The Princess and the Beast

Chapter Eight

Camille's POV

Madeleine raced through the snowy woods and I hopped off quickly, running inside. Lumiere cheered, "Your Highness, you are back!" I smiled, "There's no time. The villagers are heading this way to kill Adam because they are small-minded. Where is Adam?" Mrs. Potts smiled, "In the tower, go! We will take care of the intruders!" I ran up the stairs and into the west wing, "Adam!" 

Adam rushed towards me, "You're back!?" I kissed him, "I told you I would. The villagers are coming to kill you. They locked up Belle and my parents couldn't stop this. I came back to help you break the curse." Adam sighed, "I don't know how to love myself." I teared up, "Adam. I love you for you. Your humor, your mind. All you have to do is believe in yourself." 

Adam smiled at me, "Cammie, I-" A gunshot sounded and I gasped, feeling a sharp pain in my right shoulder. Adam paled and caught me as I fell, "Cammie!" I looked over to see Gaston come into the light, "Hello, beast. This is between you and me. I just needed Camille out of the way." Adam snarled at Gaston, "You just shot the Princess of France. This is no longer in between you and me. It's between you and France." 

Gaston laughed manically, "I'm Gaston. Belle sent me to get her best friend back. Too bad that I'll be too late and the Princess of France will be killed by a beast." Adam looked at me sadly and Gaston gritted his teeth, "Are you in love with her? Did you honestly think Princess Camille would want you?" I screamed as Gaston shot Adam in the back, "Adam!" I watched helplessly as Adam fell.

Belle came up behind me and helped me up, taking Gaston's arrow. Gaston turned around in surprise, "Belle!" Belle snapped the arrow, "Where is he?" Gaston snarled and pulled out his gun again, "When we return to the village, you will marry me. And that beast's head will hang on our wall!" Belle snarled, "Never!" Belle wrestled Gaston for the gun, only for Gaston to fall and the gun to fly quite a bit away.

I groaned and held my shoulder, "Belle, we need to get to the rose. Adam will take care of Gaston and then head my way." Belle nodded, "Let's go." Belle grabbed my good arm and guided me to the rose.

I looked out a window to see Adam trying to get as high as he could and I couldn't help but believe that he was trying to kill himself, "No!" Adam turned around to see Belle and I, "Cammie. You're here, Belle!" Belle smiled and nodded, "I tried to stop them! Camille is waiting for you!" Adam called out, "Stay there! I'm coming!" 

We both continued to the rose, knowing that Adam would be here soon. Belle and I stood on the balcony and I sobbed, feeling weaker by the moment, watching Gaston stand over Adam with a stone fragment, ready to hit him, "Gaston, no!" Adam caught the fragment and grabbed his throat holding Gaston over the edge, ready to drop him and growling in his face. 

I don't know what was said, but Adam set Gaston back on the ground and chased Gaston away. Belle called out, "Don't! It's too far!" Adam called back, "Cammie looks weak, go get her parents!" Belle cupped my cheeks, "Don't move. I'm getting the King and Queen." Belle ran off and I looked at Adam, smiling softly as he jumped over the gap and pulled himself up. 

Adam quickly cupped my cheeks and held me against him, "Cammie, my love. You'll be okay. I promise." A gunshot sounded and I screamed as Gaston shot Adam in the back, only to do it again. I hurried down to Adam and knelt beside him, crying, "Adam. Please." Adam grabbed my hand, "You came back."

I sniffled, "Of course I came back. I love you, Adam. You're my beloved. I'll never leave you again." Adam chuckled weakly, "I'm afraid it's my turn to leave. I love you too, Cammie. Always have and always will. At least I got to see you, one last time. You were right...About self-love. I found that I was proud of myself, knowing that even though I might be like this forever. I knew in my heart, that it wasn't as bad as I made it out to be." 

I sobbed into Adam's chest as he went limp, "No, please no! Come back, Adam. I love you, please!"