I don't get how I can do a chapter a day. It's bizarre, but I'm sure you guys like it. I will make sure from now on to do the songs as well as add some songs from the Broadway version for the fun of it. Yay for the lyrics sheet inside my CD case. Well here comes the meeting of the beast.

Chapter 4: Imprisonment

Belle could feel Philippe tense underneath her as they reached a fork in the road. One road looked safe and inviting while the other looked down right terrifying. Her heart nearly stopped as Philippe began down the latter of the two paths.

Christine looked around as an owl hooted up in a tree. She shuddered a bit and tried to imagine being wrapped in Erik's arms near a warm fire. All she had now was her own arms around Belle's waist and she was cold.

"Don't worry Christine we'll find them."

"I just pray to God they're both all right. I would hate for you to lose your father and I couldn't stand to be without Erik. He means the world to me."

"I understand. I've known the two of you for only a couple days and all ready I can see that you to are meant to be together. It's such a beautiful thing love. I someday want to meet the Prince Charming like in my book. I could never love Gaston."

"You'll meet him someday Belle. I always thought I wouldn't meet that someone until Erik came to me as my Angel of Music. He was everything I always dreamed of and I knew we were destined to be. Everyone has that special someone out there and I know for certain there's one for you too."

Belle looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Thanks Christine. I know I tend to have my head stuck in the clouds, but that's because I want the feeling of the wind blowing in my hair allowing me to fly away and find the one who loves me."

"That's so beautiful."

Together they rode on and it was amazing that the wolves weren't stalking them. They came to the gate outside the castle and looked up in amazement at the structure. Gargoyles lined the edge of the roof and the entire building seemed to be hanging to the cliff for support as it lingered at the end of a stone bridge.

Suddenly Belle jumped off Philippe's saddle and pushed the gate open falling to her knees as she picked up her father's hat. Underneath it was a rose with a black ribbon tied around the stem. "Christine, come look."

Christine came down next to her and a gasp caught in her throat as she picked up the rose. "Erik…God don't tell me he's in that horrible place. We have to help him and your father Belle. They could be in terrible danger."

Belle stood and brought Philippe inside the gate and closed it. She took Christine's hand and they headed to the door. Pushing with all their might they opened the door and slowly made their way into the dark corridor.

"I don't like this place Belle. It seems so dark and depressing like a place I once knew."

"I know, but we have to keep searching. We can't just give up. Come on let's try this way," Belle said leading Christine down another hallway leading off the one they were in.

xxxxx

Lumiere and Cogsworth were in a room arguing like always. Cogsworth wiped his face with a cloth.

"You had to invite the two men in didn't you? I'm surprised the master will ever talk to us again after all that has happened. I blame you entirely."

"I'm sorry, but did you really think I was going to send them back into the rain? We haven't had people come to the castle for many years and to have them here was rather great."

"Well I hope you're happy, because now they're locked in the tower. Who knows how long they will have to last up there before they parish?" Cogsworth asked.

Before Lumiere could answer two cries came from the hall. "Erik!" "Papa!"

"Did you hear that?" Lumiere asked racing to the door and looking around it. "Look it's some women. No doubt looking for those men."

"Well what do you suppose we do?"

"Allow them to see them again," Lumiere said pushing on the door enough to get their attention and follow after him.

"Did you hear that Belle? I think someone is here," Christine said quietly going for the door.

"Excuse me," Belle called out. "We're looking for two men. Are they here?" she asked following Christine.

Nobody was there when they stepped into the room.

"I swear I heard someone open the door," Christine said.

"Look!" Belle said pointing to a light heading up some stairs ahead of them. "There must be someone here. They must know where Erik and Papa are."

Belle led the way up the stairs and was surprised when she didn't see anything, but a candelabrum resting in an alcove in the wall. The room before her was dark and she heard water dripping from the ceiling. A cough came from in front of her. "Papa?"

"Belle!" Maurice exclaimed going to the bars.

"Oh, Papa you're hands are like ice."

"Both of you must leave," Maurice said quickly.

