Reaching her room, Belle had only started taking a look at her room when she heard a light knock on her door. Opening the door, she saw a girl who appeared to be six.
Her dress looked worn out, with some tears on some parts. Her face was smeared with a little bit of dirt.
Annabelle stepped further outside to look at both sides of the corridor before her eyes fell on the girl's hand that held a plate of something that was covered.
She hunched her back, placing both her hands on her kneecap as she leaned to the girl's level. "Where are your parents? Are they here?" The girl shook her head.
"I'm really sorry to disturb you," The girl said timidly. "Would you like to have a taste of the cake I made?" The girl looked up at Belle with hopeful eyes.
"Ah, I—" She could not form an immediate answer to the innocent-looking girl.
"You don't have to, if you don't want." Though she said this, Belle could make out the disappointed look on her face.
"I will take it; how much is it?" Belle asked as she placed her hand inside her dress pocket. The girl chewed the inside of her cheek as she thought of the prize.
Seeing that the little girl had not decided on how much she wanted to sell it, Belle brought out a silver coin from her dress pocket, and the little girl's eyes shone with excitement as she received the money.
A smile graced her lips as she watched the girl stare at the coin in awe while hurrying away. Belle took the plate of cake with her inside and placed it on the table beside her bed.
Staring at the finely baked cake in front of her, Belle decided to have it with Lady Philippa and Luther. She nodded with a smile at her resolve before covering the dessert, leaving it untouched.
In the inn, away from Belle's room, the girl walked, humming a tune as she celebrated her win. And out of a corner in the corridor, a hand pulled her away.
She staggered a little before gaining her posture and looking up at the person. Her eyes bulged out upon seeing the innkeeper, and for a moment she feared that he might have found out about the extra coin the pretty miss had blessed her with.
The girl shuddered under his gaze. "You brat! Did you deliver the cake as you were told to?" He asked in a harsh tone, his greedy eyes staring angrily at her.
Nodding continuously, he hummed, "Good." And waved her off. An unkind smile crinkled the sides of his eyes, causing his cheeks to rise higher than normal. "Prepare yourself." The man said to one of his employees, who quickly nodded in understanding.
A few hours passed, Belle's door squeaked open, and in stepped a man. In the dark room, he walked straight to where she lay quietly on her bed in deep slumber.
He placed a bag over her head, covering her entire face, before throwing her over his shoulder. Stepping out of the room, he closed the door and walked away from the corridor into another room, which was dimly lit and where a guest was waiting.
"I like it when my meal is making some noise. Wake it." The deranged-looking old man ordered the servant while showing his fangs.
"Most of the guests are already taking a rest; it would be a hassle if we wake her." He answered, quite shaken.
"Do it." The old vampire bellowed at the servant.
"Ye-Yes." He stammered before going outside to get a glass of cold water.
"Drop it there. I will do it myself." He said, pointing to a nearby table. "Shut the door on your way out." The man instructed and watched the servant man leave.
Not too long after, she was awakened by the cold water hitting her face. For a moment, she tried to make out where she was before her eyes fell on the starving man in front of her.
Fear gripped her, and she scrambled back as the man came closer.
"You are not as charming as he had praised." He tsked. "But you will do."
She frantically ran towards the door in hopes of getting out, but to her dismay, it was locked. Banging on the door and screaming out for help.
"Don't waste your strength; it isn't worth it." He admonished with a wicked chuckle following after as he stalked towards his prey.
"Please let me go. My family will give you anything you want." She begged in desperation.
"Ha! Ha! Come here." He pulled her by the hair, dragging her with him while she tried to wriggle out of his hold.
His fangs dug into her skin, relishing the taste of her blood in his mouth. She writhed, but he held her firmly and didn't stop drinking from her until she was dropping dead.
Her weak body slowly stopped fighting, and her eyes closed along with it, falling into a permanent slumber this time.
When the vampire was done, he dropped her lifeless body. Stretching his body before stepping over the dead body and waltzing towards his table.
Dawn came sooner, and Philippa and Luther waited for Belle to meet them in front of their carriage. And when the wait became too long, Philippa asked her coachman to go check.
But before he could go, they saw her making her way towards them. It was not only them who took notice of her; the people around her, including the innkeeper, also noticed.
While others were in awe, the innkeeper had something else in mind. He recalled that his servant had come to report the success of the work.
Not only that, the old vampire had also awarded him some extra coins, which he was delighted to receive.
'If she was here, then who did my servant pick up from her room?' He thought silently as he watched his guests leave. His head snapped to look behind him when he heard someone scream sharply.