Beauty and the Beast
Chapter 2
By: L.V. Scarlette
(R)
-----
Father never returned. We waited long days and nights, a broken promise that he would
return soon with each rise and fall of the sun. Everyday we told ourselves that he was just
delayed, or that trips really take more than just a few days. It seemed reasonable enough
and it satisfied us, but the days turned into weeks. We really began to worry. Little
Serenity was the only one who didn't seem to be affected by Father's absence, but even
our own silence sometimes made her stop crying. I didn't like it when she was too silent.
It made me feel as if even the baby knew there was something wrong.
I often scolded myself for being so superstitious. Since I did not want to remind myself
of legends and such, I often concerned myself with work. I had worked harder with Father
gone. I didn't mind it. It gave me something else to think about. I found myself helping
out with the chores as well. Elizabeth was a tad bit too weak to do housework, and she
often found herself caring for Serenity when she wasn't too tired to even sit up. This left
bathing Serenity to Mina and me. We took turns sometimes. I didn't mind that though,
since seeing Serenity's bubbly little face often eased my worries.
However, this sometimes made me rethink my life as well. I often found myself staring
into Serenity's big eyes then out the window. The child reminded me of eternity, and
eternity made me wonder if I was ever really going to get married. It was one thing that
would really please Father. I didn't have trouble attracting men, yet I didn't feel ready. The
men seemed arrogant or just not right. I sometimes didn't even understand myself. I
wasn't sure if I could be a wife or mother. Besides, what child would want a mother with
no grace or cooking skills?
I found myself sighing while thinking these thoughts one night. I was staring outside at
the sky from the window in Beth's room. We were all inside, my sisters and I, along with
Serenity who was sleeping peacefully in Beth's arms. Hannah had been complaining
endlessly all night about how she wished Serenity would wake up so she could play with
the little "sparkle". Beth had snapped immediately, claiming that her baby needed sleep.
The two had argued the whole time, although it was a light hearted argument that actually
made the room seem lively for once.
I didn't pay attention to that. I felt relieved that there was no silence to back up my
thoughts, but I remained distant and silent. I wrung my fingers together like a child.
Thinking of my future was a change I welcomed, but I still felt strangely guilty that I was
being selfish enough to worry about myself instead of Father. There were so many
emotions that I didn't know which one was right. I wanted to die right then and there. I
didn't want to feel anything. I wanted relief yet when relief came, I felt guilty. I didn't
understand my own thoughts, and this annoyed me. I was beginning to consider a loss of
sanity due to Father's absence.
"What do you think, Serena?" I heard Beth ask.
I snapped back to reality and turned to face my sisters. They were staring at me
curiously. "What do I think of what?" I raised my eyebrows, feeling completely
dumbfounded.
"Of the baby. Don't you think she would be better being awake?" Hannah stated as a
matter-of-factly, almost as if she was expecting me to agree with her.
I stared at Serenity. The baby had her cute little fingers curled up with one thumb
pressed against her bottom lip. Her button of a nose scrunched up as she let out a small
yawn, then she fell right back to her deep baby sleep. I cocked my head, suddenly feeling
amused. "You know, I think she looks cute either way. Serenity's still Serenity. She's
adorable whether she's awake or asleep."
My sisters stared at me for a moment. Hannah blinked, then turned away and sighed.
Beth shook her head and the two started arguing again. I nearly laughed. My heart
actually felt light. I didn't want my happiness to end, but it was brief. Too brief. A grim
thought crept into my mind.
I looked at my sisters again. "Do you think Father's dead?" I wanted to choke back the
words, but I couldn't. Besides, even my own tone of voice scared me. I sounded so serious
that I actually began to consider it.
Beth looked shocked, worried, then angry. "Serena, how could you even ask such a
thing? You know very well that Father - "
"Be reasonable. It's been too long..."
"Reasonable?! But this is Father! If you say that...I-we-I don't think that - "
"Father said he would come back," Hannah cut in. She looked down and sighed. "She's
right, Beth. I...I don't know..." Her voice fainted into a sniff.
Beth remained silent, her eyes darting from Hannah to me. I couldn't read her
expression. She looked angry, confused, and doubtful all at the same time. I figured that
she was in denial. At that point, her eyes glimmered with tears. She let out one small sob
and roughly wiped a tear away. "I-I don't know. I don't know what to think," she choked
out. "I don't want to think that...that F-Father's dead. I...it can't be. He said he would come
back..."
I instantly rushed to my sister's side and embraced her. I extended one arm as an
invitation for Hannah to embrace us both. She did that. I embraced them with all my
might and even willed my tears to come out. They were there. I knew it, but not one tear
escaped. I shut my eyes tight. I was the only one who wasn't crying, and, as childish as it
may seem, I felt guilty and left out. The craziest of thoughts came into my mind, like
what if I didn't love Father? Was that why I really didn't cry? Or maybe I already knew he
was dead somehow? Did I think there was no point in crying?
I let out a ragged sigh, my breath coming out as a small gasp. My cheeks began to burn
and my vision blurred, but my hand shot up automatically to catch any tears that dared to
escape. Before I could think about that, I suddenly blurted out something else. "What if I
go out there and find him?"
The sobbing almost instantly died down. My sisters held their breaths and stared at me.
Hannah choked out another sob while Beth began to tremble. "Sere...Serena, are you
mad?" Beth's face turned bright red. "We already lost our father and now you want to
leave us too?!" Her voice was so loud, I could've sworn she was about to roar.
I shivered. I didn't mean to, but I have never heard Beth like that before. I sucked in my
courage and continued silently. "Father may not be dead. Remember that the men who
went into the forest before came back." I paused and flashed a cautious glance at my
sisters, just to make sure that they were listening. Once I was sure I had their attention, I
continued, "They just come back mad. Ill. Father may not even be mad at all. Maybe he
reached Grover's Hill. If he is almost insane right now," I nearly choked at the idea, "then
maybe I can still save him."
