Hey everyone! So this will be my first story on fanfiction, and I hope it will be great! If you like it or do not like it feel free to review, you can even review anonymous. With that I will start!


Annabelle French lived in a small town where everyone knew everyone. So small in fact, that there was only about three-hundred something people in it. She dreamed of moving away to a big city where she could get a job working as an editor at a publishing company. Actually, she just hoped she could get out of this shithole town. The only reason she stayed was because of her father. He was dying, and his flower business was declaring bankruptcy. So it seemed that she was stuck here. She was a librarian, who was always classified as the nerd, especially in high school, and in this town you can never change.

Annabelle was sweeping the porch steps when she heard her father banging things around the house. She immediately dropped the broom and ran to go help him.

She called out to him, "Papa what's wrong?"

"I cannot find Mr. Gold's check!" He replied frantically.

He threw a stack of papers (she assumed they were more bills) off the wooden desk and grunted in frustration. He frowned at her and shook his head. Annabelle grew anxious, she did not know what they would do if they couldn't find the rent check. Money just doesn't grow on trees! She immediately jumped to the worst and starting thinking of packing up their belongings for the inevitable eviction.

"Maybe there is still time to find it! What's the date today? He only collects it on the first, and it's only the thirty-first today. Since you go to him to drop it off, you could just say you were having car troubles and that's why you were late," Annabelle said, trying to stay positive.

"Annabelle, today is the first."

"Shit."

"Do not talk like that Annabelle! You are a lady and ladies do not talk like that!" Her father reprimanded.

They both sighed and her father grew weak. She grabbed his arm and helped him hobble to the couch where he could put up his aching feet. Annabelle put her hands on her hips and looked determined.

"I'll find the rent check, and I can drop it off. Will you give me the directions Papa?"

"No Annabelle you cannot do that. That man is dangerous! He is a monster and I will not subject you to him. I will go," He said, struggling to get off of the couch.

As soon as he almost got to his feet he fell down. He groaned and Annabelle helped him get back to sitting on the couch.

"Let me do this for you Papa. I am not a child anymore."

It was quiet for a moment, and then his face fell.

"I'm only letting you do this because I do not feel like getting up, but you must promise me that once you reach his home drop the check in the mailbox and then leave. Do not speak with him!" He commanded her.

He would never admit to saying that he could not do something because he was hurting, but Annabelle nodded and went to look for the check. She had a feeling that she knew exactly where it would be. She walked into her father's room and found the check in the place she knew it would be, underneath the bed. She grabbed the check and put in her the pocket of her cut off jean shorts. She returned to her father and told him that she had found the check.

"Where did you find that?" He curiously asked her.

"I found it underneath your bed."

He acknowledged that, and handed her the sloppily written directions to Mr. Gold's home. Annabelle was shocked with how long the list was, she concluded that he must live on the outskirts of the town, deep in the forest.

"Thanks dad, I'll be home soon," Annabelle chimed.

"Make sure you are!"

Annabelle left and got into her beat up 1994 Chevy Impala. It was a piece of crap, but it was her piece of crap. As soon as she left the house she started blaring the radio to her favorite song and drove way to fast. There was only one cop in this town, and currently the sheriff was taking care of her most recent problem, her attraction to the Mayor Regina Mills.

When she got to the road cutting through the town's forest she quickly slowed down. It was a dirt road, and the street sign said that it was a private drive. She felt a shiver go up her spine. Surprisingly, the dirt road was easy to drive on and there were no pot holes. She smiled as she tried to rid herself of the uneasiness she was feeling.

His driveway was long and his house looked creepy. It had an imposing look, it was old looking, it was massive (almost mansion like,) and it was dark, with an odd appeal. She swallowed a lump in her throat as she got out of the car with the rent check in her hand. She trudged up his steps to his wrap around stone porch, meanwhile looking at the décor he had around. He had gargoyles on his roof, yet he had beautiful roses planted around his yard. It was an unusual combination, and yet she sort of liked it. A nagging part of her warned her not to stay for too long, so she ran to Mr. Gold's mailbox and dropped in the rent check. Just as she hit the last step, the front door creaked open, and in the doorway stood the very man her father warned her about. He looked very well dressed, and dapper. He wore a pinstriped suit, with a red satin tie, with shiny black dress shoes. His right hand held a cane, but not the kind that curved. His hair looked almost perfect, and his brown eyes glittered.

"Leaving so soon dearie?" He said to her.

"Uhm, I need to get back to my father," She replied.

She panicked; she didn't know what to say. The man was infamous around town, and she had never seen him before, let alone talked to him.

"How about you come in for some tea?" He cooed.

"I shouldn't, I really need to get back to my father. He is sick you know," Annabelle stated, frantically.

"Oh yes I know. Maurice has always been a little, well, ill," He replied, in a silky voice.

The man gave her the once over with his eyes, and Annabelle's heart skipped a beat, as she felt warmth spread in her stomach. She looked down at herself and realized she was way underdressed. She wore cut off jean shorts, that were probably too tight and too short, and a red tight tank top.

"Please, come in. I don't get much company, and I already made a pot of tea. It would please me greatly if you did," He said, smoothly.

"Well, I suppose one cup couldn't hurt!" She responded, cheerfully.

"Now that's a good girl," He told her.

She blushed at that and walked into the stranger's home. He did not feel like a stranger though, and when she looked into his eyes she felt like she had known him forever.

The lighting was dim in his home and she started having second thoughts. What was she thinking? She was coming into a stranger's home! How stupid was she?

"Are you alright?" He calmly asked.

She looked up at his bright brown eyes, and she suddenly put all her fears to rest. It was like magic.

"The dining room is in the next room, I'll be right back with your tea."

"Thank you."

"You are very welcome Belle," He said.

No one called her Belle, she liked the name Belle, but it was strange hearing someone say it. His voice had traces of evil and devious intent, but she ignored her gut. He seemed like a nice man. As their paths diverged she went and sat down in a cherry wood chair against the table. She silently prayed that her visit would be quick.