. Rachael shook her head. "Is she nice?" She asked. "Kiernan? Mm, she's pretty laidback." Alastair responded. "I see..." Rachael smiled. "May I take a ride if it's not too much trouble, Alastair?" She questioned. "Sure, if you want, I don't care." Alastair shrugged. * As the two made their way down the hall, they ran into a familiar couple of faces. "I told yo
As they ran towards the commotion, there was already a crowd gathered around outside of the cabin. "Out of the way!" Alastair shouted. "What makes you so special?!" A boy snarled, blocking the two. Alastair let out a sigh as he slowly began to remove his eyepatch. "So your eye is weird; what does that have to do with-" "Just get out of the way!" Alastair huffed, shoving the boy aside as he made his way towards the cabin. "You jerk...!" The boy cried. "My apologies..." Rachael muttered as she quickly followed Alastair. As they got to the entrance, a counselor was blocking the door. "Yeesh, what's with you people..." Alastair grumbled. "We're here to help...!" Rachael exclaimed. "Help...?" The counselor questioned. Just then, another scream came from inside the cabin. "Move!" Alastair cried as he slammed the cabin door open. "Good grief..." Alastair muttered. On the