Disclaimer: I do NOT own Beauty and the Beast or any of its characters
Philippe led Belle into the midst of the woods, where hungry wolves followed close behind. Given her last encounter with wolves, Philippe was not about to fall victim to them, and she refused to give Belle over. Her eyes searched frantically for a place where they could take refuge from the merciless yapping at her legs. Her large eyes rested on a dark castle, which looked somewhat deserted. That would do. Without another thought, Philippe pushed through the gates, allowing Belle to shut them before the hungry animals rushed through behind.
Turning around to take in the full view of the castle, Belle gasped. It was a castle, something like the one that she had read about so many millions of times before… but there was something different. The castle was in no way elegant. It was dark, and almost ugly. It stood tall and proud, but also looked discomfortingly intimidating. Belle began to wonder whether she wanted to go in; the exterior of the castle represented too much the characters she hated. It reminded her of Gaston. The first word that hit was 'primeval'. She was about to turn back when something caught her eye. Stooping to take a closer look, Belle realised it was a large framed painting. The image itself was torn, yet not so badly that the handsome face couldn't be made out. Belle stared at it for a long moment, lost in her own trail of thoughts, until Philippe pulled her back to reality.
Belle's mind began to work hard, trying to piece together why such a handsome face would be found in such a dismal and deserted place.
"Oh my!" she gasped, as a thought struck her, "He is being held prisoner here!" Belle began to consider the numerous times when she had read in her books that beautiful young princesses had been captured and held captive for many years. "But why would someone do that to a prince?" She pondered again. "That's it!" she announced to a confused-looking Philippe, "They're after his throne!" Philippe considered for a moment, then shook her head, no. Belle looked at her, laughing. "It's only because you don't want to go in! Come on, Philippe, where's your sense of adventure? You're not scared, are you?" asked Belle accusingly. Philippe shook her head, making Belle laugh again. "Well, are you with me then?" Belle's eyes twinkled with excitement, just at the thought of having some adventure of her own. The time, she would not be lost in a torrent of words, but her own plans and actions in the situation. She would free the prince, and make a new story in the pages of history – by not being a damsel in distress. The thought disgusted her. Why were women always so weak? This would be another story. A story with a prince in danger, and she would be his saviour. Belle smiled at the thought. She was in control of the situation.
Belle stepped into the castle uncertainly. She hoped she hadn't already betrayed her presence to whoever was inside. A monster, she thought, revelling in the idea.
As Belle went further on, she became more and more convinced that this castle was inhabited… by something. She wasn't quite sure what yet. Belle shivered silently, as she crept through the corridors alone; she'd left Philippe outside, so if something did go wrong, there was always a backup waiting there.
Pretending that she had come to look for someone, Belle began to call the first name that popped into her head – Vince. It was inscribed on the bottom of the frame, and as her mind went blank, she decided to call it, even though it may have put her into danger. Danger... She hadn't considered that yet. She carried on walking anyway.
Suddenly, Belle stopped in her tracks. She could hear something. Someone walking, perhaps? Whatever it was, it was moving at a quick pace with a heavy thud. Belle's heart began to race. She didn't want an encounter just yet; she didn't have a plan! Panic took over her, and Belle could only hide to save herself. Whatever was moving stopped, as if it could hear her movement, feel her presence. She could her heart thud in her ears. "Stop panicking so much!" she scolded herself. "If you keep panicking like this, you'll be found straight away! At this rate, he'll be able to hear your heart beat!" Belle calmed herself, and could feel the pressure lift off her almost immediately.
In vain.
Belle's eyes were closed, wishing herself to be just as invisible to the world as the world was to her. Despite herself, she could feel the heated gaze of someone fixed on her. Her heart skipped a beat as she opened her eyes.
At first, it was a fuzzy, but bright blue. Then her hazy eyesight settled back, and she realised she was looking into a pair of stunning blue eyes.
