𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕼𝖚𝖊𝖊𝖓'𝖘 𝕷𝖎𝖔𝖓: 𝕯𝖎𝖘𝖈𝖎𝖕𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖉

The Fourteenth Man

TW: Mentions of murder, corpses, and Charles Grey

"That fourteenth guest who ought not to exist..." Lau trailed off, trying to get a good scare out of everyone.

"Hmph!" Woodley scoffed skeptically. "There's no way such a fantastical person can-"

"Young Master!" Bard shouted as he threw open the lounge door, a strange and soaking wet bag in his hand.

"We've caught someone dodgy!" Finny announced as he and Mey-Rin followed in close procession behind the chef. Ciel and Y/N shot each other shocked looks before Y/N spoke up.

"Well don't just stand there, bring him in!" Y/N shouted.

"You heard the Lady! Get in here, you!" Bard yelled at the mystery person who still hadn't entered the lounge. Wet footsteps echoed through the damp air as the new guest walked in through the doorway. He was soaking wet from head to toe, pale, and had a raven-esk face. His ruby eyes were slightly sunken in and his features were slender, defined and prominent. Much like the rope that was tied around his arms and waist. Everyone just stared at the man in utterly shocked silence. No one had really thought it was at all possible for there to be an extra guest, yet there he stood before them.

"Wai-So there really was someone else?" Grey sputtered in disbelief. "Where on Earth was he hiding?"

"You are..." Ciel muttered.

"O-Oh my God..." Y/N whispered as she placed a hand over her gaping mouth.

"So that means... He is the killer?" Woodley gasped.

"Heh..." Lau let out a soft chuckle as he took a long drawl from his pipe. "I never for a moment imagined that the fourteenth guest would himself come calling," Lau mused as he rose to his feet. "I too am just a teensy bit taken aback!" Lau continued to chuckle darkly as he made his way over to the mystery man's side and placed a hand on his wet shoulder. "So who are you?"Lau asked, his whole 'dark and mysterious' aura evaporating into thin air.

"You're back to that again?" Ciel grumbled.

"Are you asking for my name?" The man's voice was deep and almost worn.

"Long time no see... Eh, Jeremy?" Ciel asked.

"So it really is you..." Y/N breathed out. "You've changed so much, I hardly didn't recognize you..."

"Lord Earl, Lady Y/N, do you know this old man?" Lau asked them.

"Old man?" Jeremy repeated, cocking a brow in offense.

"Uh, yes, we do," Ciel muttered. "This is Vicar Jeremy Rathbone. He is a popular advisor at the local church and something of a celebrity."

"Please just call me plain old Jeremy," Jeremy insisted with a smile.

"He was an old family friend of mine. Unfortunately he and my father had differing views and I haven't seen him since I was in my early teens," Y/N explained. "I bet you don't even recognize me."

"Oh I could never forget such a character as you, Little Y/N. What a fine young lady you have grown into," Jeremy beamed over to her.

"You are... A vicar?" Doyle mumbled.

"How can you expect me to believe a suspicious fellow like him?" Woodley shouted as he jabbed a finger at Jeremy. "Only the fourteenth person, who has no alibi to speak of, could've committed the murders! Any way you slice it, it's got to be him!"

"That logic of yours is truly nonsensical... Mister Woodley," Jeremy smirked.

"How do you know my name?" Woodley sputtered as he stumbled backwards. Jeremy just offered him a demeaning smirk that looked strangely familiar.