Academy of Legends

Chapter 2: Belle (Life)

Although everyone else went their ways after the funerals of Theseus and Marian, I went up to my "beast", Harold Charming, who stood apart from the other students. Unlike the others, I did not feel grieved or frightened by their deaths. Perhaps I wasn't as silly as they were, to presume that I had been close to Theseus or Marian. Or maybe it was just that I didn't think the killer would have the audacity to kill me.

Harold smiled a little at me. "Belle," he said. "Are we still on for tonight?"

You see, we had arranged our date a week before. And even though the murders had happened, we were intent on nothing interrupting our good time. Let the murderer come! He—or she—couldn't ruin the good time that we had planned. I returned Harold's smile with a small one of my own; the rest of the students might get hysterical if the two of us stood around smiling after a funeral. "Of course we are," I answered, and after taking a cursory look around, I kissed him. It was just the briefest contact, but it was enough.

Harold's tan cheeks flushed. His brown hair kissed his forehead with its cherublike curls, and his blue eyes crinkled in pleasure. Although his grizzled face wasn't exactly ideal for kissing his cheek, I loved him anyway. "Good," he answered. "Pick you up at seven?"

After receiving my consent, he had gone his way.

Now, I prepare for Harold's arrival, brushing my own curly brown hair into submission. I could only hope that my beast had shaved before our date. Whatever the case, I slipped on a ruffled yellow tee-shirt and blue jeans, as well as golden flats. The local bakery, Hansel and Gretel's, had dancing on Friday nights.

Harold arrives right on time in his light blue Mustang—yes, his family is wealthy, why?—and we drive off to Hansel and Gretel's. A companionable silence accompanies us as we arrive and go inside, assailed by the wonderful scents of baked goods. Harold has a special place in his heart for their pizza, and he orders a whole tray of it.

Some of our fellow students from school have made their way here as we take our seats. Unlike most bakeries, there is plenty of room for sitting and dancing—it's definitely not your run-of-the-mill bakery.

A slow love song plays. Harold abandons his pizza and stands with a smile. "May I have this dance, my Belle?" he says with that teasing smile.

I accept his hand and we twirl around. I spot Harold's brother, Henry, and his date, Snow White, spinning nearby. After the murders, it seems that everyone could use the chance to relax and have a little bit of fun.

I lay my head on Harold's shoulder and close my eyes. Life couldn't be more perfect.

A gunshot breaks through the low sound of the music. Somewhere, someone screams, and I feel Harold go limp in my arms. Slowly, we both fall to the floor, and I stare at him, horror-struck. Blood pours from a wound in his chest, and his hand seeks my cheek. "Belle," he says, and his eyes become dull.

"BEAST!" I scream, putting my hands to his chest in an effort to stem the horrible flow of blood. Behind me, I hear someone asking if anyone saw the killer, and the deafening silence that followed. I don't care. Only one thing matters to me.

My beast is dead, and my tears will not save him this time. My life has been changed ... forever.