Belle felt truly sorry but this wasn't her fault that Portia could rob from someone who was innocent. All she could conclude was that Portia had harboured hate towards her in course of time enough that she was jealous for the life Belle had received compared to Portia who lived in this ruined house and in this world.

"Why you cancelled?" questioned the mighoul to her.

"You can read?" asked Belle as she doubted that the creatures of the dead would be illiterate and only the Grims knew how to read what was written by the mortals of the living world.

"I do," it answered and Belle didn't go to ask how it knew because she wanted to get out of this place but she didn't know how it would work. She remembered how Charlotte's soul had been wandering in the land of the living and it was in perfect condition. But Belle didn't want to die and she would have to come back alive.

Leaving the room behind, Belle started to look in the other rooms and floors until she finally came to stand in front of the secret passage. Walking towards the wall, Belle tapped the walls and pushed them to see it open. She wondered if there was something that could help her. Her eyes moved around the room and she noticed how the markings were in place on the ceiling as in the living world.

Belle's eyes kept moving around until it fell on the empty space of one of the cell rooms.

In the land of the living, the Adams' mansion was quiet after all the breaking that took place in the hall thanks to Greed and Barron. Barron's hands and neck were stitched by one of the maids. With the hellhound occupied with the bone which Barron had pulled out from the garden, he finally made his way back to where Baltimore was.

"Balti!" Barron greeted the Grim reaper who was behind the bars of the cell.

"I was hoping the hellhound had chewed and sent you back to the dead," commented Baltimore who had heard the cries and chaos that had taken place in the mansion a few minutes ago.

If Barron had eyes he would have rolled his eyes now, "You will be the first one to be sent back there. Just curious to know what Hawvert will do after they find out what you have been doing. I was kind enough to get you these sticks for some answers," he waved his furry hands that held thin stems which had a green moss-like coat on it, "Hungry?"

Baltimore glared at the rabbit that stood in front of him.

"What do you want to know?" asked Baltimore when the rabbit came close to the cell room he was in. When Baltimore swept his hand quickly out of the cell to grab Barron, the rabbit jumped out of reach.

"Ah, ah, ah. Patience, Balti," said Barron. The rabbit then pulled out a kerchief from the side of its stomach and placed it on the ground before sitting down. The last thing Barron wanted to have was a patch of mud on his bottom because of the dust in here.

"I didn't know you were a clean freak," Baltimore commented as Barron made sure no part of him was out of the handkerchief on the ground.

Barron looked up once he was done inspecting. He shook his head like a rabbit not because he was turning to an actual rabbit but the habit of shaking his head to feel the floppy ears had turned into an unconscious habit now, "I wasn't. I just like this rabbit suit to be clean. I still can't believe you got fooled by me. Doctor," Barron huffed.

"What did you want to know?" asked Baltimore. It had been days since he had eaten and he was hungry.

"Before I ask you anything, you are going to follow these rules. One, you cannot lie."

Baltimore stared at Barron, waiting for Barron to continue, "What are the next ones?"

"You follow rule number one," answered Barron to have Baltimore scowl at the rabbit. He had met the Fourth card of the Grims during the meetings that took place in the tower of Hawverts but he didn't know the Grim reaper was childish and an idiot which he would make use of him.

Baltimore was not happy for being confined here. Like other reapers, he had his own pride and his pride had been hurt over and over again during his time here in the mansion. He was waiting for the opportunity to get out from here and once he would be out, he would leave traps for the very same people in a way where they would be sent to oblivion and he would then reclaim his place as the Tenth Grim reaper.

He had been waiting for years after he had found out it was Lucas who had framed him for keeping the soul in here. Showing favouritism to the souls was not allowed. Now that he knew the weakness of Lucas and also the girl who had trapped him in this small room, he couldn't wait but to drag them to the depths of the land of the dead.

"Why were you helping the black witches?" asked Barron.

Baltimore took a step forward, his hands placing on the cell, "Because I wanted to."

Barron stared at the Grim before taking one of the sticks and starting to chew on it. In between it, he said, "What happened to rule number one and two?! Every wrong answer I will eat this one."

"Why do you want to know about it? You should ask the Grim who is standing behind you," said Baltimore and Barron turned to see Greed who was leaning against the entrance of the room. Barron couldn't bribe Greed and he didn't trust the reaper to give him straight answers, "He was involved in it too. Ask him."

.

Scroll to read the next chapter...