John races to me; there is a strange gleam in his eye. He is so focused in on me, I shiver down my spine. He leaps up the stairs to the door where my feet are still planted into the ground. His cheeks are a little flushed from the burst of energy. He pulls me into a tight hug; his breath is warm on my neck.
“I am so sorry Belinda; I will get you out of this with all of my might.” He murmurs into my ear,
And then he pulls himself away, and backs away. The rest of the group are still standing there dazed by the beast. People are starting to anxiously start to make their way down to the street staring at me with fierce intensity in their eye. And then a lone voice cries out with such accusation and hatred.
“Take her, take her! She’s allied herself with the Beast; she’s one with the Devil!” She screeched,
My eyes scanned the crowd that was quickly growing; I finally find the voice from the silent crowd. Soon the crowd’s eyes break from me to Arianne, her finger pointed at me accusingly. Her mouth filled with venom, and her eyes were filled with disgust. Our eyes lock, my chest tightens. Her nose flares, and she continues to throw out terrible accusations. I can’t listen to them, I snap my eyes shut. I squeeze arms around me, blocking out noise. This solitude is my single solace; I could have stood there just like that for an eternity. A hand grabs my elbow roughly; I am jolted out of the dark blanket that enveloped me. Bringing me back to the gloom and despair waiting ahead for me, my eyes flutter open. All of the people who I thought were my friends and neighbors were rampaging at me, I turn to see it is Mr. Grossing holding my arm with his firm grip. He was a burly man, and when he looked down at me I wanted to shrink down and hide forever. His eyes were so empty and cold, this was the man who I would pick flowers for when I was little, and his wife always sent us her famous gooseberry pie every year. He didn’t look at me like I was still little Belinda, he looked at me as if I was a traitor, hell he looked to me as if I murdered somebody. He put his arm out to the group of angry people approaching me.
“It does us no good hurting the bitch; you heard what the Beast said. He wants her at midnight, and that is what we shall do.” The crowd fell silent, “And it can do whatever it wants to her, she is a monster herself in the frame of Yeller’s beloved maiden. Well she isn’t, she is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Once we rid of her, disposing her to the Beast Yeller will once more be the peaceful and innocent place it was.” He shouted to the crowds,
They roared in agreement, my eyes burned. My throat was dry. I am stunned by how quickly these people can turn their back on their own, out of desperation, from being blinded by hate. I look through the sea of people, I see Perry. His face is somber, his eyes are bloodshot. He mouths to me “Sorry.” It is the most comforting thing, knowing in his eyes that he still sees me a Belinda and not a monster. These people almost hated me more than they hated the Beast itself. But Perry didn’t, his love was the only thing keeping me from tumbling to my feet and wanting to die. It didn’t cease with false accusations and abhorrence from everyone else.
His mother tugs on his arm, breaking our gaze. She shakes her head in disgust at me. Tears silently pour down me cheeks, these people who once loved me like their own now wanted me dead. The arm of Mr. Nissan firmly wrapped his around mine. Mr. Grossing and Mr. Nissan dragged me down the stairs; I could barely stumble along with my feet. They led me through to the city jailhouse, giving me the worst experience of my brief life. My childhood friends now sneered at me, and taunted me cruelly. Friends of my family now spit at me. And every single person there would cheerfully tear me to bits and pieces. Ghastly insults were thrown at me. And the corner of my dress ended up with covered in spoiled canned tomatoes. Don’t ask me how or who got them there, I would prefer that to remain anonymous for my sake.
I never would have thought that a prison cell would be such a joyous sight to behold. I was roughly thrown onto the dirty floor, my hands scraped. I lay my cheek upon the icy stone floor and shut my eyes. Behind my eyelids were beautiful figments of my imagination, whether real or fantasy. And those places that did exist on the map I would never get to see. I knew the Beast would kill me, what else would he do with me? I was worthless, why would he want me? I buried myself in lush forests, bustling cities, the ballrooms of royal palaces, and vistas of turquoise oceans.
“Ms. White, you have received a visitor.” Sheriff Patterson announced,
I tensed up, preparing for an angry villager to lash out on me calling me a heretic. Slowly I roll over, and lift myself from the floor. I brush the straws of hay and filth from my dress before looking up. I meet Perry’s eyes. A cry of joy gets caught in my throat. I press myself against the metal bars, craving him and freedom. He takes my hands in his.
