~Chapter 24~

Noella

The evening had taken its toll on Belle and I, especially since we made the decision not to eat. However, it was a meer couple hours since the confrontation with the beast and the hunger was definitely setting in. I was getting a low grade headache while Belle was discussing what specific foods she'd like to be eating right now with Violette. Their discussion definitely made my mouth salivate.

"Okay, that's it. I can't take it anymore." I cried out, "Let's get some food." I pressed impatiently.

Belle stood up looking as determined as I was.

"I'm with you Noella."

"Don't you two remember what the master said?" Violette muttered.

"I'll call for Mrs. Potts." Belle said going to pull the rope cord.

Within minutes, Mrs. Potts rushed into our room with a tray full of little snacks like grapes, cheese, and crackers.

"I figured you two might be hungry." Mrs. Potts smiled warmly.

"Mrs. Potts you mustn't…" Violette chimed in looking nervous, "What about the master?"

"Oh pish tosh. I'm not going to let these poor dears go hungry." Mrs. Potts replied snappily.

"That's very gracious of you." Belle replied.

I nodded in agreement as Belle and I both quickly began stuffing our faces with the snacks Mrs. Potts had brought. As we were eating our fill, Cogsworth and Lumiere came through our door only after knocking politely.

"You two have certainly made the master upset." Cogsworth scolded pacing back and forth with his clock arms crossed behind his back.

"Easy Cogsworth." Lumiere replied, "The girls just were not hungry." He said throwing a wink in our direction.

"Clearly." Cogsworth replied dryly gesturing to our current eating now.

"Did you truly expect us to eat with that monster?" Belle demanded.

"We didn't expect a lot of things." Cogsworth shrugged, "You two are just the first people who might be able to help us."

"What do you mean?" Belle asked.

"Details of the spell...we can't talk about it in length, but surely one of you can help the master…" Mrs. Potts chimed in.

"Help him with what?" Belle pressed.

"Remember what it is like to be human." Lumiere answered.

"Oh is that all?" I said sarcastically.

"I don't understand what that means, but why on earth would we help him when he imprisoned us?" Belle asked incredulously.

"Try to understand dearest…" Mrs. Potts replied, "Not all is as it appears. Maybe talking with the master might bring down his defenses."

"Maybe we can help each other?" I shrugged.

"What do you mean, mon cheri?" Lumiere asked.

"I mean, if we help your master, could you help me?" I asked.

"We can try." Lumiere answered without hesitation.

"No, No, No, I must object." Cogsworth added.

"Seems to me that you're outnumbered." I replied with a wink.

"I just don't want anything bad to happen." Cogsworth said simply.

"Nonsense." Belle replied, "Surely we can help eachother out if we all work together."

"What exactly do you need help with Noella?" Mrs. Potts asked me.

"Before I met Belle in town, I've been searching for a magic mirror to help me find my mother. We've been separated for a long time now and I just want to make sure she's alright."

"You poor dear." Mrs. Potts said with sympathy in her eyes, "I can't imagine being separated for long from Chip...I'm sure your mother is worried sick."

"Do you know of any mirror?" I asked.

All the staff exchanged glances and hung their heads.

"What?" I asked.

"I think the master has what you seek and he is the only one who uses it." Cogsworth replied.

"Well, we'll have to change his mind." Belle added confidently.

"And Belle, I'll leave that to you." I smirked.

Belle's eyes widened in complete shock at my comment.

"Are you serious?" She stammered nervously.

"Of course, you're more than capable and plus after our last interaction, I don't think the beast would even talk to me." I shrugged. "Besides, you owe me." I winked.

"No arguments there." Belle shrugged rolling her eyes in defeat. "I'll handle him...at least I'll try."

"In the meantime, you can keep him busy and I can look around for that mirror." I replied.

"Sounds like you two have your plan." Mrs. Potts chimed in.

"Perhaps you two would like a tour perhaps?" Lumiere offered.

As the kind castle staff gathered around Belle and I excitedly, I stepped away momentarily hearing a muffled sound emerge from my backpack. My sister was reaching out again. Poor Riley, stuck at home, but I'd rather her be there safe in any case. Though she'd probably have found mom by now with minimal delay. I pulled the walkie-talkie from my backpack and everyone in the room looked at me curiously.

"You all go on, I'll join you in a moment." I nodded.

Belle nodded and followed the others outside the room closing the door behind them and immediately I was uncomfortable with being alone. Why did I react like that so randomly? Trying to stuff those thoughts away, I went out onto the balcony to talk to my sister.

