He scrambled up off the ground and out the door as fast as he could, only glancing back once at the beast, fear written all over his face. He ran back to his discarded carriage and unstrapped his one remaining horse. He jumped on it and rode for home as fast as he could.<br/><br/>Once he got there, he was a bit calmer. It almost seemed like a bad dream, or a nightmare. He dismounted his horse and put him away in the stables, taking his time to avoid going inside the house, where he knew she would be waiting for him.<br/><br/>But, eventually, it could be put off no longer, and he went inside. She smiled at him when he opened the door, putting down her book and rushing to him to hug him. She was beautiful and her smile warmed his heart. He hugged her tightly to him, almost crushing her. But he pulled away quickly, it was two painful.<br/><br/>"Where were you Poppa?" she asked. "I was beginning to worry..."<br/><br/>"I'm sorry, my sweet...I got lost in the woods...but..." He paused, uncertain how to tell her that he had sold her into slavery...to a hideous beast.<br/><br/>"My dear...you will be going to live in the forest," he finally said. "You will live in a mansion and serve the creature that lives there. You must do whatever he says, or he will kill you." He took her hands, kissing them as she absorbed the shocking news.