AN: GUYS! I found a deleted part of this chapter (at the end) that I had been looking for a long time! I think it's actually pretty relevant to the story. After all these years, the true interactions that took place in this chapter are released. Hope you enjoy. ^-^

As soon as I walked into the kitchen the next morning, I knew instantly that it was Halloween time. As if the numerous small gourds on the counter top carved out in little faces weren't enough of a clue, Eliza had undergone a change as well.

Her hair was tied back in a large bun, a few strands of her straight bangs hanging over her eyes. Upon her head, secured to a headband, were two fluffy black cat ears. I also took notice of a long black tail secured to the back of her dress, not that I was looking down there anyway, but it was difficult to ignore the swaying movements of the tail as she danced around the kitchen.

"I hope you don't mind the decorations, sir! I really enjoy Halloween." She said first thing, smiling as I sat at the table.

"I certainly don't mind, in fact, I love them." I chuckled, still gazing amusingly at her. "A black cat... hmm, tell me Eliza, are you superstitious?" I asked, making small talk.

Eliza made a funny face, rolling her eyes. "I should ask you that, Mr. Richtofen, as you are the one conversing with a black cat, whom I might add, is crossing your path as we speak." She giggled, bringing a plate of food to me and setting down her own.

Yes... I didn't even have to ask her to sit...

"I suppose you're right!" I agreed, biting into an array of deliciousness, my favorite including some pumpkin-flavored French Toast. I must have been eating it rather aggressively, as Eliza looked on at me with widened eyes.

Somehow, I was still stuck in last night's dreams, and that book. A whirlwind of a chapter, it was. I wondered if she had read it yet. My dreams were very suggestive, though I couldn't recall most of them. Someone saying my name constantly, over and over, a familiar voice yet in a different sense. They seemed very intriguing, and I know for a fact that for some reason, I'd woken up in a cold sweat that morning, along with a very strange tingly sensation...

"Edward," Eliza chirped, nearly causing me to shiver at her use of my first name.

Wait... that voice...

"You seem a bit distant all of a sudden, are you... feeling alright?" She harmonized, her words laced with concern.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, thank you. I'm fine." I assured.

She seemed to look down for a split second as if to say something. "So, I was asking, sir, if you would be interested in participating in the town's annual Halloween festivities."

"Halloween festivities? Such as?" I perked up, glancing at the clock.

"Well, this is a town in seclusion, but there are still children here, and they do love to Trick-or-Treat." She smiled gently and looked at me.

"Handing out candy? Hmm, I wouldn't mind doing that." I smiled.

"Thank you sir. I would do it myself, but..." She trailed off, her smile turning into sadness upon her lips nearly instantly. It was times like these when I should have reached out to give her that necklace to cheer her up, but had not the courage.

"I know..." I sighed, feeling saddened. "Maxis believes too much in his rein."

She sighed at this, getting up and taking plates to the sink.

"May I ask you a question, Eliza?" I rested my head in my hands, looking at her curiously.

"Go ahead, sir."

"How long have you known Ludvig Maxis?" This would help me get closer to the answers, I hoped. Why in God's name had this man enslaved this lady here?

She seemed to freeze slightly at the question. She looked at me with a indescribable emotion behind her eyes, as if she were trying to tell me something without saying it aloud. "I've known Maxis for my entire life. He's always been there..." She visibly shuddered, her vision becoming watery as I noticed her begin to look away. She muttered something beneath her breath, but I couldn't make it out.

All of a sudden, the clock dinged, striking the hour of my departure. I sighed, reluctant to go to work, as I wanted to hear more. "Forgive me, I must go." I grabbed my coat and hat from the hanger and bid Eliza farewell. "Goodbye, Ms. Kitty." I said clearing my throat, and causing her to glance in my direction with wide eyes.

"Ms..." She started to repeat the phrase as my hazel eyes caught her narrowing blue gaze, but stopped as both of our cheeks turned pink, and we chuckled in unison. She rolled her eyes again as I walked out the door.

At least I made her smile. That's all I wanted to see before I went.




