A Metallic clank echoed in the dark dungeon.

Belle immediately felt the creature beside her stir, his red eyes lighting up the cell marginally.

"Who's there?!" Belle called out fearfully.

"I am. This is my castle after all." The voice was slippery like a snake, and had an evil tinge to it.

"Believe me that's not something I'll soon be forgetting." Belle spat. She stretched her arms up above her head as she watched the glow of a torch come quickly down the hall.

"You slept in the dungeon." The voice remarked. 

"You're very perceptive." Belle snapped, standing to her feet. 

The Shadow chuckled darkly. "My, what fire you have." He remarked pausing in front of Belle's cell.

"Surely you don't plan to sleep in the dungeon for the duration of your stay? Do you my darling?" The beast goaded her. 

"I am not your darling." 

"Forgive me." The shadow said with a bow. 

Belle drew in a breath, "I chose to stay here for the night because this beast was friendly, which is more than I can say for you."

The shadow sighed heavily. "I deserved that."

"Finally we agree on something." Belle replied, folding her arms over her chest. 

"Come." 

Belle stood rooted stubbornly to the floor.

The beast sighed as if burdened , "It's warmer in the castle. You must be freezing."

"I am not a dog. You don't get to demand for me to follow you."

The shadow rolled his eerily green eyes. "Fine, My lady, will you do me the honor of joining me in the Castle."

"I don't appreciate the sarcasm, but I suppose that would be alright." Belle replied, suppressing a shiver. 

Belle stepped out of the cell and followed behind her stoic captor.

Very soon, they approached a stairway flooded with a very welcoming light.

"This way."

Belle listened to the clack of her boots as she climbed the stone steps.

"I don't know your name."

The specter tossed a glance over its shoulder and belle almost regretted opening her mouth.

"Everard."

"That's a very uncommon name."

"I am not common."

"That's not what I meant..."

They had arrived in a bare room with a raised platform at one end, that must have been a throne room at one time.

"Are you cold?"

"No." Belle's body betrayed her as she shivered.

"I'm sure I can find you something to wear..." Everard replied as he set off across the room. 

"So, what's your story? Reynoka said-"

"DO NOT SPEAK HER NAME!" He bellowed. 

Belle fell startled onto the ground.

"THAT WOMAN... that CREATURE, has destroyed my life!"

"Creature? You're one to talk."

"It seems to me you are the one who is talking...and I've had enough of it." The Beast's eyes narrowed into slits.

With that, Everard grabbed Belle's arm and pulled her up, dragging her out a door and down a hallway.

"Let go of me!" Belle gasped. 

"You are in no place to make demands, Belle."

"How do you know my name."

"They are always Belle. That witch likes to remind me... that she feels I deserve this because of my thoughts on beauty!"

And that being said Everard tossed Belle onto the bed and left, slamming the door behind him.

Belle took in a shuddering breath and slowly blinked back tears. She had fallen onto her wrist and suspected she sprained it...

And the room was terribly cold.