The Beast (Harry Styles)

Chapter Ten Part One: Explorations

 As Adeline decides on something bound to be a mistake,

We can only pray for something good for her sake.

The journey might be easy, but the end will certainly be not;

Hopefully Adeline has fully thought out this dangerous plot.

There are new characters you might recognize,

But I won't ruin the surprise. . .

~.~

I quickly changed out from my pajamas and made myself presentable before leaving my bedroom. The hallway was thankfully deserted as I rushed down it to the staircase. 

My stomach flipped, and my whole body felt numb. It was  surreal to think I was actually doing something spontaneous and ill-thought-out in my life. In reality, I had always played it safe: doing something out of the ordinary would be bait for the townspeople to gossip about.

But my cruel reality never stopped my fantasy-driven heart and mind.

In my mind, I was a fearless leader who went on adventures far and wide, exploring the places in my books, and finding a love along the way. I would find someone who shared my spark of craziness and my flames of curiosity, yet held true to my ability to rein in the sense and logicality in my head. He would be my sense of reason in the moments I slipped up, and I would be his.

It was a far fetched dream for someone like me, but I held on to it, planning and adding more when I had the time. 

Not to mention that I would be married to John if I ever left this castle.

I visibly shuddered at the thought of being his wife. With his disgusting odor and terribly greasy hair, I couldn't stand the thought of being in a room with him for more than a few minutes. How could I spend my life with him? 

But I had to do it for my family, and my family was most important to me.

My family. . .

I stopped, landing in from of a door whose swirls made a sun and moon reaching out for each other.

If I wasn't there to marry John in a few months, who would support my family? 

My heart sped up, panicking about the possibilities. 

John was supposed to help my family, to get us back on our feet. He was supposed to support us until my parents could. But if I wasn't there, would he keep his deal?

He was an awful man, a man of arrogance and deceit. He would cheat any system and feel no remorse. John was despicable, utterly disagreeable. Would he hurt my family? 

The thoughts ran through my head,  suddenly getting really hot. My breathing became rapid, my hands clammy and I felt encased. 

I was encased. I was encased in this castle, this world, this life, this situation, none of which I wanted to be in. I was trapped inside a hurricane, stuck in the calm eye while destruction ensued around me; I couldn't get out unless I put myself through the hurricane, but then I would most likely die in its brutal forces.

Stop. Stop thinking this way. You can ride out this storm; you've done it many times before. The eye is the key, the eye is the key. . .

I replayed the phrase until my heart rate decreased and my hands stopped getting worse. Taking a deep breath, a habit I ended up using more than I should, I continued down the hallway until i reached the stairs.

The West Wing was literally on the other side, accessible by just walking down the steps that took me to the East Wing, crossing the platform, and walking up the other steps. Yet something told me to proceed with caution, so I waited a couple moments until crossing.