Masquerade Spring

Prologue


It was spring time in London, and The Director of the Morningstar Toy Company was going to meet a client today.
The Director was a lean young man, around seventeen with shoulder length silver hair and cerulean blue eyes. He wasn’t too tall of a man but tall none the less, and he had a perfect white smile. He seemed to like to smile. Was it because he owned one of the most profitable toy companies or was it because he was just happy all the time? No one ever really asked.
“Good afternoon sir, how was your trip here? Not too rough I hope” he said with a smile as usual.
“No, no it was fine” replied his client “it was actually quiet enjoyable Aaron.”
“Good because we might be here for a while” said Aaron “Now come into my office Mr. Sutcliff we have much to discuss.”
The Director, Aaron Morgenstern led Mr. Sutcliff to his office near the other side of the building. “Come in and sit down in that chair Mr. Sutcliff and we shall start discussions” The Director said with a smile, he turned back before closing the door “Ms. Victoria can you please send something to drink for the both of us if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all sir” she replied and headed off.
“Good, that is now settled” he said with a mumble and turned back to his client with of slight smile on his face and closed the door. “Shall we start?” he asked.
“Cut the charade Morgenstern. You know exactly why I am here; I just played along with you until we got alone.”
Aaron just sat down and smiled back at him
“What charade Sutcliff?”
“You owe me, and I know what you do when you aren’t being a spoiled little brat in this toy company,” he said back to him in a serious tone. “Unless you want to be exposed, I suggest you give me what I want and we all can be happy.”
Before Aaron could answer the woman came into the office with a tray of tea.
“Here you go sir I made one cup how you like it and I made a special cup for the client” she said with a smile
“Thank you Ms. Victoria you may leave the tray here on my desk and leave”
The woman nodded and left closing the door behind her.
“Now Mr. Sutcliff what were you saying?” he said in a sarcastic tone handing a cup to the other man.
“You heard me! I will expose you for who you really are Aaron or should I call you The Grim Reaper.”
Mr. Sutcliff had an evil smile as he said that. Taking a drink from his cup, he thought if he threatened The Director he would get what he wanted, and what he wanted was money, but Aaron was unfazed by this.
“I don’t care what you say. It won’t really matter soon anyway” Aaron replied in a cool, calm voice.
“What do you…?”
Mr. Sutcliff didn’t get to finish his sentence before he started to choke. Aaron got up and kneeled before him taking his face in his hands.
“You see Mr. Sutcliff you’re not going to tell anyone who I am, you want to know why?” he said with his ever so bright smile “It’s because you’re not going to leave this office alive to tell anyone.”
“W-why…h-how d-did…you k-know” Sutcliff managed to get out.
“I have my resources Mr. Sutcliff, and someone like you is not going to bring me down from my empire.”
Aaron got up from his position and wiped himself off.
“Life is like a game of chess Mr. Sutcliff, you have to move your pieces right or you will ultimately put yourself in checkmate.”
The Director left the office with a smile and mumbled something to himself.
“I do hope you find me soon brother otherwise this game of chess won’t be as fun.”













