Chapter 1

Seven P.O.V.

I've been running for so long now. I can barely feel my legs. Surrounded by darkness, little light coming from the moon, I swiftly ran through the trees at ease. No one should be able to follow me through here so quickly. It had started to rain, and I was beginning to get covered in mud. I suddenly ran out from the trees into a clearing. Panicking someone might see me, I checked my surroundings quickly. I realised I was in the grounds of a large house. Maybe I could hide there for the night. I made a run for the house, getting closer and closer when…

BANG!

A shot from behind! But how?! I had been found.

BANG!

I dodged the bullet. I was less than 100 feet away from the house when I heard another shot and I felt a searing pain in my leg. I let out a cry and fell to the ground. If this is it for me, that's fine. So long as I never have to go back to that place. My vision stared to blur, when I saw a tall dark figure leaning over me. I closed my eyes and embraced the darkness.

I awoke in a room filled with candle light. I tried to look around but I couldn't turn my head. I was laying on my back on a bed, looking up at the ceiling. My vision was back to normal.

Seven- 'Where am I?'

?- 'You're at the Phantomhive Manor,' said a voice.

My eyes widened. Who said that? I couldn't turn my head to see where the voice had come from. I saw a shadow move, and a figure stood over me.

?- 'Don't worry, you're safe here.'

I looked up at a tall, slender man, dressed in black. I noticed immediately that he had red eyes... and was quite handsome.

Seven- 'Who are you?'

?- 'I am Sebastian, a butler at the Phantomhive Manor. I'm afraid you were shot. I have been ordered to take care of you.'

Seven- 'You saved me? What about the people following me?'

Sebastian- 'Don't worry. They were… taken care of.'

His lips curled as he seemed to smile. Huh?

Seven- 'How come I can't move?'

Sebastian- 'That's just an effect of the medicine we used. It will wear off soon enough. Until then, please, get some rest.'

He was about to leave.

Seven- 'Wait.'

He stopped.

Seven- 'Can I stay here? Just for a while?'

He sighed.

Sebastian- 'Get some rest.'

And with that, he left the room. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

I opened my eyes. I can move this time. I sat up slowly, and looked down at my leg. I had been shot just below my knee, and it hurt like hell. There were bloody bandages wrapped around the wound. They needed changing. Wait! Who dressed my wound?! Was it… him?! Through my panic, I could hear voices…

-'She is to leave as soon as she is well enough.'

-'Yes, my Lord.'

-'We will take her to the nearest town. That way we can be sure she got somewhere safely.'

-'Yes, my Lord.'

Oh. I'm to be taken away as soon as possible. It only made sense as I was already intruding. I sighed, and started undoing my bandages. My leg stung a little, but it seemed much better already. I got the bandages off and saw the wound. It had been neatly stitched. As I touched it gently, admiring the work, the door opened. I shrieked and covered my leg. It was Sebastian.

Sebastian- 'Excuse me.'

He looked down at my leg.

Sebastian- 'Please, don't. I will tend to it for you.'

He brought a bowl of water and a cloth.

Sebastian- 'May I?'

I nodded, and lifted my skirt again. He wet the cloth and carefully cleaned my leg. His gloved hand brushed against my skin softly, causing me to blush a little. I stared at his face, it was a lot closer this time. I quietly admired his features, not a single flaw. He suddenly looked up at me.

Sebastian- 'Why are you staring? Your face is red, are you running a fever?'

Seven- 'N-no! I'm fine!'

I quickly looked down. He carried on with what he was doing. He picked up a bandage and began to wrap it around my leg.

Seven- 'Please don't… take me to the next town when I've recovered.'

Sebastian stopped and looked at me, eyes wide.

Sebastian- 'What did you say?'

Seven- 'When I'm well again, you're going to take me away. Please, let me stay! I will try my best to be of some use to you!'

I grabbed his hand.

Seven- 'I'm begging you. I can't go back!'

My hands were shaking, Sebastian still stared at me. His eyes narrowed.

Sebastian- 'Who told you that?'

Seven- 'Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, it's just I overheard you talking…'

Sebastian- 'I thought I told you not to get up, and to rest.'

He seemed a little angry.

Seven- 'I didn't get up. I heard you from here, in bed.'

Sebastian- 'I had that conversation with the young master five rooms away, along the corridor. How did you…?'

Seven- 'I have very good hearing. And sight too, I can see very well in the dark. They're just some… gifts I have.'

I frowned.

Sebastian- 'I see.'

He finished off and stood up.

Sebastian- 'There are some clean clothes prepared for you over there. Also, there has been a bath prepared for you in the next room. Please wash.I shall be back later to change the dressing.'

Oh, that's right. I'm still covered in mud.

Seven- 'I'm so sorry to have been a burden. Thank you very much for taking care of me.'

He just nodded and left the room. I couldn't hear any other conversations. I must be really far from anyone else. I sighed and got up to wash.

Some time had passed, and I still hadn't left this room. There was a knock at the door.

Seven- 'Y-yes?'

Sebastian entered.

Sebastian- 'It seems it is your lucky day. The young master and I think you will prove useful after all. It just so happens we are in need of someone to tend to the animals and stables. If you would like, the job is yours.'

Seven- 'Y-yes! Thank you so much! I won't let you down.'

Sebastian- 'So, what do we call you?'

Seven- 'They call me Seven.'

Sebastian- 'Interesting.'

I think he just smiled.

Sebastian- 'Well then, let me introduce you to everyone…'