I noticed Serenity stir out of the corner of my eye.
"And if he comes back?" Beth inquired.
I took her words as a sign that she was actually considering my idea. "Then he comes
back. I won't be gone for long. You can tell him I went off to search for him."
Beth's lip twitched. She had this look on her face, as if she was about to laugh and cry.
"You're very ironic, Serena. There's a good chance that Father will look for you as well
if...when...he comes home. You-you must be insane! Serena, don't you know what's in
that forest? I mean...you do, but you obviously haven't got the sense!" Beth looked
bewildered. "You could die, Serena! You could go mad! If Father comes home mad then
you might come home mad too! Don't you understand? What will that make of me and
Hannah? It's not just that. I mean I thought you...I thought you had sense. I-I don't know,"
Beth sighed.
Hannah looked at me cautiously. I simply looked down at the floor, finding my feet to
be suddenly very interesting.
"I think you just need to rest," Beth whispered.
"I would go out, look for him, then come straight home."
"You might as well kill yourself," Beth stated solemnly.
"You could get Mina to come over here and help you with Serenity."
"Who do you think you are to ask her to do something like that?" Hannah gasped.
"He could be in the forest for all we know, and if I find him I can bring him back."
"Small chance that you'll meet him in the middle of darkness," Beth sighed.
"Maybe it's not so dark over there-"
"Maybe there's a castle with a beast inside!" Hannah snapped, sarcasm dripping from her
voice.
"Maybes will get us nowhere, so there's only one way to find out," I bit back. I could
hear the rising irritation in my voice.
"You just need to rest," Beth hissed. "I think waiting for Father has made us all
hysterical."
"I am not hysterical!" My patience was slipping its leash.
"You might want to eat something then sleep-"
"I'm going to go out there."
"...And then you'll wake up and wonder what you were thinking."
"Well I'm sure that's certainly better than Father now, isn't it?!"
Hannah and Beth were staring at me again. This time they actually looked like they were
considering my idea. I could've sworn I felt steam rising from my ears. I felt sick and
disgusted at my own actions, yet I held on to my ideas firmly. I remained silent, willing
my anger to cool down. Judging from the sudden stillness in my sisters' eyes, I figured
they were doing the same. I felt as if I was dragged into a scene mentioned in one of my
beloved books.
"We don't want to lose you too, Serena," Hannah whispered, finally breaking the intense
silence.
I sighed and took both my sisters' hands in my own. "Look, just...just give me a day or
two. Alright? I'll keep track of it. A day or two won't let me get all the way through the
forest. It will be enough time for me to just go in there, look around, then come back.
There. There's a time limit. Isn't that a compromise?
"There are no compromises for lives."
"Well you've got another life hanging on a thread along with sanity. If you ask me, this
is more of a reason actually," I stated flatly. I made it sound as if I had already decided for
them.
Beth pulled her hand away from mine and covered her mouth. I looked down
thoughtfully, feeling worse than ever. I sniffed quietly, then with one hand, embraced
both Hannah and Beth again. "He may be out there."
Hannah rested her cheek on my arm. She looked as if she was staring off into space.
"Mina will never agree to stay with us," she whispered. "Her family won't."
I giggled like a little girl. I didn't know where that came from, but I was happy that they
were actually starting to see things my way. "Mina will agree to anything. Besides, she
told me yesterday that she wants to stay here for a week or so and look after Serenity." I
paused. I could tell that they didn't believe me. "It's true. She said that she didn't really
have a lot to do. We're neighbors. She's not exactly going into town."
Beth shook her head. "No. No, this can't be. You can't go. I'll be damned to let you go. I
must be insane if I actually think this reasonable."
"Then you are," I whispered. It was a playful yet true statement, and she knew it.
Silence and a few other arguments went on that night. I had to admit that even I found it
hard to believe that they agreed with me. I still had to convince them even more. I had to
point out certain things Father did for us and a few ways around the housework and such.
I had to make promises and swear that I would not go all the way into the heart of the
forest. I didn't really intend to do so, but I was afraid that the closer I felt I came to Father
the closer I would venture into the deep darkness.
I had to come up with plans and explain them to my sisters. We even talked about how
full I must be before leaving and what I would bring. They even offered...no, ordered...me
to take Cleo, our white mare. I had agreed to do so, and we rode the night away with
plans even though Beth was half asleep by early morning.
The sky had given way to the morning sun by the time everything was settled. I had a
day and a half. They expected me home by noon the next day, and if I didn't return they
would send out men from the village to search for me. I didn't exactly know how they
were going to do that. I figured it was simply a threat, but I didn't argue. Why ruin
everything when I finally got them to completely agree with me?
That morning I ate heartily. I had nothing but milk and cheese the day before sometime
around afternoon. I was terribly hungry, and the trip ahead of me required a lot of food. I
had to rely on the nuts and berries I would find in the forest along with a slice of bread,
water, and a bag of oats for Cleo. The rest of the food had to be saved, especially since I
wasn't going to be home to gather the eggs and milk. Hannah would be left with that task,
and she wasn't trained to do that. We also managed to get Mina to take my place for a
while. I managed to talk to her on my way out, and she agreed eagerly. Luckily, that didn't
seem to be a problem for her or her family.
However, she told me that I was insane. It was a playful yet serious remark, and it bit
me. It made me actually doubt my crazy idea, but there was no way I could go back.
Before I could feel any more doubtful, I gathered up the food in a bag, wrapped myself in
thick clothes, tied the bag to Cleo, then kissed my sisters good bye.
I found myself riding off into the forest with a fat mare who had just eaten, leaving my
sisters behind. I felt as if I was riding to my death, but I remained silent and confident.