Chapter One
Another one dead


Several days later in a London home…



A servant came running through the manor as fast as he could, only to stop at a door with another person inside of it.
“Master…did you hear…”
He stopped at what he heard.
‘Reports have been confirmed, the body found in the street was in fact Mr. William Sutcliff. The police say that Mr. Sutcliff was already dead before the body was…’
“That’s about enough of that.”
The man turned off the radio set and turned to the young boy before him.
“As you can see Finnian I already know” he walked over to him.
“S-sir are you mad?” Finnian asked.
“No, I’m not just a little miffed that the police didn’t notify me sooner as to who the body was.”
“B-but Master Claude didn’t you already know who it was?” Finnian asked.
The one he was addressing was Claude Michaelis; he is the owner of the Michaelis Sweets Company. Besides being the best sweets manufacturer, the Michaelis family has for generations served under her Majesty the Queen of England. They serve as her guard dogs protecting London, taking on any cases that come up to be of a suspicious and dangerous nature, more than just what the police call a “normal murder”.
Now Mr. Michaelis is quite young, 12 years of age to be exact. Shoulder length platinum silver hair, and amethyst colored eyes, with somewhat pale skin that was fine to the touch, and of course the child like features for his age.
Claude is mature for his age for he inherited the estate and everything else when his parents and older brother died of a horrible accident. Since then he has taken up on his duty to keep the family company running and serving as the Queen’s dog. Besides that he is also the observant but artistic type and likes everything to be nice and he observes every detail of his artwork and just about everything else.
Claude went and sat down at his desk and answered the boy.
“No, Finnian I didn’t know that’s why I’m a bit upset the Queen asked me to take on this case and have the police share anything they had with me first.”
He looked at Finnian with a bit of an angry stare, but laid his head on the desk with a sigh.
“I’m hungry Finnian. Tell Sebastian to send something sweet up for me please” he ordered.
“Y-yes sir!”
With a salute, the boy Finnian, ran out of the office and towards the kitchen.
Claude heard a crash and a ‘sorry it was an accident’ further down the hall.
That boy is so fast I wonder if he even looks where he is going, he thought to himself.
Claude picked up a folder that was on his desk and opened it up. It held records of all the people that have died in the past month or so.
“I can understand why Her Majesty wants me to investigate this; all six of the victims have died in different ways. But they are all near the same location and all of them had that same mask on, with that same wicked smile on its face.”
This case was puzzling him, none of the victims in any sort of way where related to each other. Besides the fact that they all worked and owned some of the country’s major companies.
Just then Claude heard a knock at the door.
It must be Sebastian He thought.
“You can come in Sebastian.”
As he said that another man came in, with a tray of small sweets on it. This man was very tall and lean, but still physically fit from what people could tell. His hair was black with a visual layer style cut. He had crimson red eyes and a white smile; overall he was perfect and clean.
“You know you shouldn’t have sweets this early you might spoil your dinner” he said in a bit of a mocking tone. The man, Sebastian placed the tray on the desk before the young master.
“Shut up, I don’t need you contradicting me.” Claude replied. “Besides I wanted you in here to help me anyway.”
“You….need help on solving this; you never need help figuring out who did it.”
“Yes but I need your help on this and you’re the only one here I know who can help, otherwise the rest of the staff are useless in that sort of area.”
Sebastian smiled and sat down in a chair to get comfortable.
“Well give me some of the quick details on the case and I might be able to think of something.”
With that Claude started to explain to Sebastian the details of the case. The fact that all the victims are male, there in there early twenties and they all were important businessmen.
“The part I don’t understand is why these certain men. They have virtually nothing in common with each other. And the fact that they all died differently but still have that same exact mask on their faces is just odd wouldn’t you agree?”
Sebastian just sat there silently going over his thoughts on the facts that his master just presented to him. After his thought process he spoke up.
“Yes I agree with you it is odd that all of the men died a different way, and yes I agree with you that even though that happened they still had that same signature.” He paused “But…. I think these men do have something in common, but before we investigate that, why don’t we go to the undertaker who has been taking these bodies and get a ‘closer look’ for ourselves.”
Claude nodded his head in agreement.
“Alright we will go to the undertaker, ask him what he knows about the bodies other then what the police have provided, then we can investigate further on the different subjects.” He said getting up from his chair. “Get a carriage ready Sebastian we're going to the city to meet Undertaker.”














