My Beautiful Beast

Chapter 2: Into the Belly of the Beast…or at Least His Home

~*~ Twenty Years Later ~*~

The story of the beast and his castle had been passed down for generations. Well, at least it was passed down to Jeffery's generation. All of the village children knew of the haunted castle that sat up high on the hill like some ghostly sentinel. Hell, it was hard to miss it; the only thing more terrifying than the castle was the story their parents told them. Legend had it, that a huge, monstrous Beast guarded the castle, and that locked deep inside, was the Prince of Old. He was held prisoner by the Beast, until a valiant savior could rescue him, and vanquish the monster.

For a long time Jeffery was afraid of the place, much like his friends. However tonight was different. Tonight was the night he would overcome his childhood fear. He was now of age; a man. And as a man, it was his job to discover just what was in that castle… or at least touch the silver knocker that adorned the massive front doors. Jeffery's friends had all turned thirteen ages ago and had touched the fabled knocker. Now, it was his turn and Jeffery was never one to miss out on opportunities, despite his elder brother's warnings.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Jeffrey hissed nervously to his group of friends for the millionth time. They were currently hiding behind a large hedge that marked the beginning of the castle's territory. "I mean, the beast is not going to come out and snatch my nose off or something of that sort? Is he?"

"Of course not you fraidy-git, now get on with it! Go on, touch it," said Sven, one of Jeffery's best friends from the village as he and three other boys urged the slight boy towards the knocker.

"Yeah, we all did it," whispered Thomas, a larger boy from the west end of the village as they crept up to the door. The boys could see that the castle once used to be magnificent, but the dried, cracked fountain surrounded by unruly vines and branches that had wormed their way through the stone did not make for an inviting picture.

Jeffrey gulped as he was poked and prodded to the front of the group. They passed the last hedge and then, Jeffrey was alone. His friends were hidden behind him and he was out in the open with nothing between him and the door except the wide lonely walkway.

For a moment, he balked, frozen where he stood. Then, throwing his shoulders back, Jeffery ran from the door, trying not to look at anything else. Panting heavily, his hand slammed onto the silver knocker and he looked behind himself to make sure that his friends were all watching.

At first, nothing happened, until the door swung slowly open.

The boys all gasped and ducked behind the shrubbery for covering. When nothing came out to snatch Jeremy up, Thomas poked his head out. "Well, go on, go in!" they hissed.

Well. This certainly wasn't part of the deal.

"No way! You guys go in," Jeffery hissed back.

"Go on old pal, there's nothin' in there. You'll be the talk of the town when we get home!" Sven urged.

"No! One of you come, then," Jeffery said, turning around to face them.

"I dare you to go! You'll be a huge coward if you don't!" Thomas prodded.

Jeffery bristled at that. He was no coward! He was a man, and just as brave as any of the older boys. But still…Jeffrey wanted to [i]prove[/i] himself to be a man and so, he stepped over the threshold of the castle. He wasn't but a few steps in until he stopped, trying not to look at anything in the dark hall to closely. This was enough, right?

"What do you see?" Sven hissed.

"Yeah, what's it look like?" Thomas urged.

"Nothing," Jeffrey whispered back. "It's just a long hall. It's really dark. I don't think that any lamps are lit," which was true enough save for a tiny glimmer of light far into the castle. Jeffery definitely was not investigating that far.

"What should I do?" He asked of his friends.

"Go in, you'll be a legend! The first to see the Beast's castle!" Rudy, another boy from the village hissed.

Jeffrey wrinkled his nose. "Yeah, a dead legend." He muttered to himself. With one last look to his friends, he tentatively crept further into the castle.

Jeffery had no clue that he was being watched. Watched by tiny eyes in crafted faces, all about the castle as he made those tentative steps further into the great foyer. A door to his right creaked open very slowly, showing a strip of light.

Shuddering, Jeffrey figured he was in big trouble whether he followed the light or not. Still, he was brave. He was a man! Pushing back his fear he edged through the second doorway towards the lights, taking in the opulence that was revealed by the soft yellow glow.

The room seemed normal, at least to Jeffery. A plain, if old fashioned and opulent study with an expensive Persian rug adorning the floor and comfortable looking chairs around a fire.

The fire was a welcome sight. The night had been cold and his holey jacket didn't do much to stave off the early chill. When he saw no one was around, he sighed, gingerly sitting in one of the plush chairs. Immediately he sank into the cushions with a giggle.

Pleased and somewhat comfortable despite his surroundings, Jeffrey took a moment to rest and regather his wits.

"Is he the one?" came a whisper.

"He's so puny," came another whisper.

"I don't know, he doesn't seem like the one." came yet another voice.

"His Highness won't like that very much." came the first voice again.

Jeffrey jerked out of what was swiftly becoming a doze to look around wildly. "Who's there?" He squeaked. "You guys better not be playing a joke on me. Rudy? Sven?" He called nervously.

"Oh dear, I think he's heard us!" came another voice.

"So what, he's not the one, what does it matter?"

"Look guys, this isn't funny." Jeffrey said, leaping from the chair and squinting into the shadows of the room. "I know you're there guys, come out!"
"Oh dear," came the voice again. "I suppose we'd best show ourselves."

Suddenly, things began to move. A book from the table, a candlestick from the shelf, the ] ottoman on the floor. They began to move towards Jeffery.

Jeffrey, being the man that he was, screamed like a little girl. He bolted backwards, only to trip on his own feet and fall on his but. "Get away!" He wailed, not sure why things were moving. Was he going crazy?

"Eh, but you told us to show ourselves. Now which is it, boy?" Asked the book, looking thoroughly put out, somehow

Jeffrey's eyes bugged. "S-sure I did." He replied. "But I didn't think a bunch of books would answer back!"

"I am NOT a book," said the candle stick.

"Nor am I, quite obviously." Sniffed the ottoman.

"Well excuse me for not being particular." Jeffrey wheezed, scooting back some. "Whatever you all are, I'm just going to pretend I'm dreaming and leave now. Okay?"

"Oh yes, it's best you leave now," said the ottoman. "Master will not be pleased."

"Master?" Jeffrey scrambled up hurriedly. No one said there was a person actually living here! Everyone had said it was abandoned and only occupied by ghosts...or in this case a talking ottoman and his friends.

"Please don't tell on me!" He begged, shooting only last glance over his shoulder at the talking items before he sprinted to the exit.

There was a roar from inside the castle, and the door swung shut, just as Jeffery reached them.

"WHO DARES INTERRUPT MY SOLITUDE?!" Came the guttural, vicious roar as it echoed about the large foyer.

Jeffrey shrieked, his momentum sending him thumping into the now closed doors. He didn't even bother banging on them with his fists, knowing they were mostly likely locked. In a panic, he whirled around, back against the doors as he searched the dark hallway for the source of the roar.

Dominic emerged from the shadows with a ferocious growl and with a wave of his paw the door slammed shut.

Outside, the boys, having heard the monstrous roar, fled for home—forsaking their friend.