The Beast (Harry Styles)

Chapter Two

So The Band of Baby Brains were right;

Inside the castle sealed tight

Lived the Beast of this legend

Who had rough edges.

We know him as Harry, the broken man

That, from his past, he furiously ran.

And William, I will say, made it to the castle;

But after that, nothing was facile....

~.~

Mother wasn't too keen on the fact her only daughter wanted to go into the woods to find her missing son.

"Adeline, please, just wait until your father gets home; if something happens, he'll be able to help you," my mother pleaded.

I was running around, grabbing my coat and packing a small supply of food and water into my basket. I thought about packing a blanket, but it was a small basket. Plus, I was bringing my book, so I had to prioritize.

"No, it's going to be dark by the time Father comes home; if I don't start when it is still light out, I'll lose sight," I explained, putting my coat on. It wasn't cold in any way, but I've never been in the forest; if it were to get cold in the night, at least I could keep warm.

"I just don't understand why William would do such an idiotic thing!" 

"Acceptance: he wanted to feel accepted into something. Because God knows we aren't the most popular family in this little town," I said while checking to make sure I had everything I needed. 

"Can't he see past that? He's a great person; popularity doesn't matter," my mother replied.

I walked to the door, put my hood up, and looked at my mom one last time.

I studied her beautiful aging face: her warm, brown eyes, her laugh lines that hadn't been used in a long time, the way her long face seemed too big for her small features. I studied the way her caramel hair was tied on top of her head, the way her tall body was slightly hunched forward; I studied everything I could about my mom just in case I wouldn't come back out of the forest.

"Some people can't; to some people, acceptance is as necessary as finding love." I looked at the ground for a few seconds and felt arms wrap around me.

"I love you so much, Adeline. Please come out, and please bring William with you," my mom's voice cracked worse with each word.

"I can't guarantee both of us, but you'll have a child tomorrow; I can promise you that much." My mom removed her arms and opened the door for me.

I stepped out, finding Robert and Joshua at the bottom of my steps. I went down one step before looking back. 

"I love you Mother," I told her, breathing in to stop tears I knew were there.

Mother shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

"Tell Father the same; I know we don't always get along, but I love him," I added before taking a deep breath and meeting Joshua and Robert at the bottom of the steps.

I didn't think I'd be leaving the forest after I entered, but I would make sure William did.

~.~

Yesterday At The Castle

"What are you doing at my castle?" Harry screamed at the boy, not much younger than himself.

"I-I didn't m-mean to disturb you," the boy stumbled upon his words in the presence of this intimidating man.