Chapter Two
Meeting with the Undertaker

The young master and the butler arrived in the city of London. On the more ‘colorful’ side of London that is.
“Young Master is this really the place the police have been sending the bodies to for this investigation?”
“Yes it is this undertaker is the best one and the only one the police will go to for these kinds of cases” he replied “Are you doubting my contacts that I have for such a thing Sebastian?”
“No I’m not I just…didn’t think that Undertaker would be all the way down here in London. I thought he would…be in between the nicer side of the city and this.”
Claude started to walk to the Undertakers door.
“There would be no point of convincing of him to move Sebastian; he is that stubborn when it comes to things.”
Sebastian followed his master, keeping up behind him.
“No his not stubborn he is weird, odd I should put it, I guess actually this might be the kind of place for his kind of ‘personality’”
Both of them got up to the two big doors that lead into the Undertakers shop. Just as Claude was going to knock on the door it opened by itself? The two of them turned to each other each with a creeped expression on both of their faces. Sebastian opened the door wider and both of them went in closing the door behind them.
“Hello, Undertaker are you here?” Claude cried out.
No answer.
“He might be out master maybe we should come back” Sebastian suggested.
The young master shook his head and motion him to come in more with him. The two of the walked further into the undertaker shop. There were empty coffins on the floor and propped up against the wall. The shelves in the place were filled with all sorts of jars with filled with many odd, disgusting and weird things that are unidentifiable.
“I guess he isn’t here” Claude said.
Just as he said that the two of them stopped dead in their tracks as they heard a loud creak coming from behind them. The turned and looked, they saw one of the coffins open in a very haunting manner. A hand came out and gripped the edge and they saw a pair of glowing yellow eyes. The both of them screamed at the top of their lungs. The thing inside of it came out, dressed in a black outfit and long silver hair that was now covering its eyes.
“Stop screaming the both of you it’s just me” Said the man in the black. He put a finger to his lips. “Shhh it’s me Undertaker.”
He laughed at them with a weird and creepy smile. He started to sway a little bit and walked towards them.
Claude threw something small and sharp at him.
“You idiot, don’t scare us like that and it’s NOT FUNNY!”
Undertaker dodged the object and went up to the young boy and pinched his cheek.
“It was funny for me I wanted to get a good laugh at scaring the Queens Guard dog, and the dogs little pet” He said with a mocking smile. “What can I do for you Young Michaelis?”
Both Claude and Sebastian glared at the odd man.
“Well we didn’t come here to make you laugh Undertaker, we came here for some information” Sebastian said. “We want to know everything you do about the six bodies that the police gave you.”
“Oh really now?” replied Undertaker. “Well if you two want to know what I know than you have to pay me with something?”
“What is it Undertaker?” The two of them said at the same time.
Undertaker walked up to the young boy and leaned in close.
“You have to give me your best joke, make me laugh young Earl.”
Undertaker wrapped his arms around his side, swaying a bit with a weird smile on his face. Both Claude and Sebastian were starting to feel very uncomfortable now.
Claude isn’t the one to smile or at least tell a joke, all that sort of feeling basically left him when he started to run everything at his young age.
“Alright fine Undertaker…” Claude said in a low voice. I really don’t want to do this; it’s not right for me.
Just as he was about to try and tell a joke Sebastian stepped in front of him.
“What are you doing Sebastian?” he said to him a bit surprised.
“We don’t have time for such little games, Master please wait outside for a minute and don’t come in until I tell you.”
Claude nodded at him, a bit confused and curious at what Sebastian was going to do. He went to the doors and waited outside. It was quiet from what he could hear from outside the building.
What is he doing in there? He wondered waiting in the silence.
Just than Claude heard a very loud but short scream come from inside the undertaker shop. After the scream stopped the door opened with Sebastian in its frame smiling.
“You can come in now Master, we now can get the information we need.”
Claude walked in a bit unwillingly back into the shop. As he walked back in he saw that Undertaker was slumped over his desk with a smile.
“What exactly did you do to him Sebastian?” he asked.
“I gave him something he wanted, something that would make him smile.”
Both he and Sebastian turned their heads towards the Undertaker.
“I…saw paradise” he mumbled still with a smile.
Sebastian went over and waked Undertaker on the head.
“Can we please get the information now Undertaker!”
Undertaker sat up in his chair and smiled at them.
“Of course you can, you gave me something that made me smile. Now sit you might need to get comfortable” he said motioning them to sit.
The two of them looked around a bit confused. There were coffins every were but there wasn’t any ideal place to sit.
“And where exactly are we supposed to sit” the both of them asked at the same time.
“On a place that is open or you can sit on a coffin.”
Both of them turned to each other and shrugged and found a place to sit.
“Now I did find some things more than the police did and noticed something they didn’t.”
Undertaker told them everything he knew about what he found about the six bodies and what he noticed that the police didn’t.
“Thank you for your time and the information Undertaker” Claude said as he got up stretching.
Sebastian was already standing after the Undertaker had finished.
“Yes thank you.”
The both of them left the shop with Undertaker standing behind them in the door waving.
“I do hope you both come back sometime soon. I enjoyed your company” he said with a bit of a laugh and a smile.





Chapter Three
What now?

As the two of them where riding back to the house Claude was thinking over the information he had just heard.
This person is picking his victims in a certain way. But what did the men have in common with each other. The murder had to have known them in order to have gotten close and kill them; otherwise there was no way someone could get close to any of the six men.
Claude looked at the mask he had in his hand. Before they had left Undertaker had handed them one of the masks that the victims all had on.
“Who knows it might come in handy for the investigation, don’t let one stone go unturned Young Count.”
This mask is a Masquerade mask. Now why would someone mask the victims in this? And why did this person kill each one of his victims differently?
Sebastian was sitting across from his master looking at him.
“There is something troubling you, what is it?” he finally asked.
Claude looked up at him still somewhat in his thoughts.
“I can help to wonder why this kind of mask, and why did this person kill each one of his victims differently” He asked. “Usually when there is a murderer who leaves his maker he kills the victims in a similar fashion each time.”
Claude paused and looked down at the smiling mask.
“But this one is different it’s like…he wants to play some sick game with us, see if we can catch him if he changes his ways. Of course he will keep something in his ‘game’ the same but…”
Sebastian took the mask out of his Master’s hands.
“Master remember everything is not what it seems, especially in this case you have to be vigilant and observant and I know for a fact you’re both.”
Sebastian relaxed back into his seat and spoke again.
“This really is a strange case, and I agree with you I think who ever this person is playing some sort of game as you said” he said looking down at the mask himself. “But now the question what kind of game is he playing, if we figure it out we might be able to play along with him and beat him instead of just watching the game.”
Sebastian leaned over to him.
“Be observant, Master, at every little detail I know you can do that.”
Claude looked back over at Sebastian and smiled.
“So your saying if we figure out what he is playing at we can play along and beat him at his own game. I will fight for control on this Sebastian; I have yet to lose at any game.”
Sebastian smiled back and held the mask between them.
“You really are serious on this case aren’t you Master, and yes if we can beat this Masquerade person we can certainly put him down.”
Claude smiled a very happy and plotting smile. The both of them started to discuss a plan of action.
“Excellent we have some sort of game plan now we have to put it into action” The young Master said in a happy tone.
Claude knocked the glass behind him to get the drivers attention.
“Driver take us to the nearest mask shop”
The driver acknowledged his request and turned sharply to the right. Both Sebastian and Claude we flung to the right side as the driver turned.
“That was a bit unexpected now wasn’t it” Sebastian said with a smile.























