Beauty and the Beast (CAMREN CONVERTED)

Meeting Camila and the Antiques

Narrator's POV

The sun is fresh on the horizon, and Lauren is already up. A whinny disturbs her. She looks up to find Gracie, thirsty and exhausted. "Gracie." She said. Lauren puts strokes on the horse's neck as Gracie drinks deeply from the trough.

"What happened? Where is Papa?!" Lauren asked. She goes still. Noticing Gracie's torn straps and tattered reins. In dread, her gaze darts to the woods. "Take me to him!" She demanded.

Sunlight barely seeps through the thick branches, lighting Lauren's way as Gracie gallops past the fallen tree. Lauren races through the woods, coming upon Mike's tipped over wagon. She sees the broken chest and scattered music boxes.

With a mix of apprehension and determination, Belle sets her jaw and continues the gallop until the path brings her to the enchanted castle

Lauren dismounts Gracie. Finding a branch, she wields it like a club, then crosses to the castle and goes in. Branch held high, ready to defend herself, Belle opens the door and peeks inside.
The atmosphere of the castle presses in on Lauren.

"Look, Shawn. A beautiful girl." The candelabra said to the clock. "I can see it's a girl. I lost my hands, not my eyes." Shawn replied. "But what if she is the one? The one who will break the spell?" The candelabra asked as Lauren quickly moved towards the voices.

"Who said that? Who's there?" Lauren reaches the spot where she heard the voices, no one was there. Only a clock and a candelabra. Suddenly, a A loud cough echoes through the castle. Lauren grabs the candelabra and climbs a long staircase. The clock shudders with dread.

Belle follows the cough up a set of stairs until she reaches the dark prison tower and a grated iron door. "Papa!? Is that you?" Lauren sees Mike through a grate in the door. He looks pale and sick. "Lauren? How did you find me!?" Mike exclaimed. Lauren puts the candelabra down and grabs his hands.

"Oh, your hands are ice. We need to get you home." She said with determination. "Lauren, you must leave here at once. This castle is alive! Now go, before she finds you!" Mike said quietly. "Who?!"  Lauren exclaimed. The beast roars. Lauren turns around quickly, swinging the thick branch to strike, but the figure jumps onto another staircase. Lauren searches the shadows.

"Who's there? Who are you?" She asked the unknown person. "Who are you?" The beast roared. "I've come for my father," Lauren replied. "Your father is a thief." The beast said. "Liar!" Lauren yelled. "He stole a rose!" The beast said. Lauren widened her eyes, guilt flashing in them.

"I asked for the rose. Punish me, not him!" Lauren said desperately. "No, he means forever. Apparently, that's what happens around here when you pick a flower." Mike said. "A life sentence for a rose?" She said. "I received eternal damnation for one. I'm merely locking him away. Now—do you still wish to take your father's place?" The beast asked.

"Come into the light," Lauren demanded. The figure remains still. Lauren grabs hold of the candelabra and thrusts it forward, illuminating a hideous horned face. Lauren's eyes go wide as she sees the beast. The only part of her that seems human were her eyes. Dark brown. The beast's eyes flicked with pain when she sees Belle's revulsion. "Lauren, I won't let you do this. I lost your mother. I won't lose you too. Now go!" Mike falls into a terrible coughing fit.

"Alright, Papa. I will leave." Lauren said. "I need a minute alone with him." The beast doesn't respond. "Are you so cold-hearted that you won't allow a daughter to kiss her father goodbye?" She asked the beast. "Forever can spare a minute!" She added. Intrigued by her defiance, the beast moves toward her, reaching out with her massive paw. Lauren closes her eyes, bracing herself for the beast's retaliation. Instead, she hears—