The Phantom's bride

Chapter 2 Moaning Souls

Chapter 2 Moaning Souls

He landed on the hard, rocky ground and the wind whirled around the two. Anna looked up at him while he stared about at his home. " W....what is this place?" she asked shakily.

" This is my castle. Now come along Little Anna we don't have much time." he said grabbing her tiny wrist and forcing her to enter his darkly, un-welcoming home. He glared at her, showing his cold smile. " Welcome home my bride." he grinned. Annabeth looked around the dark entrance. Spider webs hung about near the old, paved windows. A cool shudder ran down Anna's spine as she saw a spider walking along its web. Somber potraits hung up on the ripped up wallpaper on the walls. Each of the potraits seemed as if they were staring at her, watching her every move or turn. It felt as if shadows swirl around, sucking her closer and closer. Anna looked back at the prince who kept gazing at her, his eyes saying ' Theres no escape '. Anna almost whimpered and continued to walk along the hallway. Suddenly as Anna was still afraid and turned around, he wasn't there. She screamed, but heard nothing in the overwhelming, depressing darkness. A loud, cold, and heartless chuckle echoed across the hallway. Annabeth swiftly ran towards it screaming, " Alexander! Alex!" Suddenly a strong, firm hand grabbed her wrist and turned her around. The prince glared at her with his piercing, honey eyes. " I haven't been called Alexander in a long, long time." he said quietly.

" Well that is your name isn't it?" Annabeth replied, her breathing faltered from all she has seen.

" Yes....once......a long time ago my dear..." he said looking puzzled as if no one in this entire world has ever called him that. Annabeth said nothing. He sighed and picked her up and walked up the old, wooden stairs. He entered an old, gothic victorian room with tones of potraits of a young man who lived in a fancy, rich home. He had black, swift hair that blew in the wind. The same honey eyes that held her stare. These pictures were Alexander when he was alive. Annabeth was about to say something but Prince Alexander cut in. " Annabeth no more talking. Go to sleep and I will see you in the morning." he ordered.

" But--"

" No! Get to bed now!" He ordered fierociously. She whimpered and laid down on the bed, covering herself with the old bed covers. He chuckled coldy and sat down on the bed beside her. He whispered, " You are afraid of me aren't you?" She didn't say anything but hugged her knees. He smiled. " Good. I am doing my job I assume." he laid down beside her, possessively wrapping his arms around her waist. She closed her eyes and slept.....

A loud bell started ringing. Annabeth's eyes fluttered open. She immediately got up and turned to see that the prince wasn't there. She quickly got out of her bed to see a girl's face. Her dark brown wavy hair floating along the air, her oceany aqua blue eyes......this girl was Anna. But how could that be Anna, when Anna was herself? She stared at her confused. But then she realized it. The girl had a wedding dress on and she was very pale and lifeless. She was a ghost. The ghost girl smiled at Anna. " Anna thank God its you!"

" W....who are you?" Anna asked, her voice barely a whisper.

" I am you in the future. We both are sentenced to marry Alexander. The Ghost prince." she explained.

" But I don't wanna marry him! I wanna go home to mother and father!"

" Things don't always go as we want Anna."

" But I don't understand....what happens to us?"

" That is why I am here to warn you. You must change Alexander's heart. Make him see not with his eyes, but with his heart. Show him love Anna. Your the only one who can do this!" Future Annabeth said.

" But I don't understand. Why me?" Anna asked confused.

" Because you are the only one the prince wants. Please Anna. Don't give up hope."

" But I'm scared. What happens if I mess up or get him angry?"

" You might get him angry, but he will never harm you. He chose you Anna. He chose us." she smiled.

" I don't understand. How come we didn't change him in the beginning?" Future Anna sighed and almost cried. " Anna you will meet a boy named Jack. He is one of the souls and suddenly you will feel like you are falling for him. I did......which was my mistake......Alexander was furious......he took me and then...." she couldn't finish, as if it was too terrible to say.

" H......he did what?" Anna asked confused.

" He made me into a prisoner. A walker with the other souls that have no meaning and who were heartless and cruel. Chains will be locked on you for all of the wicked deeds you have done. Only I have done nothing. He just put chains on me and forced me to walk with the other sad souls. Wishing we could take back the day we made a bad desicion. Don't make the same mistake we made. Make him learn to love so he will be kinder and this world will be a better place." Future Anna said.

" W.....what is it like being a walker soul?" Anna asked curious.

" OH!!" Future Anna moaned sadly, " Oh my misery! My curse! I would give anything in the world to take back that day that I broke Alexander's heart! Oh I walk and walk endlessly with these chains!" she rattled her chains who are clipped on her legs, her arms, and neck, " I walk along the world with other souls who have made mistakes! Wishing the same as I! To take back the day we have been cruel or made a mistake! Anna you must change this event from occuring or we will suffer! And so will the people of this world! Do what needs to be done and change Alexander's point of view!" Future Anna said.

" I....if I change Alexander's heart....will I.....will I see my family again?" Anna asked.

" That is a question I cannot answer. You will find out yourself after your task is completed." Future Anna replied truthfully.

" C......can you show me what it l.....looks like to be a......a walker?" Anna asked curious. Future Anna let out a cold laugh. " You! You want to see what it is like to be a walker?!? Ha!! You would hate to even look at it!" Future Anna spat.

" Show me what its like please. I just want to see!" Anna said. Future Anna sighed. " Fine Anna. Look through the window and see what you find." Future Anna said quietly. Anna nodded and quickly went to look at the window. Tones of ghostly people were floating along with chains connected to them. Sad and lifeless, they continued going along, moaning and sobbing. Anna gasped and fell down on the floor shocked from what she had seen. She glanced at Future Anna and Future Anna kept moving along. " W....wait! Come back!" Anna cried.

" I will come to visit you every night Anna. So we can discuss our plan to change Alexander's heart." Future Anna said jumping out of the window and floating along with the crowd of ghostly people. Anna stared at them. " W.....wait! What now me?" she asked Future Anna.

" Blink three times and you will be back on your bed and everything as to how it was." Future Anna explained. Anna nodded and waved goodbye to Future Anna as Future Anna dissapeared along with the crowd. Annabeth laid down on her bed and did as Future Anna had said. She blinked three times and Annabeth woke up beside Alexander who was staring at her with his sweet, honey eyes but instead of with coldness, he stared at her full of love and affection. " How did you sleep my bride?" he asked kindly.

" I'm......I.....I slept okay....." Annabeth replied rubbing her eyes.

" You must get ready Anna. Tonight is our wedding day. The day we will remember.....for eternity." he grinned coldly.