Beauty and the Dream Demon

Chapter Thirteen: Evermore

Jack got downstairs where he was greeted by the coathanger. It bowed to him before lowering slightly, showing that it was sad that he was leaving. But soon the doors opened and Jack made his way out, Topsy watching from the stairs. Back in the West Wing, Maddie had put on a cloak and walked over to the rose. There was so little time left now. Unaware of what had happened, Binnacle, Bert, and (Y/N) came to visit her. Topsy had joined then but hadn't yet said what she saw.

"Well, Mistress, I have had my doubts, but everything is moving like clockwork. True love really does win the day!" Binnacle said, actually happy about this progress

"I let him go," Maddie finally revealed

"You what?"

"Mistress, how could you do that?" Bert asked her

"I had to," Maddie explained simply.

"But why?" Binnacle asked

"Because she loves him," Topsy explained

"Then why are we not human?" Bert asked

"Because he doesn't love her," Binnacle said, "And now, it's too late."

"But he might still come back," (Y/N) said, having hope that he would

"No," Maddie shook her head, "I set him free. I'm sorry I couldn't do the same for all of you. Now, go. Our time is almost past."

Saddened by this news, everyone left the East Wing. Maddie meant what she said. She wanted to free her staff from the curse she placed upon them due to her own arrogance. But, if Jack didn't return the feelings, there was no way to break the curse. The rose was on its last petal. There was no trying again. Maddie would have to live like this all alone for the rest of her life. But at least she was able to learn something from all this

'I was the one who had it all. I was the mistress of my fate. I never needed anybody in my life. I learned the truth too late. I'll never shake away the pain. I close my eyes but he's still there. I let him steal into my melancholy heart. It's more than I can bear,' Maddie walked out to her balcony to watch Jack leave with Philippe.

'Now I know he'll never leave me even as he runs away,' Maddie made her way up the tower, 'He will still torment me, calm me, hurt me, move me, come what may. Wasting in my lonely tower. Waiting by an open door. I'll fool myself he'll walk right in and be with me for evermore.'

Maddie continued making her way up the tower, 'I rage against the trials of love. I curse the fading of the light. Though he's already flown so far beyond my reach, he's never out of sight! Now I know he'll never leave me, even as he fades from view. He will still inspire me, be a part of everything I do. Wasting in my lonely tower. Waiting by an open door.'

Maddie finally made it to the highest tower to watch Jack leave.

'I'll fool myself he'll walk right in and as the long, long nights begin I'll think of all that might have been waiting here for evermore!'

Jack raced out of the castle ground on Philippe's back. Meanwhile, back in the village, a horse and carriage arrived to pick up George. Jane was going to send him to a mental asylum. While his ravings of a Dream Demon was one thing, Jane had convinced the villagers that it was beyond that to accuse her of murder. And the villagers believed her because she was famous in the town next to Jack. Pere argued that George needed to go to a hospital for the injuries the three men had done to him, not to an asylum. George was not mad, yet Jane had convinced someone that he was.

George was shoved into the back of the carriage, ready to be sent off. But Jane had one last thing to say. Jane informed him that he wouldn't last a week in a madhouse. But all this could be avoided if George gave Jane his blessing to marry Jack. George gave no plans to do that. So, Jane closed the doors, ordering the coachman to take George away. But they didn't go far. Jack had made it back to the village in time to stop the carriage from leaving. Jack rode in front of the carriage, making the horses stop before they could hit him. Dismounting Philippe, Jack went to the back of the carriage to see his father. George was so relieved to see that his son was alright.

"Let him out!" Jack demanded the coachman, "He's hurt."

"We can't do that, mister," the coachman informed him, "But we'll take very good care of him."

"My father's not crazy," Jack turned to Jane, "Jane, tell him!"

"You know how loyal I am to your family but your father's been making some unbelievable claims," Jane told him

"It's true, Jack," Jean spoke up, "He's been raving about a Dream Demon in a castle!

"I've just come from the castle and there is a Dream Demon!" Jack told him

"You'd say anything to set him free," Jane said, "Your word is hardly proof."

"You want proof?" Jack turned to the mirror he had taken with him, "Show me the Dream Demon!"

Once Maddie was visible on the glass, Jack showed the villagers the Dream Demon, George had been telling them about. Everyone gasped at the sight of her. Yet the only ones who didn't flinch were Pere and Templeton. But everyone else thought the Dream Demon was hideous! But now they knew the Dream Demon was indeed real.

"There's your proof," Jack declared.

"This is sorcery!" Jane took the mirror from him, "Look at this Dream Demon! Look at her claws! Her eyes!"

"No. Don't be afraid! She's gentle and kind."

The villagers mumbled among themselves at this unbelievable claim.

"The monster has him under her spell," Jane declared, "If I didn't know better, I'd say he even cared for her!"

"She's not a monster, Jane. You are!" Jack sneered, "The Dream Demon wouldn't hurt anyone."

"I've heard of the effects of dark magic but I've never before seen it with my own eyes! This is a threat to our very existence!"

Everyone but Pere, Templeton, and Mary cheered in agreement.

"We can't have him running off to warn the Dream Demon. Lock him up too," Jane told her goons

Jack protested but he was dragged into the back of the carriage with George.