Though my shoulders were pulled back, my head was bent down and my fingers held on
tightly to Cleo. And finally, for the first time in a long time, I felt a single tear to escape.
-----
The night echoed with the sounds of the forest. I had nothing but the faint moonlight and
my lantern to guide me through the darkness. Cleo was a little tired, but she didn't seem
to mind and kept going. I spent the hours trying to remember which way I came in,
calling out for Father every now and then, and stopping every so often to feed myself and
Cleo. My food was running low and my eyelids felt very heavy.
I leaned over as another tree branch rode right over my head. I looked up, my eyes
darting from tree to tree. I was scared, I had to admit. I have never been so far off into the
forest. I was beginning to loose hope and wit, and the sound of howling wolves made me
wish I didn't come up with the idea at all. Yet the very thought of Father's possible
presence nearby made me suck in my courage and go on.
"Father," I called out. "Father? Are you here?"
A faint breeze whipped a few strands of my hair. I could hear my own voice echo. I
shivered. I suddenly felt worse. For some reason, fear had crept into me even more. I had
managed to keep hold of it earlier, but it seemed as if I lost control. My heart began
pounding rapidly against my heavy chest. I wanted to faint and wake up in my home, but
the thought of reality kept sinking in. I felt dizzy with regret.
My body rocked back a little. I was also dizzy with sleep. I had often considered
stopping for a while and sleeping the while I was riding Cleo, but the thought of strange
animals and my father not seeing me because I was asleep made me push my drowsiness
aside. The air was also growing rather cold. I began to feel uncomfortable, yet the cool
atmosphere made me want to sleep even more.
I licked my lips and yawned. My lashes fluttered open as I forced my eyes to keep still
and wide. I was suddenly happy that I did, for in the near distance I saw something
shimmer in the moonlight. My heart leapt. My eyes widened without effort this time. I
nearly smiled, but I told myself that it could have been something else. But still...was it
Father?
I willed Cleo to approach the silver glint, but for some odd reason the poor thing simply
snorted and stepped away. Her ears twitched and her tail swished frantically.
"Cleo, what is with you?" I frowned at her. She snorted again, her eyes looking terror
stricken. Was this how animals grew scared? I didn't know for sure, but she was starting
to scare me as well. If something could shake her up then wasn't it something terrible?
"Cleo," I snapped. "Go! There's nothing dangerous there," I sighed. "Please? Be a good
girl."
Cleo stomped her hooves then remained silent. She stared at the glint but didn't move.
"Cleo," I said gently. "Come on. There's nothing bad there."
Cleo snorted as I whispered into her ear, as if I was hushing a baby. Finally, after a few
minutes, she cautiously approached the glint in the distance.
"Good girl," I whispered. "Keep going. Go on." My eyes were glued to the glint the
whole time. I opened my mouth to keep encouraging Cleo, but I choked back the words
instead. The glint was not my father after all. I gasped and suddenly tugged at Cleo's
reign. She stomped her hooves but didn't go anywhere. I then realized that I was too
scared to make her go back, for the glint was not even a human or light at all.
I rocked back a little, my eyes wide with horror. Before me, although the darkness
showered the lower areas, stood a tall silver gate. I could make out the mark of two lions
on either side of the gate. I felt dizzy with disbelief. It couldn't be. King Stephen's Castle?
"Let's go, Cleo," I whispered and tugged at the reigns. However, Cleo would not move
away. She simply turned her head and eyed the castle. My blood was burning. I opened
my mouth to order Cleo to move again, but all that came out was a gasp for Cleo had
nudged the gate open. The silver giants had creaked open willingly, as if the former
occupants had no intention of keeping security.
But there was an occupant. Why would he keep security if he snagged passing
merchants? Was he expecting me? Did he have Father?
A gentle breeze caressed my curls and pushed Cleo in. I didn't know how that could
have happened, but the poor girl gave a little half jump. She looked startled and hesitant
for a moment, but she walked in anyway. I tugged at her reigns, feeling a bit impatient.
She ignored me and went on.
"Cleo," I scolded, but the rest of my words went right back down my throat. I felt my
skin turn icy cold.
The gates had slowly closed behind me. I felt my heart rip right through my chest. I
suddenly wished I didn't come up with the idea at all. Father couldn't have been in
that...that...run-down castle!
"Cleo," I whispered again. It was practically a weak plea. Cleo simply shook her head
and went on. Her ears twitched again. She stomped one hoof but didn't step away. I
actually considered jumping off and leaving her, but the very thought of it made my heart
melt. I couldn't leave Cleo. It would be too dangerous. Besides, I loved her. I would have
been terribly vulnerable and weak without Cleo. Feeling hopeless, I allowed her to go on.
I ducked as a tree branch slowly rode over my head. I pulled my coat closer across my
chest, seeing that I had no choice but to go on. Since I was faced with no other option, I
decided to prepare myself instead of fighting what was obviously going to happen. I tried
to convince myself that the legends weren't true. I told myself that the castle was old and
deserted, and if there was someone inside he only took passing merchants. I wasn't a
merchant, and I couldn't remember any tales of women meeting the...the...what was it? A
beast?
The very thought of a monstrous beast living in that castle curled my hair. I felt my back
stiffen and my skin grow numb. I felt frozen. All I could do was breathe, and even that
was hard for me. I felt as if the very sound of my breath would attract the attention of
whatever was inside. Or whoever...
I remembered what I had told my sisters before. I told them that if Father was mad then
maybe it wasn't too late. The only possible way Father would go mad was if a creature
found him...if the legends were true. Perhaps my words were more truthful than I thought.
Perhaps he was inside the castle and I had a chance to take him away.
A few grim thoughts crept into my mind. What would've happened if the beast found
me? What if Father wasn't in the castle? What if I completely miss him?