Chapter Four
You can’t give up without trying your other options

Over the course of the day the Young Earl and his butler traveled to different masks shops all over the city of London. So far they have been unsuccessful in finding the shop that sells the particular mask that they have.
“This is pointless Sebastian we’re not going to find the place that sells this one; we should give up on this.”
Sebastian stopped and grabbed his master and turned him around to face him.
“Don’t say that if you give up before you actually try something won’t get you anywhere, especially in a case this strange” he said in a very serious tone.
“But Sebastian we have tried we haven’t found one place that sells it” Claude replied back a bit shocked.
“We have tried but one option out of many, so far we have only thought about the option of looking here in London. Now think London holds grand parties because England has some very important people in it right?” he asked.
Claude nodded his head in agreement at what he was saying.
“Go on.”
“Well everywhere in England including this great city can hold such parties but we aren’t the kind of people to hold Masquerade parties except for Halloween. Now think even harder this man had to have gotten this mask from somewhere in Europe, what countries can hold such great Masquerade events at any time with extravagant and strange masks such as this?” Sebastian said with a smile for he knew.
Claude pondered for a minute, trying to think.
“The only two countries in Europe that come in mind would be France with Paris and Italy with Venice.”
As he thought this over Claude came to a sudden realization.
“Those two cities are basically the Masquerade capitals, your suggesting that this person bought these masks in Paris or Venice?”
“That is exactly what I’m suggesting Master, see you’re so observant when it comes to things” Sebastian said with a smile.
Claude started to pace back and forth thinking.
“We should probably go to Venice, Italy first then go to Paris, France” he said. “From what I remember spring time is better when going to Italy then to France.”
Sebastian nodded his head in agreement.
“We should probably start to head off then Master?”
“Yes…YES! We should we’re wasting time if we are just standing around here!”
Both of them ran back to the carriage and told the driver to hurry back to the mansion. They arrived back and quickly packed a few things. Before leaving Claude addressed the rest of his staff.
“Me and Sebastian are leaving for Italy to do some business and then heading to France when we get back this place better not be burned to the ground” He said in a dead serious tone.
With that they left and started off towards Venice to find the shop to which the mask belonged to.


After several days they had arrived in Venice, cramped and tired.
“That was a horrible trip” said Claude as he got out of the carriage to stretch.
Sebastian stepped out and did the same thing.
“Agreed, but we still have a job to do so we can rest later” he said now standing up straight and looking at a piece of paper he had.
“According to what we found out a town back this is the biggest mask shop here in Venice were apparently all sorts of masks are displayed.” He said looking at the place in front of him.
“We better find something out here or I’m seriously going to go absolutely crazy!” Claude yelled out.
“I can’t help but to agree with you but I think it’s mostly because we have been stuck in there for a very long time and were both tired.”
“Your point being?”
Sebastian shook his head.
“Never mind let’s just go in and see if we can find out something.” Sebastian suggested.
Both of them went into the store and asked for the owner of the store. The owner of the store came out and asked what he can do for them. Claude walked up to him and handed him the mask.
“We are looking for a mask store that has this particular mask in it, do you happen to have this mask at all?”
The owner shook his head no but gave them some bit of information as to where they can find it.
“We have another big shop like this in Paris my brother owns that one, his store has this particular mask in it. If you’re willing to travel all that way.” He said to them and handed the mask back.
Claude thanked him and took the mask.
“Thank you that actually helps us because we have been looking all over for the place that sells this mask” he smiled back at him and left the shop and went back into the carriage.
Sebastian got back in with him.
“Well Sebastian we got something now, we might actually get what we want now.”
Sebastian nodded his head and fell asleep. Claude smiled and fell asleep right after him.


