Beauty and the Beast

Chapter 10

Though his face was drenched in cold rain, his forehead felt the temperature of an oven. Stupid, stupid, stupid girl. How could I have possibly let his happen? I tried to pick him up to carry him up the stairs, to carry him near a fire, to carry him anywhere that wasn't this wet, cold marble. My breathing came out in panicked pants as I tried to even drag him, none of it worked as he laid there like a sack of potatoes. Cries came out of my throat as I didn't give up.

Furred arms came out from behind me and lifted my brother with ease. I jumped away, forgetting that he was even there and then this was his house. The tears burned and blurred my vision as I ran into the house, urging him to follow me with Charlie in his arms. Francis came out of nowhere as he waved his candlestick in the direction of a den with a fireplace and couch. Beast laid him down on the couch as I went over and started to rip off his muddy, wet clothing.

"I-I... H-he needs new clothes. I-I need to get him into warm clothing." I rambled with stuttered words as I tried to get him somewhat warm. Tears flew down my cheeks only to be replaced with new ones chasing after them. He looked so sick and lost, guilt and fear pierced through me. I gasped as Charlie shook violently from the cold.

Clothes were dropped in front of me. I didn't know who left them there and at the moment I didn't care, Charlie needed to get warm. I changed him with as much speed as my tiny, shaking hands could manage. He had to be okay, he just had to. I kept chanting to myself as I wrapped the blanket, which was dropped in the mix of clothing, around him.

"Charlie, can you hear me?" I asked, my voice sounding raw from all the tears.

"E-E-El-l-ll-l-a?" his teeth chattered as he said my name. I didn't know whether to break down and cry some more or shout out in glee at the fact that he was responding.

"Yeah, it's me." I said as I grasped his still frozen hand.

Margret came hopping in with Tina close behind her. "Here, dear, make him drink this." Tina hopped into my hand as Margret filled her with tea. Quickly, I had Charlie drink it. I watched as he swallowed every drop of the tea, praying that it would help him both warm up and feel better.

Luis came in as he rolled logs over to the fire. Together, he and Francis managed to throw them in to keep it from dying down. It was in that moment that I realized Beast wasn't there anymore. Had he left after he got Charlie in the couch? Why? My lips pressed together at the thought of him hurting himself again. Was he truly angry enough at the return of my brother to harm him and his beautiful home once again?

I knew the answer to that even before the echoes from upstairs sounded through the halls. Sighing, I stood up to go after him when my brother grasped my hand. "D-don't leave m-m-me." His chattering teeth weren't as bad and his voice was already starting to sound better. Though, he was still deathly pale and his eyes were still glassy with a running nose.

Francis came in with napkins between two of his candlesticks as he placed them in my hands. Though I had always seemed a little bitter towards Francis, I couldn't help feeling grateful for everything him and the rest of them had done for Charlie. They truly were an amazing staff and I couldn't help but wonder what they were life even before changing into a bunch of appliances.

Sitting on the floor, I held my hand as he fell asleep on the couch. I listened to his snoring that was almost loud enough to drown out the sounds of growling and shattered glass from upstairs. Careful not to wake Charlie, I let go of his hand and stood up. As I was walking out of the room, though, Francis stopped me.

"I don't think that would be a good idea, Ella." He said as he, Margret, Luis and Tina all blocked my path. I knew I could probably just step right over them, but I didn't want to risk breaking one of them in the process.

"He could be hurt." My voice sounded strained with worry for both Beast and my brother.

"He'll be fine, dear. Right now, your brother needs you. We'll take care of Beast." Margret tried to calm me, but it was too late for her words to sooth my worried soul. If he got hurt I would be to blame once again since it was my brother who disturbed him so.

"I'll go up to him right now." Luis said before hopping up the stairs. I looked longingly at the stairway, wishing that he would just appear and tell me everything was alright. My shoulders slumped at the realization that, that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

Turning around, I laid down on the ground with my small hand laced through my brother's clammy one. I gave it a squeeze in hope that he would somehow know that I wasn't leaving and that I would be here to make sure he was alright in the morning. Closing my eyes, I dreamt of crystal eyes and bright, red roses.