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Chapter 13: Down A Well

5 years later winter 1805

Jacqueline rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she looked in the small mirror that hung on her wall. It was old and dirty with a scratch running through its tarnished surface but it was better than nothing. She knew she should clean it but she only seemed to remember when she looked in the mirror while getting ready, and that was when she had the least amount of time to spare. Besides it wasn't like she didn't already know what she looked like. But with that being said today for some strange reason she decided to really study her reflection. Taking the sleeve of her night gown she attempted to wipe off the surface in order to make the task easier.

The woman (for she could hardly be called a girl anymore) looking back at her was in deed a beauty. Often times she had heard comments confirming it along with a fair amount of jealous glares from the other girls her age. But she had really never taken any of it very seriously. It wasn't that she was ignorant of her looks but more that she had other things to think about.

Turning her face first this way then that she watched the light gather shadows in the hollow of her high cheekbones and shimmer across her eyes. She was tall, the tallest woman in the village no doubt. Although she couldn't see it in the mirror she knew her figure was good and her legs long and slim…the product of many years of dancing. She was quite good, sometimes Gaston even had her perform in the tavern for the delight of his friends.

Turning her attention back to her face she examined it. Her skin was flawless! (A genetic gift for she surely took poor care of it.) Her lips were full and her nose was elegant and straight, turning up ever so slightly at the end and her jaw was strong like her father's but not unfeminine. Actually it gave a nice contrast to the other features that would have seemed too soft on their own.

Angling her head a bit she watched the light from the lantern dance through her chestnut curls that flowed down her long neck, pooling in the hollow of her collar bone before cascading down her shoulder to her hips. Brushing the hair aside with long fingers that were beautiful despite being roughened by hard work she turned her attention to possibly her best feature. (Though some could argue she didn't possess any bad ones…physically.) Her eyes.

Two large luminous spheres of purple looked back. The startling violet color was softened by the rim of dark lashes that framed them growing so long they began to ever so softly curl back on themselves. When she swept those black lashed lids down and looked seductively through them with those violet eyes no man within a hundred miles could have resisted.

Yes outwardly Jacqueline was the picture of perfections. A perfect combination of her parents' physical beauty creating a façade that far surpassed either of them…inwardly however she was a torrent mixture of her split heritage of opposites and constantly at war within herself. For the traits that blended so well outwardly contrasted sharply in her character which was an odd and conflicting blending of her two parents. Though this may have not been the case had she possessed some guidance in her life besides that of her self-obsessed father who's only interest in her lay in her beauty for which he paraded before others as a credit to himself.

Sighing Jacqueline swept her hair from her face and tied it back with a strip of green cloth that had been left over from her dress. Dressing quickly she picked up the lamp and exited her tiny bedroom. In reality it was just a storage closet on the second floor that she had procured for herself. But it did manage to give her some semblance of privacy for which she was EXTREMELY grateful!

The sun wasn't even up yet but if she waited for the sun then she would never have enough time…oh how she hated the morning!

She walked extra loudly as she passed the boys room, hoping the sound would wake them. She was bitter that they weren't expected to get up and work as well but her job had been clearly defined since she was 13 years old. All "woman's" work including caring for her brothers fell to her and no one else. Papa would never have considered making the boys help their sister in her tasks seeing it as beneath them. In the past she could bully them in to doing her work without papa's knowledge but that system had quickly eroded as Gaston's influence over his sons grew. At this point brothers and sister thoroughly hated each other with a red hot passion, and both sides would have been grateful to never see the other again.

As for Gaston his relationship with his sole daughter was more complicated. They were very much alike the two of them, but oh so very different. Gone were the days when she craved his attention, approval, and affection. Jacqueline though she never said it out loud blamed him for her mother's death and despised his blind favoritism of her brothers.

