Chapter 7: Control

2 years later

Jacqueline struggled vainly in the grasp of the Butcher's huge hand as he marched her through the street with large strides that were much to long for the nine year old to keep up with. She experienced the odd feeling of weightlessness as he periodically lifted her off the ground in his haste. She quickly learned to keep her feet moving even while suspended in air to prevent tripping once he placed her back on the ground. She began coughing from the dust stirred up by his large blood stained boots but even that didn't slow him. She tried to hold her breath for as long as possible to keep from breathing in the dust and smell of sweat and blood emanating from her warden. But inevitably she found that the need for oxygen outweighed her noses offense.

The Butcher was a large man with a grizzly face and harry knuckles. His hands were rough and strong from wielding his large butcher's knife all day long. She knew this from the force by which he dug his fingers into her shoulder while pushing her through the front door of the cottage. Causing the unoffending door to bank loudly as it swung on its hinges from the force. Bringing startled looks to her parents who sat inside, staring questioningly at the interruption to their quiet afternoon.

Gaston sat in his large chair with his bandaged foot propped on a stool in front of him. LeFou had shot him in the foot during a drunken dare. The little imp was sufficiently apologetic but Gaston had thumped him on the head anyways. Since the incident he had been cooped up in the house recuperating. (And he wasn't a good patient.) The longer he remained caged the more difficult he became. He would gripe and complain none stop asking for something and then as soon as it was brought to him he would change his mind. There is nothing quite so hard as entertaining a grown child.

Through this ordeal Belle had quietly endured his frustrations and submissively weighted on him. So obedient had she become that no longer did her actions warrant any debate within herself. It made Jacqueline sick to witness her father abuse her mother in this way and she silently vowed that she would fight back against such injustice. Oh how brave are the young and unexperienced.

Although generally speaking most of the recent time spent between Belle and Gaston was strained (and downright tortures) this afternoon had actually been passed relatively pleasantly. Gaston, distracted from his invalid status was showering attention on his eldest son. Proudly showing him the finer points of a crossbow. While Belle prepared bread and their remaining sons played on the floor with the hound dog who attempted to nap lazily on the rug.

This pleasant picture was interrupted however by the unceremonious entrance of their eldest child being held aloft by a red faced and very angry man. He set her down (none to gently) before turning raged filled eyes to her parents.

Jacqueline angrily tried to shake off the man's grip before looking straight ahead. She would not give him the satisfaction of looking remorseful. Defiant to the end. Her eyes met those of her brother. Little Gaston smiled smugly from where he stood beside their father, showered in his approval and love. He knew that she had messed up again and gleefully awaited the verdict of her crimes. She glared back with complete and utter loathing at the two faced flea.

It wasn't fair! She was the eldest not him! But at every turn he was a source of pride and she disappointment. Gaston could do no wrong in papa's eyes. No matter how rudely he behaved or how lazy he became Gaston would continue to devote to the boy his unconditional praise. Even mama didn't see the true extent of his maliciousness. He always behaved better around her, and even though she wasn't blind to his nature like papa she was always preaching to Jacqueline to try and be kinder to her brothers and look out for them.

Why would I be kind to that Buffoon!

Belle nervously approached the Butcher whose nostrils were still flaring with anger.

"Monsieur Leroy, what's going on?"

The man ignored her and continued to glare furiously at the little girl.

"Leon what's the meaning of this?!" Gaston barked from his chair.

The man finally released his gaze from Jacqueline and turned it to her father. Pointing an accusing finger at the nine year old he addressed his friend.

"Your Girl Gaston, has been spreading lies throughout the village! She told a group of children that I KILLED Old Monsieur Julien and he was HANGING IN THE BACK OF MY SHOP! I caught six of them back there looking for the body!"

Belle quickly put a hand over her mouth. The Monsieur continued.

"And then she told MY SON that I had killed his twin brother at birth and sold him to Madame d'Aboville for her dinner! My wife still hasn't calmed him down, he thinks he is next!"

Belle looked with horror at her daughter.

"JACQUELINE HOW COULD YOU DO THAT!"

The little girl's chin rose in the air refusing to be ashamed of her actions (though inwardly she hated the sound of disappointment in her mother's voice.) Gaston however leaned forward in his chair a scowl on his face as he stared with irritation at his seemingly ever-present, unwanted daughter.

"Don't worry Leon I will handle this."

The Butcher was still so enraged that he couldn't speak. Instead he nodded curtly and left the cottage slamming the door behind him.

A painful silence settled on the room as Gaston continued to glare at her. Belle began to nervously wring her hands glancing between her husband and daughter uncertain of what course of action she should take.

"Boys get out."

Immediately a flailing of limbs rushed for the back door as Jacques, Albert, and Henri made their escape. All too eager to avoid involvement in the storm that was about to ensue. But none wished to miss the sentencing of their only sister so they all slyly listened through the door. (Not that they needed to Gaston had never been one to lower his voice.) Mama picked little Maurice off the floor and Pierre hid behind her skirt, even he knew something was about to happen.

Not surprisingly Little Gaston didn't leave his perch beside papa's chair, he was practically immune to papa's rage. An almost gleeful smile on his face at the thought of his sister's oncoming punishment. Oh she hated him.

Gaston ignored his son's disregard of orders and rose from his chair. Balancing his weight carefully on his injured foot.

Good grief he's tall! Jacqueline thought as her papa towered over her.

"NO MORE!" Gaston yelled.

Fear curled in Jacqueline's stomach as she listened to her father's shouting voice. Her legs trembled under her body as she felt his anger rise.

"DO YOU HEAR ME? NO MORE!"

"Gaston I am sure she didn't mean any harm…"

"QUIET WOMAN!"

Belle took a tentative step back her resolve wearing thin. Years of giving in had caught up with her, but still she tried to soften his rage.

"Gaston please she is…"

"NO BELLE! This is the third slander she has spread throughout town! And I will not have MY good name be dragged through the dirt by a disrespectful CHILD!"

Technically it was the fifth if you included when she claimed Madame Claudia was a witch or the time she told all the children that there were goblins living in the forest. But Jacqueline didn't think it would be beneficial to her health to bring up that little fact.

"GASTON SHE IS YOUR DAUGHTER!"

"I didn't do anything to you!"

Both adults turned from each other and looked at their daughter in surprise. Jacqueline was also surprised at her outburst. But she was so consumed with the desire for her father's love and approval that she couldn't stand him accusing her of more disappointing actions. Besides she hadn't hurt him why should he care? There was nothing she hated more than being falsely accused.

"That is where you are wrong little girl! And I am going to make SURE that you learn this lesson, and remember it!"