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Today wasn't your day huh. Made clear as you stumbled to get up. You weren't really sure what just happened. The last thing you remember was feeling the earth shake and you praying that today wasn't your last day on earth. Afterwards. Everything seemed to be a blank. Clutching your head as you rubbed it to perhaps ease your headache, you moved slowly up from the ground. Crouching by some table. Holding on to it to keep you leveled. The room was dark. Uncomfortably dark. You patted yourself down and then your pockets hoping that your phone was on you and to your luck it was. Relaxing you pulled it out and turned it on. Quickly closing your eyes shut as you were blinded by its light. Opening your eyes for a second as you began navigating through your phone for the flashlight, your eyes finally adjusted to its brightness and quickly pressing the flashlight button. The phone's light filled the room. You turned it around all over the room and didn't know what to make of what you were looking at.
It was like you stepped into some historical period show. Even more so that some things instantly reminded you of those pinterest boards of rooms your friends would send that they labeled as a specific aesthetic. Like some sort of style or core, the closest you could think of was like royaltycore. Your minds was quickly drifting to unimportant things. Where the hell was your bag. Your flashed the light around you and were ever so thankful for your backpack laying beside you. Once again you were relieved. Grabbing your bag you placed your arms through the straps. Your bag was light around this time of the week. Your college classes were Monday through Thursday, and Wednesdays you had fewer classes which equaled a lighter bag.
Slowly you stood up from the ground and just glanced around your surroundings for a second.
"Where…" You mumbled and looked through your phone for Google maps. When you opened the app, everything seemed to be working fine until your location appeared or rather a lack of. It wouldn't show you were you were or anything really. It was like the map was broken.
Were you kidnapped or something? Did something happen when you passed out? What was going on? All these questions filled your head. A concern growing larger and larger in your stomach.
Taking a deep breath and calming yourself you thought about your situation.
You don't know where you are. Your map isn't working. But you still have your stuff on you. You trying to logically think of your situation made it worse because if you were kidnapped why would they leave your stuff, unless since your map wasn't working they know you can't get your location. Growing dread filled your stomach. Quickly you began to dial 911 and were greeted with an automatic voice message, it was like your data ran out or something.
You started to wonder if you were in some real life version of Saw or Squid Game. With that thought in mind you looked around for anything heavy. After finding what looked like some candle holder, you held it tight and looked at the door.
Calm and quiet, you repeated to yourself as you walked towards the door. Turning off your camera flashlight thinking it best so that no one can spot you. You then started to turn the doorknob till finally you pulled back softly and looked out into the dark hallway
There was no way you would be able to see where you going without light. Instead of turning your flashlight on you turned your phone and simply faced your phone screen into the darkness giving the dark hallway some light. You then began taking slow steps, to see if you made any sort of noise. When you realized your steps were quiet you began picking up the pace.
Your anxiety was running through the roof as you walked and walked, feeling like you were in a endless maze.
It wasn't too bad till after awhile of looking and checking some doors that you felt like something was watching you. It made you shiver and you have never before been so scared in your life.
You tried to have hope that perhaps it was all in your head and that nothing was following you as you kept checking behind you but you also started to think about it. Logically. You shouldn't feel like something is watching you unless something is watching you. Why else would you get that feeling. Honestly if you were somewhere haunted then your just going to ignore it and any door that opens up on it own. You don't dare to mess with things you probably shouldn't mess with.
When you were about to turn around you heard something in front of you and quickly looked ahead but still you saw nothing.
You began to walk run.
Nope. Nope. NOPE.
Was the words screaming in your head.
You started to hear footsteps. It was driving you mad. You started picking up your pace. When you finally saw a corner you turned only to literally scream except your scream was muffled by a gloved hand covering your mouth.
The person covering your mouth was a man dressed in black, holding something like your candle holder with an actual candle on it that was lit.
"I'm going to remove my hand in a moment. But I will need you to not make a sound. A guest shouldn't be rude now, yes?"
Your eyes were wide while your face was between cringing and fear, you took a breath or at least tried to, and then nodded.
He smiled lightly before removing his hand from your mouth. "Good. Now. Might I inquire what it is you are doing running about this estate?"
