Horrors from Around the World

Night 007 - Veil of Deceit (1)

Amelia stood at the entrance of the chapel, her heart racing as she adjusted the lace of her wedding dress. The air was thick with the scent of flowers and candle wax, but beneath it lingered an unsettling tension, as if the very walls held their breath. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, yet a shiver ran down her spine, an echo of doubts that had plagued her since the engagement.

"Are you ready, Amelia?" her best friend, Sarah, asked, stepping up beside her. Her smile was radiant, but her eyes held an intensity that made Amelia uneasy.

"Yeah, I'm ready," Amelia replied, forcing a smile. She glanced down the aisle, where her fiancé, Mark, stood waiting. He looked handsome in his tuxedo, but the flicker of anxiety in his eyes mirrored her own. They had both worked hard to make this day perfect, yet Amelia couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

As the music began to play, Amelia's mind drifted back to the moments leading up to this day—the whispered conversations between Mark and Sarah, the hushed laughter that always seemed to stop when she entered the room. It was as if they shared secrets she was not meant to know.

Shaking off the unsettling thoughts, Amelia took a deep breath and began her walk down the aisle. The guests rose, faces beaming with joy, but Amelia's gaze was fixed on Sarah, who stood off to the side with a knowing smile. The feeling of betrayal settled in her stomach like a stone.

"Do you, Mark, take Amelia to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The officiant's voice broke through her thoughts.

"I do," Mark replied, his voice steady.

"And do you, Amelia, take Mark to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," she said, though the words felt heavy on her tongue.

As the ceremony progressed, Amelia felt a strange sense of detachment, as if she were watching the events unfold from a distance. She noticed the way Sarah's eyes glimmered with something darker as she exchanged vows with Mark, her smile too wide, too eager.

Once they were pronounced husband and wife, Amelia felt a rush of relief, but it quickly faded when she caught Sarah's gaze. It was a look filled with malice, a flicker of something unholy that sent ice coursing through her veins.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Miller," Sarah whispered as they walked down the aisle together, her voice a honeyed venom. "You look stunning."

"Thank you," Amelia replied, forcing a smile. "I couldn't have done this without you."

"Oh, but you could have. You see, you're the one who chose him."

Amelia's heart sank at the edge in Sarah's tone. It was supposed to be a happy moment, but the laughter and music faded into the background, and the weight of Sarah's words settled heavily in her mind.

***

The reception was a blur of laughter, dancing, and toasts, but Amelia couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She caught glimpses of Sarah and Mark together, their laughter too loud, their glances too intimate. Each smile exchanged between them sent daggers through Amelia's heart.

"Are you okay?" Mark asked later, pulling her aside as they took a break from the festivities. His brow furrowed with concern.

"I'm fine," Amelia lied, forcing herself to smile. "Just tired."

"Don't let it get to you," he said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You know Sarah's always been a bit... intense."

"I guess," Amelia replied, her heart heavy. But deep down, she knew it was more than that.

As the night wore on, Amelia excused herself to the restroom. As she splashed cold water on her face, she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were puffy, her smile faltering. She didn't recognize the woman staring back at her.