bnthridiot: This is a story being written by me and my best friend. And H or a K goes before the bit we've written personally. While this story is different from the movie, it has alot of the Belle and Beast elements in it.

Belle- Aasia

Beast- Caiden

Guston- Neere

A Month of Night

H

The woman runs for her life through the snow. There had been no time to grab her snowshoes, so her feet sink deep into the snow with each step she takes. She pulls each of them out with haste, nearly dropping the bundle she carries. The child inside makes a noise at the sudden jostling. She can hear the screams of the other villagers--those who fight, and those who run like her—back in the distance. The glow from the burning village lights up the forest. The woman flees into the dark cover of the trees. Her child is NOT going to be harmed by the monster. Not her child. They would get to safety. The trees would cover them until the day returned. The month of night was almost over. The morning would bring the week of sun, and they would be safe from the creature.

The sound of breaking limbs on her right catches her attention. Her heart racing, she pulls the knife from her belt and stops, her stance ready for whatever will come out. The child lets out a wail, and the woman soothes it again with a stroke.

A man emerges from the shadows, his form large and shadowed. He steps into the lighted snow. The firelight glints in his blood red eyes, his face pale with death. Blood dribbles down his chin where he's fed on villager's throats. His hands are coated in their blood. His shirt is in strips from all the wounds he's been given, yet they don't bleed, nor do they seem to bother him with pain.

The woman grits her teeth and tightens her grip on her knife. Even if she is to die, she is determined to add a few more wounds to his body before he kills her. She loosens her hold on the child, letting it slide gently into the snow. The child's cries increase in volume as she abandons it. She turns from the bundle, facing the vampire. His eyes glint with eagerness. He glances at the crying bundle in want. A child's blood is so much sweeter than a grown human's.

She doesn't give him time to think about that fact. She takes the knife and holds it to her palm. She drags it across, and then straight down her wrist up to her elbow. Red blood oozes and dribbles in large quantities into the snow.

"Smell it, vampire?" She taunts, holding her left arm out toward him. His eyes snap from her child to her. His nostrils flare at the scent of her blood, warm from the vein. He takes a step toward her. His eyes look crazed with desire.

The woman steps to her left, circling around the vampire in a wide circle. He follows her, eager. She leads him towards the trees, away from her baby. With one last glance at her beloved child, she turns to flee.

The vampire flies at her, knocking her to the ground before she even moves a yard. Her hands pull at the snow, trying to get out from under him, but his hold on her is strong. His head lowers to her neck, his teeth piercing her skin. She screams, thrashing as he starts to suck. She twists the knife around in her right hand and stabs it into his skull. He jerks up, screeching his displeasure. She twists onto her stomach, stabbing him again and again in the chest. Blood pumps from her wounds, and from her broken vein on her neck. Her vision blurs as she looses blood. She stabs the vampire with the last of her consciousness, digging the knife in deep. She dies with her grip on the blade.

The vampire digs his long nails into the corpse's bloodied arm, angry and vengeful. He doesn't even realize she is dead as he tears her stomach to shreds, pulling out her guts and insides. Pleased she isn't fighting him anymore, he takes her bloodied wrist into his mouth, gulping at her lifeblood.

From behind, the villagers who chose to fight run up, weapons pointing for the vampire. The vampire pauses in his feeding, sensing them. He jumps up from the body, rushing at the warriors. He takes down the first, removing his head. The second warrior runs a spear through the vampire. In a rage, the vampire pulls the spear from his own body and pins the soldier to the nearest tree. He twists and throws the closest warrior through the air. The warrior lands in thick branches, his spine snapping. The vampire hisses, looking for the last warrior.

He is kneeling beside the remains of the woman. The snow around her is soaked with red blood. Her eyes stare up at the glowing moon, lifeless. The warrior lifts her hand, holding it tightly. He shuts her eyes, his expression tortured. For a moment, the warrior is merely a man, one who has lost a loved one. Then he leaps to his feet, a warrior once again. He charges at the vampire, a yell of rage on his lips. Grinning, the vampire rushes for him too. As they meet, the warrior falls to his knees, sliding to the side of the vampire. His sword meets the vampire's legs, his blade slicing through the skin and bone. The vampire crumbles to the ground. He rolls back and forth in the bloodied snow, screeching in anger and frustration that he cannot get to his feet.

The warrior goes to get stand. The vampire latches a hand around his ankle, pulling him back down. The vampire pulls the warrior into his embrace, his grip tight and unbreakable. He latches his lips to the warrior's throat that vibrates with his curses, and feeds. Soon, the warrior quits struggling, his life draining. The vampire lets go, drawing in the night air through his blood stained teeth. He pushes the warrior from him and goes to stand. His legs, reborn with the blood of the warrior, are strong and whole.

Finally, his thirst sated, he shifts his gaze over the area in satisfaction. A village in ruins is his favorite way to end a feeding. He disappears into the darkness of the trees, just before the ash from the burning village begins to fall.

Lying in the snow, the bundle of cloth lies still. The child lies quietly; her eyes wide open as she looks up into the full moon. She'd quit crying long before her father had been killed. So quiet had her breathing been, the vampire had forgotten her.