For his part Gaston paid her little to no mind. He expected her to behave herself and to do what he expected of her without question. The flaw in his thinking? Jacqueline was the daughter of Belle and there for couldn't be content with repetition that did nothing to excite her quick mind. And she was the daughter of Gaston which meant she was incapable of doing anything that bored her without complaint.

To say she was stubborn would have been an understatement. The best way to understand the conflict between Gaston and Jacqueline is to think of it as that of a mountain against a hurricane. A mountain will not move and a hurricane will not stay…how could either one conquer the other?

After passing the boys room she made her way on now silent feet down the staircase to the main room of the tavern. Holding the lamp high she scanned the room observing the work that had yet to be done. Placing it down on a table she moved to the various windows opening their shutters. Next there were chairs to be straightened, stool that had turned over, floors to sweep and tables that needed to be cleaned again. Once this was done the sun was beginning to appear. Heading to the back she checked to beer supplies and made pencil scratches in the books of stock that needed to be replaced. Next she began making breakfast.

Like clockwork the rest of her family began to descend the stairs as soon as the porridge had cooled. Hungriest first they came, Pierre 12, Albert 13, Jacques 15, Maurice 11, Henri 13, and finally Louis 8. The ungrateful swarm began taking their seats as she filled plates and bowls with helpings of porridge, eggs, and sausage. Not a one expressed any form of gratitude and instead began shoveling food down their throats as if they had been starved.

Next their father joined his brood, tussling Louis brown curls affectionately he held out his mug which Jacqueline dutifully filled with coffee.

After downing the glass Gaston took a look at his children. Jacqueline smirked as she watched his eyes twitch in confusion as he tried to discern which one of them was missing.

What's the matter papa? Forget your pride and joy?

At last the answer came as Gaston set his cup down loudly on the table.

"Where is your brother?" he asked the assembly

"Probably still snoring!" (Maurice)

"He got in late last night, apparently Marie is quite the entertainer!" (Jacques)

"Ya the fatso stepped on me!" (Henri)

"That was me stupid!" (Albert)

"Who are you calling stupid?" (Henri)

"I am looking at you ugly!" (Albert)

"You couldn't figure that one out Henri?" (Pierre)

"Shut up Twit!" (Henri)

"Make me!" (Pierre)

Then for no reason in particular except that he didn't want to be left out of the fun Louis bit Jacques on the hand making him drop his sausage which Louis quickly stuffed in his mouth.

"Why you RAT GET OVER HERE!" (Jacques)

Jacques reached across the table to hit Louis who had scampered away but caught Maurice instead.

"Watch it oaf!" (Maurice)

"KNOCK IT OFF!" Yelled Jacqueline hitting Jacques in the back with a wooden spoon. If they ruined the food she had just prepared then they were out of luck because she wasn't about to make more.

"ENOUGH!" Commanded Gaston…and the rampage ceased.

"Jacqueline go get your brother."

"WHAT?! NO!"

Gaston gave her a look that warned her not to test him. Jacqueline slammed the porridge pot down on the table causing porridge to slosh out over the sides. Some of the hot goo even splashed onto Albert's arm who howled in self-pity. She had been busy since before sun up and little Gaston was still snoring away. If she had been the one who over slept and by some miracle they had managed breakfast on their own, none of them would even have considered waking her until all the food was gone and they needed her to wash up. But since his majesty had overslept of course he needed to be woken up! Otherwise he might miss out on the food he did absolutely nothing to help prepare!

"If that overgrown donkey can't get up by himself I am not going to help him!"

"Do as I say!"

"He can starve for all I care!"

"Go get him NOW!"

"Make one of them do it, I've been working!"

"I told you to!"

"It isn't my job to baby sit GASTON!"

Jacqueline felt her blood boil. Gaston stood knocking his chair over in the process.

"YOUR JOB LITTLE GIRL IS TO DO AS I TELL YOU TO DO! NOW GO!"

Jacqueline's anger only increased but she did as she was told. She marched up the stairs and banged with loud fists on the door.

