Episode 5

Jester’s Pov

It’s been a week now since my Little Maroon’s been here with me. We’ve grown so close. She’s been helping me around a lot, she’s practically my apprentice now. She has unlimited candy and DEW MNT. The DEW MNT really has me hyped up and I get work done three times faster. It’s almost like drinking coffee except it tastes better.

I’ve been watching Little Maroon very closely. Not just because I’m concerned about her depression but also because, well, I think I love her. Her looks, her personality, her love for coffins and working with the dead. She’s absolutely perfect. Izayoi and Kuran stop by every once in a while to talk about the kidnapping and seeing if there were any new methods the killer has come up with a torture. Why, just as I was thinking about that the little lord and his servant came in. “Jester?” Kuran called out. I opened up the coffin I was in. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit this time?” I asked. “How many bodies have you received and I’d also like to take a look at a few.” He replied.

“Heh heh heh heh heh. Give me first rate laughter.” I said. Sighing the little lord called for his butler. “Izayoi.” He ordered. “Yes, my lord.” Said the butler. Kuran and Little Maroon walked outside while Izayoi cracked a joke. Just before he could even get halfway done we heard screaming. Kuran’s and Armina’s. “IZAYOI!!!” Kuran screamed, followed by Armina’s blood curdling screams. We didn’t waste any time. I summoned my scythe and bolted out the doors with Izayoi behind me. We saw a carriage rushing off. We ran after it with our weapons. Me with my scythe and Izayoi with a few throwing knives.

I knew we couldn’t catch them on foot without giving ourselves away so I hurried back to the shop and hopped on my horse after detaching her from the carriage. I raced after the carriage that had Armina and Kuran. I made a promise to myself that I would always protect her. Izayoi was jumping from building to building and I quickly caught up with him on my horse. “You’ll never catch them on foot! Hop on!” I yelled. He jumped down and landed   behind me on my horse. We caught up to the carriage and I was about to plunge my scythe into the bastard’s skull. “I wouldn’t do that. If the horse goes out of control, then the child and young lady will die in the crash.” taunted the bloody kidnapper.

I held back my scythe and tried shattering the windows. They wouldn’t break. “He replaced the window with rubber.” Izayoi pointed out. I could hear screaming and fist pounding on the inside. I began kicking and punching the carriage. I was able to make a small hole. I was about to tear apart the whole side of that carriage when the kidnapper threw some kind of powder into my horse’s eyes causing us to go out of control. The horse fell over and I did my best not to get killed. Izayoi helped me to my feet and the carriage with Kuran and Little Maroon were gone. My eyes turned blood red. “We’ll find them.” Izayoi reassured me.

Armina’s POV

 I had to wait outside with Kuran again while Izayoi told Jester another joke. A carriage pulled up behind us. There were black curtains on the windows and the man driving it had really short brown hair and a few chunks were missing. He wore an oversized coat and a mask. “Hey, you kids. Can you help me out? I need help re-attaching the hinges to the carriage.” The man asked Kuran and slowly walked over to the man but I stopped him and walked in front of him. I looked at the hinges and they seemed to be fine. I glanced at Kuran then back at the carriage. Suddenly the man grabbed us.

I started screaming for my life but the man quickly covered my mouth. “IZAYOI!!!” Kuran screamed. I stomped down on the man's foot and screamed again. He shoved us into the carriage and locked the door. Kuran and I screamed bloody murder and banged on the door. I felt the carriage drive off fast and I attempted to bust open the window. But I couldn't. The glass has been replaced with rubber. “FREAK!” I screamed. I started pounding on the wood with my fists. My knuckles were bleeding but that didn’t stop me. I managed to crack the wood. I heard another horse just outside the carriage. I heard pounding on the windows and I peeked behind the curtains as best as I could and saw Jester. “JESTER!” I screamed.

Though he probably couldn’t hear me. He started pounding on the carriage and he made a hole. He was about to break the whole door but then his horse went out of control. “No!” I screamed. He was so close! I began ripping the hole more. Kuran helped out too. We began screaming outside the hole in hope someone would hear us. “Quiet down you brats!” The man yelled at us.

“LET US GO YOU PRICK!!!” I screamed. “I’m gonna kill you first!” He yelled back. The carriage came to a stop and we tried getting out through the hole but failed. He hurried and dragged us into some shed warehouse thing. I kicked, screamed and flung my arms around. Kuran and I were dragged into separate rooms, Kuran in the attic, and me in the basement. I didn’t want him hurting Kuran. He was just a boy.

The man threw me on a bed and pulled out a knife. I jumped at the man and dug my nails into his eyes. The man screamed in pain. I tried making a run for the stairs but he grabbed me by my hair and shoved me onto the bed. He then jumped on top of me. “I’m gonna have fun with you.” He smirked. He grabbed a fist of my bangs and lifted them up revealing my brownish green eyes. “Such beautiful eyes. I’ll have fun taking them out.” he said tracing the knife over my eyes lid. “You twisted freak.” I spat. He smiled then head butted me. I fell over and my vision blurred. I could just barely see him strapping my hands and feet to the bed. Once my vision turned back to normal I saw him about to unbutton my pants. I don’t care if he kills me. I want to die. I just don’t wanna get raped.

