PROLOGUE

She wouldn’t turn down Gaston just to date her kidnapper. She was smarter than that, even if the Beast was a Prince. So, when the army came marching to kill the Beast, she didn’t go. She didn’t try to save her father, either. No one was worthy of a girl’s love if she was as pretty as she was, she thought.

Never would she have guessed her wickedness would turn on her. Within minutes the raging army came pounding on her door. Of course, Belle wasn’t surprised, as she already knew what she was; the beast. What did surprise her, however, is that the stampede of angry humans got into her house.

“Stay back!” Belle’s command seemed to apply to no one. The torch’s fire only seemed to grow higher at each second, fueled by their fury. Was this how she would die, as a slave who had only been free for a few hours?

As she disappeared into the flames, she turned into ashes, and saw the Beast devastated. Before Belle descended to Hell, he said “I loved you.”

Belle couldn’t say she was sorry; for deep inside both of them knew whatever she could say in response was a lie. So, with a heavy heart, Belle went to Hell.

CHAPTER I

A MONTH LATER

Belle was enjoying herself quite a bit, communicating with people with the same type of wickedness. Yes, the heat of the place was devastating, and no one but the Devil had a proper home, but it felt like a true home to her.

“Supper’s ready,” called the chef. The poor thing was so evil in his lifetime he was forever slaved to make meals for everyone in Hell. Belle was glad she wasn’t in his place.

“Whatever shall we do,” Renelle sarcastically announced, “without any of this disgusting food? Fasting is a thing, you know. We don’t have to eat any of this.” But their appetites were too large to listen to her.

The dining table was filled with unique dishes and traits. There was a variety of people, from eating cleanly and using napkins properly, to people who would scarf down their food in one bite, even if it meant they had to wash their clothes by hand afterward. Today’s meal was undercooked fish.

“My, my, my,” one of the girls with more experience with food gasped, “this fish is way too undercooked! Darlings, don’t fret, I shall cook this for your own sake!” Renelle put on a fake smile and said, “Okay, Mama.” Mother, Belle thought? Why, the woman looked no more than twenty! How interesting!

After twenty minutes of Renelle’s mother cooking the fish to its proper temperature, she served the salmon to the table of twenty people. “Bon appetit,” she said confidently. “Salmon!?” Renelle screamed. “Mother, you know I hate salmon! How could you?” Belle tried her very best not to giggle at the situation; a mother simply trying to make sure everyone at the table was healthy, and her daughter hating whatever is on the plate. “Renelle, you mentioned fasting. Why don’t you go do that yourself? You could use it.”

The entire tabled starting laughing except for Belle. She noticed she had gained quite a bit by simply being there for a month. “Renelle,” Belle said while gently patting her shoulder, “don’t listen to them. They’re trying to make you feel bad simply because of your food preferences and weight.” Belle could use another pawn— friend, she thought.

“And what would _you _know about it? You look perfectly fine! Don’t tell someone the situation they’re in and pretend that it’ll make everything better! Plus, you’re in _Hell _now! We know that you’re simply trying to manipulate us into being your friend so that you can use us later!”

Spot on, Belle thought. If this girl knew what Belle was up to, she would have to kill her.

CHAPTER TWO COMING TOMORROW