Beauty and the Beast

"Broken Hearts"

A fanfiction based on the 1987 tv-series

Situated in an alternate third season, where Catherine and Vincent are still together.

Whilst Father has been struck by a heart attack another danger threatens the community.

By Anita Meuris

"Dylan?"

The entrance to his cave was partly blocked by paintings of cabins on hilltops, swirling dragons, and a soft pastel portrait of Annie's face.

Cautiously Annie entered. Dylan looked up from the pile of clothes he was sorting. There was that evasive look again. It tore at her spleen.

"I was just organizing my laundry," he said.

Dark, curly locks bounced against his cheeks as he continued folding sweaters.

"I thought we could go to the river this evening," Annie suggested. "We could finish reading Little Dorrit?"

Dylan pinched his lips and took up the pace folding.

"Can't go tonight."

"You were busy last night too," Annie whispered.

"Yeah well ..."

He turned to look at her, but his eyes missed their shine. They used to glow whenever she was around.

"… Father asked me to help move some rocks in the eastern tunnels."

"How long will that take?"

Dylan lowered his eyes. He had thick and dark lashes that contrasted with his milky skin.

"I don't know, Annie. Can't you hang out with Jamie? You guys get along, right?"

In the distance someone was tapping on the pipes.

"Sure. Maybe I'll see you later."

Dylan didn't even notice she was leaving. She was certain her tears would not soften his heart, so she kept them inside until she was out of sight. Slowly she slid down across the rough wall and buried her face in her hands. There she sat sobbing until a voice startled her:

"Annie?"

Through a haze of tears, she saw Jamie squatting down beside her.

"What's wrong?"

"I think Dylan has lost interest in me."

There. It was out in the open. A rock should be lifted from her heart.

Jamie seemed puzzled. Then again, Annie didn't think she had ever had any love interest. She always seemed perfectly happy on her own or in the company of Mouse. Jamie was smart.

"Why do you think that?"

"He's avoiding me," Annie confessed. "It's been going on for a few weeks now. I tried to ignore it, hoping it would pass. It only seems to get worse. He's clearly keeping secrets from me."

"Yeah?" Jamie asked. "Like what?"

"Like what he's doing when he's not with me. He's not helping Father clear rocks."

Jamie frowned.

"I don't think anyone's clearing rocks right now."

"See!" Annie exclaimed and her eyes teared up. "So, where is he going?"

"I don't know ..."

Jamie got up and offered her a hand.

"... but we can find out."