Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Once Upon a Time.
Resolution
xx
She burned. The priests came in everyday throwing her in ice cold water – holy water – to cleanse her body of evil. The fire came later, leaving blazing trails along her skin. They told her that her soul was tainted and they wanted to help her.
She did not know how long she was locked in that tower. It could have been weeks or months. She lost count after a while, when all she could remember was the heart stopping splash of water and the chanting of the priests.
Belle could barely see the sky from the window where it perched high upon the wall. Sometimes, if she strained hard enough, she could even hear the birds chirping as they flew past.
Today her father came to see her. He beseeched her to give in, to submit, and then she would be free from the monster. She told him that he was wrong. She loved Rumpelstiltskin and nothing could change her mind. Her father said it was wrong; that what she felt was the result of an enchantment cast upon her. But Belle knew there was no evil. How could love be when it filled her heart with such warmth that it took her breath away?
As the door shut, Belle released a breath and turned back towards the window, feeling as though something was going to happen. Whatever it was, it left a chill down her spine. She did not know how much more she could endure the so called cleansing. Her arms shook as she attempted to draw herself into a position that would not aggravate her healing wounds. She leaned against the wall, thinking of a way to free herself. She would break away from her prison one day; she just had to find an opportunity.
The priests came back and this time their numbers multiplied. Two men dragged her struggling form away from her perch and tied her down. It was easier to do the cleansing when she could not escape. They began their chanting and brought the flames closer.
Belle clenched her eyes as the heat became unbearable, not making a sound save for her heavy breathing. She would not show them any weakness. She clenched her hands, nails digging into her soft flesh as she tried to redirect the pain somewhere else. The smell of burning flesh almost left her sick, her throat working hard to block a scream. Blood rushed her to ears, pounding against her temple, while blood trailed down her skin and her nails were caked in bright red.
A sound arose that was not a constituent of the rituals. The chanting stopped and Belle slowly opened her eyes. The red in her vision cleared and she could see shiny black boots before her. She raised her eyes to see the face of the woman from the road, bringing memories from that wonderful yet sorrowful day.
Her mind flashed to a face with dancing eyes and sparkling gray skin. She could feel those hard lips against hers and the love she felt from that single contact. She could remember her heart breaking when he cast her away. Her parting words striking through his heart and the regret she felt once spoken, but could not be taken back. She had wanted to hurt him in that moment, to make him realize what he was losing.
All at once she wanted to be back in his arms, to apologize, to promise she would never kiss him again if only she could stay by his side again.
Belle stared into the woman's eyes.
Why?
Cruel red lips opened revealing sharp teeth and terrible laughter.
She traded one prison for another as she landed on a stack of dirty straw and cold rusty chains. The barred door slammed shut with a resounding bang and the locks clicked with a turn of a key.
No one will have their happy ever after. Not if I have anything to say.
2/20/12