Unchangeable

Chapter 24

One moment he is making out with Emily and the next he is at the bottom of a stairway in a house he has never been to. Standing on it, back turned, is a bride. Her hair falls in ringlets down her lace covered back. Her posture says she is feeling nervous, unsure. About marriage, the wedding night, he doesn’t know. There isn’t anyone else about right now. Surely she isn’t thinking of.. he watches her, his hands fisted to the side. “Don’t!” he screams out in his mind. She jerks.

“What? Who’s there?” Thank God she can hear him. 

“Don’t do anything to harm yourself.” She turns then and looks around, doesn’t seem to see him. 

“Harm? By sleeping with my husband. I think we are okay.” Said with a nervous chuckle. Was she hearing things? Was it her conscious talking to her?  She was worried. Not sure why? Just something is off about her brand new husband.

Saul watches as a man enters the scene. Dressed in a tuxedo, he has to be the groom. He is here so something is going to happen.  Unless he can stop it. “My beautiful bride. Who were you talking too?” He comes up and wraps his arms around her.

“Myself, I guess. Pre-wedding night chitters.”

“Nothing to be worried about. Come.” He takes her hand and they walk up. A reluctant Saul following. 

“Don’t hurt her!” he calls out to the man.  He also jerks. Very good.  “I’m watching.” He shakes his head before leading her to the bedroom. 

Lifting her up, he carries her over the threshold. “Do you know where this tradition came from?” She shakes her head. “When men would take woman captive to make them their brides, they would carry them over their thresholds, straight to the bed to rape them. After, with the marriage consummated, there is nothing the women could do.,” Saul feels a shiver and sees the bride does to as she shudders.

“That isn’t very romantic.” She attempts to sound lighthearted but it doesn’t quite work. The fear bleeds through.

“Quite true but affective.” He carries her straight to the bedroom and throws her on the bed. 

“Wait I am your wife you don’t have to..!” He has a knife! Saul screams out..

“Don’t cut her!”

“Just her dress.” The man murmurs. Why isn’t he freaking out at the voice in his head, unless he is already… hearing them. Oh boy!

“Steven please don’t! I will do whatever you want..” He grabs the top and slices straight down as she weeps. Her bra and panties are similarly dealt with.  “Why?”

“Because this is what I want. They tell me to have a son, I need to do this, so I will.”

“Who tells you?” she is trying to cover her nakedness. This isn’t the person she married a mere few hours ago. 

“They!” screamed as he undresses. “Now open your legs!” 

“Not like this.” She tries to get off the bed and run but he is fast and there, jerking them open.  “No! Please no!” 

“Get off her!” Saul screams loudly.  He stops for just a second. “Run now!” to the woman.  She does. Slipping out from under the distracted would be rapist, she heads for the door.  Saul stands between them for what good it will do.  But this time, when the man goes to run after his bride, he runs into a solid, though invisible to him, Saul.

“What the..?”

“Stay away from her until you were on the right meds. Do you hear me? Now call the police and tell them what you have done. Now!” Used to obeying the voices in his head, without question, he does. Then Saul returns to Emily.