"GET UP! GET UP! GET UP! GET UP! GGGGGEEEEEETTTTT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!"

The sound of Little Gaston falling off his bed from freight could be heard which caused his brothers to snicker and gave Jacqueline a smirk of satisfaction. He opened the door red faced and scowling. Henri was right he was getting fat, she thought. Smiling sweetly she said.

"Papa wants you brother dear."

He stepped out the door and stood at his full height. At 17 he was taller then she and he never tired of looking down at her. (Both figuratively and literally.) Patting her on the head like a dog he smiled, as hers quickly faded away.

"Good Girl."

He sauntered off down the staircase whistling. Because there was only a banister separating the first floor from the second the whole exchange had been witnessed by their father. Which was the only thing keeping her from punching him in his fat face! Biting the inside of her cheek in order to control her temper she followed back down stairs, and began to taste blood in her mouth.

Later that afternoon

Jacqueline was halfheartedly wiping off the bar counter wishing she was anywhere else. It was afternoon and only a few stragglers were in the tavern at this hour, tonight would be the real rush but right now it was so boring she was wiping the counter again just so she could eavesdrop on two men's conversation which so far had been uninteresting.

"I am telling you, now that Napoleon has declared himself emperor it won't be long before things change here for us."

"Really? I don't see how, we managed to remain removed from that bloody revolution. I see no reason why we should be of any concern now."

The second man spoke with such confidence that Jacqueline had very little trouble convincing herself that he was correct. Until the other shattered that so newly formed belief.

"Are you really so naive August? Napoleon is a soldier and a successful one at that. He isn't going to be satisfied not being the sole ruler of all France. Even a seemingly insignificant little piece like our principality must be brought under his control. He is used to winning and won't be happy until he has brought all of Europe to heal."

Jacqueline forgot to feign that she was working and was now leaning on counter listening intently and shamelessly to their conversation.

"Let's talk no more of this Frances even if what you say is true I have no desire to think about it until it becomes necessary."

NO! Don't stop talking it was just getting interesting! No don't get up! Sit back down! Come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn don't go!

The two men left the tavern now talking about how this was the hardest winter they had seen in over two decades. As the double doors swung shut on their hinges Jacqueline put her head down on the bar in frustration.

Please someone save me from this drudgery.

Apparently the universe was in a giving mood for just then she heard a slight tapping noise on the window. Looking up she saw the smiling face of Sef through the dirty window pain.

I really need to clean those. She thought, but right now it could wait.

Swinging her legs over the counter she slid gracefully off and ran to the coat rack. Grabbing her faded brown cloak she threw it over her shoulders and rushed for the door, just barely remembering to holler to LeFou that she would be back before the evening rush as she burst out onto the street. Feeling like a freed prisoner she breathed in great gulps of air and turned her face up to the cold winter sun.

"Jacqueline Over Here!"

She turned then to see the smiling face of her best friend.

"Sef!"

The two girls embraced before walking down the street arm in arm, heads pressed close discussing secrets with the confidence of sisters.

"Sef thank you for springing me from my prison."

"(chuckle) you're welcome, but I have to tell you my motives are entirely selfish."

"I don't care what the reason was as long as I got out."

The two walked along enjoying each other's company. As they went Jacqueline caught sight of a women wearing a green dress rather similar to her own in color but far more gaudy and reveling. The woman moved quickly through the village as if she was trying to avoid being seen. Jacqueline could just see bits of blond hair mixed with white escaping her scarf that was wrapped around her head against the cold. At her side was a five year old little boy who was practically being dragged by his mother so great was her haste. Jacqueline felt her stomach turn as she glimpsed the boy's black hair and piercing blue eyes.

"I see Paulette has come to town…and it appears she has brought Gabriel with her." Sef said watching the woman with a mixture of pity and curiosity. Jacqueline's own face was as hard as stone, the conflicting emotions within visible through her eyes and clenched jaw.

"It appears so." Trying to distract herself she turned to her friend. "So what are your selfish motives for releasing me from work?"

