Innocence of a Child Chapter 6
Philippe ran as fast as his legs could carry him, hooves pounding against the earth as he sprinted for home. By instinct this gelding followed the same exact path back to the village. He didn't stop nor slowed his pace until he got there.
It took a couple of hours. Around the time he finally made it there Philippe's head was down, sides heaving. He had been galloping far longer than he should have been, but he still pushed on through the darkness long after he should've rested. Fear was his motivator. Fear of what he'd just escaped from.
Philippe was basically hauling ass kicking up dirt. Heading for the one place where he knew safety, food, and a stall filled with warm hay would be.
For Belle it was the start of another normal uneventful day as usual in this plain and boring village.
Belle was tending to the vegetables in the garden when all of that changed.
Philippe came sprinting over the cobblestones stopping in front of the family's cottage. He trotted over to a water bucket immediately dipping his head in for a drink. Philippe gulped it down replenishing his tired body, strength, and energy with each one.
"Philippe," said Belle, unlocking the gate and running to him.
She was alarmed that neither Cosette nor Maurice was with him. Belle stared up the street, but they did not appear.
Frantically grabbing Philippe's halter, Belle said "What happened? Where's Papa and Cosette? Take me to them!"
Belle quickly gave Philippe a bucket of feed while she ran into the house to retrieve her cloak. Also, while she was impatient to go, Belle allowed Philippe to finish his food. She didn't want him to collapse on the way and judging by the evidence of how hard he'd been booking it he really needed it.
Afterwards Belle didn't waste any time they were off. Belle was careful to pace Philippe this time around and it return Philippe followed the way he had taken with Maurice and Cosette guiding her.
Like her family Belle was surprised when she saw the snow, but didn't let it deter her. Philippe cantered forward quite familiar with the thing and winding path. Belle's heart almost stopped when she located the cart they had been riding on the way to the market. It was lying on the ground still tipped on its side with the music boxes scattered all over the place. But Cosette and Maurice were absent. Nudging Philippe with her heels Belle urged him on again.
They soon came upon the castle. Bursting through the thick iron gates Belle made a beeline for the stairs leading up to the front door. Philippe skidded in front of them sending snow flying up everywhere.
A grateful Belle dismounted patting Philippe on the neck, saying "Thank you."
Philippe simply nickered softly in reply to Belle's brand of thanks and appreciation for his actions.
Belle started for the steps. Suddenly she froze staring at something she found in the snow.
Sticking out of the snow at the bottom of the steps was the end of a familiar looking ribbon leading to a small bundle of others buried deep as snow piled onto them. Bending down on one knee Belle dusted off the snow picking up the ball of ribbons. It's just as she suspected. These were the exact same ribbons Belle had bought for Cosette in the village a day or two earlier.
"Cosette," whispered Belle, holding the ribbons in her hands.
Cosette was here, that much Belle knew. Maurice couldn't be far. He must've taken shelter here too. Now all Belle had to do it find them.
Authors Note:
Hope you guys like this one.