I Do

I write stories and junk, so here's one of those, because I feel like I should get more comfortable showing people my work before I start my writing degree next year. I should also get better at writing, but that's not important :P This is one of my darker pieces, but it's also one of my more polished and edited pieces, so we're going with this one. I can't decide whether or not I want to continue it more or just leave it as is, but for now I'm pretty happy with leaving it as a piece of Flash Fiction with no real context or conclusion for the reader, maybe if I think of where I'd like it to go I might continue it later, but I have so many unfinished pieces, so who knows if I'll ever get time :P

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Trapping me. Trying to stop me from escaping. He wanted me forever. That’s what he said. He said “when we’re married you won’t be able to leave me.” I was promised anything I ever wanted. But now that we were here, huge chapel, flowers and people everywhere, big white dress weighing me down, making it impossible to run. I didn’t want it. Not like this. Not him. I tugged and his grip tightened. Tiniest shake of his head. My fingers were going white. I tugged harder, sure other people would notice this time.

“Let me go, please.” I hoped only he could hear.

Again, another almost imperceptible head shake.

“Jake please.” A sob broke through, a single tear. I watched the drip hit, the moisture spreading slightly through the thick satin. “I just want to go home.” Another drop.

“Stop it now Ellen honey, everyone’s staring.”

“I’m not Ellen,” it was my turn to shake my head now, still avoiding the glare.

A chuckle, echoing through the brick walls of the ancient chapel.

“Someone’s got cold feet,” he said. A small spattering of laughter from the crowd that had gathered to witness my waking nightmare. “Just give us a minute.”

He dragged me from the altar, into a small antechamber across the room. Murmurs picked up outside, sufficient noise to drown out our hushed words.

“Don’t do this Jake, please.”

“No Ellen, don’t you do this.” He slid his free hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. His thumb flicked the folded sheet open, revealing a dark image of a small blonde boy crouched on a dirty mattress; wooden floor boards covered in dust surrounded him, his eyes and nose red from irritation and crying.

“Let’s remember why we’re doing this El, so we can raise our beautiful son together.”

“Please. Please don’t hurt him.”

“Now let’s not get hysterical El,” he lifted my chin with his finger, the paper cold and smooth on my neck. “You’ll ruin your make up.”

“My name isn’t Ellen!” My arm flew up, aiming for his face, but just hoping for any point of contact that might do damage. The paper fluttered to the ground as he brought his hand up, stopping my blow with a bone crushing grip on my wrist.

“Of course it is, what else could it possibly be?” Eyes frozen on my face. His breath was on my neck. “I’m done playing nice. Cooperate or not, up to you, but I’m the only one who knows where Parker is and I’m willing to bet you won’t like what happens.” His hand slid down my wrist until it matched its pair around my hand, “We have a deal my love.” Pressure around my fingers crushing them until I was sure they would break.

I nodded.

The smile returned as he straightened back up.

“Off we go then Ellen, time to say ‘I Do’.”