Later, when a neighboring village finds her and takes her in, she never makes a sound. Even when she hurts herself, she doesn't make a sound. Her eyes are always wide open, watching everything, but not speaking.

Until the dreams begin in her seventh year. Then she starts to speak. "The vampire's coming. He'll kill everyone, and burn the village to the ground." They laughed. Some were even angry she'd speak of such things.

But then the vampire did come, and most of the village had been lost. They had to believe in her then, in her nightmares.

With her new role in the village, and her new voice, she is called Aasia.

Aasia awakes with a gasp, lurching up in her bed. The thick blankets fall to her lap as she stares in horror at her clean, small hands. She can almost feel the blood rushing down her mother's wrists, or feel the bites on her father's neck. She reaches behind to the base of her own neck, trying to reassure her galloping heart. Eventually it calms to its usual rhythm.

But her heart is still heavy with the grief at losing two parents. Again.

Every month, give or take, she has to relive the nightmare of their death. It was a warning of what could happen again, a warning she was graced with seeing. The dream only came the day before the vampire was going to attack.

She has to tell the village, quick. Aasia quickly gets out of bed. She pulls on thick boots of black fur, lacing them up quickly to keep out the snow. She pulls on a thicker over shirt, pulling the straps across her chest and buttoning them. Ignoring her scarf, gloves, and warm fur coat hanging near the door, she runs out into the snow. She slips in the deep snow, reminding her of her dream and how her mother had run with Aasia in her arms like this. She pushes the memory aside, trying to get to her feet again.

Strong hands, gloved in fur, latch onto her. "Need a hand?" A man's voice inquires, lifting her out of the snow and onto her feet. She turns around, smiling at him fondly. "Thank you, Neere," she says, patting snow from her shirt.

Neere shakes his head at her, pulling her quickly into his embrace. "And just what are you doing out here without proper clothing on?" He raises both brows mischievously. "You're barely clothed. The winter cold will take advantage of such wanton behavior."

She punches his shoulder hard in good will. "Neere, I was in too much of a hurry to worry about putting on every layer of clothes! Now, you need to let me go, so..."

"No way. I need to keep you warm. These will drop off if I let them go." He lifts her bare hand and kisses her closed fist. She has to smile at him. Considering she was the village orphan, she is lucky to have captured the heart of Neere, the village prince if there ever was one. He is handsome as well as strong, a true warrior to be wary of. His hair is a dark color, like everyone's, his eyes a dark brown. He has a strong demeanor, one that instantly gives him the respect of everyone in the village. He soaks up the attention, loving it. Sometimes too much for Aasia's taste. But then, she is more solitary in nature. His strength she understands, for she has it to.

"I'll worry about putting more layers on later," She says, pulling her hand away, "But I need to speak to the Village Leader, immediately! I've had the nightmare. The village must prepare!"

Neere's smile disappears immediately. "You had the dream last night? The one of your parent's being killed?"

She nods her head, moving towards the Leader's House. "The vampire will be coming tomorrow. If we don't want a massacre, we have to act now."

Neere comes with her, staying by her side. "Odd he should be coming tomorrow, when it's the last day of sun. I was starting to think he wasn't attacking this year, since usually he attacks before the week of sun."

Aasia nods her head in agreement. "I was wondering that too. But then, vampires are crazy and irrational. Maybe its nothing more then odd behavior."

They come up to the Leader's House. The door to the House is made of thick wood, and is carved with scenes of a Deer Hunt. Neere pulls it open for Aasia, waiting until she goes first before closing it behind them. It is much warmer in the House Hall, since stone fireplaces heat it all day long. Neere pulls off his snowshoes from his boots, and then he and Aasia enter the ceremonial chamber. The Leader and his wife sit at a large table, eating the remains of their breakfast. The hunting dogs at their feet whine as they enter, alerting the Leader to their presence.

He sets his wooden goblet onto the table. "Aasia, Neere. Greetings."

"Greetings, Leader." They say together, bowing their heads formally.

The Leader and his wife share a look. She addresses Aasia herself. "Aasia? You've only come to see us this early when you have a warning to deliver. Do you deliver one now?"

Aasia answers solemnly. "I'm afraid so, Madam. I had the dream last night, the reoccurring warning. The vampire will come tomorrow at nightfall."

The Leader takes in her news, sighing heavily. "Then, a sacrifice will need to be chosen. Again."

Aasia and Neere shiver collectively at the Leader's words. Since her seventh year, the villagers had found that by leaving a single human as a sacrifice at the base of the vampire's mountain, it would satisfy the vampire's hunger. As long as they left a sacrifice, someone from the village, the vampire would leave the rest of them alone. Until his next return.

Now, they'd once again have to draw lots to see who that would be. The drawing was indiscriminate. Anyone, even the Leader, could be chosen as the sacrifice. Except for the children. They weren't large enough to satisfy the hunger of a vampire for a full month. Only the adult's lives were at stake. Aasia and Neere had turned 18 last year, and had since participated in several drawings. She now worried if they'd be lucky this time around.

