Chapter 8

It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She could hear the sound of her footsteps echoing in the huge entrance way. It was just as Roland had said; this castle was indeed huge, with a grand stairway that split towards the middle. Only she could see nothing on the top of the steps, or anywhere else for that matter. "Hello, Is anyone here?" she called softly, and heard only her own voice answering. She tried again a little louder this time 'Please I need help." Only the silence remained. It would seem that anything that may have lived there was now gone.

Using caution she made her way from the door and over to a nearby table leaning against it for support. She failed to notice that any dust that might have settled was absent. To her it remained clear that no one was here, so she reasoned it would be all right for her to at least stay for the night, or until the wolves had gone. She could hopefully find something to use to clean and bandage her leg and then….

Her thoughts stopped as a sudden movement took place behind her, and the sound of heavy breathing told her she was no longer alone there. She swore she heard a light growling sound that was almost like distant thunder. Then a voice spoke "Who are you, what are you doing here?"

It was a deep voice that sounded mostly human, no doubt a male voice, but it also had a muffled, rather rough tone. For a moment she felt relief that there was someone there, a person perhaps. After all she had so far seen no moving objects and Roland had never once mentioned anything about the creature it 'self being able to talk. Still she felt a rise of panic starting and she stayed still not looking behind her. She could sense someone standing there behind her, and they were massive to say the least.

"Please" she almost whispered as the stabbing pain from her leg began to take hold. "I don't want to intrude…. but the wolves attacked me…." At this point the voice cut her off, speaking in a tone more forceful and deeper than before. "You look at me when you answer me!" It was most clear than this person didn't take kindly to strangers and Belle let go of the table to turn and face him.

What she saw standing there literally stopped her heart for a few beats, and she gasped in horror "Your real!"

It was a being that seemed like something from a bad dream. It was very tall, at least 8 maybe 9 feet, covered in reddish brown hair which did not hide it's very large muscles. Its hands were almost 4 times the size of her own, and the claws on each finger looked razor sharp. Her eyes continued to move upward to his face, which wore an expression of anger. There were horns coming out of its head, and its mouth was open enough to reveal sharp teeth and fangs that gleamed white. It was just like he said, her mind screamed and then she noticed its eyes, which glared back at her, like it was trying to see into her very soul. They were actually a beautiful color of blue that reminded her of a cloudless sky, which would cover the spring days she had always loved.

The Beast could only guess what she must be thinking, and his expression hardened even more "WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT?" Belle was snapped back to the present and a wave of terror mixed with pain and exhaustion threated to overtake her. "I…I'm sorry I didn't mean…." Unable to say another word she grabbed for the table, but missed and collapsed on the floor. Darkness surrounded her and she knew no more.


Authors notes:Yea the Beast has finally made his opening appearance! I normally don't get chapters posted more than 1 at a time, but it was driving me crazy that the Beast hadn't yet come into play. Whew Now I feel a lot better :)