Belle gazed around the dense forest, her eyes scanning the shadows as she began to grasp the depth of their predicament.
"The coachman strayed from the main path some time ago, though we failed to notice," she observed. "He must have led us deeper into the forest and abandoned the carriage to its fate."
"But why would he do that?" Aurora asked, her voice trembling as she nervously bit her nails. "Do you think he knows we are from the palace?"
Mia stepped forward, draping a comforting arm around Aurora. "Don't be ridiculous. If they knew who we were, they would have kidnapped us for ransom rather than leave us stranded here," she said, her tone tinged with reasoning.
Belle folded her arms, her expression thoughtful. "Which means someone likely paid the coachman to do this," she concluded, her mind already piecing the puzzle together.
"But why?" Aurora pressed, her naivety drawing a roll of Mia's eyes.
"Well, perhaps it has something to do with a certain someone loudly declaring me as his woman in front of a crowd of lustful admirers," Belle replied dryly, punctuating her words with a frustrated kick in the air. "And now, here we are."
"I am so sorry! I thought this was the King's carriage," Aurora pleaded, guilt etched on her face.
"It's fine," Belle reassured her. "Let's focus on finding our way back to the main road before nightfall. Judging by the dimming light, we have less than an hour." She began rummaging through the overturned carriage in search of their belongings.
"Blood! You are bleeding!" Aurora exclaimed, pointing at Belle's forehead.
Belle touched the wound and winced slightly before tearing a strip from the hem of her gown. She pressed it against the bleeding area and said firmly, "It's nothing. We are all scratched up in one way or another. Let's not waste time." Then she continued gathering their things.
"The horse…look!" Mia called out, spotting the injured animal a few steps away. She hurried over to inspect it.
"Is it still breathing?" Belle asked as she joined Mia, her voice tinged with concern. "Who could be cruel enough to do this?"
"Yes, but it won't survive long without help," Mia replied grimly. "This won't do. The two of you should stay here, I will go and seek assistance. The horse needs immediate care, or it will perish by dawn."
"You can't go alone!" Aurora protested. "Let me come with you."
Mia shook her head resolutely. "I can't leave Belle unguarded, and I am better trained to defend myself. Besides, I need to move quickly, and having you along will only slow me down."
Aurora hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright, then, just be careful."
"I will," Mia assured her. Glancing back at Belle, who remained by the horse's side, she added, "I will return soon," and disappeared into the forest.
Belle tore another strip from her gown, tying it gently around the horse's injured leg. Fear gripped her as she watched the creature's labored breathing. She whispered a silent prayer, willing the horse to hold on until Mia returned with help.
"Stop tearing your gown, Belle! We have no certainty Mia will return in time, and this forest is swarming with mosquitoes," Aurora chided, halting Belle as she was about to tear another strip.
"I just can't bear the thought of this poor creature suffering. How can people be so heartless?" Belle murmured, gently patting the horse's back.
"Horses are resilient, not fragile like us. It will pull through, you will see," Aurora assured, attempting to calm her friend.
Two hours later, they sat with their backs against the broken carriage, the darkness of night enveloping the forest. They had managed to kindle a small fire, which offered a sliver of comfort against the creeping shadows.
"Do you think something might have happened to Mia? I am getting worried," Aurora whispered, her voice trembling. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
"No, she's fine. I know she is," Belle said, pulling Aurora closer. "Let's stay hopeful."
Their fragile solace was shattered when three rough-looking men emerged from the trees. Their crude smirks and the farming tools they wielded suggested mischief or worse.
"Well, what do we have here?" One sneered. "Two lonely ladies all to ourselves. Have they come to bless us with their charms?" And added.
The others laughed, their laughter coarse and unnerving.
"I will take the younger one," another declared, licking his lips, which sent a shiver down Aurora's spine.
Belle instantly stepped in front of Aurora, shielding her. "Leave now, or you will regret crossing us!" She warned, her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her heart.
The men only laughed harder, their mirth a chilling mockery of her defiance. One of them lunged at Belle, grabbing her by the hair and dragging her away from Aurora.
"Let me go, you filthy fool!" Belle cried, struggling against his grip. Her resistance earned her a stinging slap that left her gasping in pain. "Ahh!" She cried out.
"Belle!" Aurora screamed. Fueled by desperation, she lunged at the man, her fingers accidentally jabbing his eye. He howled in pain and released Belle, who stumbled backward.
Seizing the moment, Aurora grabbed Belle's hand, and the two fled into the forest, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.
"Catch them!" The leader bellowed, and the men gave chase. Their footsteps were heavy and relentless, drawing ever closer.
Belle led them deeper into the forest, her eyes scanning for refuge. Spotting a massive rock, she steered Aurora toward it and ducked behind it.
"We can't outrun them together," Belle panted. "We will have to split up. I will distract them while you circle back to the carriage. We can't leave the horse unattended, and Mia may have returned by now."
Aurora shook her head violently, her face wet with tears. "No, Belle! I am not leaving you. We will stay together!"
"Listen to me," Belle said firmly, gripping Aurora's shoulders. "If we stay together, they will catch us both. You have to trust me. I will lead them away, and you return to the carriage. Once it's safe, I will meet you there. Do you understand?"
Aurora hesitated, her sobs muffling her response, but she finally nodded. "Okay," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Belle managed a small smile. "Good. I will see you there."
Without another word, Belle darted from behind the rock, deliberately drawing the men's attention.
"There she is! After her!" One of them shouted, and they immediately gave chase, their pursuit echoing through the forest.