He's My Beast (ON HOLD)

Six: Home Free

I awoke to a growling stomach, though that wasn't uncommon. In fact when I didn't hear that noise first thing in the morning, I worried. But that wasn't the reason I was startled. My stomach wasn't the one that had rumbled with hunger.

I froze, but dared not move, instead attempting to calm myself and look around instead. The scent of mold and dust was apparent, the pristine smell of cleaner and disinfectants also invading this small closet. A broom cabinet no less. With my sleep induced brain it took another minute to comprehend why I was even in here in the first place. Images flashed through my head; the dress, delivery room, darkness, the sound of the whistle, and then Thomas and the guard.

Thomas had saved me, saved both of our hides.

I shifted, stifling a groan as my back popped, unhappy with the awkward position I had slept in while sitting in Thomas' lap. My movement also made the boy behind me to groan, causing me to freeze again. What if someone heard us? No way did I want to be caught. Judging by the light streaming underneath the door, the night had passed and morning had come. We had to get moving and attempt to make it to the servants quarters to look as if we never left.

It was my turn to save us.

"Wake up" I whispered, carefully crawling off of the tall boy and standing, sighing when all my joints cracked and started moving again. Thomas stirred, his eyes scrunching up along with his nose, a smile breaking out on my face from the sight. Ok, that was kind of adorable. Instead of talking again I lightly shook his shoulders, smoothing down his hair and feeling triumphant once his weary eyes opened and focused on me. Step one completed.

"Told you I'd take care of you" His raspy, morning voice mused, his cockiness making me roll my eyes and hold out a hand to help him stand. I wanted to leave and make it to breakfast, if we weren't there than others would take notice.

"Thanks for your help, but we still aren't home free yet" I spoke quietly, not knowing if guards were still patrolling the halls, signing for him to lead the way back since he seemed to have more experience with sneaking around. The dark haired boy only nodded, putting a finger to his lips before cracking open the door a hair. Satisfied with the surroundings, he motioned for me to follow before slipping out of our small haven, me quickly following, not wanting to be left behind.

As soon I stepped clear of the door frame I was blinded, the magnificent difference in lighting momentarily disarming my vision for a few short moments. Walking blind, I reached out my hands until another took mine and started tugging me forward. I knew it was Thomas, his hands were so calloused it'd be a miracle if I didn't recognize them. After a hallway or two I could see all that was around me once more, but didn't let go of his hand. It was actually quite comforting to have human contact. Well, when that human wasn't trying to hurt you.

The clocks on the walls chimed that it was almost six am, nearing the morning wake up call that sounded through the speakers in each room. It was annoying as hell, but got the job done.

"We can make it" I allowed myself to hope, smile breaking out on my face as I jogged after Thomas. I felt a bit more courageous, braver. This experience allowed me to understand that not everything you did would cause you to be punished. It was only if you got caught in the act.

As soon as we stumbled down the narrow stairway to our quarters I cheered, silently of course, doing a little dance outside of my door. Thomas watched with a smile upon his own face, his expression mirroring mine.

"Thank you" I whispered, throwing my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly, feeling him hesitate before doing the same thing. He gave a grunt, signifying his pleasure at assisting me before prying my arms off of him and backing away. I couldn't help but jump out of my skin when that damn buzzer sounded, the sound of bodies starting to arouse filling my ears. Time to act.

I opened my door and shut it again, making it seem like I had just emerged, not needing to fake a yawn as one expelled from my lips on its own. A signed a good morning to those who were starting to appear from their own rooms, rubbing my eyes and going with the crowd to the dining hall. Well, we called it a dining hall. It was a really a shabby, old room filled with either broken or badly damaged tables and chairs that were all cramped together.

I proceeded as I normally would, taking one of the chipped plates that held nothing more than one cooked egg, one piece of toast, and an orange that had an array of moldy spots. Lovely. Wrinkling my nose at the questionable milk they were serving with our measly meal, I sat down at my usual table, muttering a good morning to the other two girls that were already seated and picking at their food. The seat beside me was bare, causing me to stop and look around the room, wondering where on earth the spunky brunette was.

When I failed to spot her dark mane of hair anywhere within the room, I started to panic, the horrid feeling building in my stomach. Never had either of us skipped breakfast, no one missed a meal since they were so small and pathetic. They kept us hungry all the time. Going without food was worse than eating it.

"Where's Em?" I leaned in and asked the two girls sitting across from me, careful not to raise my voice too much. I blinked in surprise when I realized they were twins, confused on how they were still together. Most slave families were separated the moment the child was old enough to be taken from the mother. Fathers were usually gone before the child was born.

The blonde haired girls looked at each other, seeming to be having a silent conversation before both looked at me, guilty expressions on their faces. One girl signed a word with her hands, the other another two.

'She's with Gaston'

All the color drained from my face as my heart malfunctioned and halted for an endless second before continuing on with its job of keeping me alive. I gaped at the twins, spluttering nonsense when I couldn't form words, shock coursing through me and dread settling in my stomach. That's impossible. Emmy may have a sassy personality but she was one of the best behaved slaves in this hellhole. What on earth could she have done to deserve a night with our master?

It was an honest question, but also a difficult one. None of the things that us servants had done have deserved a night with the master, at least in all of our opinions.

My feet seemed to be working on their own accord, making me get up and stride across the room to the table where a certain black haired boy sat. I needed to find out what Em had done, what I could do to help her. She would do the same for me.

"Thomas" I croaked, voice parched, turning him abruptly to face me.

"What the hell do you want?" He scowled before getting a good look at me, eyes softening but scowl staying. So he was trying to look as cool as everyone assumed he was. Great.

"Em's gone. Master Gaston has her" I whispered in his ear, hands clenching the fabric of his shirt, my whole body working on autopilot. I watched as his eyes widened for a split second before returning to his composed composure, evidently choosing not to give a damn. It happened all the time. What made Em any different?

"Anastasia"

Mistress Victoria's cold voice echoed throughout the room, her hawk eyes zeroing in on me as everyone else could only watch. I slowly shuffled forward, wondering if the slight brush of another hand on mine was just my imagination or not. Nothing could stop me from looking up for a nanosecond, freezing at the sight of what was crumpled in our lady's hand.

My chores list.

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I hope everyone is doing well. Enjoy this chapter!

- Flynn