Family Ties (Rumbelle)

Chapter 44 Visit To The Asylum

Rumples POV

Walking into the asylum was like walking into the dead of night. Even though it was bang on 12 o'clock in the afternoon, I feel like it should be dark and still outside.

Henry and I had gotten nowhere in our search for Dorothy...but we will, we will.

But now it is Friday. I get to see Belle.

"Who are you visiting?"

"Miss French," a voice answered before I could.

I turned around.

I nod, slightly annoyed. I can speak for myself thank you very much. Is this one of the men Belle told me about? One of the men who took advantage of her?

"Can I see her now?" I ask sternly, keeping my head held high.

"This way..." He mumbled, walking down a corridor.

I followed him, maybe a little too enthusiastically. But I can't wait to see her, I've missed her - she needs me and I need her.

The man in the white coat slid a dirty white key card into a small black machine and I heard clicks of a lock opening.

He opened the door and we walked into a empty middle sized room, the lights shining un-healthily, a little too bright.

"Take a seat, any seat, she'll be along in a minute..." He grumbled, before leaving again.

I stopped myself from saying thank you as I remembered where I am.

I'm too nervous to sit. I'm too nervous to stand still.

I pace a little, wringing my hands.

I hope she's alright. If they've hurt her...

The door opened again and a strong looking man came in, pushing Belle in front of him.

"You have half an hour - that's it babe," he growled before leaving.

What did he just call her?!

Belle didn't even look at me and wobbled over to a seat. She was very unsteady, like she was dizzy or something?

"Belle?" I gasped, as she fell into her seat.

I ran over to help her sit up. Did she just pass out for a second?

I grabbed her small body, putting her upright.

"Are you ok?" I said.

As soon as I was sure she was stable, I slid into the seat the other side of the small desk opposite her.

She's not ok.

Her face is as white as a sheet. Apart from dark circles underneath them.

She nodded, before rubbing her eyes.

"Belle?"

She looked up. Her eyes were distant. What has happened to her in this short amount of time?

And that man! Why did he call her 'babe'! I hate that vile word anyway, but he called Belle it which makes it even worse!

"Who, who was that?" I asked her gently? Reaching for her hands to pull them away from her tired face.

"Uh...." She shut her eyes, trying to remember.

"I don't....uh...no name badge..." She sighed.

She didn't hold my hand back, but she didn't reject them either. Is she even happy to see me?

"What have they done to you?" I say, pulling her toward me accidentally.

She fell forward flimsily.