A few hours later, the village gathered in a large circle. No one spoke as the leader brought forth the vase that held the lots. There was an identical white stick for each villager, all the same length inside the pot. Each villager went up and took a stick from the vase. One stick was the same length as the others, but different in the sense it turned a red color when touched by the warm hand of the chooser.

It is Aasia's turn. Taking a deep breath, she walks forward and pulls forth a stick at random. She holds it up so the villagers can see. After a few moments, the stick remains its white color. She lets out the breath, sagging in relief as she steps back to her spot in the circle. Neere, who is at her side, squeezes her hand in assurance, and steps out to pick his lot. Aasia folds her arms over her chest, praying it's not him.

He pulls his lot from the jar, and holds it up into the air. At first, nothing seems to happen.

Then, his lot turns from white to a bright ruby red.

Aasia feels shock creep into her body, numbing her completely.

Neere stares at the stick in something akin to horror. The Leader and two of his guard men move toward him. The Leader puts his hand on Neere's shoulder in support. "Neere? I'm afraid you've been chosen."

Neere nods his head mutely, his fist closing around the lot at his side. The Leader pulls the lot from his grasp and reinserts it in the vase. He gives the vase several shakes so the lots mix around again, and then gives it to his wife, who takes it back to the Leader's House. All around, the villagers begin to sigh in relief, and some to cry in sadness. The people like Neere, but his sacrifice is necessary to keep the village alive another month.

"Bind him up," The Leader orders his men, "And take him to the Cross at the base of the Vampire's mountain. Camp overnight, and then tie him to the Cross during the heat of the day. Leave him, and journey back to the village. Good speed, men." The Leader addresses Neere once more.

"Good speed, and a quick end, for you."

Aasia comes out of her feeling of grief instantly, anger growing in her chest as she moves in front of Neere. "NO!" She yells into the Leader's face, shocking him. "Not Neere! You can't sacrifice him!"

The Leader recovers his dignity, straightening. "Aasia, I realize this is a shock for you. I know you both care for one another. But if I disobey the ruling of the lots, no one will want their loved one's sacrificed. Everyone here is cared for. Neere was chosen this time. It is his duty…"

"Damn to duty!" She bites out, grabbing onto the Leader's coat with both fists. "You want a sacrifice? Then take me! But let him live!"

The Leader's eyes widen in surprise. "You want to take his place? This is unheard of!"

"You're hearing it loud and clear, my lord," She says strongly. "I'm taking responsibility for Neere's duty as a sacrifice. So change your orders!"

The Leader hesitates. Looking around, he can see the other villagers watching expectantly for his decision. Should he allow this?

"No," Neere says strongly from behind them.

They all look to him. He may have been downcast at his demise, but now he stands with ramrod strength. His jaw is fixed in a stubborn line. "I was chosen as the sacrifice. Not just as a sacrifice for the village, Aasia-" He lifts a hand, smoothing it over her cheek. "-But for you. I will have you live over me any day."

"Besides-" This time it is the Leader's wife who speaks, returning from her House. "-This village depends on your visions in order to survive. How would we know when to leave a sacrifice without you, Aasia? No, you must stay. Husband, you delivered your orders. Have your men take him, now."

The men move to do so. As they approach Neere, Aasia draws her knife. She crouches in a defensive position. Her stare is determined as she glares at the warriors. "I won't let you take him! Dare approach me!"

"I'm sorry, Aasia," Neere says behind her. Before she can react, he has his hand around her knife wrist. Aasia cries out in frustration as the very person she is trying to protect pins her down in the snow. "Neere! Don't do this! Don't allow this!" She begs.

"I have to." He takes her knife from her, and hands it over to the Leader. Aasia struggles as Neere ties her hands. Seeing to it she is secure, he lets her go and moves toward the warrior's who wait for him. "Lets go," He says to them, and they leave the village.

Aasia barely registers the other villagers taking her to her small house as the tears slide down her cheeks. She is filled with rage and hurt that Neere is willingly walking to his death! And she is incapable of stopping him with her hands tied as they are.

Towards nightfall, the Leader's wife enters Aasia's House. Using the same knife Aasia had tried to wield earlier, she cuts Aasia's bonds from her wrists. Aasia glares at her, letting her arms fall to her sides. The woman tosses Aasia's knife onto the bed beside her. "The Leader forgives your rash behavior with this instrument, Aasia. I, however, do not." She turns to go. At the doorway, she pauses. "Oh, and I wouldn't think of trying to go and rescue him, Aasia. They are already at the Cross as we speak. In a few hours he will be tied to it, and his fate sealed. He is giving this village, and yourself, life with his death. Honor him and stay in your house tonight." She lifts her head, a protective glint in her eyes. "Just to make sure, I'm leaving a warrior in the next room, watching your door. He has been ordered to stop you if you even try to leave." With that, she leaves.

Aasia couldn't have been more thrilled. The woman was a sick slime. She wanted her out of her house. And if she thought one measly warrior was going to stop Aasia from trying to rescue Neere, she was sorely misguided.

bnthridiot: I hope this beginning was good enough. I'll have chapter two up in a few days. Please, we'd love to hear what people think of our story!