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Ciel gave a long sigh, staring out the window. “Did we have to leave…?”
Rachel’s grip on the wheel tightened. Her voice wavered, but her expression betrayed nothing. “Don’t be ridiculous, Ciel. You know why we left.”
“But–”
“No buts, Ciel.” Her voice turned stern. “It’s better for you to be away from daddy.”
He opened his mouth to protest but looked down silently. He fidgeted with his hands, feet swinging gently. They drove out of the city and through the dense suburbs. After about an hour of driving, Rachel drove up a hill, parking her car on the side of the road.
Ciel looked up at the place, towering over the others. “It’s big. Bigger than daddy’s place."
Rachel nodded, getting out of the car. Her fingers instinctively brushed over her crucifix necklace and she muttered a prayer under her breath before opening Ciel’s door and helping him out.
They walked to the front door and Rachel punched in the code to the number lock.
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Ciel watched blankly. The place was big, too big. Empty, too. The moving truck hadn’t arrived yet, and wouldn’t until later that afternoon. The balcony outside was huge, with stairs leading down into the backyard. There was a pool, too, though it needed cleaning.
The house next door had blackout curtains obscuring every window, except for one on the top floor. A figure was inside, typing on a computer. He looked towards the window, making eye contact with Ciel, who jumped and looked away quickly.
Rachel sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder. “I know it seems like the end of the world, but you’ll adjust. I promise.” She kissed him on top of the head before going out to the car to grab their suitcases.
Ciel walked around the house, running his hands along the empty walls and staring into bedrooms. He went into the room that would be his bedroom. The sunlight from the window reflected off the hardwood floor and the corner had a loft for his bed. The walls were pale blue, and there were glow in the dark stars left on the ceiling by the previous owner. He laid on the cold floor, taking a deep breath. He got out his phone and called Vincent.
The phone rang once, twice, three times. Then Vincent’s voice on recording.
“You’ve reached Earl Vincent Phantomhive. He’s very fucking busy at the moment, so if it’s important, leave a message after the tone.”
Ciel sighed, hanging up without leaving a message. He typed out a text to Vincent, glancing over the “happy birthday” text from months ago.
<I miss you already, daddy. I can’t wait to visit. I just hope they’ll let me visit more. Please call soon. I love you.>
He stared blankly at the screen for a moment before letting out a frustrated sob and deleting the message, half-slamming his phone down on the floor next to him as tears began to streak down his face. He closed his eyes, crying himself to sleep on the cold, hard floor.
Rachel went outside, walking around the neighborhood a few times, greeting most of their new neighbors. Some were much more polite than others, and some invited her in for a drink.
By the time she got to the house next door, it was almost dark and the moving truck had arrived and people started moving furniture inside. She knocked on the door, waiting several long moments before knocking again. She heard footsteps going down the stairs, then the door opened.
She looked up at the figure in front of her. Rather tall, decently well-built too. He looked down at her and smiled warmly. “Ah, you’re my new neighbor?”
She nodded cheerfully. “Me and my son just moved here!”
He raised an eyebrow. “No husband?”
“Long story.” She inhaled sharply. “Ciel isn’t too happy that we had to move, but he’ll understand when he’s older.” She looked back up at him and smiled, extending her hand to shake. “Rachel Phantomhive. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Sebastian shook her hand after a moment of hesitation. “Sebastian Michaelis.” He looked down at her hand. “I see you’ve already taken off the wedding rings. Moved on this quickly?”
“Well… I kept them. I just don’t think I’ll ever wear them again.” She chuckled nervously. “I couldn’t throw them out, but I just couldn’t bear to keep them on my hand…” Quickly changing the subject, she looked back up at him. “Do you have a wife?”
“Ah, I don’t swing that way.” He chuckled, crossing his arms while he pretended not to see the flash of judgment in her eyes.
“Aha… I see…” She brushed her fingers over her crucifix again.
“Oh, you’re religious?” He chuckled softly. “I didn’t know religious people divorced so freely.” He tried to make his tone lighthearted, but he barely hid the sarcasm.
Her tone got suddenly bitter. “I had a reason. A damn good one, too.” She took a deep breath. “I just need to repent. As soon as Ciel and I are settled… I’ll confess and repent and everything will be fine.” Her voice trembled on the last sentence.
What a mess,
Sebastian thought. “I suppose.”
Rachel smiled gently. “I think my son would like you. Would you like to maybe join us for dinner tonight?”
“I’d be delighted. How does 7:30 sound?”
“Wonderful.” She nodded, walking away and back into her house. She went into Ciel’s bedroom, watching as the young boy ordered the movers around, making sure his room was furnished just to his liking. When they finished his room, he climbed up into the loft and sat on his bed, cross-legged, getting out a book.
“Sweetie.” Her voice broke the silence. “What do you want for dinner?”
Ciel shrugged, not even looking up. “Not hungry.”
“You’ll be meeting our neighbor, Ciel.”
“I don’t wanna. Call me downstairs for dessert, okay?” He laid down.
Rachel’s fists clenched, then unclenched. “Alright.” She walked out, closing the door behind her. She went downstairs to prepare dinner, staring blankly at the framed oil painting Vincent commissioned of the family. Him, her, Ciel, their dog, Sebastian, and the butler, Tanaka. “What happened to the man I married?” She wondered out loud, hands dropping to her sides.