Beauty and the Dream Demon

Chapter Four: The Dream Demon

George climbed up the large steps up to the giant doors of the castle. Gorge assumed that the castle was occupied by someone since a lamp outside was lit. The door opened for him so he walked in, thanking whoever opened the door, only to see that there was no one there. Keeping out the cold, George closed the door behind him. Walking in more, George called out to see if anyone was in, while also apologising for the intrusion. He explained that he was just a traveler, hoping to seek shelter from the storm outside. But no one seemed to answer him.

He put his coat on a coat hanger as he waited for someone to speak up. As George waited for someone to answer, a candelabra and a clock started to whisper to each other. The candelabra whispered to the clock about how George must have lost his way. The clock told the candelabra to be quiet. Of course, their loud whispers caught the attention of George who went to investigate. Seeing the candelabra and clock, he admired how beautiful they both looked. Such fine craftsmanship. But his attention was taken away from the artifacts when he heard a piano playing.

Walking towards the ballroom, the music grew louder. But, once George reached the ballroom, the music stopped and the candles went out. This confused George as there was no one in the room to play the piano. So, George just walked away, heading towards the fire to warm up a bit. But his focus was soon taken away from the fire when he heard the clatter of plates in the other room. Following the noise, George found himself in a dining room where a small feast was waiting for him. Thanking his unknown hoast, he sat at the table to eat after his long and dangerous journey so far. As he started to eat some bread, a little teacup with a chip in it moved forward, startling George a bit.

"Mum said I wasn't supposed to move because it might be scary," the teacup said in a little boy's voice, "Sorry."

George hesitated at first before answering, "It's alright..."

He almost immediately got up from his chair, thinking it was a good idea to leave this strange castle. Going back to the main doors, George grabbed his coat, thanked his unknown host, and bid them goodnight, wanting to leave now. But, at last, all this had gained the attention of the owner of the castle. And they were far from happy. Climbing onto the back of Philippe, George started to leave the castle. But, before he left, he stumbled upon a part of the garden filled with white roses. George knew that he wasn't going to be able to find his music box again to take it to where he was originally supposed to go.

So, not wanting this journey to go to waste, George tied up Philippe and went to pick a rose for Jack. But there was something out there with him. Philippe could sense it and was becoming agitated. But George took no notice, trying to take the first rose he could reach. As he tried to pick the rose off, he pricked himself on its thorns. But he tried again, successfully managing to take the rose from the bush. Only for someone to appear behind him and wrap their claws around his neck, pulling them tight. Scared, Philippe managed to break free from where he was being held and ran away, leaving his master to his fate.

Knowing his way home, Philippe ran all the way back to the village to get Jack. Jack was picking the vegetable from his garden when he heard Philippe whining. By then, it was the next morning, and Jack was still waiting for his father to return. But when he only saw Philippe without his father or the wagon, he grew worried. Philippe took a drink of water while Jack made sure that his father wasn't lagging behind at all. But George was nowhere in sight. So, putting a saddle on Philippe, he had him take him to where his father had gone missing.

Philippe took him through the snowy woods, leading her quickly through the path they took the other night. Halfway to the castle, Jack saw the broken wagon and the music box which had fallen out of its box during the chaos with the wolves. Jack just continued going forward until he and Philippe reached the castle grounds. Once they reached the stairs to the castle, Jack dismounted Philippe and picked up a stick for protection. Remaining cautious, Jack walked towards the doors, opening them to let himself in.

As Jack walked through the main hall, the candelabra pointed out to the clock how handsome Jack was, even pointing out that he was a man. The clock scolded the candelabra, saying how they could see that. But the candelabra ignored his comment, asking if maybe he was the one who could break the spell. Hearing the voices, Jack called them out, asking if anyone was there. But all he saw was the candelabra and the clock. While examining the two objects, Jack heard his father coughing. Grabbing the lit candelabra, he made his way up the stairs where he heard his father. He followed the sound of his father's coughing, making his way up a tower to find him.

"Papa, is that you?" Jack asked, putting the candelabra down and kneeling down to his father who was in a cell.

"Jack!" George was both surprised and worried that he was even here, "How did you find me?"

"Your hands are ice," Jack said holding his father's hands, "We need to get you home."

"Jack, you must leave here at once! This castle is alive! Now go, before he finds you!"

"Who?"

Jack then heard footsteps from the staircase opposite him and George.

"Who's there?" Jack asked, "Who are you?"

"Who are you?" A female voice asked him.

"I've come for my father."

"Your father is a thief," the woman continued to walk down the stairs.

Jack couldn't believe that, "Liar!"

"He stole a rose," the woman appeared at a doorway, hidden in darkness.

"I asked for the rose. Punish me, not him."

"No! She means forever," George told him, "Apparently, that's what happens around here when you pick a flower!"

"A life sentence for a rose?" Jack couldn't believe what he was hearing.

The woman continued to walk closer to him, staying in the darkness, "I received eternal damnation for one. I'm merely locking him away. Now, do you still wish to take your father's place?"

"Come into the light."

The woman hesitated, staying in the darkness, So, Jack took the candelabra and shined it in her face to reveal something truly awful. Her head held brown hair, her face was burned. She has burns everywhere on her and her hands are claws. A face worthy of a Dream Demon.

"Choose," The Dream Demon said glaring at Jack.

"Jack, I won't let you do this," George said to Jack," I lost your mother. I won't lose you, too. Now, go. Go!"

George was cut off by his own coughing.

"All right, Papa, I'll leave," Jack said giving in before looking at the Dream Demon, "I need a minute alone with him."

The Dream Demon said nothing and turned to walk away.

"Are you so cold-hearted you won't allow a son to kiss his father goodbye?" Jack asked her, "Forever can spare a minute."

Giving in, the Dream Demon pulled a lever to open the cell door.

"When this door closes, it will not open again," The Dream Demon warned him.

Jack put the candelabra down before rushing in to see his father one last time. The two embraced.

"I should have been with you," Jack said, regretting not coming with him this time.

"Oh, no, no. Jack, listen to me. It's all right," George assured him, "Now go. Live your life. And forget me."

"Forget you? Everything I am is because of you."

"I love you, Jack. Don't be afraid."

"I love you too, Papa. I'm not afraid," Jack hugged his father one last time, "And I will escape. I promise."

George was confused by this before Jack pushed him out of the cell, closing the door. He was taking his father's place, no matter what he says.

"You took his place," The Dream Demon said almost surprised.

"He's my father," Jack said.

"He's a fool. And so are you."

The Dream Demon picked up George by his collar and dragged him out of the dungeons. George called out to Jack, assuring him that he would come back to get him. And that was the last thing he heard from him as he was dragged away.