Later that week…
“My god! It’s so uncomfortable in that stupid carriage why didn’t we pick something that was more suitable for this long distance traveling!” Claude yelled as he stepped out.
“I don’t but we’re here aren’t we master, we can get the information we need and head back home.” Sebastian as he followed out. “I will make warm raspberry tea with honey in it, and then you can take a nap in your bed then continue this investigation after wards how about that?”
“Fine, that will be just fine right now I just want to get this part done.”
The both of them walked in and asked for the owner. After several minutes he came out.
“What can I do for you two nice gentlemen” he said with a smile.
Claude handed him the mask.
“From what I heard from your brother this store of yours sells this particular mask.”
The man stared at it and answered.
“Yes we do this particular mask is in a series. This one is called Smiling Death God, though not a lot of people like scary Masquerade masks like this one.”
Claude and Sebastian stared at the man.
“Do you remember selling several to someone, a male in particular?” asked Sebastian.
“Yes I do, there was this one man that seemed very infatuated with this mask and bought my entire stock of them one day. I didn’t question his decision I thought it was fine.”
“Did you get a name from this man? Or at least a card of some sorts or something?” Claude asked him desperate and curious.
The man thought for a minute and told them to wait. After a few minutes he came back out with a paper in hand.
“It was someone by the name of Aaron Morgenstern, he was quiet young seventeen I would say” the man said handing them the paper and mask back.
“Not only is the young man’s name on there but I got an address to a home or something he did say exactly what.”
Sebastian took the two items and nodded.
“Thank you sir this helps us greatly with what we are doing.” Claude replied.
The two of them started to walk out but the man stopped them and asked a question.
“Why did you two need to know that anyway?” he asked.
Claude turned around and answered.
“We’re investigating a series of murders and this exact mask was found at all of the crime scenes.”
The man’s face turned a very pale color after he said that, and the two turned and left. After getting back into the carriage Claude was very determined to catch the murderer now.
“We have a prime suspect now Sebastian and I know where this address leads to.”
Sebastian cocked his head to the side in a confused manner.
“You do, where?” he asked.
Claude smiled at him and looked back at the mask.
“It leads to the Morningstar Toy Company.”
With that they were off back to London to talk with one Mr. Morgenstern.











Chapter Five
Mr. Aaron Morgenstern

After several more days of traveling Claude was finally fed up with long distance traveling. They finally got back to the house which surprisingly wasn’t destroyed.
“I seriously can’t take this long distance traveling it’s too much for me” said Claude.
“Well let’s just hope we won’t have to do so for a very long time” replied Sebastian as he got out.
Claude stopped in his tracks and turned right back around.
“We still have to go to our little meeting with Aaron don’t we.”
“Yes we do” Sebastian said knowing what is coming next.
“Alright back into the carriage we go then Sebastian.”
Both of them went reluctantly back into the carriage and headed off towards the Morningstar Toy Company. After an hour or so of more traveling they finally made it to their destination that was surprisingly something out of some sort of story book.
The Morningstar Toy Company building was a big and grand building. The architecture of the building was extravagant and gothic with statues of angels and demons all over. The young Earl and his butler stepped out of the carriage and stared at the building.
“The company building looks very gothic to me, but I guess this must have been a suitable place for the company purposes” said Claude as he walked up to the building.
Claude turned back to Sebastian who was just standing looking at the building.
“Sebastian are you coming or are you going to just keep staring at it.”
Sebastian snapped out of his trance like state and caught up with his master.
“Sorry, sir” he said in a apologetic manner.
Both of them started to walk up the stairs until they were stopped by a woman. She had short blonde hair and was dressed up very nicely, and even she was smiling happily at them.
“Hello you two, we were already expecting you” she said to them in a light happy voice.
“Um…hello we weren’t expecting anybody to meet us here today” Claude said wondering how she knew they were coming already.
“Well the Director figured you would eventually come because he heard that his masks have appeared at each one of the crime scenes and he is infuriated at how this happened” She replied. “So he thought that when you came you could talk this all out hopefully.”
Both Claude and Sebastian turned to each other a bit confused.
“Well can you take us to his office so we can discuss as to how his masks got to the crime scenes in the first place” Claude said to her.
“Of course, follow me please this place can at times be easy to get lost in” she said beckoning them to follow.
The woman led them through the huge building. As they were walking Claude and Sebastian looked around in awe.
Just as it was outside of the building inside was just as grand and extravagant. The inside had large and beautiful paintings of people, landscapes and even animals. There were polished silver and gold suits of armor lining the halls as well as small tables holding beautiful vases full of flowers of different colors. The halls smelled sweet because of the flowers as well as the small little trays of pastries that showed up every now and again. The stone work was wonderful as well; it looked gothic but beautiful none the less. The stone didn’t seem to have been made by man by how complicated the design structure was. Above them on the ceilings there were bright and colorful mosaics of complicated but beautifully flowing designs.