"Ri?" I called to her pushing the button.

"Noella! What's going on?"

"Oh you know, just with Belle at the beast's' castle hanging out." I replied casually.

There was an excited squeal on the other end of the walkie-talkie.

"Geez, way to keep your cool, Riley." I replied dryly.

"I can't believe you're there. How big is the castle?"

"Uh…" I said looking down from the balcony, "Several stories high." I replied.

"Wow." Riley replied.

"How's Uncle Mark?" I asked.

"He knows you're out of town trying to find mom. I left out major details." Riley answered.

"Thanks for holding down the fort." I replied, "I miss you Ri." I said with tears filling my eyes and my voice cracked just barely. I couldn't even hold it in.

"I miss you too Noella. Just keep doing what you're doing whatever that is and bring mom home."

"I will, I promise." I reassured her.

"Do you know how close she is at least?" Riley asked curiously.

As I inhaled a breath to answer her, a big thud came through the bedroom door and threw open the doors to the balcony. It was the beast. He stared me down looking angry.

"Who are you talking to?" The beast growled.

"N-Nobody." I said sheepishly trying to lie, but even I didn't believe me.

"Noella? Hello?" Riley chimed in.

The beast growled at me and swiped his hand grabbing the walkie talkie from my hand. Belle ran in the bedroom shortly after freezing her steps once she saw what was going on. Unsure of how to possibly help.

"What is this?" The beast asked giving the device a curious sniff.

"It helps me talk to someone that I love very much who is very far away." I answered.

"Love is weak...nobody loves you just as nobody loves me." The beast growled raising his voice throwing the walkie-talkie hard against the stone ground. My heart sank as the device broke into tiny pieces.

"No! How could you?" I stammered.

"Now, you'll think twice before trying to sneak away from here." The beast scoffed.

Belle came up behind him tapping him on the shoulder and as he turned. She struck him across the face. I was shocked by this and frankly so was the beast. I could see Belle standing there shaking, but her courage was undeniable.

"How dare you." She said as the beast stared dumbfoundedly at her, "She was only talking to her little sister. You should learn some manners and show some respect." Belle scolded. The beast looked shocked at Belle's outburst and bared his teeth for a second, but his face softened and he ran off seconds later. Belle ran over to me putting her hand on my shoulder sympathetically.

"I'm sorry Noella. Maybe we can fix it?"

"No…" I said looking at the pieces on the ground, "What's done is done. Thanks for what you did."

"He deserved it." Belle nodded.

"Would you mind giving me a moment?" I asked.

Belle nodded and left me on the balcony to my devices. As she shut the balcony doors, tears fell from my eyes before I could even attempt to hold them back. I sat down on the hard, cold stone on the ground and began picking up the broken pieces of the walkie-talkie. My only communication to my sister was now gone. I could only hope that she wouldn't start freaking out because she wasn't hearing from me. It's not like I could send a carrier pigeon her way. Tears fell from my eyes dampening my cheeks. I'm pretty sure I had bottled so much in until now and this was clearly the final straw. I looked up toward the sky as the clouds settled in and it began to grow dark and raindrops started hitting my face. It was almost like magic when one was crying in this world how fast clouds flooded in. At first it was only sprinkling, but then it turned into a torrential downpour. I welcomed the rain as it soaked my clothes, I didn't care. After a few minutes, I got back on my feet and looked over the balcony railing checking out the view. The woods were still and from what I could tell no animals roaming about nearby. Though suddenly, I thought I heard someone calling my name. Of course, I must be mad. Belle was just inside and she was sitting on her bed reading a book though occasionally looking up at me with worry in her eyes. I leaned over the balcony, but didn't see anything. Now I know, I must have been losing it. I closed my eyes stretching my head up to feel the rain hitting my face. My thoughts went downhill from there. I began to wonder if I would ever be able to find my mother. The magic mirrors hadn't told me she wasn't here. They have been very distinct with their province locations. Surely, they would mention if my mother wasn't here. With all the people and creatures I have encountered, I just could only hope that she was okay and had possibly met nice people just as I have. I had to keep believing she was okay and that I would find her. When I found the beast's mirror, I would ask as many questions as possible getting to the root of my search. Though, I still wasn't sure how many more provinces I had left to visit. I shook my head in defeat, but still tried to shake those feelings off. I couldn't give up.