Eliza's POV

Miss Kitty. Miss Kitty? Miss Kitty! Strange how the nickname excited me. My heart fluttered and my face heated like an oven at this name. It was a symbol, a sign. A sign that he noticed.
Why was that so exciting?

I wouldn't admit the reason.

I wiped down the counter tops and made my way upstairs toward my room, where my journal lay. Instantly, I began to scribble down my feelings, which only made me sound like more of a teenager.

He's getting closer to the truth, I know it. He was suspicious of my relations with Maxis before, but now it seems that he's all too curious. My stomach burns when he asks me. I want to tell him the truth so badly, but I have to look out for number one, it's imperative for both of our survival.

"Doctor Maxis, she's awoken, sir." I could hardly hear  the man's hoarse voice calling to Maxis as my head spun round and round. A crimson liquid was dripping from the open gash on my forehead. I couldn't recall how it got there.

"Good. Prepare the syringe."

The very sound of his voice had me nearly trembling where I sat, on my knees, chained to something I couldn't see. No. Not again, please. Please spare me this pain. 

A jabbing, stabbing pain in my right arm, then my left.
What was it this time? Cyanide? Some form of toxic byproduct? Whatever it is, God let it kill me so I don't have to endure this again.
Then came the convulsing, gut-punching feeling that washed throughout me. Seven minutes. Seven minutes of non-stop agony. My veins ran cold, my fingers and toes surging with pin-pricking pain throughout. My eyes becoming clouded with black horrors, nightmares and visions flashing in my conscience. Every bone seeming to be broken, my back and neck twitching, bile threatening to breach my lungs.

"Please!" My voice had become hoarse already, my vocal chords straining just to choke out one last plea. "S-stop this!!!"
No sooner had the words left my mouth, the hard crack of a hand, a knee, an elbow, something unknown, had struck my face and put me into unconsciousness.
Finally. 

Suddenly, I forced myself from my thoughts. Why do these memories come now? I turned to the next page in my book. 

The last page.

I couldn't bring myself to take the pen and write. I didn't have anything meaningful enough to write on the last page. Once that page was filled, it was over. I might lose my sanity with no one to talk to but my mind.

Richtofen's POV

Walking through the front door of my workplace that morning was a grave mistake. 

"AAGHH!!!" Sharp hands dug into my shoulders, pulling me to the side as soon as I walked in.

"WAS ZUM TEUFEL!?!" I shrieked, pulling myself from the culprit's grasp and backing away.
What stood before me was nothing short of a dead man walking. Its skin was torn and yellowy, its clothes ragged, and blood dripped down its dastardly face. I was about to reach for a weapon, until the terrifying creature ripped it's face off, revealing a perfectly intact Schuster.
Then, laughing broke out all around. 

"My, My. Doctor Richtofen, it seems as though you are a bit jumpy today!" Schuster chuckled, and I was less amused.

Maxis emerged from the shadows, patting me on the back and laughing along. "That was a great makeup job, Michelangelo. He nearly popped out of his body!" He nodded to a smaller man in the corner of the room, who nodded shyly. 

A slight smile spread to my face, realizing what was going on. 

"Funny. Great job, Michelangelo. Good scare." I said, calming myself down. I was really taken aback by the fact such a serious staff could partake in this humorous task, but shrugged it off.

"Ah, lighten up, Richtofen my boy! It's Halloween!" Ludvig pulled me away, leading me to the office.

It was going to be a strange day.

Finally, after a rather simplistic day at work, I returned to Eliza, who had filled the household with a delectable aroma. 

"Mmm... that smells sweet!" I smirked, walking through the door and going to the kitchen, my sweet tooth flaring up. 

"Well, I'm baking red velvet chocolate chip cookies, sir!" Eliza's eyes sparkled as they looked at me. "For the children." She removed a huge pan of at least fifty cookies.

"R-Red Velvet chocolate chip cookies? I've heard of cake, but..." 

"Please, try one." She handed me a cookie, still hot. It was rare that my servant had time to cook anything sweet, so I gladly accepted. I took a bite from the cookie, and immediately felt like wrapping my arms around Eliza and squeezing tight. Absolutely delicious.

