Belle Stone

Part 18

Mark came back to the place of his princess's previous home. There had to be something else about that woman here. It was her home. He searched through everything. Every little corner of that modest place was explored.

The bedroom was the last room he searched. Mark's eyes roamed across the room. He has searched through everything. Every drawer was opened. Every object moved. Pillows that laid neatly on the bed were now displayed on the floor. The neatness of the room has been compromised. It made him feel bad so he started putting everything back the way it was. It was the least that he could do. He did ruin the aesthetic of the room. He has lost all of his hope. A loud sigh pierced through the silence. He looked down at the floor in disappointment. Nothing. He managed to do nothing. Something caught his eye as he was dwelling in his sorrow. He noticed a shadow on the ground that was cast from something under the bed. There was a little black box, neatly put aside. It looked brand new, despite the dust covering its lid.

Very carefully, as it was made of glass, Mark took the box and brought it on the bed. It could have been glass. That wasn't the reason why he was so careful. He spent so much time looking around. Actually finding something felt so unreal. He handled it with care because it could be what he was looking for. Just because of that it was so much more important. It deserved such care. The box's contents were unknown. His hand movements were very slow and light. The rush he felt at the start has gone the moment he saw that box, so did the disappointment. Everything was replaced by hope. Intrigue has risen inside of him and all the other thoughts and feelings were set aside. There was shimmering light in his eyes as he glazed his eyes over the object he was touching. It was cold. Pleasant chill soared through his fingers. Its smooth texture felt so satisfying.

He uncovered the top. The sound of it moving, the one that is usually so silent that it can barely be heard, roared loudly down his ear canal. The contents inside of the box were a complete opposite of the outside. It was colorful, filled with pictures, and something that looked like a diary. The red cover of that book beamed from inside. It was standing out from the rest of the contents.

The first thing Mark did was look through the pictures. Most of those pictures were of nature and animals. He was amazed by the photographic ability of the person who took those photos. The person who took these was very talented. He was so taken aback by it that for a second he forgot what he was doing.

On the bottom of the box, laid a single picture of two young teenagers. They were a 14-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy as far as he could tell. That is how old they seemed like to him. He turned the picture around and he had to see something. He guessed right. Most of the pictures have a writing on the back and so did this one. In pink ink with the most beautiful calligraphy he had ever seen, there stood words Stone and Shore together forever.

At last but not least he opened the diary. For him, it was the most important thing in there so he kept the best for last. He didn't care much about the contents of it, he was searching for a name. As much as he wanted to solve the mystery of the woman who gave birth to Belle he didn't want to invade anyone's privacy. No matter if the owner of this book is dead or alive it just felt wrong. There were a lot of names there but nowhere the writer's name. At least it didn't seem like there was. There was no name on the front page. The place where the name usually stays so he had no confirmation. He couldn't be sure. He didn't know if that was smart or stupid. Not having a name in your diary is only good if someone found it and you don't them to know it is yours. Just in case they read it. Then again, they can tell from the things that were written whose it is.

When he reached the final page there was a note dedicated to Belle again. This woman just doesn't give up, does she? She thought about everything.
"If you are reading this that means you haven't listened to me. So I am asking you again. Listen dear, don't bother yourself with me. I am sure you have an awesome family. More awesome than I can ever be. They can't be worse. Believe me they better than me. But since you haven't let it go, I guess you are never going to let it go. Just for you to be at peace again I am going to tell you my name but that’s all. Please don't search any more for something more. Please babygirl. It doesn't do you any good. Trust me. I know that I am asking for too much but you have to. I am being sincere. Stop before you find out something that hurts you even more. I have made you suffer through so much already. This time just listen to me even if I don't deserve it. I just want you to be happy. I am telling you to stop so you can be happy. Okay? My name is all you need. It was the thing that was necessary for you to curse it. Curse it as much as you want. I deserve it, I know. I am asking you to do it. My name is Anabelle. Anabelle Stone.“

Finally he got to know her name. It didn't feel as fulfilling as he that it would. It really doesn't help much. This information was completely useless for him. He needs to know where she is. He doesn't care about her wish of not searching anymore. He made a promise to Belle to find her parents and that is exactly what he was going to do.

At the bottom of that picture right in the corner was an address, barely visible to a human eye. It said James's new place before it. It could have easily been skimmed over. This writing wasn't in bright ink. It was quite the opposite. Seamlessly different from the background. This woman was oppressed with contradictions. That is what it seemed like at least. Thank God Mark was being thorough.

There it was, a next step in the search for the woman that gave birth to his princess. He didn't want to call her Belle's mum because. He was repulsed by her. What kind of a mother leaves her kid? Better yet what kind of mother tries to kill her child and then writes a letter about it and makes the kid cry all night.

Before going to the next address he decided to go back to the orphanage to give the box to Belle. He thought she would appreciate it. It was progress. She needed hope and he wanted to provide her with it.

He was carrying the box with a small smile on his face. In his head there was an image of happy Belle running to his hands for a tight hug of gratitude. As he entered the house he sensed something was off, but he brushed off that feeling as he walked towards the room of his princess. The door that was closed surprised him but she was a teenager, so he thought nothing big of it. He placed a box on the table so he can open the door but for some reason it was locked. Belle never locked her room. She was a social person. Everyone was welcome all the time. He was beginning to feel worried.

Meanwhile, inside of the room Belle was freaking out as the handle moved. She wanted to scream but she couldn't. She was too afraid. She thought it was that monster from the dream, that scary woman, she had to be quiet for her to go away. Screaming would just make her angry. She watched as the shadow under the door moved and got closer to the door she shut her eyes tightly awaiting the impact. Mark gently spoke through the crack.
"Princess, are you in there?"
Belle's eyes popped open. Is it really her dad? Maybe the monster is trying to trick her, she stayed quiet for a little while longer.
"Please, open the door. I have got something for you."
She couldn't help but ask, even though she was terrified. She missed her dad, she wanted it to be him.
"Is it really you dad?"
"Who else would it be princess?"
"I don't know. How can I trust you? " "It is me. Believe me. I went to find something more like that letter. I am sorry I haven't told you. You were sleeping so nicely and after the whole night of crying I had no heart to wake you up. Come on now, open the door."

She knew it was a risk, but he really sounded sorry. It really sounded like her dad. Even if it was a monster she already blew her cover off, the only thing she can do is trust her guts. Her guts told her that was Mark outside that door.

She opened the door. Her eyes watered as she saw him standing there. She jumped for the tightest hug.
"Don't ever do this again.“
After a long time Mark pulled away.
"What is it? Why are you crying again?"

Through sobs she told him about her dream. He felt so sorry for leaving her, so guilty. The ache in his heart grew as he thought about her being there scared and alone with no one to protect her. He forgot about the box. The only thing he was focused on now is to protect his princess, to make her feel safe. As Belle calmed down she saw a box on the table.
"What is that?"
"Oh, that is the thing I was talking about."
"From mum?"
His face frowned a little bit but he smiled seeing her face cheer up.
"Yes. I thought you'd want it. "
She hugged him again, this time the way he imagined it to be.
"Thanks, I really do want it. You know me so well."
Her giggle shook his body into comfort. He was calm as soon as he got a confirmation that her mood was up again. The ache in his heart got a bit better after that little giggle, that smile and bright face mended the pain from earlier.

They sat on the bed and spent the rest of the day looking through a box like nothing bad ever happened.
To be continued...