Bookview Valley 4

Chapter Twenty-Three: A Rose

June 16th, Sunday 10:30pm

"So, you're Ben, huh," I say, trying to visualize Ben in this giant's appearance. It's quite hard since everything is blown out of proportion. I'll just take the giant's word on it. Am I going to have to fight a giant? Exhaustion begins to seep into my bones.

"What do you want with Ben?" The giant eyes me suspiciously with one eye.

"I'm here to save him...you..."

"From what?" Ben the giant laughs, and I have to cover my ears again, "The goose thief?"

"No, Ben," I shake my head, "From this world."

Ben glances around, kind of shaking me. I feel sick to my stomach again, the bugs are going to come up, "What's wrong with this world?"

"You're a giant, Ben," With that he looks back at me, his face has fallen.

"What's wrong with being a giant?" Tears begin to well up in his eyes. Shit.

"Please don't cry!" I call out, fear filling my entire body, "There's nothing wrong with being a giant."

"Oh, but there is!" Ben wails, "No one wants to be my friend. Even Jack left! I would've given him the goose if he would've asked. I just wanted him to visit!"

I frown at Ben as tears begin to slip down his cheeks. Ben just wants friends. Now that I think of it, he's had to be living in fear this whole time. The person he loved once, and probably still did is dead. The other person he loves, his sister, is dying. He's had to kill people just to hold onto her. He's been reluctant to kill me. It dawns on me, he doesn't want to kill me.

"I'm your friend," I tell Ben, meaning every word of it.

"You are?" Ben wipes away a tear, it sparkles on his large finger.

"I am," I sigh and add, "and I would give you my life for you to save your sister."

He stares at me as I put my hand on one of the fingers that's holding me. The tear on his other finger begins to glow, a deep, sorrowful blue. That's the teardrop. Ben follows my eyes to his hand, where the teardrop rests.

"What is that?" Ben asks.

"It's the only way I can save you," I tell him, "Will you give it to me?"

"But then I won't be a giant?"

"No, Ben, you won't," I stare into his blue, teary eyes, "and we will be friends no matter what."

"Promise?"

"I promise," He moves his hand over to me and puts me on his palm. I walk over to where the blue teardrop rests and pick it up, "I'm going to send you home."

"Goodbye, Morgan," Ben says as the teardrop's blue glow exceeds the whole room. When it dims, I'm standing across from Ben in the giant room. He gives me a sad smile as he fades away, and then the room follows him.

I'm breathing heavy when I'm returned to the yellow hallway. Tears are streaming down my face as I try to catch my breath. I wish I could help Ben save his sister. I meant what I said about offering him my life to save her.

The door grows before me, into the size that would allow a giant to pass. On the bottom of the door hangs a painting, right where I can see it. This time it's not of the world, but of me standing on Ben's palm, looking up at him. With a heavy sigh, I turn and begin searching for the next door. I'm almost finished, just three people left. I hope I have enough time.

I hope the next challenges aren't hard. Hopefully, I manage to get everyone sent home safely. Maybe, just maybe, I can bargain with the Crimson Skeleton for Ben's sister. Maybe they can all have a happy ending. I'm willing to give my life for my friends, all of them.

The door sits before me, promising another scary adventure. I give myself a little shake and open the door. The first thing I notice is the looming chandelier above my head. It casts a warm glow around me. The room is all gold, a rather beautiful ballroom. I wonder where I am this time.

I take a step in the room, my boots echoing throughout. I hear a growl and pause in my tracks. A figure stalks into the room, his fur a dark brown, his eyes a piercing blue. He growls again.

"And who might you be?" I ask with a smile.

"What are you doing in my castle," The beast growls, showing me his sharp canines.

"Just happened to waltz in, not really sure," I shrug, "but really, who are you?"

"I am the beast of this castle, the prince."

"Your name?" I plant my hands on my hips. He's really not helping me speed this shit up.

"Sebastien."

My eyes light up with glee, "Perfect!"

"Perfect?" The beast looks confused.

"Ah, that's why your vest is purple," I eye his purple vest, it's actually quite exquisite. I think Flynn would really like it.

"You're not making sense," Sebastien growls, "Why are you here?"

"I'm here to save you," I announce.

"Save me?" The beast laughs, "The witch's curse cannot be broken."

"The witch's cur..." I trail off, then I realize, "Oh! You're the beast, from beauty and the beast!"

"And would you be beauty?" The beast scoffs, eyeing me up and down.

"Rude," I pout.

"I don't really...swing..that way.."Sebastien trails off awkwardly.

I snort, "No, duh. I'm not your beauty. I wonder if he is here though..."

The beast, Sebastien, watches as I take in the room. I glance out the windows until I finally turn back to him with a sigh. He raises a furry eyebrow, "What are you looking for?"

"Flynn," I say simply.

"Flynn," Sebastien snarls, "Of course you're here for that...thief."

"Thief?" Now I'm really confused, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, if you know him then I'm sure you know what I mean," The beast starts to walk towards me menacingly, "I bet you're just here to bail him out. To really make a fool of me. A beauty for this beast? Hah, I don't know why I believed you."

"Sebastien...um, what? I'm not here to steal..."I trail off as he snatches my wrist.

"I'll show you your Flynn," He growls in my face, before he begins to drag me out of the room. This can't be good.