Blood and Snow

Chapter Forty-One

Belle effortlessly carried the box into her new room, Baron tailing behind her to make sure that she entered the right one. The room was more spacious than her old one, which was a decent upgrade, however she didn't see why more space was needed. Perhaps the others were thinking a lot farther ahead than she was. At least, farther than the meeting that would occur in less than a month. Belle paused in the center of the room, deeply unsettled once again. 'The meeting... Lefte...' she felt herself wanting to shake, 'I might be doomed.'

"Are you seriously this touched about getting a bigger room?" Baron asked a little sharply.  Belle almost jumped, already having forgotten that he was there. "Oh... uh... Sort of?" she shrugged, "It was more of some... wandering thoughts..."

Baron simply nodded and waved a hand at the room. "You don't have a lot of things, so it doesn't look like you'll need my help. I'll leave you to it." he then turned and left, leaving the door open. Belle merely watched him go before turning and examining the room further. 'The bed looks a lot bigger too. Not a queen size, but more like a bigger twin bed.' she noted, setting the stuff on top of it. Exploring the room a bit, she found a few things. There was a wardrobe that was already filled with clothes, and a dresser that was empty, save for a pair of fluffy slippers. Belle tilted her head at those, but gladly traded them for her boots for the time being. "That feels great." she smiled, her feet no longer weighing her down. The bluenette, once finished putting everything away, sat down on the bed with the coloring book Happy had given her. Deciding that she had nothing else to do for now, she grabbed the crayons, relaxed on the bed, and started coloring. The picture she chose was of a bear... a bear with a star on its chest.

"..."

Belle closed the book immediately after that train of thought. She didn't feel like coloring anymore.

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Baron walked by his lonesome in the dark hallways, feeling cold and alone.

Or, maybe not.

Something had sparked in him when Belle was having her night terrors. That same thing sparked again when he comforted her the day she lashed out at Mason. Something that made him want to stay with her and watch over her, like... like something that he wasn't. Not anymore.

Deciding that he needed a pot of coffee, the man went in the direction of the kitchen. Walking and thinking were two different actions. One was learned and becomes an automatic process, the other, well... the other is full of surprises.

'I don't love her. That would be stupid.' he scoffed at the thought. There was no way it was anything romantic, that was for sure. He was too old to care about anything like that-- and besides, he'd lost the love of his life a long time ago.

Her, and...

And...

...

"I want the chocolate one, Dad!"

"Alright, kiddo, let's go catch the ice cream truck."

...

A feeling of emptiness swept over him.

For a short time in his long, painful life, he had everything. A loving wife... A beautiful daughter... Someone he could confide in, and tell his darkest secrets and thoughts to. Someone he could care for. Someone that he could protect... He missed that feeling so much.

And it was all ripped away from him by the grim reaper's cruel game of roulette.

Baron nearly punched the wall beside him. He hadn't realized that he stopped walking, let alone how his breathing was uneven. He shakily exhaled, feeling sick to his stomach. No, he shouldn't be thinking about that. He should never think about that. They were long gone, and he wasn't the same person anymore. At least, he thought so. However...