Two years ago, my family and friends were threatened. So I made a deal. A deal to marry the man who threatened us and I did. Now, two years later, he has come to claim me.
I'm 18 years old and as I sat in class with my friends on the last day of school, laughing and thinking about the future, he walked in. Everyone went quiet because of his dark scowl and attractive features. I felt rooted to my chair and I didn't dare turn around. I wasn't sure it was him but the way the hair on the back of my neck stood up was indication enough. I heard footsteps, they sounded muffled against the blood rushing through my ears, then I felt the warmth of his body right behind me. My heart beat loudly and I wanted to scream but I hadn't forgotten and his ring that I wore around my neck felt heavier than ever before. I knew what day it was when I woke up but when I was with my friends I forgot. Yet, here he was and I couldn't handle it. My lips trembled and my eyes looked glassy, I knew, but I refused to cry and I refused to turn around. Suddenly, he broke the silence and spoke,
"Hello again wife. We are leaving after you graduate, take this last week or so to say goodbye because you'll never see any of them again." His fingers brushed my neck and necklace before he murmured,
"Also, put on your ring. All these boys need to know that you're mine."
My friends gasped and other students made exclamations of shock and horror but he just turned and walked away once he saw my slight nod. Once he left the room, I put my head in my hands and sobbed before pulling myself together and looking up at my friends who were gazing at me with equal parts sadness and realization. My friend Abilene spoke first in a whisper,
"Elizabeth, what is he talking about? Why did he say wife?"
I almost started to cry again but I managed to choke out,
"Two years ago, he threatened all of you and my family and I couldn't let him hurt you. He said that he would leave all of you alone if I married him. Once I graduated he would come for me and that I couldn't see any of you again. I made my choice and now I have to live with it for the rest of my life. I refused to let any of you get hurt if I could help it."
Abilene and all my other friends eyes were wide and they had tears in their eyes. Thalia looked angry and scared when she nearly yelled while standing up,
"That wasn't your choice to make. That is your life you sacrificed Elizabeth when it affected all of us! When were you going to tell us or were you just going to vanish into thin air! We can go to the authorities, he can't do this! Plus if he married you when you were 16 then that's not legal and we can take him to court!"
I gazed at her and stated vehemently,
"Our marriage didn't take place in the U.S. It took place where he is from and I will not tell you because I can't have you following me. Yes, I gave up my life so that you all could keep yours because nothing gives me greater joy than knowing that you're all safe and okay and that no matter what happens to me, you're happy. No, I wasn't going to tell you because I wanted to be selfish about that! I didn't want to see how much pain it would cause you and because it would hurt too much to look you in the eyes just as it does now!"
Tears slid down my cheeks and Thalia looked away stubbornly with a trembling jaw before she hugged me fiercely along with Abilene and Esther. We all cried silently while the rest of the class looked on in silent horror, seeming frozen from astonishment. I took a deep breath and sighed heavily before taking the necklace off and slipping the ring onto my finger. It was a perfect fit and shone in the light. It was a gold ring with diamonds and a large garnet stone, my birth stone. I straightened my back just as the bell rang and standing up, I mustered a smile and said,
"It's our last day of school! Come, no more thoughts of this, let's be jolly!"
When it didn't seem like my friends weren't going to move anytime soon, I walked around the classroom saying goodbye to all the people who I'd know for four years of my life and some laughed and others cried. When I said farewell to my teacher, he shook his head and a small sad smile graced his tired face before he hugged me and whispered,
"I hope he realizes what a treasure he is receiving. Good luck and be careful. Have a wonderful life, Elizabeth."
"Thank you."
I whispered back before pulling away with a smile and returning to my friends who hadn't moved as of yet. Holding out my hands which trembled though I felt no shame, they lifted theirs to mine and we walked out the door for the last time as we began our last day of school and friendship.
To Be Continued...
