Author's Note: Sorry for being MIA on for so long. A lot has happened in June 2012 my mom passed away, in May 2014 I graduated from college with my A.A. degree in Art, and in January 2015 I started back college again to go for my Bachelors in a different field. However, I am doing a lot right now still but I will be updating much as possible. I hope that my followers on my stories do not think that I have forgotten about you all which I have not. I apologize for the short chapter. I have been working on this chapter on and off for almost a year.

Date: 5/31/15

Chapter 8 Only Human

Beast

'Maybe I shouldn't have said that to Belle. I felt like I was just in the moment when I said that, but I feel like she may feel the same way for me.' Beast thought to himself as his eyes downcast to the ground.

"Beast don't think that I'm objecting what you told me. I would be honored to be with you, so stop doubting yourself." Belle said to Beast in a comforting tone.

"We have only known each other for so little time, and you know me so well already." Beast said to Belle as a long tree branch reached out towards them.

"These distorted humans are trying to grab us and I don't understand why," Belle said to Beast as they both stepped back.

It didn't matter that he was in the woods alone with Belle. He even realized that Adelaide was no longer on his mind anymore. It seemed to him that she no longer existed in his world since she had broken up with him. Now things seemed different for him and he was happy about it. The distorted trees lifted up their feet which were the roots that kept them grounded and shook the whole ground where they were walking.

The vibrations made them feel like an earthquake was coming and they could feel their feet sinking into the ground, and swallowing them by their ankles and then within seconds they were waist deep until they were swallowed up completely. The ground flattened and covered up the hole that Beast and Belle had sunken down in as if it never existed. Beast and Belle could not see anything because of the darkness.

"Belle are you hurt?" Beast asked Belle with a quivering tone.

"I'm okay, Beast. Are you hurt?" Belle said to Beast as she felt around for an opening.

"I'm going to dig us out of here," Beast said to Belle as he dug at the side wall where they stood.

"I don't mind helping you dig at all." Belle said to Beast as she reached in her pocket and found a shovel.

In her hand the shovel expanded into a normal sized shovel. Beast looked with amazement as the shovel magically grew before their eyes. Belle finally believed what Dahlia had told her all along that she literally had everything that she needed for her journey.

Belle

"When we get ourselves out of here. I think that we are going to have a lot to talk about," Belle said to Beast.

"Yes, we do. But I hope that it's nothing bad going on between us." Beast said to Belle feeling worried.

"Well the only thing that keeps shocking me is that you were once engaged. What if she comes back and just decides that she wants you back?" Belle said to Beast looking at him with concern in her eyes.

"Trust me, Belle. She doesn't want to get back together with me. No offense I am still a jerk and think that outer beauty is more important than inner beauty," Beast admitted to Belle as he waited for her reaction.

"I already knew that all you care about is outer beauty. I can tell by the way you keep looking at me as if you want to kiss me, but you keep pulling yourself away from me." Belle said to Beast as he gave her a nervous look.

Belle couldn't believe how honest Beast was being with her. In her heart she felt as if the Beast could change long as he was willing to change on his own. Until, that day comes she could not picture him getting out of that simple minded mentality on his own without a little help.

"You read me like a book, Belle. You are the first person to ever do this," Beast said to Belle as he walked up to her.

'Be patient, Belle. I know how you and Beast feel about each other. I don't want the two of you going too fast and end up having something bad happen.' Dahlia said to Belle in her thoughts in a hushed tone.

'I'm trying my hardest to be patient. However, there is something about him that draws me to him.' Belle said to Dahlia in her thoughts.

'I don't want you to end up getting hurt again. You are still already hurting enough since your traumatic experience.' Dahlia said to Belle in a concern tone.

'I understand what you mean, Dahlia. However, I don't believe that him and I are in love. We barely know each other like that anyways.' Belle said to Dahlia as Beast helped her out of the hole they were stuck in.

'That's understandable the two of you will be going through so much together, but I refuse to tell you how it will all end.' Dahlia said to Belle as her voice faded away.

Beast

'All I can think about is how much I have lost and hoping that arrogant man won't be back any time soon.' Beast thought to himself as he helped Belle out of the hole.

'You need to focus on your quest and also protect Belle whenever you can. However, remember that she is able to handle herself.' Dahlia said to Beast in a stern tone.

Beast thought about what Dahlia said and was trying to make sense of it until he heard a voice behind him.

"You thought that you could just take me out so easily and get away with it," Beast turned around and saw that he was face-to-face with Gaston.

"Gaston what have you done to Belle?" Beast asked Gaston as his eyes scanned for Belle.

"It doesn't matter where she is. However, I will tell you this that Belle is mine and you will never be able to find her." Gaston said to Beast as he wielded his dagger from his knife pocket on his belt.

"Tell me where she is. I will not leave without her," Beast said to Gaston as his voice deepened into a guttural growl.

Gaston looked into Beast's eyes with deep intensity as he stood up tall and proud. Secretly, knowing that he had finally gotten over on him. Beast kept his mouth in a grimace trying to hide how he was truly feeling knowing that Belle disappeared without him knowing it.