The Beast (Harry Styles)

Chapter FOUR

Adeline has been caught by the Beast;

And he is unhappy, to say the least.

But what happens when a fire is ablaze?

You try to extinguish it in the strangest of ways...

~.~

I stood there for a second, trying to take everything in using the shortest amount of time possible. 

This man is upset, and he is the one who put William in here, so he is the only one to release him.

"H-hello," I attempted to say in my bravest voice. "Is-is this your castle?"

"Did I say it was my castle?" he spoke furiously, anger obvious in his voice.

"Y-yes, yes you did. So this is your...dungeon I suppose," I muttered aloud, more to myself than this man.

"You have common sense! Congratulations! Now, I rarely ask twice, so answer my question and stop stalling!" he commanded, power emanating in his voice and words. He was used to being in control of things, and he didn't like to be disrupted of it.

It was a moment before I spoke again, and his mouth opened slightly to speak again. It was then something inside me seemed to be opened, something realized kindness might not get me out of this.

"I have come for my brother, this man in which you have trapped in a cell like some animal! He is dirty and malnourished, but he is human. He deserves more respect! He has trespassed onto your property, and with that attitude, I suppose you haven't let him speak much either!" Standing up, I walked over to get closer to the beast-like man who held my brother captive. 

"You," I said pointing a finger at his chest, "have no civil manners here! I ask you release my brother, for he has done you no wrong nor harmed you in any way...I wish I could say the same for you."

Done my rant of sorts, I back away from the man. He bit his lip before erupting into a fit of laughter.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and looked to Lum who had moved towards the corner when the man had entered the room. Lum refused to look in my direction, keeping his gaze at William. 

"Y-you think that you can come into my castle and display the audacity to boss me around?" the man said through his laughter. For show, he held a finger to his eye like he was wiping a tear away. "Funny, it is truly entertaining to see this; I wish you could see this from my perspective, because you'd be dying of laughter."

"Well, will you release my brother?" I asked, with he boldness somewhat faded and my voice laced with a fear.

"Let me think about it," he replied, tapping his chin with his finger. "Hmm....no." He continued in a quiet laughter, amused by my audacity.

I thought on my feet.

"Take me."

This made him completely quiet down, and the laughter ceased. This time, it was him who furrowed his eyebrows in confusion at my words.

"What?" he asked with slight hesitance.

"Take me instead of my brother. If you release him.....you can have me," I explained.

"No!" William yelled from behind me. I heard the rattling of the bars, him attempting to get my attention.

"I promised my mother that a child would come home...I never promised her I would. If you have any mercy inside your heart, you'll let him go and take me instead."

"Adeline, no! Please, God, don't do it!" William pleaded, sadness falling on his words. "You don't know what he's like! If you have mercy, you'd send my sister home, please!" He directed his last words towards the man, who held a face of confusion and amusement at the same time.

 "Lum, release the boy," he decided after a moment of thinking. 

I took a breath in and closed my eyes and Lum walked over and unlocked the cell that held William.

"Make sure he gets home safe; that is a command, not a request."

I felt a tugging at my arm, and I opened my eyes to a distraught, crying William clutching my arm.

"Adeline, please, don't do this; please, let me stay and you go home and be safe," William begged, tightening his grip on my arm.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered almost inaudibly. A sharp sting made its way to my arm, and there suddenly was no feeling of human contact on me.

My coat felt too hot, too stuffy. 

I knew it was the last time I'd see William for a while, if not forever. But I'd kept my promise. 

I stood there, watching the spot William was not even a second ago. Now he was gone. 

Starting towards the cell William was just at, I counted the paces it was from the door.

One. Two Three. Four. Five.

On the sixth pace, through the door, the man who held William cleared his throat.

I turned around to face him. He stood in the doorway as he had been, but looked uncomfortable.

"What are you doing?" he asked, more curious than demanding.

"G-going into the cell?" I answered with apprehension, unsure of what he would do.

"No!" I flinched at the harshness of his word. He shook his head and lowered his voice. "I meant, no, you're not staying in there."

"But I'm a prisoner."

"No you are not. You showed kindness, selflessness, and bravery in sacrificing your own life and your own happiness for the sake of your mother's happiness and your brother's life. You are not a prisoner; you are....a permanent guest."  He disappeared up the steps. When I didn't follow, he yelled down. "Follow me to your room." I followed him. 

As we climbed up the steps I noticed I hadn't known his name.

"What's your name? If you don't mind me asking," I added quickly.

He stopped on the step, before looking back at me. In the darkness I noticed his eyes that shone green, lit up with an undetectable emotion.

"Harry. My name is Harry." Harry turned around and continued up the steps.

I hadn't known him more than ten minutes, yet I knew he was like the ocean; I knew he could drown me in anger or he could hold me afloat and keep me safe.

~.~

This Beast is a man, just like anyone;

But his transformation has only just begun.

Why did he let William out alive?

I guess you'll have to wait until chapter five.....