Between A Rose And Its Thorns (ON HOLD)

The Forbidden West Wing

Lucinda's point of view

I hesitantly walk up the steps, the air seeming to get gloomier the longer I go. I let my hand drift on the railing as I acceded the thousands of steps.

I gasp when I felt nothing under my foot. Grabbing onto the railing tightly, I gulp as I looked down at the enormous hole I had almost fell into. Side stepping the dangerous pit, I continued onward.

I sigh in relief when I finally got to the top, a long hall stands before me. The air got colder as I listen to my footsteps bring the only sound. My eyes drift around, statues of ugly beasts decorate the hall. I gulp, staring at them as it seemed as though they were staring back.

I quicken my pace, the further I went, the more damage I notice around me. Long claw marks were lined in the wall, multiple tables knocked over with pieces of broken vases surrounding them. I peek through the broken window, releasing a shudder as the moon stared at me, the ripped curtains fluttered with the wind as I passed them.

At the end of the hall, I find two large doors. I raise my hand to the door knob, seeing my curious reflection as I turned it. I winced as the door opened with a squeak.

Carefully, I swiftly close the door behind me. My jaw drops with a gasp as I take in the room. Everywhere I look, there was nothing but havoc and destruction. I enter deeper into the beast's den. Everything in the room was torn apart, if I thought the hallway was bad, this was over hundred times worst.

I gulp as I stare at a large bed, pillows and blankets completely destroyed. A pile of poor animal furs covered what was left of it. I keep moving on. My eyes follow the claw marks similar to the ones I saw in the hall. I follow it to a ruined painting. Stepping to take in a closer inspection, I raise my hand to the ripped painting.

From what I could see, it was a man.

Looking below the painting, I found the missing piece. Grabbing it, I held it up to the painting. My eyes widen as blue eyes stared back at me. Strangely familiar blue eyes, from where I have seen them, I can not remember.

I lower the eyes, biting my lip. That's when I noticed a wine covered in thorns. Beyond curious, I follow the vine, leading to a large bush, taking up most of the room. I gasp as pure white roses surrounded me.

They were... magnificent.

Moon light shined through the balcony, I drift through the maze of beautiful flowers. I follow the trail all of them seemed to be leading to. Then in the center of the mysterious garden stood a small table, wines and thorns curled up the steel, leading to the middle of this garden's beauty.

I step toward the rose on the table. Unlike the others, this one was placed with a protective dome covering it. But not only that, it was a bright, red rose.

My favorite flower.

I smile as I stared at the lovely little thing. Carefully, I take off the glass to let the poor thing breathe.

"There you go..." I whisper to the small bud. Petals barely crept out of it. It looked so... soft. I reach toward it, wishing to touch its soft petals.

I flinch as a loud roar shakes the castle. I gasp as someone grabs me, turning me around forcibly to face them. My nervous eyes stared into dark, raging blue ones.

"What are you doing here?" He snarled, pushing me away from the rose.

"N-nothing." I said, biting my lip as I cursed myself for stuttering.

"They warned you to neVER COME HERE!" He shouted, I stumble back, falling into a chair.

"I'm sorry!" I apologize as I quickly stood, standing behind the chair as I used it to shield me from this beast.

"DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE?!" He roared, throwing the chair away, I gulp as I watched it hit the wall, turning into a million splinters.

That's going to be me in a few minutes.

I groan as he grabbed my hair, forcing me to meet his gaze. "YOU COULD HAVE DAMNED US ALL!" He snarled, snapping his fangs at me.

"Let go!" I snap, holding onto my hair as he gave it another tug. My eyes widen as he leaned closer to me, his dangerous teeth just inches from me. I still as I heard him take in a deep breath.

"Get out." He growled lowly.

"What?" I ask, unsure if I heard him right.

"I said gET OUT!" He bellowed, releasing me. I stumble back before catching my balance, I duck just barely in time as a table flew over my head. I gulp as I stared at the beast as he threw his tantrum, throwing things around him as he yelled at me.

I pick up my skirts and run toward the door, throwing it open and closing it just as a base was throw toward my head. I pant as I descend down the stairs, running up the ones leading to Isabelle and my chamber.

I collapse into the room, taking in deep breaths. "Lucinda!" Belle shrieks, rushing to my side. "Where have you been?" She ask.

I stand, grabbing her hand, I lead her back to the window. "No time to explain, we have to get out of here!"

We cover our ears as a loud roar bounced off the walls. The castle shook, knowing its master wasn't pleased.

"Now!" I said as I grab our strange rope, tying one end to the bed post, I throw the other end out the window. "We have to go now!" I look back at my sister, fear easily visibly on her face.

"But.. but what if-!"

"Now, Isabelle." I said, pulling her with me to the window.

I let her go first, she grips onto the rope tightly, I watch nervously as she climbed down. A sigh of relief leaving my lips once her feet met the ground.

I step onto the window seal, holding onto the rope tightly.

Time to get out of here.