“T-this place is beautiful who was the architect for this?” Sebastian asked because he knew that his master was about to ask the same thing.
The woman looked back at them with a smile.
“The Director designed everything himself to the exact specifications, he even built it himself with some help of course to actually build it” she said to them. “He really pays attention to detail when he does things, you can also say that he’s the artistic type.”
“Wow he really does than have great taste in style if he was able to make all of this work” said Claude as he got out of his state of awe.
After walking down some more glorious halls all three of them came to a stop at a door.
“This would be Director Morgenstern’s office” the woman said.
The woman knocked on the door and a angelic sounding voice answered.
“You may bring them in Ms. Victoria” the voice said behind the door.
The woman, Ms. Victoria, opened the door and let them leaving and closing the door behind them.
Inside the Director’s room was just as marvelous with all the different colors and metallic elements.
“Welcome to my office I hope we can certainly sort out all of this business” replied the man.
“I’m assuming you’re Aaron Morgenstern?” Claude said to the man that was sitting.
“How correct you are, and I’m assuming you’re Claude Michaelis then” replied Aaron.
“The one and only. Your building is really marvelous is it taken on the early Victorian Renaissance period with a modern day touch?”
“Why yes your quiet observant, are you interested in the arts in order to pick that out?” Aaron asked obviously impressed.
“You can say I’m a bit artistic, but back to the matters why we came here.”
Aaron smiled a big smile and motioned to the both of them to sit down in the two chairs that are in front of them. The two of them sat down and got comfortable.
“Now you know why we are here Mr. Morgenstern, there were six victims and each one of them had one of your masks on when they were found…dead” Sebastian said to the man glaring at him a bit.
Aaron started at the butler and answered him back in a calm voice.
“I heard that, I honestly don’t know how my masks got onto the victims” he said looking specifically at the young Earl.
“You know Mr. Morgenstern this kind of mask is called Smiling Death God, what possessed you to get a mask like this?” The young Master asked.
“I don’t know I think I like how it smiled I guess” he said with his own smile.
Claude stared at the young Director taking in everything he is saying.
“Now Mr. Morgenstern are you sure that not even someone you know got their hands on your masks and possibly killed all six of those men” Claude said back to him in a suspicious tone.
“I’m sure those masks are special to me so I keep them safe only I know where they are.”
Claude started to think to himself that something isn’t right about what he is saying.
Something seems off about him, he smiles too much and I don’t know if I should believe what he is saying He thought. If only he knows where the masks are kept then how did they get on all the victim’s faces, that and the fact that nobody else bought that kind of mask but him?
“Are you absolutely certain that you and only you know where the masks are kept” he asked.
Aaron’s smile disappeared and his eyes narrowed at the boy.
“Are you doubting me Claude, I am absolutely certain because of how special they are to me they are kept under lock and key.”
Both Claude and Sebastian got up from their seats.
“Thank you for your time Director Morgenstern, there is one more thing” The young Earl said to him. “I will be holding a Masquerade in a couple of days and it would be wonderful if someone like you could attend.”
Aaron’s smile returned at the mention of a Masquerade.
“Of course I will attend the Masquerade, I love those kind of events is it for any particular reason?” the Director asked.
Both the young Master and butler started to leave the room, but before leaving the young boy answered.
“No it’s for any particular reason, it’s mainly because I never held one before and I think it might be fun” he said with a smile.
“Oh Earl one more thing, remember everything is not what it seems so be observant” replied the Director with a mocking smile.
“I will keep that in mind.”
With that the two of them left the office then the building heading back to the Estate.
“Sebastian I don’t believe anything that that man said, and something seemed a bit off with him he smiled too much.”
Sebastian nodded his head in agreement.
“You’re setting up that Masquerade as a trap aren’t you?”
Claude turned his head to Sebastian.
“Of course there will be a lot of important people there; we are in this game now if those kind of people are there we might be able to catch the murder.”
Sebastian stared at his master, looking at him curiously.
“What is it? Do I have something on me?” Claude asked noticing that Sebastian was staring at him.
“I just can’t shake the feeling that you look like that boy, you two have such similar features almost like your brothers” Sebastian said back to him.
“If you’re saying that he is my brother you can forget it!” he said angrily. “My older brother was killed a long time ago with my parents. I do miss him though he was more of a father to me than my actual father was. I looked up to him but that night years ago, someone took him away from me.”
Claude looked away from his butler showing that he didn’t wish to discuss the matter any farther.


