Page 25 of Isabelle and the Beast

Twelve

ISABELLE

Outside, outside, outside.

As soon as I left Adam’s office, the words got louder and louder in my head. I couldn’t think about anything besides those words. More than ever, I felt the desire—no, theneed—to get outside. I couldn’t stand one more second in this beautiful prison, trapped with Adam Stone.

I ran to the front door, yanked it open, and rushed out into the snow.

Now, ten minutes later, I can admit that wasn’t a good idea.

While I didn’t die driving up this mountain, I’m going to die out here. In the middle of the night, in a forest surrounded by a snowstorm, with no one out here to hear me cry.

And crying is exactly what I’m doing.

I’m freezing cold, trying to pull Lily’s short robe around my middle. When I first escaped, I ran as far as I could in the calf-high snow, straight into the trees around the castle. I only made it for about five minutes before I turned around and realized I was completely lost. These trees are packed tightly together, and I can’t see the castle at all. I thought I could follow my footprints, but it’s too dark for me to see where they are. Plus, I’msuch an idiot, I didn’t even put on real shoes. I’m actually wearing the fluffy bunny slippers.

Now I’m shivering, trudging through the snow, completely soaked from my knees down, with no idea how I’ll find the castle.

I find a tree stump and sit down, taking a moment to rest. Now my backside is wet, too, but I don’t even care. I’m exhausted, sleep-deprived, lonely, homesick, scared… The list is endless. I wish I never came here in the first place.

Maybe when the sun comes up, I’ll be able to find my way. Maybe I’ll have enough light to see my footsteps.

But the snow keeps falling, and I’m losing faith that I’ll be able to get out of here.

My body shakes, and I’m colder than I’ve ever been. I’m a Southern California girl, born and raised, and I only spend time in the snow if we’re taking a day trip to go skiing. Which I rarely do, and even then, I’m wearing multiple layers and covered in a waterproof jacket and pants. This is a brand-new experience, and I’m worried it’ll be my last.

But…wait.

I think I hear something.

“Isabelle!”

Is that Adam’s voice?

“Isabelle, where are you?” A flicker of light, its source a distance away, flashes over me.

There’s no way. My heart picks up speed with the hope of being rescued.

“Here! I’m here!” I call. But my voice is too quiet, too weak from the cold.

“Isabelle!”

I try again. “Here!” It’s a little louder this time, and I see the light pointing in my direction.

I summon my last bit of courage and stand, slowly makingmy way toward the light. But my foot slips and I fall straight into the snow.

This could not be any worse.

“Isabelle!” Adam’s voice sounds above me, and his firm hands grasp my waist and pull me to standing. “Are you all right?”

I can’t even answer him. A minute ago I was sure I was going to die out here, and it feels like my brain is frozen along with my body.

I look up at him, and I must be short-circuiting, because he looks like a Viking warrior saving me from death and destruction. My breath sticks in my throat, and I’m sure I’m going to faint.

His blue eyes watch me carefully, and I’m shocked to see them soften. “You’re shaking,” he says.

“I’ll be fine. I just need…” I choke out a sob, because even though I’m so thankful he’s saving me, what I need is to gohome. I don’t want to be stuck here anymore. I want to leave this place and forget I was ever here.

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