"Who's done this to you?" Belle asked.

"There's no time now go."

"Where's Erik?" Christine asked.

"He's in here, but he hasn't woken up yet. We both nearly passed out."

Christine hurried to the bars and looked inside to find Erik lying on the floor. "Erik? Erik, please wake up," she said to him.

xxxxx

Erik could hear someone calling his name, but he wasn't sure where it was coming from. He opened his eyes and looked around to find he was still in darkness, but there was a light coming from his side. He turned slightly and saw Christine looking at him though the bars of what was a cell. Trying to get to her he lifted his head and let out an agonizing cry as pain shot through his head.

"Oh Erik…" Christine said sadly not sure what to say or do seeing as he was so far away from her.

"Christine what are you doing here? It's not safe," he said remembering the beast.

"We've come to get you out of here. Philippe came back to the house and he brought us here to the castle. I found your rose outside," she said holding it up.

Erik looked up and stared at the rose. In another desperate attempt he grinded his teeth as he got up and slowly crawled over to the bars beside Maurice. He reached his hand through and gently touched her cheek with a gloved hand. "Oh Christine. I missed you so much."

"I'm glad to see you're all right," she replied reaching through the bars and touched his face.

The touching reunion came to an abrupt end as a snarl erupted through the small space and both woman were grabbed by the cloak and pushed aside.

"Belle!"

"Christine!"

The two women huddled together as something growled near them. Christine wanted to crawl back to the cell, but she darned not move afraid of what was in the room. Belle felt brave and stood up leaving Christine to cower on the floor.

"Who's there? Who are you?" she asked the darkness.

"The master of this castle," the beast replied sternly as he prowled around the room.

"Please let them out of that cell," Belle pleaded looking back at the two men peering through the bars.

"Why should I? They were trespassing on my land."

"There must be something that can be done to change your mind," Belle said helping Christine to stand. "Take the two of us and spare their lives."

At first Christine gasped then meekly nodded. It wasn't fair seeing her husband sit behind bars. He was no prisoner and she would do anything to prove that.

"You would take their places?" the beast asked confused at the girl's outward statement

"Belle no, you don't know what you're saying," Maurice shouted.

"If we did will you let them go?"

Seeing this as an equal exchange the beast agreed. "Yes, but you must promise to stay here forever. Both of you."

"Come into the light."

The beast moved slowly into a patch of moonlight coming through the roof of the tower. Belle and Christine's eyes went wide as the fangs, horns, and fur that made up the beast became clear and they both cowered in fear for a moment.

"No, Belle I won't let you do this," Maurice cried again.

Belle turned to the beast and stood firm. "You have our word." Christine also nodded at this for she was at a loss of words at the sight of the beast.

"Done." Angered the beast pushed past them and undid the cell door.

Maurice ran to Belle and pulled her to him. "Belle, don't do this. I'm old and lived my life." That was all he said before the beast grabbed him by the collar.

Erik had run to Christine pulling her into his arms and holding her. "Christine why did you agree to something like that? How can I possibly go when you'll be left here with that creature?"

Christine finally finding her voice placed a hand on Erik's masked cheek. "Because I once found a man, who thought he was a monster and deep down inside he was the most caring individual I'd ever met. If he's anything like you was I think I can handle it."

Erik stared at her then back at the beast. "Please I wish to stay here with my wife. She shouldn't have to be here without me."

"Do as you wish," the beast snarled dragging Maurice behind him.

Belle tried to go after them, but stopped at the top of the stairs remembering her promise. She crossed slowly to the window over looking the bridge.Christine let go of Erik and went to the window where Belle watched helplessly as Maurice was carried away in a strange machine towards the village. She had Erik, but poor Belle would probably never see her father again.

TBC…

This was so hard to write, because I'm used to the talk between Beast and Belle, yet her I am added two new people to the mess and trying to make it sound right. Let me know what you think. Next chapter Belle and company get their rooms and our favorite guy to hate; Gaston gets his theme song. I'm adding it because it's important to the plot so yeah.