I had time to think, but I found that I no longer had the time to move...to do something
about it. My senses awakened completely. The strange thing was, the sensations were as
overwhelming just as they were pleasant. A mesmerizing scent had flooded my body, and
I found myself cautiously stepping into the great castle.
Before I could restrain myself, the doors closed oh, so quietly behind me. Somehow I
thought that I would have felt better had they slammed shut and taken me off guard
instead of the tenderness that made my nerves nervously ride the edge. I couldn't help
myself. I wanted so much to push my thoughts away, but they only made me curious.
Curious and terribly frightened.
I reminded myself that Father could have still been inside. I felt stupid for considering
such a thing. I told myself that I was only being selfish and too curious, that I was using
Father's presence as an excuse to explore the enchanting yet horrifying castle. The place
was so dark and mysterious. I wanted to explore every inch of it. Who wouldn't at least
feel some inch of curiosity when faced with such a wonder?
I began to collect my thoughts. The legends. A beast was meant to be roaming the castle.
So far, I didn't find things all that frightening. Although my heart would not stop
throbbing painfully, I found no beast. I began to wonder if I would be the first sane person
to talk about the experience. What if the beast wasn't even real or nearby? Didn't the beast
only torment merchants? That thought pinched me and made my heart swell for Father.
Perhaps I was indeed hoping for Father's safety, but so many thoughts clouded my mind
and made me rethink my intentions. I knew I wanted Father to be safe, but what if that
wasn't the only reason? I had to admit that a part of me - a curious part of me - wanted to
familiarize with body with the castle and perhaps see the legendary beast for myself.
I felt the fine hairs on my skin grow stiff. Face the beast? How could I even think of it?
It was a horrifying thought, yet my curiosity got the best of me. I did want to see the
beast! But I didn't want him to harm me. I didn't want to face him and leave knowing that
the legends were true. If there was a beast, he couldn't be that bad. But how could I even
think such -
Amidst the darkness was a lonely, faint light. I paused for a moment. It slowly bloomed
out of nowhere, showering the still darkness with a golden glow. I approached the light
and discovered that it was a candle. My heart ceased. I suddenly found that feeling it
pounding against my chest was easier than not feeling it all. Who lit the candle? No one
was around.
I nearly cried, but I bit back my tears. The beast must have been nearby. Only he could
have lit the candle, unless the legends were false and there was another monstrous being
lurking within the great stone walls.
I grabbed the candle as if it were my dear life. I held it close to my chest while begging
my breath to keep still. It was the only light I had despite the faint moonlight that shone
through large windows draped with heavy velvet curtains. My eyes had adjusted easily,
but I still felt that I would be blind without the light of the candle. Was the candle part of
the beast's game?
My breath slowed down. My heart began to beat at a regular pace. I noticed something.
Well, some things. I didn't need to hold my breath at all. I looked at the candle. My eyes
grew wide. It was close enough to burn me, yet my very breath did not even make the still
flame flicker. And the candle itself...the wax. My fingers explored the whole candle, and I
discovered that there was a golden handle at the bottom. It was so smooth that I did not
notice it wasn't waxy until I felt the small circle surrounding the candlestick itself.
I covered my mouth with my free hand. It wasn't just an ordinary candle. I could tell
that. I have never come across such a smooth candle holder, let alone a flame that never
seemed to die. I barely dared to breathe, yet I did just that. I did more. Before I could
hesitate, I blew the flame. I gasped and nearly let go of the stick, partly because I did such
a thing as blowing it and because it still did not move. The flame did not flicker.
I paused for a moment. I then realized that it did not give me warmth either. I cautiously
lifted one finger to touch my flame. So small yet amazing. So common and often used yet
rare. My curiosity was starting to bother me. I could kill myself if I touched the flame, yet
I had to know what else was so special about the candle. Perhaps I could've tucked it
away to take home with me if I make it out alive. Wasn't it proof? Wasn't that theft?
Wouldn't that be enough to anger the beast?
If. If. When was better to me.
I dragged my thoughts back in and focused on the candle. My finger was barely touching
it. Had I gasped I would have touched the odd flame, yet I still felt no warmth. I finally
touched it all the way, only to shriek and pull my hand back. It was hot, but not hot
enough to burn. I wanted to cry out, but the sound of my voice still echoing against the
hollow silence made me suck in my breath.
Deciding I had better things to worry about than an enchanted candle, I listened. What
else was enchanted in the castle? The beast? The curtains? The floor? The curtains and
the floor could make no sound, but the beast could. I listened with all my might. I listened
so attentively that the silence hurt my ears. But that was it. I hear nothing else.
I shivered. The beast must have been a true animal to be so silent. Was this how he lured
in his victims? Make them comfortable then attack when unexpected? What if he was
behind me? What if he didn't even know I was in the castle? Would he drive me out if he
knew? Would he torture me? What if he was actually kind? Was that why he lit the
candle? Was it even him who lit the candle? What if the beast wasn't even a man?! It
could have been a she. No, it was an it!
I nearly laughed. I was driving myself insane. Perhaps that was how the merchants
became insane. They wandered through the castle for so long that they drove themselves
mad with fear and such silly thoughts. If that was the case then perhaps there was no beast
at all. Perhaps they had imagined one, and the other merchants simply envisioned such a
creature based on the legends told before. But how was I to explain the candle? Or
perhaps any other magical things I could come across?
I began to relax as logic finally hit me, though many thoughts and possibilities still
racked my mind. I wanted to cry out and simply run out again. I was afraid that I really
would drive myself mad. It was a relief to fear that instead of the beast, yet my curiosity
drove me forward.
Terrible mistake, for when I stepped forward I had not greeted air but a rather soft and
muscular wall instead. Not a wall, I knew, for even in the darkness I heard a low rumbling
noise and saw mist-like breath materialize before me.
-----
AN: Please pardon any errors.
