Through The Rabbit Hole

Chapter Eight: Ryan

Even though Alyssa and I both knew he wouldn't be there, Belle insisted on stopping at her house in search of Maurice. We both sat back on the step as Belle tore into the cottage, expecting her father to be there. From my knowledge of the movie, Maurice would've been found in the forest anyway, not in the cottage.

"What do we do now?" Alyssa questioned. While it had still been awkward between us, that didn't mean we weren't focused on the mission. "For some reason we're heroes and we don't even know what to do."

I was about to reply when I looked up and saw a mob of people approaching, holding pitchforks and fires. "I think maybe we should deal with that," I replied as the group drew closer. We both stood up and blocked the way up the steps to the house. A tall, old man approached, who I recognized before from Gaston's meeting. He was in on the plan against Belle.

"Excuse me, boy, but could you show me the way to a castle that houses a nasty beast," he asked in his gravely voice. I didn't say a word, when suddenly Belle came out of the house and froze in the steps.

"What's all this?" She looked horrified and scared of why a mob could be at her house.

"Belle!" voice boomed from the mob. A disgusted look quickly adorned my face as I recognized the arrogant tone. "There you are! We were just off to save you!"

"Save me? Where's my father? You should be saving him!" she shouted back at Gaston, who had materialized himself in front of the steps.

"Oh, don't worry my pretty Belle. We have saved him. He is in the asylum right now," He informed her. Belle nearly cried at the information and ran forward, shoving aside me and Alyssa.

"Why would you do that! It's wrong!" she gripped at Gaston's shirt in a pleading manner. The mob cheered in return, clearly happy that Maurice was locked up, and continued to shout. Gaston pulled Belle aside for a minute.

"You know, I could clear all of this up for you if you want," he offered. I creeped closer to hear more of the conversation, but quickly realized where he was heading. "In return for something else."

"Really! Anything! What is it?" Belle eagerly hung onto every second of hope for her father.

"Your hand in marriage," he demanded with a sly grin. Immediately I jumped in.

"Yeah right! Your plans haven't worked before, no way she'd marry you now," I so stupidly remarked. Gaston sneered at me and turned to the mob.

"Well then, we're just going to have to be on our way to slay the beast then!" he announced. Cheers erupted and and the mob got ready to head out.

"No, you can't!" Belle shouted. "He's kind and nice, why would you slay him?" Gaston let out a heart laugh at her objections.

"Because he's not nice. He'll come and steal your children and destroy your crops. He is not to be trusted." Every accusation make the crowd cheer louder and louder as Gaston egged them on. "And if you are not with us," he turned to Belle and gripped her arm tight. "You're against us." He brought her over to the celler doors and called for a man. The carriage there then opened for someone to shove Maurice out of it, Gaston grabbing him too to throw them down there.

"This is wrong! You can't just lock them down there!" Alyssa jumped in. I was hoping that if we laid low he would forget us, but Alyssa being herself, couldn't not stand up for someone.

"Well, we can throw you in with them if you'd like," Gaston said more than asked, and in an instant we were trapped underground. Minutes passed and the sound of angry townspeople had faded. I slumped against a wall as Belle was poking at a window with a broom and Alyssa was pacing around looking for tools.

"This is my fault. I'm sorry father," Belle cried. She gave up on the window and collapsed to the ground while Maurice hugged her. Alyssa seemed to have found something of use as she immediately turned to the cellar door to start fiddling with it. I just sat and waited because I knew a way out would show itself if we just waited. I just had to remember what it was. My eyes shifted to the window where I saw a small figure jumping.

"Hey, Belle, what's that in the window?" I questioned while shifting up. She glanced up and gasped in delight.

"Chip!" she scurried back the window and tapped on it. "You have to get us out!" she tried to communicate through the glass, but it seemed that he couldn't hear as he continued to jump and shout. It sounded mumbled and Belle grew frustrated trying to get him to understand. I was about to intervene when everyone stopped at the sound of metal clinking. Alyssa turned to me with a huge grin on her face.

"I got the lock off," she calmly stated, and then lost it when she shoved the doors open.

The ride to the castle was enough to soak us, but instantly I forgot about it when we walked in on a truly insane situation. Men from the mob were being beaten, thrown, and downright hurt from the furniture of the castle. The battle continued out in chaos as I noticed Cogsworth on the highest ledge watching it go down. I glared at him and demanded we push through to find the beast. It didn't seem like Gaston was in this fight, so we needed to make sure we got to Beast in time.

We ran through the halls towards Beast's room. I wasn't sure where he'd be, but Alyssa thought the west wing was a good spot to try. When we made it to his room, Belle burst in, calling for Beast. Inside was revealed to be Gaston taking aim with a bow and arrow at the huddled body by the window. The sudden action of Belle coming in triggered Gaston to let the arrow go and pierce into Beast.

Gaston then charged at him and threw him through the window and onto the roof. The beast slid around, desperately grasping for an edge to cling to. Gaston jumped out and followed him as they landed on a ledge.

"Get up!" Gaston demanded. Beast didn't move, a sign that he didn't care much for what was to happen to him. "I said get up!" Gaston demanded again. Immediately following, Belle shouted from the balcony for Beast. He looked up and when he saw Belle, I could tell a new purpose had arose in him. Save himself.

Beast rose and ran at Gaston to attack, continuing the battle. Alyssa couldn't compose herself, and in a fit of adrenaline, ran out onto the rooftop as well. My heart filled with fear for her safety and I tried to reach out and stop her.

"Alyssa what are you doing?"I shouted out, though I didn't expect an answer. She was already up in the battle and behind Gaston. She helped to distract him as Beast gripped him around the throat and held him over the edge.

"Please! Let me go! I'll do anything!" Gaston pleaded for his life. Beast held his ground for only a minute, but soon he softened up and spared his life. Casting Gaston aside, he turned towards the balcony.

"Beast," belle whispered. He proceeded to climb the roofs and near closer to Belle. When he was on the other side of the balcony rail, they held hands and embraced each other. I looked to see if Alyssa was close behind, but there was no sign of her.

"Help!" Her cry pierced the sound of rain, and everyone turned to see Gaston holding a knife to her throat. Beast growled and Belle gasped while I stood stunned.

"Give Belle to me Beast, or the girl is gone," he offered. Beast got on the roof again and stared him down. Gaston walked slowly towards him with Alyssa, and I noticed the faintest look of thought on Alyssa's face. "One flick of the wrist and it's over for her," he continued. By now I knew Alyssa had a plan, and it was when they reach a huge puddle of rain on the flat roof, that I could tell what was going to happen.

"And one kick of the foot," Alyssa swept her foot against Gaston's leg, which caused him to lose his balance and slip on the water. She found an escape as his grip loosened and headed over the edge of the castle into the ravine below. "It's over for you," she breathed. Beast went and grabbed her, bringing her back onto the balcony. I instantly hugged her tight and refused to let go until she agreed never to do anything that dangerous again.

"You came back," Beast got out between breaths. Belle hugged him and sighed.

"Of course I did. I-I love you," she confessed with an endearing look. Everyone went silent. Eyes turned to the rose seated behind us to notice the last petal falling from its place. It was too late