Before he speaks he clears his throat a little, I hear Sheriff Patterson leave. The heavy door slamming shut, making the room quake slightly.
“Belinda, what happened?” He murmurs,
His eyes are heavy with worry.
I hesitate, “I didn’t do anything, I don’t worship the Devil or have an allegiance with the Beast.”
He shakes his head, “I know that, you are too good for such evil. Why were you of all people accused?”
“I assume you know that the Beast spoke to me, and demanded for me at midnight to be his. That is all I know. I have never encountered him before, only my father. He was the last one to see him.” I paused,
His eyes flashed, “Do you think it is something to do with that?”
“I think so, but I think John has some involvement. But I think he is innocent.” I confide in him,
A small growl escapes past his lips, “If he has something to do with this, I swear…”
I cut him off, “It’s not his fault.”
“How do you know? You said you didn’t know anything else?” His hands tighten around mine,
I gulp, “I just know, a woman’s intuition is nothing to be reckoned with. I just know.”
He laughs bitterly, “He’s got you wrapped around his finger.”
My eyes squish shut, I nod. He really does have me around his finger.
“Belinda, I want you to know that whatever happens I love you. And I will fight for you.” He breathes into my ear,
My hands break loose from his, “No!”I hiss, “You cannot, and this is the Beast we are talking about. Picking a fight with it is simply suicide. I cannot let you, Perry you have so much more to live for than me or this.”
“Belinda, do you remember when we were little how we would go to pick apples every fall with our parents.”
I nod slowly.
“And do you remember the first year we went by ourselves.”
I remember it vividly.
“I remember how we climbed into the trees and picked the apples, and you didn’t climb like the other girls. You didn’t care if you scraped your knee or tore your dress. All you wanted was the perfect apple from the tippy-top of the tree. And that look when you finally got it, it was indescribable. The joy when you chomped into the bright red apple that shone in the sun. You took the time; you took the chance to get that perfect apple. I want you to do that with me. You just need to give me a little time and faith. And be willing to take a chance, because I am going to take that chance. And if I succeed, it will all be worth it.”
“Why would it be worth it?” My voice was small like a child’s,
“Because you are the reason I came back to Yeller, I hoped to take you back as mine. And this is simply a test to see its worth. I can take you away from here, you always were a dreamer.”
I wrap my hands around the bars that separate us, “Perry don’t doubt me when I say I love you. But I don’t think I am in love with you.”
He looks down, “It’s John, I knew it from the moment I met him.”
“Yes, there is the passion from him I desire.” I whisper,
“I know that you love him, I saw the way you looked at each other. The flame of you both may be strong, but it is short. It is brilliant and bright while it lasts, but as soon as you see it, it is gone from sight. I believe you were star-crossed lovers, both of you were doomed from the get-go. I may not have the passion and deep lust you crave, but I love you. We are the slow, long, and steady burn. You can rely on me, I shall always be here when you need and want me.”
How can I respond to such confusing truths? Before I can even sink in his words, he presses his lips upon mine. They feel nice and warm, I must admit. But it isn’t John; his kisses are dizzying and spellbinding. Perry’s are more like an embrace from a long-lost friend, you want more but you don’t need more. I kiss him back; he makes me feel warm to the core. We pull away with the loud groaning of the heavy door opening. Sheriff Patterson strolls in.
“You’re time is up Mr. Vern, tell Ms. White goodbye now.” His voice is gruff and dry,
Perry squeezes my hand once, before turning away and walking out that door. And I wonder if I will ever see him again? I lay down on the flea-ridden bed, I feel weak and helpless. In a few hours I shall be set out in the city square for the Beast to do his will. Yeller has put their faith in this. I drift into a fitful slumber; I have too much in my head for peace. Will I die a conflicted soul? I wake to find a dry hunk of bread and a cup of water on a rusted tin tray for me. I attempt to gnaw on the bread, but that is useless. I soak the bread in the small precious amount of water I have. That makes it edible. I swig down the last two gulps of water left in the cup. I have never felt so cold and empty. I can see from the small barred window the sky beginning to dark. The time ticks away so quickly and yet so achingly slow.