Chapter Six
Unmasked Masquerade

It was the night of the Masquerade and it was by far the biggest party ever at the Michaelis Estate. All sorts of people attended, the rich and the poor were welcome to this event. And every one dressed in such colorful and different attire not one person looked alike in their out fits. There was such a variety of masks that you couldn’t tell who was who in the sea of masked faces.
Sebastian walked up to his master, dressed in a demonic Masquerade outfit.
“Your Masquerade seems to be a hit Master, and your attire looks fitting to you as well.”
Claude was dressed in a black and white outfit. One side seemed demonic with a small black demon wing protruding from the back of it. On the other side it looked Angelic with a small angel wing protruding from the back. He wore high heeled boots that did the same thing. One seemed very demonic, and the other angelic. Also the young master wore gloves, one was clawed like a demons and the other one looked perfect like and angels. The final feature was his mask. His mask seemed to be only made up of a angel and demons wing. Altogether the outfit was a extravagant but dark and angelic.
“You’re out fit seems to fit you as well Sebastian” he said turning to him.
“Why thank you master” Sebastian said with a smile and a bow.
“Have you seen Aaron yet? He should be wearing that smiling mask I’m sure of it.”
Sebastian shook his head no.
“No sir not yet, I’m sure he is around here somewhere.”
Just then Claude spotted that signature mask among the sea of others.
“There he is, Sebastian I want you to go around and go up from behind him, I will walk up to him as normal”
Sebastian bowed and disappeared into the crowd. After Sebastian left Claude pushed his way through the crowed trying to get to the masked toy Director. Claude finally made his way through to get to him.
The Director was dressed in a strange outfit. He was wearing what seemed to be a kind of military dress but with small black demonic looking wings protruding from the shoulders. The man was also wearing a long dark red mantel that went all the way down to his feet that had a strange pin on it. He was also wearing black gloves that seemed like they were clawed slightly. On his face he was wearing the Smiling Death God mask, as well as a large, wide brimmed, dark red fedora hat. The man’s platinum silver hair also went over the mask to give it more of a evil look, as well as his blue eyes made him seem something out of a horror novel. This outfit of his made him look absolutely freighting.
The Director turned around to face him.
“Are you enjoying the party Aaron?” Claude asked him. “I can’t tell because your mask covers your entire face, so I can’t see your expression.”
Aaron answered him back in a happy tone.
“Yes I’m enjoying the party quite a bit; this is the best Masquerade I have ever been too.”
Where is Sebastian? Claude thought to himself worried that Sebastian gotten stuck somewhere in the crowd.
“Now I remember a few days earlier that you said you were the artistic type, what kind of arts are you into?” Aaron asked him from behind the never changing expression of the mask.
Claude looked back at him and smiled vey slightly.
“The kind of art I’m into is the art of observation. Sight is a beautiful thing so I make sure I’m extremely good at it, but I’m sure you are well aware of that” he said back to him.
“Ah yes I agree with you, the art of observation really is a wonderful thing, but only so few are able to have this art” Aaron said leaning in over the young Earl.
Just then Sebastian came out from behind the Director.
“Excuse me Mr. Morgenstern, can I steal my master away from you for just a minute.”
Aaron stood back up straight and turned to the butler.
“Of course who am I to stop you?”
Sebastian took a hold of one of his master’s arms a dragged him through the crowd to a quieter place.
“Sebastian where were you and why did you take me away from him? Now I might not be able to find him again in that monstrous crowd” he said to his butler in a angry tone of voice.
“I dragged you away to tell you something very important. A police officer came up to me, he actually wanted to find me and he told me something that you absolutely should know.”
Claude looked around making sure that no one was around just in case.
“Well then what is it Sebastian, come on tell me what did the officer say?”
“The officer told me that they found out that all of the victims were once business partners with our friend Mr. Aaron Morgenstern.”
Claude stared at Sebastian eyes wide under his mask.
“So that’s the connection between all of them.”
“That’s not all, the police also found only Aaron’s finger prints and DNA on the masks and on the bodies” he said in a grave voice.
The both stared at each other for a long time, and then finally Claude broke the silence between them.
“That dirty…he killed all of those men but for what purpose, for his own sick pleasure he gets out of seeing them die. He played a sick game with us Sebastian.”
Sebastian wasn’t paying attention to him, but was looking past him.
“Sebastian didn’t you hear me.”
Sebastian didn’t reply all he did was point behind him. Claude turned around and saw what Sebastian was seeing. As people were passing by he could see that Aaron was standing inside the crowd…looking straight at them. After a stand still Aaron ran through the crowd.
“SEBASTIAN! WE HAVE TO CATCH HIM!” Claude yelled out.
The both of them started to run and push their way through the crowd. But Aaron was faster and having a easier time going through the crowd of masked party goers. His moves seemed flawless almost like a dancers, and he bent and moved with the quick grace of a acrobat.
How can he move like that, there was only one person I knew that could do that! Claude thought as he made his way after the young man?
Aaron made it through the crowd and out into the court yard, he started to head into the garden maze that was at the other end. Both Claude and Sebastian made it through the crowd and ran after him.
“Master! He’s heading for the MAZE!” Sebastian cried out from behind.
The chase continued through the winding paths of the maze, finally Claude yelled out to the masked man that they were after when they made it to the middle.
“STOP AARON!” he yelled.
The masked murder stopped and turned around and faced them.
“We know it was you Aaron, the police got your DNA and prints there is no point in hiding it anymore” Claude said to him trying to catch his breath. “Sebastian run back to the house and get the police.
Sebastian nodded and left the two of them.
After the butler left Aaron started to laugh behind his mask.
“Well it took you long enough but then again you were always a smart one especially when you were so much younger.”
Claude just stared at him in a sudden realization.
“No…it can’t be you died years ago!”
Aaron laughed and removed his mask and hat and looked straight at the face of Claude Michaelis.
“Why are you in denial, don’t you recognize your own older brother when he is standing right in front of you” he said with a sadistic smile.































