Agony

34

"Turn around." Carmen, the brunette lady-in-waiting ordered.

I'd lost all hope.

It was the morning of the wedding.

My wedding.

"What for?" I asked, although I listened.

She said nothing and pulled at the back of the corset. I was trying on my wedding dress for the first time to make sure it fit right. Funny, considering there were just seven hours before the ceremony. It was once again, very large and corseted. Too medieval for my taste. But the colour was a beautiful pastel shade of pink.

"Whoa!" I protested. "That's too tight, I won't be able to breathe."

She shrugged. "Your fiancé wants you to look as feminine as possible."

"I don't think having no ribs makes me look more...female." I struggled to speak as she continued to tighten the corset.

"We don't make the rules." Esme, the older blonde, told me.

"So where do you all stay?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the pain. "Are your families staying here, in the manor?"

Betty, the younger of the blondes, let out a laugh. "Like Ms. Romano would ever allow that. No, we live in other homes."

I frowned. "But I thought this manor was the only place on this island."

"Island?" Carmen repeated. "This isn't an island, we're in Arizona."

What?

"Wait, are you serious?" I whispered.

The three of them laughed.

Kyle had lied. I could escape.

I still had time before the ceremony.

* * *

After trying on my dress, and finding that it creepily fit me perfectly, the ladies helped me out of it and I began plotting a second escape plan as I finished eating some fruit in my room.

We were in Arizona.

That meant I couldn't possibly be very far from civilization. Stealing a horse from the stables was still an option. The question was how and when.

Stumbling over a bump in the carpet, too lost in my planning, I hit my head against the wall. I stood up shaking my head at myself. Without warning, the bricks of the wall across from me began to slide apart. They stopped when a door-shaped gap had formed.

Lights beyond the opening flashed on revealing a hall.

An escape.

Suddenly, a knock sounded against my room's door.

"Charlotte?" It was Kyle.

I cursed.

How am I supposed to close the entry?

"I'm changing!" I called to give me some time.

Kyle chuckled. "I am your fiancé, clothing is certainly optional."

I wanted to gag at his words. He'd seemed so normal when he was training me.

"Just give me a minute," I told him as I pressed my hand all over the wall. "Seeing the bride in her wedding dress is bad luck."

Nothing was happening. Where did I hit my head?

"Cher?" Kyle called again. I could sense impatience in his tone.