Amidst the pitter-patter of the rain falling, I thought I heard a sound of something hard hitting stone. It was very loud and distinct. Curiously, I looked around the general vicinity of the balcony and still nothing was there. Ugh, maybe it was time to go inside, the rain was messing me with. As I reached for the door, I heard intense groaning and two footsteps hit the stone that of course weren't mine. I turned and immediate relief hit me.

"Joel!" I cried out excitedly shocked to see him standing there.

"You that surprised to see me?" He said with a smirk.

I ran to him grabbing him in a tight hug. I didn't realize I missed him so much. He held me close, though both of us soaked, we didn't care.

"I didn't know if you would move on or not." I muttered sheepishly.

"Give me some credit, Noella. I wouldn't leave you behind." He replied reassuringly.

I pulled away smiling weakly, but soon my arms crossed and relief turned to anger.

"What took you? Where have you been?" I paused looking over the balcony, "And how did you manage to climb up here?"

Joel held out two tools in each hand. They looked like arrows though much thicker and the tips were made from sharp iron.

"I scaled the stone walls with these, though it wasn't easy, I managed alright." Joel shrugged, "And I am sorry it took some time, Gaston tried to leave me for dead and thanks for leaving your note by the way." He said quickly changing subject.

"Gaston, what?" I replied in shock.

"It doesn't matter right now, I handled him, I'm just glad I found you." He smiled.

"After being gone for so long, I figured you would have moved on." I shrugged turning away from him. I was being a little over dramatic in this, but I wanted to gauge how he was.

"Noella…" He muttered with a heavy sigh. He gently grabbed my chin turning my face to meet his gaze. "If you think I would leave you suddenly without finishing what we started, you don't know me at all."

I felt embarrassed. He was right.

"I'm sorry. I just lost my only communication with my sister, so I'm kind of freaking out a little."

"You'll see her again if I have anything to say about it. C'mon, let's get you out of here." Joel pressed taking my hand, but I pulled it away.

"Joel, I can't. I'm sort of stuck here." I shrugged.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Belle and I are kind of prisoners here."

"Huh? Prisoners? By whom?" Joel asked quickly.

"Belle made a deal with the master of this castle in order to save her father and I in my right mind couldn't leave Belle by herself here, so I'm staying with her too."

"You're staying of your own free will?" Joel asked.

"Essentially...yes." I shrugged.

"Geez Noella…come on." Joel replied running a hand through his wet hair. "What about your mother?"

"I know," I paused biting my lip, "But I can't turn my back on someone who needs me."

"I respect that...more than you know." He replied, "But I have a better idea...why don't you go get Belle and the three of us will leave altogether." Joel offered.

"It's not just about Belle, Joel." I replied, "The master has the mirror."

"Okay, well go use it when he's not around."

"It's not that easy...the master is a bit of a brute. He's a beast." I said quieting my tone.

"So are a lot of people, but I know you're more than capable of handling yourself with a rude person." Joel said shrugging his shoulders, clearly not getting it.

"No, he's a literal beast. Not human. A monster." I said finally.

I watched as Joel finally put the pieces together and his eyes widened.

"Then that's it. Go get Belle and let's get you two to safety. We'll leave, regroup, and return to get the mirror."

"Joel…" I muttered, "I-I can't...I know it sounds crazy, but I don't think the beast will hurt us. He's a brute sure, but I don't know I really don't think he would hurt us."

"Noella, that's insane." Joel frowned looking like a scolding parent as he said so.

Soon the door to our bedroom opened and Belle joined us waving at Joel.

"Noella, you should come inside...I think I hear him coming." Belle said. "Hi Joel."

Joel waved sheepishly and Belle smiled at us before going back inside.

"I-I gotta go, Joel." I replied. "I'll find a way to contact you once I've found the mirror."

"I've got a better plan...how bout I come back here and see you every other day?"

"What? That's insane and a smidge excessive."

"I don't care...I'm not exactly comfortable leaving you in some beast's castle."

Belle peaked her head out of the door urgently.

"Noella." She pressed.

"I'm coming." I answered quickly.

"After sundown every other night." Joel said. "It's a promise." He nodded.

I smiled as I went back inside and Belle just smirked at me as we sat down.

"What?" I said shrugging my shoulders.

Belle just shook her head smiling broadly.

"Let me help you out of those damp clothes."

"The beast wasn't coming was he?" I asked.

"He already destroyed your device...I didn't want him harming anything else of importance to you." Belle winked.

"He wants to help us, but I think getting out of here is going to take some time."

"Well at least we're not alone." Belle nodded.