Chapter Seven
Family Reunion

“How can it be that you’re alive I saw you die along with mother and father! The police found you’re burned body in the ashes of the old house!”
Aaron continued to laugh and smile as he walked closer to his younger brother.
“Well I wasn’t the one who perished in that fire along with mother in father; it was some common boy that nobody would miss.”
Claude backed away slightly and looked at him with tears in his eyes.
“I bet you’re wondering why I lived, well I planed that fire I killed mum and dad” Aaron said with a sadistic tone of voice.
Claude dropped to his knees tears running down his tears.
“W-why did you do it Aaron WHY!”
Aaron walked over to his brother with a smile and knelt down in front of him taking his face in his hands.
“I did it because I liked it and I hated mother and father they always like you best ever since the day you were born” he said in a bitter tone. “You see one day I found a wounded animal in the forest and it was suffering, for some strange reason I thought it would be fun to make it suffer even more so I did.”
Claude had a disgusted expression on his face and Aaron chuckled at it.
“The animal eventually did die from what I was doing and I had actually come out and enjoyed making it suffer until it died. From that day on I got a sick pleasure out of making things suffer in horrible until they died.” Aaron smiled keeping a firm hold of his brother. “One day I just snapped because I found out that when both of them died they would leave everything to you, and that made me very angry so I wanted to make them suffer but keep you alive.”
Claude struggled against Aarons grip but he kept a firm hold.
“I thought I might have some fun even more if I made it seem like I died along with them and I was right. I made it so you lived and that only they died, the family fortune would have gone to you any way” he smiled a sadistic smile. “So over the years I decided to watch you and have you suffer the years with the loss of your brother and parents. Then I decided it was boring and decided to start my own game that I would have fun with. I wanted to see how long it would take you to find me if I killed some people.”
Claude broke away from Aaron’s grip.
“You are SICK AND TWISTED!” he yelled.
All Aaron did was laugh at his brother.
“I know I am and guess what? No one not even you can change that, I will keep on killing to feed my desires. And no one is going to stop me my game will continue on.”
Claude took a swing at his older brother but Aaron just dodged.
“Your sick and twisted game ends here Aaron! I will take control of this and I will stop you!”
“That’s so cute that you think you can stop me and my game, you don’t decide when the game ends I do and I don’t plan on ending it any time soon. I am this city’s Grim Reaper; I now decide who lives and who dies”
He stood up from his spot and looked down him extending his hand to him.
“Now brother come with me and we can take this city for ourselves.” He said with a smile.
Should I disobey him? Should I go with him so he won’t kill innocent people anymore? These thoughts were going through Claude’s head but by this time he ignored those thoughts. He was absolutely infuriated by his older brother.
“You’re no brother of mine! I can’t believe I looked up to you, you were like a father to me!”
Claude lunged at his brother’s face and swiped him with his clawed hand. Aaron was taken off guard and got caught on the right side of his face.
“WHY YOU LITTLE…!” he cried out gripping the bloody right side of his face.
Claude moved back and stared at what he had done. The right side of his brother’s face was bloody, with a long jagged line going diagonally across his right eye. Aaron screamed back at him.
“LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE YOU LITTLE BRAT!”
Aaron moved backwards and grabbed his mask and put it back on over his face.
“I thought we could have had something here brother, but you have just made a very powerful enemy.” He said in a bitter tone. “I will leave for now but I promise you I will have my revenge and more people will die. I am this city’s worst nightmare now; I am its Grim Reaper.”
Without another word he ran off into the dark shroud of the maze before Claude could do anything else. After a few more minutes Sebastian finally returned with the police, but only came back to find him there.
“Master were did Aaron go?” Sebastian asked looking around.
Claude turned back to him, saddened but did show any sign of it.
“He got away from he, Aaron is gone but we won’t see the last of him he promised me that.” Claude said stepping past them. “Sebastian when we get back I would like something sweet like a Almond Raspberry Tart.”
Sebastian smiled and nodded.
“Of course my Master whatever you say, but are you also going to join you guest again?”
“Of course I’m the one hosting the party after all.”
With that final sentence all of them left. The young Earl Claude, the loyal butler Sebastian and the London police. But what they didn’t know was that someone was watching them from in the dark embrace of the night hidden from the full moons light.
“This game will never end brother; even if I am gone it will never end this game of chess.” He said with a evil laugh.

































Epilogue

It was several years after the six murders were solved. The young Earl was now fifteen years old and still served his queen loyally. But even through the years he still knew his brother was out there planning, plotting and creeping around. As the young Master was thinking there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.” he said.
It was Sebastian holding a silver tray with a cup that had steam coming from it and a news paper.
“Sir I have your tea and the paper for you but you better have a look at the front page.”
Claude looked at him questionably and took the paper from him and looked at the heading on the front page.
Another Murder in London’s streets! Another murderer is on the loose killing important business men and women. It seems that the killer from three years ago is back…
Claude kept reading it until the article was finished.
“He’s back my brother is back.”
Sebastian went and stood beside him pointing to the picture beside the article.
“Look at the mask do you see what it says?”
Claude took a look and saw what Sebastian said. It was just five simple words and Claude knew who they were for.
See I told you so.
Claude could hear his brother’s evil laughter in his head and crumpled the news paper.
“We will catch him Sebastian, if I die trying we will catch him and stop his evil game that is a promise!”
Sebastian just looked at his master and smiled with a single thought.
That’s my master, that’s my Claude.