Sef stopped walking her face practically glowing with joy. Jacqueline stopped as well.

"Sef? What's going on?"

Sef stepped forward and took Jacqueline's hands in hers gripping them in excitement.

"Oh Jacqueline it is so wonderful I can hardly keep it in any longer!"

"What? What is so wonderful?"

"He did it! He finally asked me!"

Jacqueline removed her hands from her friends grip and took a step back. She had a sinking suspicion she knew what her friend was talking about.

"Who?"

"Don't act dumb with me you know who…Charles! He finally asked me to marry him! I am going to be married!"

Sef looked at her face waiting for her to share in her own joy. Every moment Jacqueline waited she could see Sef's heart grow heavier. But how could she be happy for her? How? Charles was dim witted and slow. True he adored Sef but was that really all her friend wanted? Was she truly happy to settle for Charles?

Jacqueline often forgot that Sef was two years older than herself, being 20 to her 18. Their personalities were such that Jacqueline often found herself in the position of protector. A position she took very seriously. She adored her friend and even envied her kind nature, something that made her want to watch out for her all the more.

No she wouldn't let her throw her life away on that simpleton! She was about to tell her so, but when she looked back at Sef's perfectly happy face she just couldn't do it. Plastering a smile on her face that she hoped would pass as genuine she offered her congratulations.

"Congratulations Sef, I am very happy for you."

Sef smiled knowingly, they had been friends for to many years for her not to recognize when she was lying. But she appreciated the sentiment and effort behind the words, even if the words themselves were solely for her benefit.

"You can't hide your real feelings from me. But I thank you all the same."

"Well one thing I can say that is completely true is that he is the luckiest man in all of France."

Sef laughed good humoredly at the praise.

"I don't know about that, I imagine any man who was lucky enough, and brave enough to marry you could easily claim that title."

"Well then Charlie will have no competition for I don't intend to marry anyone."

Sef looked at her quizzically as if she was trying to decide if this was a joke.

"Don't you want to get married one day?"

"What would I get out of that but a passel of brats?"

"Be serious! Don't you want a life and family of your own?"

Jacqueline thought about it for a moment. She personally had nothing against the idea of marriage and when she thought of Sef's horrible home life she could see why her friend saw the concept of marriage as an escape. And she believed that Charles would be good to her and Sef adored infants so the idea of having a dozen probably delighted her…but not Jacqueline.

"How would being married make my life any better?"

Sef looked back unsure what to say.

"No I am serious! What would change? What would be different? I would still be weighting on a man hand and foot just like I do now. I would have to do as he said and if I was lucky we would agree but if we didn't then what could I do? My life is already dictated to by the men around me and I have no plans of increasing my enslavement by adding another to the mix! Better the devil you know then the one you don't."

Her words had changed the feeling of the afternoon and the two finished their walk in silence.

After they parted ways Jacqueline was still not willing to go back to her never ending pile of chores so she decided to go look through the shop windows. As she walked beneath a window she could hear the distinct sound of a violin drifting down from the second story to the street below. The song was sweet and lively as if the player was trying to coax springs arrival even though there were many more months of winter ahead.

Taken away by the sound of music Jacqueline began to dance slightly following the rise and fall of the notes. As the music became louder and increased the pace so did she. Allowing her mind to focus on nothing but the sound she twirled and swayed with ease unaware of the crowd that had gathered to watch. She also didn't realize that the violinist himself had taken notice of her and was now playing with the sole desire to see her dance.

When at last his fingers demanded a rest the musician laid down his bow and Jacqueline spun to a graceful stop, her skirt settling around her she suddenly realized the many smiling faces watching her. Never one to shy away from an audience she bowed and applause erupted. Soon coins where flying through the air in her direction which she scampered to save from the snow.