You swallowed nervously and spoke almost shakingly. "I- I don't know..I woke up in a room somewhere and I've been trying to leave. Look. I don't know what I'm doing here, but I won't tell anyone. So please. Let me leave." You begged quietly.
He pondered what you said. His eyes pierced into you like he was looking for something.
"You woke up in one of the rooms and have been trying to leave." He said repeating your reply with an almost curious and yet questioning tone.
"Yes."
After a moment of silence. He seemed to have decided something. "Come with me."
You were hesitant but did you really have much of a choice. "Okay."
He turned around and began walking and you followed after. Refusing to let go of the candle holder.
…
"You can put that down. No harm shall come to you."
"I'm good."
You failed to notice the slight amusement that graced his features for a short moment. As of now your in what appeared to be a darkly lit kitchen, old fashioned in its appearance. Glancing around it you were brought back to the man and noticed hit appearance. A butler uniform? Your thoughts were disturbed when a rumble in your stomach cut through the air.
He glanced at you. "Would you like something to eat?"
"...Should I?"
"Why shouldn't you?"
"I don't know. I'm not the kidnapper."
"You think I kidnapped you?"
"How else would I be here?"
"How else indeed." He was moving and grabbing things but you hardly pay attention. You looked around for anything sharp. You weren't going to grab it yet but it's nice to know where in case things escalate.
"Why am I here?"
"Percisely what I would like to know."
And suddenly he presented you with some tea and a dish you could not recognize. Even when he told you what it was, you were both impressed and also confused. How in the world did he make that so fast.
"That is partially what I planned to prepare for tommorow's breakfast. Do enjoy."
"Your fast."
"Thank you. I pride myself in my skill."
Poking your food with a fork, you weren't sure if you should take a bite but at the same time this man had so many opportunities to knock you out or hurt you that it wasn't funny. If he's doing all this then perhaps harm was the least of your worries and you were very hungry. You took a single bite and soon you found yourself devouring your meal, you were so hungry and it was so good. The best breakfast you ever had. Even the tea was good and your weren't even that much a fan of tea.
Once you finished. You realized he had been watching you the entire time. Wiping your mouth, and taking another sip of your tea you looked up at him with your hunger satiated and attention now diverted to him.
"Thank you."
"You are welcome."
"Please. Sir. Can you tell me where I am at least?"
"You are in the Phantomhive estate, the house and domain of Earl Ciel Phantomhive."
"Phantomhive?" You were even more confused.
"Okay..where is Phantomhive estate?"
"You are in London."
You blinked at him and just started at him before standing up suddenly and almost shouting.
"London!? What the hell am I doing in London!?"
"Please. Quiet down. I do not need you waking up the young master now. Surely if you do, he may be quite upset with you. Your punishment would be out of my hands."
"Punishment? But I don't want to be here. I didn't- I don't even know how I got here. I was in America. A m e r i c a." You clapped lightly with emphasis.
"America?"
"Yes! So how the hell did I get from the U.S to the U.K?!" You shouted lightly taking his words seriously.
He seemed to be thinking as you continued speaking.
"Oh my goodness- why me? Why? I have finals approaching- I have a job- i- I got bills- I don't even think I have enough money on me to travel back!"
You were starting to panic. Your mind rushing to the worst of this entire situation.
"What am I going to do?"
You felt your world swirling, like you were dizzy and your heart was beating fast. So fast that you felt you couldn't control your own breathing.
"What-" Before you could finish your tangent on what ifs, you felt a hand at your back and arm on your shoulder. "Take a breath."
You closed your eyes.
"Breathe." His voice was like a siren's song. Pulling you down back to ground level. "If you can not focus on the sound of your heart. Then listen to my voice." You felt his hands run slowly side to side against your back. You could feel your heart beat slowly.
Looking at him now. You noticed his eyes weren't brown like you thought but an unnatural crimson.
"Thank you."
He nodded before letting go of you and backing away. "I will discuss with my Master your current situation."
"You don't think I'm lying?"
He chuckled. "I don't. I am rather good at telling when someone lies."
You leaned against the table and watched as he grabbed your dishes and began washing them. His back turned to you.
