Zenon's gaze lingered on the dark forest, he thought to him self that he had already done enough for belle , and since she decided to escape and take the path of the dark forest then she should have a plan ,she could not be so foolish not to have a plan...could she?
"Was there any task given by the prince to Lady Maya, that would need to come to a brothel?" he asked his guard who was also a spy planted inside the prince's court, trying to connect the dots on how she was acquainted with belle.
"Non that I am aware of, with your permission I could find out why she was here today" The guard said.
"Ok do so and get back to me" Zenon said.
...
Belle was cautious with every step she took as she could not see clearly because of how dark the forest was. The tress blocked any light that she would have gotten from the moon, so she had to be careful were she stepped, in other not to get into any accident.
Belle kept on heading deeper into the forest and dared not to look back because she had encountered Maya , scared that Maya might harm her once more or even worse .She planned to keep moving until she found a place were she could rest for the night, maybe a cave or under a tree , she was too tired to continue moving, unknown to her, her tired state was caused by the blast of energy that erupted from her body earlier during her struggle with John.
"Where is the next town" Belle thought to her self trying to think of what to do next. she had left without any money that she had saved ,as she wasn't prepared to escape so abruptly. "I just need to get far away from the brothel as possible." Just keep going" Belle said to her self.
Belle finally stopped and turned to see how far she was from the brothel and sure enough she was very far and from were she was, she was sure no one could see her in the dark forest, she looked around her surrounding trying to navigate and decide on which part to go to next.
"Belle"
Belle was immediately startled and filled with fear by the eerie and creepy voice that had just called out her name. It wasn't a voice that she recognized and she didn't bother to trace the voice back to were it came from, she immediately turned and began running , the voice called out to her again and she felt it creeping closer and closer.
Belle didn't get so far ,before she tripped and fell , she did not see what she had kicked her leg against but it hurt like hell.
"Why do you run belle, I am only trying to speak to you, would you not even spare me a glance? The creepy voice said.
Belle found it hard to get back on her feet as she realized she had twisted her ankle, she turned to look at the direction in which the voice was coming from.
Fear immediately creeping down her spine when she set her eyes on the thing who looked like a demon formed out of dust , it's glowing red eyes not looking away from her, with a creepy smile plastered on what seemed to be it's face.
Before she was sold to the brothel, when she was still up for sale and when she lived with the older women , she would always be told stories of how devilish creatures known as manta's roamed the nights, and taking the souls of any one they came across, they would approach and say they only wanted to help or talk to you, but it was only a fool that would believe such a thing.
No one knew were they originated from only that, they have being roaming the night of the kingdom for as long as any one can remember.
Every story she had being told about the Manta's immediately rushed back into her memory, what frightened her the most was that, this creature knew her name.
How was that possible?
She tried once more to stand but immediately fell to her knees, the injury on her ankle not letting her move freely.
Oh poor child, it seems you hurt your ankle, let me help you .The Manta spoke once again, the smile not leaving his face as he kept his eyes on her.
"No, don't come near me" Belle said fear choking her words as she spoke.
"I am just trying to have a look at your injury. I could be of help and most importantly your beautiful soul. I was on the other side of the forest , but then I felt a strong presence enter the forest, a unique aura that I have never come across before, and I trace it only to be lead to you.
"A helpless little lady, why do you possess so much power.
What are you?