The Beast had made his way some how to the west wing. His servants faithfully tried to keep up with him, but his mad rage left them behind. Thrashing to find his mirror, he demanded that he see Belle. She had left him again, and he wanted to see why. She passed through his manor as he slept like an unwanted wind. The glass began to swirl and change; a sage picture appeared.
Belle stormed into the main bar with a determination like no other. "Gaston!" she shouted, "where is Gaston!" The crowd quieted and looked to the drafty door. A man sneered and set his frothy mug aside.
"Look, it's both of those crazy lunatics! We don't want to hear your stories, so go home!" Belle would not be ignored. She approached the man and grabbed the collar of his shirt sternly. He toppled from his chair in her grasp, trembling.
"Tell me where Gaston is or you won't hear a horror story!" Maurice gasped. The fire under the portrait of the town leader crackled as a shadow rose before it.
"Calm down, Belle, there's no need to rough anyone up!" The voice was with a familiar disdain. She dropped the old man and move towards the stranger. The form turned and pulled at his chin, simpering a disgusting smile. "Although, I do like this stronger side of you, of course, given it's controlled."
"You snake," Belle spat, losing all bashfulness before him. "What do you think you're doing?" Gaston stared into her fiery eyes; he knew she would never strike him. He looked to her shaking father, huddled in a corner far from the others.
"I thought perhaps I could reach you through your father, Belle," he thought aloud, "but that plan wasn't as sure as my next."
"Where is the bookkeeper, Gaston? Alone on the street?" Belle cried.
"I came up with the most wonderful plan, my Belle! What if I can take a village that already thinks you're a threat, and turn them against you so that the only way you and your father can live here in peace is to, well, how can I say this…" He coldly jeered wider as Belle's aggressiveness disappeared. "Maybe you should be associated with a more popular member of the community." Belle backed away, reaching for her father. Maurice stumbled to her side. She looked to those she once thought were kind, caring people. Even some she might consider friends. They gaped at her with such strangeness it made her have chills. Lefou was visible now, handing beers to everyone and giggling at Gaston's left.
"A more popular member, that's good Gaston!" he snickered.
"What…what are you saying?" Belle whispered.
"Marry me, Belle," Gaston shouted. "Or you will leave this town, perhaps with your father, maybe without." Belle's eyes darted to the manager of the insane asylum. He was drumming his fingers in agreement. She was utterly alone, except of her father, but as the town surrounded them in harsh silence, he gave her no confidence.
The Beast roared a heavy, horrible scream. The immense pain in his soul ran through his bones like knives upon knives. Lumiere and Cogsworth cowered in the shadow of the doorway, for never such a shriek had been heard. The Beast hurled the mirror into the wall. It did not shatter nor scratch, for it was magical, but the picture disbanded as quickly as it had formed. He fell onto the small table containing the rose and covered his pouring eyes. Its dull light spread over his broken brow. Slowly, his blue eyes moved upon it. His wide claw began to cover the glass, and soon grown tense as if he were to launch too. Lumiere's visage expanded and he clambered forward. "No, Master, you mustn't!"
"Why not," the Beast growled. "I have nothing more to live for."
"She might return," Lumiere calmed. "She said she might return for you!"
"She will not leave her father," the Beast argued.
"Have hope still, Master," Lumiere coaxed. "Leave the flower, please." The Beast hesitated before the too well-known sulk moved over his features. The harshness was gone, and he was beyond heart broken. Dragging his limbs, he left the dark chambers and trudged down the stairs. Lumiere had never seen him in such low spirits.
"Will he be all right?" Cogsworth inquired. Lumiere shook his head.
"I do not know, my friend, I do not know."