"What's your name?" You told him yours before he could respond as well as greeted him properly.
He turned around to look at you, dish and cloth in hand. "I am Sebastian Michaelis. It is nice to meet you as well."
You smile abit.
"I didn't think I would spend my Wednesday afternoon…night? In London with a butler." You said mostly to yourself but it was loud enough for him to hear.
"I think not. It is quite the mystery of your arrival though I do not think it the worst, don't you agree?"
"No..I don't."
"Well then. Shall we get you to bed. It is rather late. I must prepare for tommorow."
"Right. Okay."
…
You screamed when you woke up to Sebastian greeting you in the morning thinking you were at home in your strangely suddenly more comfortable bed. You almost fell off it when he grabbed you midway down.
"I'm starting to wonder if this is going to be a habit whenever you see my face. Does my face startle you so much?
You were adjusting and quickly moved up with him and sat down on the bed.
"No I- um sorry. I thought that I was dreaming about last night. I don't usually wake up to anyone other than my alarm clock."
"I assure you that the events of last night were not a dream as much you wish it be. My master requested I wake you. He had decided you are a true guest for the time being and will have you dine with him for the breakfast as well as the rest of today's meals."
"Oh okay."
You were about to get up and walk to your closet to get something to change into but you remember that you couldn't because this wasn't your home. You didn't have any personal items on you except for what's in your bag.
"I placed a change of clothes for you in the closet, and a bath is being run as well. I will come get you again by the time your finished and bring you to breakfast."
You nod sleepy before nodding really fast showing that you were awake.
"Thank you Sebastian."
"It is of no issue." He bowed lightly before leaving the room.
You were kinda in awe of how he was acting. You've never met a butler before. So this was very strange experience.
You picked up your phone and looked through it. Surprisingly your battery hadn't decreased or increased. You were even able to open your social media but you weren't able to post or text anyone. This was becoming really odd.
…
You couldn't help but eye Sebastian as he walked you down the hall. You were wearing some of his clothes you realized, because they were identical except for the overcoat and gloves. You felt so weird dressing like this on a wednesday morning.
"Something on your mind?" He asked.
"Uh..Yah. A lot really…should I be nervous meeting your…master?" It felt weird to say that.
"I wouldn't unless you have something to worry about."
"Right."
"You have manners correct?"
"Uhhh I think. I can be respectful." You said unsure on what he counted as manners but you were a respectful person.
He gave you a light smile. "Then you will be fine."
"Right." You took a breath. "I'll be fine."
For some reason, the look on Sebastian's face seemed close to amusement.
…
"So you're our trespasser." The boy clearly wasn't asking and instead was more clarifying.
"Yah. Um. Sorry about that. I wasn't trying to. I really don't know how I even got here."
You began explaining everything from the moment you woke up to now.
"I see."
The boy seemed to be eyeing his butler before looking at you.
"And what would you have me do?"
"I honestly just need a phone that works so I can call someone. Mine isn't working."
You pulled out your phone as you spoke.
The boy, Ciel, raised an eyebrow.
"What is that?"
"..my phone."
"Your phone?" Ciel was giving you a look.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No. I am assuming you're referring to a telephone. If so, that is not any telephone that I've ever seen."
"Huh? I'm sorry. What kind of phone do you use then?"
"A rotary dial. The only kind."
Your mind was breaking moment by moment.
"Is this…an aesthetic or something?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well- how could you not have a phone? Your rich right?"
"While I am wealthy. I assure you. That whatever that you hold is. Telephone or not. Is not something I've ever seen. All those who could afford a telephone of any sort will have the kind that I possess."
"I- but that doesn't make any sense. This is 2023? Why would you use rotary dials?" You ask more confused than frustrated.
Ciel stopped moving and gently placed his tea cup back down.
"2023?"
"Yes. 2023?"
Ciel as well as the other servants who had been watching the entire thing were now silent. The Earl then broke that silence.
"The current year is 1888."
"Your joking."
"I'm not."
"...but..that's.."
"Should be impossible."
"Yes."
"And yet."
"I'm here."
"Your here."
You downed your entire cup of tea.
Ciel seemed as stunned as you.
You just slouched in your chair and began internally groaning.