I began screaming again  but then the man stuffed a gag in my mouth. He began unbuttoning my pants again and the only thing I could think to do was panic. I closed my eyes just wanting to die already. I then heard the door burst open and the man being lifted off of me. The sound blood and skin being torn apart was heard. I opened my eyes and saw a decapitated man before me. I saw Jester pulling away his blood soaked scythe. The man’s soul spilled out and Jester collected it. He then unstrapped me and took the gag out of my mouth. He scooped me up into his arms and held me close to him.

“I thought I’d lost you.” He whispered into my ear. I cried into his chest and didn’t say anything. I took a deep breath and said. He’s upstairs in the attic, Kuran’s in the attic.” Jester set me down and I bolted for the attic with Jester and Izayoi at my heel. I didn’t even bother grabbing the door knob. I just rammed into the door and it came crashing down. “Armina?!” Kuran asked in shock “My lord, are you hurt?” Asked Izayoi. “No, I’m fine, but Armina’s injured.” Said Kuran pointing at my knuckles Jester gently grabbed my wrist and pulled my sleeves off my hands and observed my knuckles. “What did he do to you?” Asked Jester.”It was from me pounding on the doors.” I said in a shaky voice.

“I’ll be fine.” I said. Tears were pouring out of my eyes. Jester wiped away my tears and held me close to him. “It’ll be alright, Little Maroon. I’ll never let anyone or anything harm you.” He cooed. I was still shaking in fear over what had almost happened. We went back outside and Jester hopped on to his horse then helped me up. “Thank you, for trying to save me.” Said Kuran, I looked down at him. “No problem, Lord Kuran.” I said nodding my head as a bow. “You’re always welcomed at my manor.” Said Kuran. “Come, Izayoi.” Kuran ordered. “Certainly.” Izayoi replied. Jester and I rode off back to his shop. I wrapped my arms around him. So, one I wouldn’t fall off and two, I just wanted to hold him. I felt one of his hands place itself on top of mine. His thumb lightly rubbed my hands.

Once we were back in the shop, Jester asked, “Are you feeling ok, Little Maroon?” Asked Jester. “I’m fine.” I reassured him, after taking a deep breath. He opened the door for me and I entered. I sat down on a closed coffin and Jester went to the back of the shop. He came back with a first aid kit. “Did you hurt yourself?” I asked. “No, silly. I’m gonna patch up your knuckles.” He replied. Oh… he gently grabbed my wrists and started cleaning the blood off. He then used some rubbing alcohol to disinfect the wounds. Finally he wrapped bandages around my knuckles. “Thanks.” I said. I’m just glad you’re safe.” he replied. That night when I laid down for bed I was facing Jester this time. He brought me close to him and I rested my hand on his chest. “Good night, Jester.” I said, beating him to say good night. “Good night, Little Maroon.” Jester hummed, he then kissed my forehead.

The next day, we were on our way to visit Kuran Pandemonium. He had visited us over for lunch and tea. Er, um, I don’t like tea. Jester knocked one time on the door and let us in. “Good afternoon Jester, Lady Armina.” Greeted Izayoi “Please, there’s no need to call me Lady Armina. I’m good with Armina.” I said. “My apologies, Armina.” He corrected himself. “It’s cool.” I said. We were led to a dining hall. I’ve always wanted to see the inside of the Pandemonium Manor. “Hello, Armina and Jester.” said Kuran. “Hiiiiii.” Jester greeted in his usual creepy tone. “Hey.” I said. Kuran beckoned us to sit down and we did. Izayoi left to retrieve the food. He then came back with a tray of grilled cheese sandwiches. They were a perfect golden color and they tasted wonderful. “What would you like to drink?” Izayoi asked. “Tea!” Answered Jester. “Uh, do you have cranberry juice?” I asked. “We do.” He replied. “Green tea.” said Kuran. Izayoi soon came back with our drinks.

After lunch, I looked around the room in awe. “Would you like a tour?” Asked Kuran. “Sure.” I replied, trying to seem calm. “Izayoi, show Armina around the manor.” Kuran ordered. “Certainly, my lord. Armina, if you would come with me.” Izayoi motioned me to follow.

After the tour was over the gorgeous manor. “Well?” Asked Izayoi. “It really is big on the inside. Er, it’s magnificent!” I exclaimed. Izayoi gave me a small smile in return. “So, how have you been?” He asked. “Really good. Hey, can I tell you something? I kind of need advice.” I asked. “Certainly.” He replied.”Well, lately I’ve been feeling weird. Like in my emotions.” I said “Whatever do you mean?” Izayoi asked. “Ok, like, I don’t know, when these weird feelings that I’ve never felt before and I really can’t explain what’s going on with me.” I explained. Izayoi gave me another small smile and chuckled. “Why, Armina, don't you understand? You’re in love.” said Izayoi.

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