Through The Rabbit Hole

Chapter Four: Ryan

Yeah, so it turns out in my attempt to stick to the script actually got me ruining it. Even after I had told Alyssa repeatedly that she can't screw up what happens in the movie. What kind of Hypocrite am I? I think a bad one. I guess I was lucky enough that Maurice gave me some proper supplies before sending me out. He insisted that I wear something warmer and bring food just in case.

I had started off back towards the castle as the sky got darker, hoping to get there in time before Gaston's plan could start. Maybe if I warned them I could make up for my stupid mistake. It seemed that a fresh snow had settled as it became a bit more difficult for my horse to make it through.

I was growing increasingly bored when I noticed that a part of the snow was disturbed. It looked like footprints, but also a struggle. I stopped my horse and guided it over. I followed to path the snow prints made until my heart stopped. Alyssa and Belle were surrounded by a pack of wolves. I felt like I couldn't breathe as the worry sank to the bottom of my stomach.

"Alyssa!" I called out. She could barely hear me over the snarling of the wolves, but when we made eye contact I could see her fear. I felt paralyzed and couldn't move. It wasn't until a giant blur came and took out a few wolves that I was broken out of shock. It looked like Beast as he started to attack the wolves. When an opening was made I jumped off my horse and ran towards Alyssa. She gripped her arm and winced when I touched her.

Despite her condition she laughed at me. "Ryan, you ass," she chuckled out. I sat confused by her getting mad at me now, but figured she was trying to lighten the mood. "It's your fault I'm out here," she continued to joke. I shared in the joke and proceeded to rip the cloak I was wearing, tying it around her wound. It didn't look deep but it was enough to bleed a great deal.

When I turned around I noticed Beast was flinging the tiny monsters around before scaring them off. When the last wolf had scattered, he turned around to face Belle with many wounds. She gasped and that's when I realized we weren't out of the woods yet, figuratively and literally. I turned to Alyssa and hardened my expression.

"Why did you leave the castle?" I bit out through my teeth. She just mirrored my look back at me. "Do you know how upset he'll get now? He'll probably kill you!" I shook her and tried to express my worry. Alyssa just shoved me off her and stood up.

"You don't control me Ryan. It's my mistake, my consequences. You need to stop babysitting me," her tone never wavered and the anger reflected off her firm stance.

"I-I wasn't trying to I just-" I stuttered and my face got really red. Shit. Now she would know. I didn't want her to think I was treating her like a child, but I also didn't want her to know about my crush. "I'm sorry, but I'm just always worried about you," I managed to get out. "I know you can handle yourself, but sometimes I think you need a little help. Even if you won't admit it"

"Well, I-" She closed her mouth and looked away as her cheeks flared. There was no more comment on that conversation as our attention was turned to Beast, who had just passed out. Belle froze and stared in awe. She then turned around to hop on her house to ride away, but it seemed she had second thoughts. As she looked back at beast though, a voice called out. Not in the forest, but it seemed in our minds.

"Don't do it, go home," it whispered. It tickled the back of my brain and I couldn't tell if I imagined it or not. I turned to Alyssa who had the same alarmed look as me.

"What was that?" I asked. Alyssa shrugged her shoulders, but panicked when she saw Belle climbing onto the horse. She ran over and grabbed the reins and stopped her.

"Where are you going? You can't just leave him here injured!" she shouted. Belle gave her a wary look and glanced over at Beast.

"But, this might be my only chance to escape," she pleaded. "Who knows what he'll do to me when he wakes up." Alyssa tried to think up an excuse for her to stay, but I could imagine how hard it was without spoiling the story.