End of the Line

by Ottilie Weber

Getting ready for the wedding made me miss my family so much. I mean parents or at least ones that love you should be at your wedding. If not your love ones, at least a man who loved you should be at the end of the aisle and I didn’t have any of that. I pushed the earrings through each hole, making the tears on them swing. My hair was in a neat, tidy bun with one strand curly and loose to hang on the side of my face. I nervously straightened the dress in front of a mirror as I thought of the dress I wanted to get for prom. My mom and I were ahead of the game, building up enthusiasm even though school hadn’t even started.

  A faint smile started to play on my lips as my imagination got the best of me. Aaron was standing behind me in a tux, groomed and suave with a smirk on his face. I grinned but soon vanished as I remembered Aaron wasn’t there.

  A thunderous knock sounded on the door. Before I could reply, the door swung open to show the bodyguard there. I knew that it was time for the wedding.

  Bowing my head low, I followed the man down the stairs to the backyard without glancing around me. My heart felt heavy with sorrow, but I finally looked up after walking through the back door. Standing there were a few of his followers and standing in the middle up ahead was Dean Manson in black dress pants and a white dress shirt positioned with ridged military posture.

  My heart felt as if it had it hit an iceberg, sinking down into my stomach without any sign of being saved. Even though the days were growing warmer, I felt cold, wobbly.

  The people there stared blankly at me, shells of what used to be human, and I felt my legs could give out at any moment from nerves. Yet I took a step forward, feeling the small train being pulled slightly, as if the grass was attempting to hold me back. Repeating the words I so didn’t want this life in my head. My stomach ached from nerves and my mouth dried up. It wouldn’t surprise me if I had been trembling.

  I wanted to cry as I finally reached the front. As the man marrying us spoke, I couldn’t concentrate even though it was my wedding and I should have been fully focused. It wasn’t worth it. What was the point? I came back to earth though when he asked if I took Dean Manson as my husband.

  I was about to open my mouth, gazing into those stormy eyes and knowing there was only one answer I was allowed to give. If I didn’t give that one answer, the whole agreement would be over. So much was riding on those two simple words. With all those people there, I could have been easily killed without them really moving, or having to use much effort. I knew they were dangerous and there wasn’t anyone to stop them from killing me then my family.

  “I—”

  “She doesn’t, nor will she ever!” A yell cut me off from answering.

  With my mouth wide open, I turned my head to find where that voice came from, completely shocked at what I was staring at.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Aaron