Gaston let out a growl again. "Fine then! If you're not going to move!" He lifted the knife, bringing it down hard. In the split second before it struck, Erik pushed Belle out of the way and stepped into it. "Guh!" The beast leaned over, clutching the knife now buried into his stomach. Blood was already starting to dribble down his body, staining the snow crimson. Gerard grabbed Gaston, "You tried to kill my daughter!" The crowd shouted in angry agreement. "Oh so what! This little slut needs to know her place, and that's buried right beside this monster's corpse! She isn't worth saving!" Gaston hissed.<br/><br/>Erik fell to his knees, yanking out the blade with a gasp. The men holding the ropes let go, allowing him some breathing room.