The Beast Within The Man

Belle's Noble Sacrifice

Like the proper gentleman that I was, I let Mei and Belle ride the horse to where Maurice was headed and I walked alongside Phillippe.

We were in a dark forest now and it led to a gate that was opened and a castle which overlooked the dark sky.

"What is this place?" Belle wondered.

"I don't know, dear...your father must be here somewhere." I mused, worried.

Phillippe neighed frightened and bucked a little. Mei gasped scared.

"Whoa, boy! Easy, you're scaring Mei!" I calmed the horse.

"Phillippe...! Steady! Steady..." Belle pulled the reigns gently. Mei got off the horse and picked up a dark green hat.

"Sweeney? Belle, look!" Mei called out.

We both hovered and looked at the hat...and it belonged to Maurice!

"Papa..." Belle mused.

"What could he be doing here?" Mei asked.

"I have a hunch...why not look around?" I shrugged my shoulders as I carried the sweet girl. We walked into the entrance of the castle and looked for every cranny and nook for Belle's father.

"Hello? Is anyone here? Hello? Papa? Papa? Are you here?" Belle called out.

I followed behind her with Mei in my arms.

"Maurice?" I called out.

"Mr. Maurice! Where are you?" Mei called.

From out of nowhere, there came out a black dog—it's was a male Labrador with brown eyes.

I knelt down to pet him as I set Mei down. She stayed by Belle who had a torchlight to see.

"Papa!" Belle called out.

"Mr. Maurice!" Mei called out as well.

"Hey, boy!" I exclaimed softly. "Hey!"

The dog panted now and barked.

"Do you know where Maurice is?" I asked it.

The dog nodded. And there were two others with it; I couldn't tell.

"Papa...! Papa?!"

We all climbed up a set of spiral stairs and followed the dog.

"Hello? Is someone here? Wait! I'm looking for my father, I...!" Belle voiced.

"That's weird..." I mused as I walked.

"Where's Mr. Maurice?" Mei asked worried.

"That's funny...I'm sure I saw someone..." Belle said bamboozled.

"I did see a dog." I replied.

"Is anyone here?" Belle called out.

"Belle?" A voice called back. It was Maurice.

"Papa!" Belle exclaimed. She came to the tower cell he was placed in.

"Mate?! How'd you end up here?!" I gasped shocked.

"Mr. Maurice!" Mei yowled.

"H-how did you find me?" Maurice asked us.

"Oh, your hands are like ice! We have to get you out of here!" Belle worried as she felt her father's hands. Maurice coughed now.

"Your hands are freezing, sir!" I compassionately replied.

"Belle, Mei, Sweeney, I want you to leave this place!" Maurice replied.