Chapter 2
By: L.V. Scarlette
(R)
-----
Father never returned. We waited long days and nights, a broken promise that he would
return soon with each rise and fall of the sun. Everyday we told ourselves that he was just
delayed, or that trips really take more than just a few days. It seemed reasonable enough
and it satisfied us, but the days turned into weeks. We really began to worry. Little
Serenity was the only one who didn't seem to be affected by Father's absence, but even
our own silence sometimes made her stop crying. I didn't like it when she was too silent.
It made me feel as if even the baby knew there was something wrong.
I often scolded myself for being so superstitious. Since I did not want to remind myself
of legends and such, I often concerned myself with work. I had worked harder with Father
gone. I didn't mind it. It gave me something else to think about. I found myself helping
out with the chores as well. Elizabeth was a tad bit too weak to do housework, and she
often found herself caring for Serenity when she wasn't too tired to even sit up. This left
bathing Serenity to Mina and me. We took turns sometimes. I didn't mind that though,
since seeing Serenity's bubbly little face often eased my worries.
However, this sometimes made me rethink my life as well. I often found myself staring
into Serenity's big eyes then out the window. The child reminded me of eternity, and
eternity made me wonder if I was ever really going to get married. It was one thing that
would really please Father. I didn't have trouble attracting men, yet I didn't feel ready. The
men seemed arrogant or just not right. I sometimes didn't even understand myself. I
wasn't sure if I could be a wife or mother. Besides, what child would want a mother with
no grace or cooking skills?
I found myself sighing while thinking these thoughts one night. I was staring outside at
the sky from the window in Beth's room. We were all inside, my sisters and I, along with
Serenity who was sleeping peacefully in Beth's arms. Hannah had been complaining
endlessly all night about how she wished Serenity would wake up so she could play with
the little "sparkle". Beth had snapped immediately, claiming that her baby needed sleep.
The two had argued the whole time, although it was a light hearted argument that actually
made the room seem lively for once.
I didn't pay attention to that. I felt relieved that there was no silence to back up my
thoughts, but I remained distant and silent. I wrung my fingers together like a child.
Thinking of my future was a change I welcomed, but I still felt strangely guilty that I was
being selfish enough to worry about myself instead of Father. There were so many
emotions that I didn't know which one was right. I wanted to die right then and there. I
didn't want to feel anything. I wanted relief yet when relief came, I felt guilty. I didn't
understand my own thoughts, and this annoyed me. I was beginning to consider a loss of
sanity due to Father's absence.
"What do you think, Serena?" I heard Beth ask.
I snapped back to reality and turned to face my sisters. They were staring at me
curiously. "What do I think of what?" I raised my eyebrows, feeling completely
dumbfounded.
"Of the baby. Don't you think she would be better being awake?" Hannah stated as a
matter-of-factly, almost as if she was expecting me to agree with her.
I stared at Serenity. The baby had her cute little fingers curled up with one thumb
pressed against her bottom lip. Her button of a nose scrunched up as she let out a small
yawn, then she fell right back to her deep baby sleep. I cocked my head, suddenly feeling
amused. "You know, I think she looks cute either way. Serenity's still Serenity. She's
adorable whether she's awake or asleep."
My sisters stared at me for a moment. Hannah blinked, then turned away and sighed.
Beth shook her head and the two started arguing again. I nearly laughed. My heart
actually felt light. I didn't want my happiness to end, but it was brief. Too brief. A grim
thought crept into my mind.
I looked at my sisters again. "Do you think Father's dead?" I wanted to choke back the
words, but I couldn't. Besides, even my own tone of voice scared me. I sounded so serious
that I actually began to consider it.
Beth looked shocked, worried, then angry. "Serena, how could you even ask such a
thing? You know very well that Father - "
"Be reasonable. It's been too long..."
"Reasonable?! But this is Father! If you say that...I-we-I don't think that - "
"Father said he would come back," Hannah cut in. She looked down and sighed. "She's
right, Beth. I...I don't know..." Her voice fainted into a sniff.
Beth remained silent, her eyes darting from Hannah to me. I couldn't read her
expression. She looked angry, confused, and doubtful all at the same time. I figured that
she was in denial. At that point, her eyes glimmered with tears. She let out one small sob
and roughly wiped a tear away. "I-I don't know. I don't know what to think," she choked
out. "I don't want to think that...that F-Father's dead. I...it can't be. He said he would come
back..."
I instantly rushed to my sister's side and embraced her. I extended one arm as an
invitation for Hannah to embrace us both. She did that. I embraced them with all my
might and even willed my tears to come out. They were there. I knew it, but not one tear
escaped. I shut my eyes tight. I was the only one who wasn't crying, and, as childish as it
may seem, I felt guilty and left out. The craziest of thoughts came into my mind, like
what if I didn't love Father? Was that why I really didn't cry? Or maybe I already knew he
was dead somehow? Did I think there was no point in crying?
I let out a ragged sigh, my breath coming out as a small gasp. My cheeks began to burn
and my vision blurred, but my hand shot up automatically to catch any tears that dared to
escape. Before I could think about that, I suddenly blurted out something else. "What if I
go out there and find him?"
The sobbing almost instantly died down. My sisters held their breaths and stared at me.
Hannah choked out another sob while Beth began to tremble. "Sere...Serena, are you
mad?" Beth's face turned bright red. "We already lost our father and now you want to
leave us too?!" Her voice was so loud, I could've sworn she was about to roar.
I shivered. I didn't mean to, but I have never heard Beth like that before. I sucked in my
courage and continued silently. "Father may not be dead. Remember that the men who
went into the forest before came back." I paused and flashed a cautious glance at my
sisters, just to make sure that they were listening. Once I was sure I had their attention, I
continued, "They just come back mad. Ill. Father may not even be mad at all. Maybe he
reached Grover's Hill. If he is almost insane right now," I nearly choked at the idea, "then
maybe I can still save him."
