AN: I'm sorry that this has been so long coming, and is so short. For some reason, I've really struggled with making this chapter work. However, I hope that I'll get the next one up fairly shortly. Also, slightly new format. Thanks for reading! And please review.

Burt glanced anxiously at the road sign before kicking on his horse. The sky was growing dark and the shadows long as day turned to night. He should have reached the town by now; it wasn't safe to be out at night in the forest. The horse trotted forwards,

nostrils flared and ears back, obvious signs of distress. Behind them, in the distance, a wolf howled, the sound echoing through the darkening valley. The stallion neighed nervously and trotted sideways. Burt pulled on the reigns and urged him forwards into

a canter.

Suddenly, all along the side of the track, glowing amber eyes appeared from the shadows. The wolves crept forwards through the undergrowth, drawn by the sight and smell of the lone horse and rider. They slithered onto the track, long legs keeping pace

with the frightened horse. Burt looked back and cried out, urging the horse to go faster. The animal lunged forwards desperately, veering off the road into an overgrown trail. He pushed through the branches tearing at him and his rider, before leaping over a

huge fallen tree blocking the way. But he clipped the log, throwing off his balance and the wolves took their chance. They came out of nowhere and everywhere, teeth and claws ready to tear at skin and clothing. Burt was thrown from the saddle and crashed

to the ground, before scrabbling up again. The wolves were moving closer and closer. Burt stumbled backwards, his back colliding with cold metal. Metal! Metal gates, he was saved! He frantically rattled them, desperate to find the lock or latch, anything. His

hand caught on the latch and he pulled on it, wrenching the gate open so he could dive instead, slamming it behind him. The wolves slavered on the other side of the wrought iron, but soon sensed defeat. They sunk away into the shadows, horse and rider

both lost causes.

Burt let out a sigh of sheer relief and turned to look at where he had found himself. He let out a gasp. A magnificent castle stood before him, windows reaching to the skies and spires reaching further. He noticed a flicker of light at one the windows and, like a

moth to a flame, began the long walk down sweeping cobbled drive. Reaching the looming oak doors, he tentatively rested on a hand on them, twisting the cold handle and pushing. The door swung opened with a rusty creak, and Burt ventured into the

darkness.

Burt's dreams were filled with dark, twisted shapes. He hadn't meant to fall asleep, but the castle had been warm and he had felt safe and the ornate armchair he found by the dying fire was soft and comfortable. The candlestick beside him sighed and slowly

dimmed her lights further, as a small clockwork timepiece came running in.

"Rachel! He knows, the Master knows he's here!" The clock exclaimed, pointing towards the staircase. "We have to get him out!"

"Nonsense Finn. Blaine's changed, he won't mind... Will he?"

She squealed in terror as a thunderous roar echoed through the empty corridors.

"Who dares disturb me?"

The clock and candlestick scuttled away as a monstrous form came bounding into the room, eyes wide, claws drawn. Burt woke up a start, jerking out the chair just as huge paws pushed him back down. Warm breath stole across his face, as he looked up in

terror at the hideous beast looming over him.

"I said, who dares disturb me?"

Burt shook as the Beast slowed sunk his claws into his collar, lifting him clean out the chair. The Beast roared in his face, before dragging him from the room. He pulled him along the corridor, the stones cold and rough against Burt's arm and back. A million

thoughts leapt through his head. Would he be killed, eaten, thrown out to the wolves? What about Kurt? He squeezed his eyes shut with fright as the Beast threw him into a pitch black room, slamming the door behind him.

A growl came through the door. "And you can stay there till I have decided your fate!"

The thunderous footsteps slowly faded, and Burt was left to ponder on his doom.