"I'm going to faint." I said, shoving the rest of the cookie into my mouth. "Heaven...Simply superb, delicious!"

Eliza giggled as I reached for another cookie, plopping it into my mouth. 

"Save some for the children, please sir!" She begged. "If you're good, I'll make you sweets more often."

''''''''''''

I blushed lightly, both embarrassed by my eating and what she had said. "I'm a good boy!" I pouted. 

Eliza rolled her eyes, blushing equally as much. "Y-Yes sir, whatever you say."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. I sauntered to the door and opened it, to see a short form, draped in a long white cloth with two eye holes cut out.

"Trick or Treat!" The little boy's voice said. Behind him, other short forms began to fall in, witches, goblins, skeletons, vampires, and more. 

I smiled, seeing the children scurry up the doorsteps. "Eliza, are those cookies ready?" I called to her.

Eliza came to the door, as the children's eyes lit up at the sight of all the delectable goodies Eliza had prepared. Eliza and I began to hand the children cookies, and they shoved them into their mouths. 

Eliza's laughter was all I needed to know that it was all worth it. 

"Don't eat it all in one bite, now! I don't have seconds!" She giggled, handing another child a red velvet cookie. 

"You are the best, miss! Thank you!" The girl said, scurrying off. 

After some time, it seemed as though the children were becoming fewer. 

"There are many children for such a small town." I said, making small talk as we waited for other kids. 

"It seems so." She nodded. "I'm just quite surprised that they even hold Trick-or-treat here." A smile spread across her face, contentedly. 

I nodded, standing up from the chair I'd set out. "I suppose that's it." 

Eliza looked around, peeking her head out the door, nodding. I made my way back inside, closing the door behind me, until I heard a faint voice in the distance. 

"Wait!!!" 

I stuck my head out the door, spotting a small girl in a blue dress, running barefoot down the cracked sidewalk. 

"Wait!" She hollered again. 

"Eliza, look, there's one more." I stepped outside, into the cool autumn air. Eliza peeked through the door.

Suddenly, I recognized the innocent visage of the running girl.

"Samantha?" I said under my breath, seemingly causing Eliza's eyes to widen. 

"Mr. Richtofen!" She ran up the steps. She wasn't dressed up, in fact, the only thing she held was a small stuffed teddy bear. I looked at her, confused slightly, but knelt down to her height. 

"Hello, Samantha." I smiled, as she stuck her hand out for me to grab."Where is your costume?"

She looked down at her feet, a bit nervously. "Well... daddy wouldn't get me one... he said that it isn't good for me to be out on the streets."

"So... you aren't supposed to be here?" 

She simply fumbled with the hem of her dress, looking around nervously. I understood that her father would be angry with her if he knew she was out, but that didn't mean I couldn't help make her night a bit better. "Samantha, would you like a cookie?" 

She nodded happily, her lips revealing her nearly toothless mouth. 

"Very well." I said, smiling.

I turned back to Eliza, and fell silent when I was met with a surprised, almost scared look. Eliza's eyes traveled toward Samantha, and Samantha seemed equally as fixated. Eliza swallowed visibly, her eyes becoming a bit watery.

"Eliza?" Was all I could say, as she took a cookie from the tray, handing it to Samantha with care. 

Samantha took the cookie, but her brows furrowed and her eyes never left Eliza's face, her greenish irises boring holes into the maid.

"I've heard daddy talking about you..." Sam muttered unexpectedly as she began to take a step back.  

I knitted my eyebrows together, and glanced at Eliza.

"You're a bad woman." She spoke, with venom dripping through her steely words. Samantha took more steps backward, walking down the steps.

Eliza blinked and her eyes seemed to be glazed over. I noticed how her entire body tensed as she glared the little girl.

What on Earth was this?

"Samantha, let me walk you home." I said, placing my hand on her back and hurrying her out of the situation. I glanced back at Eliza as I walked down the stairs, only the see the door close abruptly. 

Samantha began to eat her cookie as we walked. I could not get the last two minutes out of my head. 

Eliza is a bad woman? What had Samantha meant?