Twisted Every Way(Phantom Of The Opera Fic)

Chapter 82: Beauty

"Belle," Clara begged, "Please Belle you have to go."

"I don't want to see him." Belle cried, "I won't!"

"Belle I swear, you are safe!"

Erik nodded at the young girl, "You will always be protected, by all of us."

"That's right," Nadir said entering slowly, "Pitiful child what have you seen?"

Belle shuddered and turned away. 

"It think it is for the best Erik if after this dreadful business is over we get her as far from here as possible."

"Agreed," Clara stated. 

Belle sniffled and cried harder. 

"Have you sent for Gustave?" Nadir asked. 

Erik sighed, "Mary is sick, he's too protective to even risk travel with her. Peter should be here in a day. I only hope we have that long." 

"I hear things," Belle whispered to her sister, "At night in the walls. There's a boy crying in there." 

"Nonsense," Clara assured her, "We're all alone. Remeber?" 

Belle frowned but nodded. 

"Listen, Belle," Clara said slightly impatiently, "All you have to do is stand up and say that Eli is not the man who kidnapped you alright?"

"But I'm afraid."

Clara smiled and hugged her tightly, "There's a little boy, standing in front of hundreds of people right now, who might never see his family again. Do you think he's afraid?"

Belle nodded. 

"Do you know why he's doing it?"

"No."

"Because he believes its the right thing to do. Defending him, helping him get back to his family is the right thing to do Belle. This is your chance to be a hero." 

Belle thought that over and her face changed ever so slightly. 

"Will I have to talk much?"

Erik eagerly answered her question, "No just nod or shake your head. Please, I'm begging you." 

"Alright," Belle whispered. 

"Alright?!" Nadir exclaimed in glee, "Alright then! Go!" 

Clara quickly dressed her sister in her little frock and hurried her out the door. 

"But miss! Sir!" The little girl exclaimed frantically, "Who are you?" 

"Friends, and that's all," Clara smiled at her. "We're going to find you a home Belle don't you worry. You're going to be safe." 

Erik followed the pair as far as he could before he was forced to stop in the alley outside the courthouse once again. 

"We're all counting on you Belle," He said firmly with a kindness that touched the toddler's heart. 

Clara led her through the giant doors, she felt as if she were being judged herself. As if her whole life after this depending on her choice to speak at this moment. 

For some reason, she couldn't shake the noise of the boy crying from the walls. Even if Clara was right, even if she had been dreaming, those cries stayed with her. Why would someone hide from the world and not seek comfort? Why did Mr. Destler wear that mask? Too many questions flooded her small mind. 

She was brought to the stand, her joints seizing as the many men and woman stared at her. 

Clara squeezed her palm ever so gently.