Author's Notes:

I don't own Beauty and the Beast or its characters. It's the property of Walt Disney and all other versions of the story belong to their respective owners.

Rated M for the usual: language, adult themes, and other good stuff.

Helloooo everyone!

Alright, so I've been receiving some reviews from people who're very interested in seeing some more chapters added to this story. In response to you guys' feedback, I decided to keep this story going a little bit more. I honestly wasn't expecting to add on to the story so any ideas and/or comments you guys have would be amazing!

Between my crazy internet connection, acquiring a cold from who knows where, and college work, it's been a struggle to write so please bear with me guys!

P.S. I have homework for you all! *ducks behind laptop* Don't toss tomatoes at me! Here's just a question to mull over for yourselves. I'd love to hear what you have to say, though!

If you had to choose, what would be more appealing: someone with a ghastly personality, but greeeeeat in bed (we're talking about, seeing the stars when your eyes roll back in your head, amazing!) or someone who countered your personality perfectly, but didn't fit in physically (appearance-wise) with your family and/or society?

Okay, enough of my rambling, enjoy the chapter :)

Chapter Two

Belle awoke in a dimly lit room strewn across a floor whose stones were poorly laid. The cobblestone-like ground dug its way into her back as she struggled to sit up. The tunic she had thrown on earlier hung limply on her frame instead of clinging to her curves as she was accustomed.

Her weak knees carried her to the worn wooden door that barred her exit. As her hand skimmed softly across the coarse wood, the door flew open. "W-wha…" She breathed as she instinctively backed away.

An elderly woman stood in the doorway holding a large bundle of sheets and towels. "Oh my! The young master didn't tell me he had company!" She easily bustled into the room and dropped the stack neatly on a wobbly writing desk as she addressed the visitor fully. She attempted a curtsey, but couldn't bow low enough due to her old knees. In any case, she lowered her head in respect as she finished the gesture.

Belle wrinkled her eyebrows as she studied the old woman. She wasn't entirely sure what she should do in such a situation since she hadn't ever been a noble-woman. She grimaced slightly when the old woman straightened up and looked at her expectantly. She could only nod her head slightly in acknowledgement as she wrapped her arms around her torso.

"It is a pleasure to serve any visitor the young master brings, my dear. You can call me Mrs. Potts." The old woman said with a warm, wrinkled smile as she tried not to look anywhere other than Belle's face.

Belle smiled weakly before she realized why the woman was intently staring at her face. She immediately looked down at her sheer outfit and tried to cover herself with her hands. "Shit!"

Mrs. Potts grimaced momentarily at the Belle's vulgar outburst, but ignored it. "Stay here, dear. I'll go and fetch you something to wear."

Belle sunk to the floor and tossed her head back in exasperation. She still didn't understand why that man had taken her away from the brothel. She didn't even know where she was at the moment. Had he really taken her back to his home? Was he sadistic enough to tease her around before killing her?

...

Adam agitatedly paced in his study with his hands clasped behind his back. He had been gone for the majority of the day and had found Belle fast asleep in his private library. Instead of shaking her like he had so desperately wanted to, he sought out his servants so he could get to the bottom of this predicament.

"I'm going to inquire one last time… who had the gall to allow that woman to wander about?" He spat as he stopped to face his servants.

A portly man by the name of Charles Cogsworth wrung a handkerchief in his hands while he glanced at the others who were assembled. He inched forward and cleared his throat nervously, "With all due respect, my lord, I tried telling the others-"

Mrs. Potts caught the back of Mr. Cogsworth's coattails and pulled him sharply back into line. She scowled at Cogsworth, but quickly composed her features into a warm, small smile. "Young master, it Is cold, damp, and lonely in the top of the mansion. We only thought it best to allow the young miss to… explore her surroundings before retiring for bed."

Adam had continued to pace while Mrs. Potts spoke. "None of you had the right to speak to her!"