I noticed Serenity stir out of the corner of my eye.
"And if he comes back?" Beth inquired.
I took her words as a sign that she was actually considering my idea. "Then he comes
back. I won't be gone for long. You can tell him I went off to search for him."
Beth's lip twitched. She had this look on her face, as if she was about to laugh and cry.
"You're very ironic, Serena. There's a good chance that Father will look for you as well
if...when...he comes home. You-you must be insane! Serena, don't you know what's in
that forest? I mean...you do, but you obviously haven't got the sense!" Beth looked
bewildered. "You could die, Serena! You could go mad! If Father comes home mad then
you might come home mad too! Don't you understand? What will that make of me and
Hannah? It's not just that. I mean I thought you...I thought you had sense. I-I don't know,"
Beth sighed.
Hannah looked at me cautiously. I simply looked down at the floor, finding my feet to
be suddenly very interesting.
"I think you just need to rest," Beth whispered.
"I would go out, look for him, then come straight home."
"You might as well kill yourself," Beth stated solemnly.
"You could get Mina to come over here and help you with Serenity."
"Who do you think you are to ask her to do something like that?" Hannah gasped.
"He could be in the forest for all we know, and if I find him I can bring him back."
"Small chance that you'll meet him in the middle of darkness," Beth sighed.
"Maybe it's not so dark over there-"
"Maybe there's a castle with a beast inside!" Hannah snapped, sarcasm dripping from her
voice.
"Maybes will get us nowhere, so there's only one way to find out," I bit back. I could
hear the rising irritation in my voice.
"You just need to rest," Beth hissed. "I think waiting for Father has made us all
hysterical."
"I am not hysterical!" My patience was slipping its leash.
"You might want to eat something then sleep-"
"I'm going to go out there."
"...And then you'll wake up and wonder what you were thinking."
"Well I'm sure that's certainly better than Father now, isn't it?!"
Hannah and Beth were staring at me again. This time they actually looked like they were
considering my idea. I could've sworn I felt steam rising from my ears. I felt sick and
disgusted at my own actions, yet I held on to my ideas firmly. I remained silent, willing
my anger to cool down. Judging from the sudden stillness in my sisters' eyes, I figured
they were doing the same. I felt as if I was dragged into a scene mentioned in one of my
beloved books.
"We don't want to lose you too, Serena," Hannah whispered, finally breaking the intense
silence.
I sighed and took both my sisters' hands in my own. "Look, just...just give me a day or
two. Alright? I'll keep track of it. A day or two won't let me get all the way through the
forest. It will be enough time for me to just go in there, look around, then come back.
There. There's a time limit. Isn't that a compromise?
"There are no compromises for lives."
"Well you've got another life hanging on a thread along with sanity. If you ask me, this
is more of a reason actually," I stated flatly. I made it sound as if I had already decided for
them.
Beth pulled her hand away from mine and covered her mouth. I looked down
thoughtfully, feeling worse than ever. I sniffed quietly, then with one hand, embraced
both Hannah and Beth again. "He may be out there."
Hannah rested her cheek on my arm. She looked as if she was staring off into space.
"Mina will never agree to stay with us," she whispered. "Her family won't."
I giggled like a little girl. I didn't know where that came from, but I was happy that they
were actually starting to see things my way. "Mina will agree to anything. Besides, she
told me yesterday that she wants to stay here for a week or so and look after Serenity." I
paused. I could tell that they didn't believe me. "It's true. She said that she didn't really
have a lot to do. We're neighbors. She's not exactly going into town."
Beth shook her head. "No. No, this can't be. You can't go. I'll be damned to let you go. I
must be insane if I actually think this reasonable."
"Then you are," I whispered. It was a playful yet true statement, and she knew it.
Silence and a few other arguments went on that night. I had to admit that even I found it
hard to believe that they agreed with me. I still had to convince them even more. I had to
point out certain things Father did for us and a few ways around the housework and such.
I had to make promises and swear that I would not go all the way into the heart of the
forest. I didn't really intend to do so, but I was afraid that the closer I felt I came to Father
the closer I would venture into the deep darkness.
I had to come up with plans and explain them to my sisters. We even talked about how
full I must be before leaving and what I would bring. They even offered...no, ordered...me
to take Cleo, our white mare. I had agreed to do so, and we rode the night away with
plans even though Beth was half asleep by early morning.
The sky had given way to the morning sun by the time everything was settled. I had a
day and a half. They expected me home by noon the next day, and if I didn't return they
would send out men from the village to search for me. I didn't exactly know how they
were going to do that. I figured it was simply a threat, but I didn't argue. Why ruin
everything when I finally got them to completely agree with me?
That morning I ate heartily. I had nothing but milk and cheese the day before sometime
around afternoon. I was terribly hungry, and the trip ahead of me required a lot of food. I
had to rely on the nuts and berries I would find in the forest along with a slice of bread,
water, and a bag of oats for Cleo. The rest of the food had to be saved, especially since I
wasn't going to be home to gather the eggs and milk. Hannah would be left with that task,
and she wasn't trained to do that. We also managed to get Mina to take my place for a
while. I managed to talk to her on my way out, and she agreed eagerly. Luckily, that didn't
seem to be a problem for her or her family.
However, she told me that I was insane. It was a playful yet serious remark, and it bit
me. It made me actually doubt my crazy idea, but there was no way I could go back.
Before I could feel any more doubtful, I gathered up the food in a bag, wrapped myself in
thick clothes, tied the bag to Cleo, then kissed my sisters good bye.
I found myself riding off into the forest with a fat mare who had just eaten, leaving my
sisters behind. I felt as if I was riding to my death, but I remained silent and confident.
