~ * Raven's POV * ~

"... You forgot about the promise you made a long time ago."

That look of longing and despair still haunted me as I locked myself in my room. A storm was brewing in my mind, not knowing whether to believe in my own memories anymore. The walls were closing in on me. The pressure in my chest grew heavier. The room began to spin.

Darkness engulfed me.

Eerie whispers surrounded me, all saying the same thing.

"It's time to remember."

Frustration was all I felt. "Enough of this horror show bullshit! Just tell me already!"

"Why did you forget?" A little girl's voice spoke from behind me.

I turned around and came face to face with me . Except as a child. Her familiar blue eyes looked so lost and broken. She clutched onto her stuffed rabbit in fear, its button eyes staring back at me.

"Who are you?"

A tear slipped down her cheek. "You, before they killed us."

Dread settled in the pit of my stomach. "They?"

She pointed to something behind me. "Them."

Hands grabbed me. I screamed and struggled. I was suddenly strapped to an examination table. Large needles pricked at my skin and scalpels cut at my limbs, each sending a shock of anguish. The pain blinded me. It rippled throughout my body. This torture could drive anyone mad.

I started to remember.

A fire that burned our mansion to the ground. Sold into a cult. The scorching feeling of being branded. The suffering we went through.

Wait, we ?

A blurry image of a little boy emerged.

Who is he?

He's my ..!

My eyes snapped open, gasping. I awoke on the floor. The vague memories were still fresh in my mind. I needed more time to remember everything.

A shaky sigh left my lips. My body was trembling. I got up, stumbling to the bathroom connected to the room. Splashing water against my face, I mentally told myself to get my shit together.

I stared into the mirror, not recognizing myself anymore.

"Maybe a parasite from outer space made a home in my brain and is feasting on my memories and is feeding me new ones to control me."

Yeah, makes sense.

~ * ~

Day turned into night. Rain pattered outside, lightning flashing in the dark hue. I flinched at the sound of thunder, a worst storm brewing at this very hour.

Sebastian, Ciel and I waited outside an alleyway. The brat did not trust me enough to leave me at home by myself, saying I might catch something on fire. The young Earl believed that we would catch Jack the Ripper in action if we stood out here.

"Beautiful shimmering black hair." The butler admired, stroking a stray cat. "Such wonderful softness."

I reached down and felt its fur, smiling as it purred at my touch.

"This promise you mentioned." I started, looking up at him. He was already staring, a glint of hope flashing in his eyes. "Was it important?"

"Very. "

I gulped. "Do I owe you my soul or something?"

His voice went cold. "If you do not remember, then it must have meant nothing to you."

"No, it-"

Suddenly an ear piercing scream came from beyond the alleyway.

"This is the only way to pass through." Ciel said in disbelief.

"How the hell did she get pass us?" I mirrored his reaction.

He frowned. "She?"

Me and my stupid mouth.

"There may still be time to save the woman but only if we hurry." Sebastian interrupted, saving my ass.

We ran towards the sound. Ciel barged through the door, blood splattering against his cheek as he caught sight of the gruesome murder. He seemed to have freeze in place, trembling.

I covered his eyes and pulled him away, letting Sebastian take a protective stance in front of us as the killer walked out drenched in blood.

Grell Sutcliff. He tried to cover it up. "N-No, this isn't- I heard a scream and rushed over here but it was too late .."

"And you just happen to be covered in the victim's blood." I glared, my voice sarcastic. "You are not fooling anyone."

"This is the first time I have met someone like you in the human world." Sebastian stated. "You kept the facade of a helpless butler. You fooled everyone splendidly."

"Splendidly..?" A sick grin revealed pointed teeth as he dropped the innocent act. "That's right, I'm an actress after all. An exceptional one. "

He threw his plain glasses aside, revealing the eerie glow of phosphorescent green-yellow eyes. His once dull brown hair turned into flaring red. He adjusted new red glasses that had small skulls hanging from its sides.

"A grim reaper." I murmured, that word echoing in my mind. How I knew was a mystery.

Sebastian questioned, "A creature like you is committing these crimes for what reason?"

"Shall we say I fell in love with a certain woman?" The reaper's lips curled into a smirk.

"And that woman is ..?"

Ciel's grip on my arm tightened, fearing what was waiting in front of him.

"You already know who I am, don't you?" A familiar voice came from inside the house. The real culprit walked out, blood dripping from her clothes.

Ciel uncovered his eyes. I let my arm drop to the side, watching his reaction. His teeth clenched as he stared at his own aunt. His voice was monotone. "Madame Red."

"How unfortunate. We could have still been playing chess if you had taken my advice." She mocked sadness, hiding her expression behind her bangs. She looked up, revealing nothing but hatred. "However, this time, I will not be giving up anything!"

A death scythe roared to life. Sebastian stopped the death machine with his bare hands, using his strength to keep us from harm.

Madame Red used Sebastian's distracted state to her advantage, pulling out a knife from her sleeve. She charged towards us, nothing but loathing eyes glaring at us.

Overwhelmed with fear, I froze. I glanced at Ciel who was right in the line of fire. Something in me overid the fear of dying. Instead, it was a fear of losing him.

I yanked him into a protective embrace, using my body as a shield.

The knife pierced my side. I gasped, no longer having the strength to stand. I lay in a puddle of my own blood, seeing Ciel's wide eyes and Madame Red's face of horror and regret.

"Celeste!"

The corners of my vision darkened. I winced at the pain. The last thing I saw was Sebastian's reaction.

The unmistakable fear of losing me.