After the gatherers returned to their tasks she set on the edge of the town fountain to count her earnings. The water had ceased to run in the frigid cold so it was relatively abandoned. As she counted her excitement grew, there was a decent amount of money here! She didn't know why she had never considered dancing for money before. She began to imagine all the things she could do with it as well as how to make more when out of nowhere a hand grabbed her coins and took off running.

She just caught sight of Jacques as he sprinted through the street laughing as he clutched her coins in his hand. Jumping to her feet she took off after him.

"GET BACK HERE!"

I swear Jacques if you drop even one of those coins I am going to make you suffer!

She chased him with a vengeance through the streets his incepted laughter ringing in her ears. Although her legs were longer than his he had a head start which had so far kept him out of her reach…but she was gaining on him. His clock within her grasp now, as she reached out her hand to grab it a mountain got in her way.

Jacqueline fell back on the ground landing hard on her bum. A giant hand reached down and pulled her up by the arm. She looked up into the cold blue eyes of her father.

Keeping an iron grip on her arm he shook her slightly.

"What are you doing?!"

His fingers were so rough she could imagine the bruises beginning to form on her arm.

"Jacques took my money! Give it back you twit!"

Confusion flickered across his face looking at Jacques whose own face was grinning he asked.

"Where the hell did she get money?"

"From dancing in the street like a whore." Jacques announced smugly.

Jacqueline watched in fear as her father's face contorted in anger and his eyes turned black with rage.

"YOU DID WHAT!" His grip intensified and Jacqueline had to bite her lip to keep from crying out in pain.

"I earned it." She whispered through clenched teeth.

"I understand that! How dare you embarrass me by disgracing yourself in public like that!"

Jacqueline looked at him incredulously.

You can't be serious? You? This is all about embarrassing you!

"What are you mad about? He is the one who stole my money! Besides I dance in the tavern all the time!"

At hearing this Gaston gave her one more jolt and Jacqueline thought her arm would pop out of its socket.

"Not for money!" He hissed and then released her arm causing her to stumble back a step. Turning to Jacques Gaston said rather pleasantly.

"Take the money."

Not waiting to be asked twice Jacques took off making sure to flash his sister and evil smile as he went. Jacqueline stood with her mouth open in disbelief.

"W-What? THAT WAS MY MONEY!" she yelled

Turning swiftly back on her Gaston's face was once again a mirror of rage.

"That was for your behavior. Now GET BACK TO THE TAVERN!"

The command in his voice did indeed send her running to do as she was told but not without a good deal of bitterness in her throat.

IT ISN'T FAIR! Oh I hate him, I HATE HIM!

A Week Later in the Tavern

Jacqueline made her way through the crowd of men, pouring drinks and trying to avoid grabby hands. It was only about nine o'clock but because it was the dead of winter the sun had set hours ago which was when this crowd had begun drinking. By now they were fit to be tied, drunken laughter filled the air along with boastful taunts and remorseful confessions. By all accounts it was a normal evening but then something happened that changed everything.

Jacqueline rolled her eyes as she watched her brothers bragging shamelessly to a group of friends in the hopes of earning their admiration.

Stupid children.

When suddenly the door was blown open by a gust of wind and in blew her father along with his friend Monsieur Carlisle the blacksmith. He was a middle aged man who constantly smelled of horses and sweat. His thin brown hair always looked like he had just seen a ghost and his teeth were yellow and crooked. A large potbelly made him look extremely unbalanced because his arms and legs were so thin which struck Jacqueline as odd since he was a blacksmith and had to spend most of his day swinging heavy metal tools.

The two came in laughing and congratulating each other so loudly that everyone else took notice. Holding up his hands for quiet Gaston's smiling face began to search the crowd. When his blurry vision didn't show what he wanted he began calling it by name.

"JACQUELINE? JACQUELINE MY GIRL WHERE ARE YOU?"

She felt her heart stop and her blood run cold.

What does he want me for? Why are they all looking at me? What is going on?

Finally someone pushed her forward and Gaston took notice.