Though my shoulders were pulled back, my head was bent down and my fingers held on
tightly to Cleo. And finally, for the first time in a long time, I felt a single tear to escape.
-----
The night echoed with the sounds of the forest. I had nothing but the faint moonlight and
my lantern to guide me through the darkness. Cleo was a little tired, but she didn't seem
to mind and kept going. I spent the hours trying to remember which way I came in,
calling out for Father every now and then, and stopping every so often to feed myself and
Cleo. My food was running low and my eyelids felt very heavy.
I leaned over as another tree branch rode right over my head. I looked up, my eyes
darting from tree to tree. I was scared, I had to admit. I have never been so far off into the
forest. I was beginning to loose hope and wit, and the sound of howling wolves made me
wish I didn't come up with the idea at all. Yet the very thought of Father's possible
presence nearby made me suck in my courage and go on.
"Father," I called out. "Father? Are you here?"
A faint breeze whipped a few strands of my hair. I could hear my own voice echo. I
shivered. I suddenly felt worse. For some reason, fear had crept into me even more. I had
managed to keep hold of it earlier, but it seemed as if I lost control. My heart began
pounding rapidly against my heavy chest. I wanted to faint and wake up in my home, but
the thought of reality kept sinking in. I felt dizzy with regret.
My body rocked back a little. I was also dizzy with sleep. I had often considered
stopping for a while and sleeping the while I was riding Cleo, but the thought of strange
animals and my father not seeing me because I was asleep made me push my drowsiness
aside. The air was also growing rather cold. I began to feel uncomfortable, yet the cool
atmosphere made me want to sleep even more.
I licked my lips and yawned. My lashes fluttered open as I forced my eyes to keep still
and wide. I was suddenly happy that I did, for in the near distance I saw something
shimmer in the moonlight. My heart leapt. My eyes widened without effort this time. I
nearly smiled, but I told myself that it could have been something else. But still...was it
Father?
I willed Cleo to approach the silver glint, but for some odd reason the poor thing simply
snorted and stepped away. Her ears twitched and her tail swished frantically.
"Cleo, what is with you?" I frowned at her. She snorted again, her eyes looking terror
stricken. Was this how animals grew scared? I didn't know for sure, but she was starting
to scare me as well. If something could shake her up then wasn't it something terrible?
"Cleo," I snapped. "Go! There's nothing dangerous there," I sighed. "Please? Be a good
girl."
Cleo stomped her hooves then remained silent. She stared at the glint but didn't move.
"Cleo," I said gently. "Come on. There's nothing bad there."
Cleo snorted as I whispered into her ear, as if I was hushing a baby. Finally, after a few
minutes, she cautiously approached the glint in the distance.
"Good girl," I whispered. "Keep going. Go on." My eyes were glued to the glint the
whole time. I opened my mouth to keep encouraging Cleo, but I choked back the words
instead. The glint was not my father after all. I gasped and suddenly tugged at Cleo's
reign. She stomped her hooves but didn't go anywhere. I then realized that I was too
scared to make her go back, for the glint was not even a human or light at all.
I rocked back a little, my eyes wide with horror. Before me, although the darkness
showered the lower areas, stood a tall silver gate. I could make out the mark of two lions
on either side of the gate. I felt dizzy with disbelief. It couldn't be. King Stephen's Castle?
"Let's go, Cleo," I whispered and tugged at the reigns. However, Cleo would not move
away. She simply turned her head and eyed the castle. My blood was burning. I opened
my mouth to order Cleo to move again, but all that came out was a gasp for Cleo had
nudged the gate open. The silver giants had creaked open willingly, as if the former
occupants had no intention of keeping security.
But there was an occupant. Why would he keep security if he snagged passing
merchants? Was he expecting me? Did he have Father?
A gentle breeze caressed my curls and pushed Cleo in. I didn't know how that could
have happened, but the poor girl gave a little half jump. She looked startled and hesitant
for a moment, but she walked in anyway. I tugged at her reigns, feeling a bit impatient.
She ignored me and went on.
"Cleo," I scolded, but the rest of my words went right back down my throat. I felt my
skin turn icy cold.
The gates had slowly closed behind me. I felt my heart rip right through my chest. I
suddenly wished I didn't come up with the idea at all. Father couldn't have been in
that...that...run-down castle!
"Cleo," I whispered again. It was practically a weak plea. Cleo simply shook her head
and went on. Her ears twitched again. She stomped one hoof but didn't step away. I
actually considered jumping off and leaving her, but the very thought of it made my heart
melt. I couldn't leave Cleo. It would be too dangerous. Besides, I loved her. I would have
been terribly vulnerable and weak without Cleo. Feeling hopeless, I allowed her to go on.
I ducked as a tree branch slowly rode over my head. I pulled my coat closer across my
chest, seeing that I had no choice but to go on. Since I was faced with no other option, I
decided to prepare myself instead of fighting what was obviously going to happen. I tried
to convince myself that the legends weren't true. I told myself that the castle was old and
deserted, and if there was someone inside he only took passing merchants. I wasn't a
merchant, and I couldn't remember any tales of women meeting the...the...what was it? A
beast?
The very thought of a monstrous beast living in that castle curled my hair. I felt my back
stiffen and my skin grow numb. I felt frozen. All I could do was breathe, and even that
was hard for me. I felt as if the very sound of my breath would attract the attention of
whatever was inside. Or whoever...
I remembered what I had told my sisters before. I told them that if Father was mad then
maybe it wasn't too late. The only possible way Father would go mad was if a creature
found him...if the legends were true. Perhaps my words were more truthful than I thought.
Perhaps he was inside the castle and I had a chance to take him away.
A few grim thoughts crept into my mind. What would've happened if the beast found
me? What if Father wasn't in the castle? What if I completely miss him?