Lumiere easily tilted his head from where he was seated. He had never perceived himself as a servant of Adam's. His resourceful, charming, and personable nature moved him to a position of slight equality since he assisted Adam in his financial endeavors.

"No right to speak to her, Adam? That's a tad barbaric, no? And what in Heaven's name did you think you were doing sashaying her away from her place of work?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Adam spun on his heel to directly address Lumiere. He had to clasp and unclasp his hands silently before answering his intrusive friend. "Not that it involves you, Lumiere, but I was merely doing the woman a favor."

"By forcibly removing her, mon ami? That is… going down the wrong path, no? Shouldn't you be bettering yourself? We all know how this could end if…"

"I'm aware!" Adam shouted louder than he had intended.

Mr. Cogsworth shoved his mangled handkerchief into his pocket with an inquisitive look. Mrs. Potts only shook her head gently signaling for Mr. Cogsworth to keep his questions to himself.

"In any case, young master, the young miss is a guest in your home. Perhaps you should dine with her tonight? We could make great use of the new silver." Mrs. Potts cheerfully interjected clapping her hands.

Adam reluctantly took his eyes away from Lumiere to smile softly at the older woman. "Then, I'll leave the details to your judgment, Mrs. Potts. Make sure she's comfortable and seated for supper."

...

Belle tugged at the corset that hugged her bodice. She had never been given such an ornate and painstakingly made dress before. The outfits that Gaston had provided her never left must to the imagination. Surprisingly, neither style from either of these men pleased her. She had no wish of being some noble-woman who carried a matching parasol. She also couldn't stand being a cheap whore who survived on the money of adulterous men.

Belle turned when she heard a few raps on the door. Mrs. Potts carefully opened the door and announced, "Supper is ready, young miss. If you'd please, follow me down?" Belle grabbed fistfuls of her skirt as she tried to rush to keep up with the jolly woman.

"So, do you know why I'm here?" Belle asked as she shuffled behind Mrs. Potts.

"Well, young miss, weren't you told by the young master why he required you here?"

Belle scoffed as she adjusted her grasp on her skirts. "He didn't say one clear thing to me since we met." She glanced around the dimly lit corridors they were passing and abruptly tugged on Mrs. Potts' sleeve. "Please… I know you're not like him. Tell me where I can escape quietly from here. I don't have anything to give you right now, but I promise I'd repay you!"

Mrs. Potts pleasant demeanor dissipated as a look of horror flashed across her features. "E-escape, miss? Why would you say such a thing as that?"

Belle sighed impatiently, but kept her hold on the older woman's sleeve. "Yes, escape! I need to return to my sick father. Please, help me out of here."

Mrs. Potts fought to process the words that slipped out from Belle's lips. She couldn't fathom that Adam could have kidnapped anyone. She knew of his unpredictable and ever-worsening behavior, but she refused to believe that he could commit such a terrible act.

"I don't know what purpose you have in this home, young miss, but watch your tongue about the young master. He…he is not the way you are making him seem." Mrs. Potts said softly, pulling her sleeve out of Belle's hand. "If you'd please, follow me."

Belle's wrinkled eyebrows showcased her frustration and lack of understanding. "What is wrong with you, old woman? Don't you see that your young master is keeping me against my will?" She hastily picked up her skirts and indignantly said, "I don't need your help."

Belle turned rapidly around and made her way back into the belly of the mansion. She had no sense of direction in such a large home. She twisted and turned and ran down several hallways, unable to find any exit.

Her breath caught in her throat as she found herself near the library she had fallen asleep in earlier.

"What do you think you're doing?" A cool voice asked from behind Belle.

Adam stood behind her with his hands comfortably tucked into his pockets as he tilted his head to one side. The edge of his lips quirked up in amusement as he watched his agitated guest glare at him.

"I didn't give you permission to leave, did I?"

A/N:

So, that's chapter 2! Any thoughts? Please read and review.

-Nightmarish Escape