"AH THERE YOU ARE! COME, C-COME UP HERE!"

She moved forward slowly and with trepidation towards her father who was smiling and motioning her forward with an outstretched arm. Any other daughter would have gladly approached such a welcoming looking parent but she only felt filled with worry.

As she passed her brothers she noticed the same looks of confusion and curiosity on their faces as she was sure was evident on hers. The whole tavern was silent as they waited to hear what Gaston had to say. After reaching them Gaston put an arm around her and turned her to the onlookers. To anyone watching it would seem he was doing this out of affection, only Jacqueline could feel the iron grip with which he held her shoulder preventing her escape.

What is happening?

Face beaming Gaston addressed the crowd.

"My Friends I have wonderful news. Carlisle has just ask my permission to marry my daughter Jacqueline...and I have accepted!"

The crowd erupted in a chorus of congratulations for the couple. A few men even stood to pat the groom on the back. As for Jacqueline she felt the world begin to spin. Marry him? She couldn't! She wouldn't! Pushing herself out of her father's grasp she turned to look at him with a mixture of hatred and pleading in her violet eyes.

"No" She whispered so softly that Gaston actually had to ask what she had said.

"I said no…I will not marry him." Jacqueline was actually shocked at how calm her voice sounded. It was like she was in a daze, under normal circumstances she would have screamed, hollered, fought, and kicked at such news. But it was just so unexpected that her normal instincts were dulled.

Gaston's face darkened and his smile took on a sinister demeanor. Sauntering forward he engulfed her in his shadow.

"Oh but you will little girl."

He motioned for Little Gaston to join them.

"Your sister is over excited at her happy news, take her to her room to lie down."

Jacqueline was still to frozen in shock to protest and instead allowed herself to be led away by her brother who was doing a poor job of controlling his laughter at the whole situation.

As he watched them climb the stairs Gaston heard the voice of the butcher Leon Leroy behind him say.

"Ungrateful just like her mother, Belle was always an odd one."

What happened next was probably the most unexpected thing that could have happened. Not in their wildest dreams would anyone in that room have imagined what happened. Gaston spun on his heels and punched Leon with dead accuracy square in the nose. Leon sunk to the floor just barely able to maintain consciousness but one thing was quite clear through the haze of pain. It was Gaston's finger pointing accusingly at him and a serious warning in his ear.

"Don't you ever speak of her again!...Belle was a good woman."

With that being said he went back to celebrating as if the whole exchange had never happened.

Upstairs

The sound of the door clicking was like a noose settling around her neck.

Marry…Jacqueline and Carlisle…you will…

No, she wouldn't! The numbness that had settled on her was finally lifting and her mind began to act quickly.

I will not marry that smelly old trout…HE CAN'T MAKE ME!

She began to pace.

Yes he can you fool!

But I won't let him!

How are you going to stop him Jacqueline?

I…um…I…

How Jacqueline?

I could take…

HOW!

I"LL LEAVE!

Jacqueline stopped pacing as the solution to all her problems fell into her lap like an apple from a tree. She would leave! Where she would go she didn't care all that mattered was leaving this place. And truth be told the girl would have rather hung herself then have been the wife of Carlisle de Monte.

She had nothing to pack and she was in such a panic that if she had she wouldn't have remembered it anyway. Grabbing her cloak she fastened the clasp and then carefully checked to see if the door to her room had been locked. Thankfully it wasn't. Little Gaston had been too busy laughing at his sister to think to confine her to her room. And even he didn't think she was crazy enough to run away.

With an ear pressed to the door she listened for what felt like hours until she was certain the party had reached a truly drunken state. Then on silent feet she opened the door and snuck to the window at the end of the hall, less than five feet from her door. Pushing it open she felt the cold slap of a winter's wind against her face. Looking down she was grateful to see a large bank of snow that could break her fall. Not allowing herself time to become afraid she leapt through the opening and landed on the snow below.