I had time to think, but I found that I no longer had the time to move...to do something
about it. My senses awakened completely. The strange thing was, the sensations were as
overwhelming just as they were pleasant. A mesmerizing scent had flooded my body, and
I found myself cautiously stepping into the great castle.
Before I could restrain myself, the doors closed oh, so quietly behind me. Somehow I
thought that I would have felt better had they slammed shut and taken me off guard
instead of the tenderness that made my nerves nervously ride the edge. I couldn't help
myself. I wanted so much to push my thoughts away, but they only made me curious.
Curious and terribly frightened.
I reminded myself that Father could have still been inside. I felt stupid for considering
such a thing. I told myself that I was only being selfish and too curious, that I was using
Father's presence as an excuse to explore the enchanting yet horrifying castle. The place
was so dark and mysterious. I wanted to explore every inch of it. Who wouldn't at least
feel some inch of curiosity when faced with such a wonder?
I began to collect my thoughts. The legends. A beast was meant to be roaming the castle.
So far, I didn't find things all that frightening. Although my heart would not stop
throbbing painfully, I found no beast. I began to wonder if I would be the first sane person
to talk about the experience. What if the beast wasn't even real or nearby? Didn't the beast
only torment merchants? That thought pinched me and made my heart swell for Father.
Perhaps I was indeed hoping for Father's safety, but so many thoughts clouded my mind
and made me rethink my intentions. I knew I wanted Father to be safe, but what if that
wasn't the only reason? I had to admit that a part of me - a curious part of me - wanted to
familiarize with body with the castle and perhaps see the legendary beast for myself.
I felt the fine hairs on my skin grow stiff. Face the beast? How could I even think of it?
It was a horrifying thought, yet my curiosity got the best of me. I did want to see the
beast! But I didn't want him to harm me. I didn't want to face him and leave knowing that
the legends were true. If there was a beast, he couldn't be that bad. But how could I even
think such -
Amidst the darkness was a lonely, faint light. I paused for a moment. It slowly bloomed
out of nowhere, showering the still darkness with a golden glow. I approached the light
and discovered that it was a candle. My heart ceased. I suddenly found that feeling it
pounding against my chest was easier than not feeling it all. Who lit the candle? No one
was around.
I nearly cried, but I bit back my tears. The beast must have been nearby. Only he could
have lit the candle, unless the legends were false and there was another monstrous being
lurking within the great stone walls.
I grabbed the candle as if it were my dear life. I held it close to my chest while begging
my breath to keep still. It was the only light I had despite the faint moonlight that shone
through large windows draped with heavy velvet curtains. My eyes had adjusted easily,
but I still felt that I would be blind without the light of the candle. Was the candle part of
the beast's game?
My breath slowed down. My heart began to beat at a regular pace. I noticed something.
Well, some things. I didn't need to hold my breath at all. I looked at the candle. My eyes
grew wide. It was close enough to burn me, yet my very breath did not even make the still
flame flicker. And the candle itself...the wax. My fingers explored the whole candle, and I
discovered that there was a golden handle at the bottom. It was so smooth that I did not
notice it wasn't waxy until I felt the small circle surrounding the candlestick itself.
I covered my mouth with my free hand. It wasn't just an ordinary candle. I could tell
that. I have never come across such a smooth candle holder, let alone a flame that never
seemed to die. I barely dared to breathe, yet I did just that. I did more. Before I could
hesitate, I blew the flame. I gasped and nearly let go of the stick, partly because I did such
a thing as blowing it and because it still did not move. The flame did not flicker.
I paused for a moment. I then realized that it did not give me warmth either. I cautiously
lifted one finger to touch my flame. So small yet amazing. So common and often used yet
rare. My curiosity was starting to bother me. I could kill myself if I touched the flame, yet
I had to know what else was so special about the candle. Perhaps I could've tucked it
away to take home with me if I make it out alive. Wasn't it proof? Wasn't that theft?
Wouldn't that be enough to anger the beast?
If. If. When was better to me.
I dragged my thoughts back in and focused on the candle. My finger was barely touching
it. Had I gasped I would have touched the odd flame, yet I still felt no warmth. I finally
touched it all the way, only to shriek and pull my hand back. It was hot, but not hot
enough to burn. I wanted to cry out, but the sound of my voice still echoing against the
hollow silence made me suck in my breath.
Deciding I had better things to worry about than an enchanted candle, I listened. What
else was enchanted in the castle? The beast? The curtains? The floor? The curtains and
the floor could make no sound, but the beast could. I listened with all my might. I listened
so attentively that the silence hurt my ears. But that was it. I hear nothing else.
I shivered. The beast must have been a true animal to be so silent. Was this how he lured
in his victims? Make them comfortable then attack when unexpected? What if he was
behind me? What if he didn't even know I was in the castle? Would he drive me out if he
knew? Would he torture me? What if he was actually kind? Was that why he lit the
candle? Was it even him who lit the candle? What if the beast wasn't even a man?! It
could have been a she. No, it was an it!
I nearly laughed. I was driving myself insane. Perhaps that was how the merchants
became insane. They wandered through the castle for so long that they drove themselves
mad with fear and such silly thoughts. If that was the case then perhaps there was no beast
at all. Perhaps they had imagined one, and the other merchants simply envisioned such a
creature based on the legends told before. But how was I to explain the candle? Or
perhaps any other magical things I could come across?
I began to relax as logic finally hit me, though many thoughts and possibilities still
racked my mind. I wanted to cry out and simply run out again. I was afraid that I really
would drive myself mad. It was a relief to fear that instead of the beast, yet my curiosity
drove me forward.
Terrible mistake, for when I stepped forward I had not greeted air but a rather soft and
muscular wall instead. Not a wall, I knew, for even in the darkness I heard a low rumbling
noise and saw mist-like breath materialize before me.
-----
AN: Please pardon any errors.
