Beauty and the Beast

Bangs, growls, and snarls came from what I assumed to be the dungeon. The moon was high in the sky and this had been going on since sunset. I had been sent to my room almost two hours before sunset. I wanted to refuse but now I was glad I hadn’t. Whatever they had down there, it wanted out. Maybe it was the beast that attacked me? Maybe they were studying it? I didn’t want to know. I just wanted it to stop.

I laid with the side of my head burring into the pillow, while I shoved another pillow to my other ear to lock out the noise, but it was no use. The thuds and snarls seemed to be getting louder and louder, like the animal knew it had been down there for a long time and it was so done with what was happening to it.

I clenched my eyes shut tight. Hopping that if they were closed tight enough sleep would take over immediately. Of course it didn’t.

This lasted until the sun started to peek over the horizon. They must have let it out. But what did they want it for to begin with? I was going to ask in the morning. I had so many things on my ‘naughty’ list that I thought needed to be done. But asking about that beast was number one on the list.

Unlike usual I was not let out until the sun had reached the tops of the trees. I was anxious and waited by the door like a puppy who knew its masters were home. They just couldn’t get to the door fast enough.

CC unlocked the door. I stood from the floor. “What was all that noise last night?” I asked immediately.

“What noise?” He asked turning to walk down to the main level.

“You had like a wolf or something in the dungeon.” I said walking fast to keep next to him.

He stopped abruptly and faced me. I halted to a stop. He stared at me for a while then took a breath to speak. “We do not have a dungeon.” With that he kept moving to the stairs.

I stayed where I was for a moment then followed after him. “You can’t be telling me that I dreamt all of that up?” I asked, both of us reaching the bottom of the stairs.

“Unless today is your day off then I suggest you get cleaning. Not very many hours in the day today.”

“Yeah, because you let me out late.” I mumbled as he walked away.

I carried on with the chores as normal and even got dinner done early. I wanted to spend my first day in the room Andy had given me. I figured that the flowers would be dying by now, and that was probably the only thing drawing me to them.

When I stepped inside it was much brighter than I would have thought. The colors were more vibrant than ever. Was Andy watering and caring for them? I quickly pushed the thought away and began watering with a can that was next to the door. I had to fill it up several times to get to every single flower. When it was all done I sat in the couch, which I had rearranged to face into the room.

I petted a bright pink rose petal that shared a bed with yellow and white roses. I sighed and brought my hands into my lap, I had crisscrossed my legs and leaned farther into the couch. “Sometimes I don’t know if everything happens for a reason, or you’re the one who’s supposed to make the reason.” I said to the little pink rose that was still bobbing up and down gently from my petting. “I want to think that I was drawn to the forest in the first place. That that beast,” I shook my head and looked into the room with a blank stare. “Spared me so I could be here.” I looked to the ceiling and took another deep breath. “Or, if there is magic in this forest then maybe my mother’s essence is in it. I mean she was killed in here. Maybe she was trying to protect me?”

I shook my head harder, and sighed. I stood seeing that it was almost sunset. Outside I was greeted by Jinxx. His face angry as usual. “I was just about to knock.” I could’ve sworn he smiled a bit.

“I saw the sun going down.” I said looking over my shoulder to the sun setting outside of the window.

“Come on then.” He motioned for me to follow him down the hall. Once we reached my room he let me in and then entered behind me. He took a breath and looked around. “Tomorrow will be a bit different.” He said.

I cocked my head and narrowed my eye brows. “How?”

“By the wishes of everyone but Jake and I, we are all going to the nearest village to get some supplies and some clothes for you, and maybe some new stuff for your room.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Being close to him I was able to get a hug in. He didn’t hug back, of course, but he let it slide. “Thank you.”

He looked at me and gave me a half smile. Then it fell and he went back to normal. “If it was up to me you’d be working in rags and sleeping in the foyer.”

Once he left and locked the door I turned to the window. What village was closest? Was it mine? I smiled with relief. Tomorrow…tomorrow I can go home.

Notes