Once on the ground she began to run. She had no destination in mind as long as it was far away from the tavern, her father, and the would be groom. Before long she found herself at the edge of the dark forest. Without ever looking back she crossed over into the wood and continued running like her life depended on it.

When she finally had to stop running or risk her lungs exploding her mind began to sort through her actions.

What am I doing? They'll find me for sure! Well maybe the falling snow will cover my tracks. But even so they will know I have gone and come looking for me. How long will it take Papa to find me…a day…two days?

Jacqueline was becoming frantic trying to think of someway to keep them from looking for her otherwise they were sure to catch up and drag her kicking and screaming all the way to the alter!

They won't look for you if you're dead…

The idea struck her like lightning and she decided it was her best option. As if decreed by providence she heard in the distance the sound of a river. Which was miraculous considering that the snow had picked up and was fast turning into a blizzard.

She followed the faint sound until she came upon a small river, patches of which had yet to completely freeze due to the speed of the moving water. The river wasn't terribly deep most likely no higher than her waist but it was still entirely plausible that someone could be swept away and drown.

But they need to know your dead…

Sticking her hand down into the freezing water she managed to grab a rugged edged stone near the shore. Taking her cloak off she laid it on the ground and stretched her hand across it. Taking the rock she felt the sharp sting as she used it to slice her palm open and watched a stream of blood fall onto the cloth. By now she was shivering but she ignored it. Making sure the blood was visible she smeared her hand across the fabric before tossing the stone back into the river. Next she laid the cloak across the branches of a bush that was growing out of the water's edge half way in the water half way on the bank. Giving it a mighty tug she heard the sound of the fabric being ripped and lodging itself on the branches. Letting what still remained of it in her hands fall into the river she took a deep breath and walked into the swiftly moving river.

Now even a hound won't be able to follow my scent.

Jacqueline knew she was risking freezing to death by doing this, but once again death was not her enemy tonight.

It was difficult crossing the swiftly moving river and several times she honestly believed she would drown. But at last she felt the bank and climbed nearly froze from the watery grave. Now completely frozen to the bone she wished nothing more than to lay down on the soft looking snow and rest. Instead she struggled to her feet and once again attempted to run. For she knew that to rest would be to freeze to death.

The blizzard was so bad now she could see nothing but white in all directions. Her limbs were numb, her hands felt like they were both frozen and on fire, and she couldn't stop shaking, but still she pressed forward more out of animal instinct then anything.

She ran into trees and rocks at every turn. For all she knew she was going in circles.

As she held her hand out trying to see what her eyes could not she caught hold of something that felt stronger then wood…something metal?

Feeling her way along the metal bars she suddenly tripped and all her weight was forced forward causing the metal object to shift.

It's a gate!

With great effort she pushed again and the metal moved once more allowing her to move passed it into the white blankness beyond.

The wind whistled through her ears, causing her frozen dress to cling to her and making her fingers and toes stiff and unbending.

She wondered blindly, arms outstretched until she felt sure there was no end in sight and surely she would fall off the edge of the world.

Tears froze in her eyes as exhaustion and cold held her down. Oh she was tired…so tired…all she wanted was to sleep…please….sleep.

Her hands were so numb she didn't at first realize that she had touched something. But there it was. It felt like a tree, it was wood, but it was so large!

Inching her way along she felt trying to find her way around this enormous tree! When her fingers grazed a large metal circle.

A DOOR! Her weary mind screamed in relief.

With what little strength she had left she gave a mighty push and fell out of the cold into darkness.

Pushing back against the wind with all her might she managed to close the door behind her!

Resting her head against the wood she tried to breathe normally but she was shaking uncontrollably and couldn't stop the sound of her teeth chattering.

W-Where am I? W-W-What is this place?

A faint light shown from behind her. Jacqueline very slowly managed to coax her body to turn towards the light that was getting nearer. Still using the door for support she gave up half turned and rested her head against the wood. When out of the darkness a voice spoke.

"Belle?"