The Cannibal Bride *WattyAwards2024

15)All Out of Options

"Monster" by Meg and Dia

What actor do you see as Ian?
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Marry him.

Ian's words bounced around Alyssa's skull. She didn't dare return his gaze for she was trying hard not to show the petrified fear she was holding inside of her. He had to be kidding. This all had to be some sick form of a joke. Someone had to be gearing up to pop out of a nearby closet with a microphone and a cameraman to tell Alyssa this was all a bizarre prank and none of it was real.

The alternative was far too terrifying to spend much time considering. These wealthy people were cannibals. There was so many unanswered questions Alyssa had, but she didn't dare speak. She couldn't. She was too afraid to open her mouth.

Harsh protests over Ian's words took over for a good full ten minutes before Tom finally silenced the individuals throwing them. He seemed to be the one in charge even though he wasn't the eldest member of the group.

Sheriff Martin Stern stood up, a cold laughter coming from him as he looked at Ian. It seemed he finally allowed his words to sink in. "You don't want to marry that little snake; you'll wake up with a knife in your throat, boy!"

Still, heavy protests and all, Ian did not bat an eyelash. When someone stood up too fast, Alyssa scooted herself closer to Ian as the yellow toothed man made a sudden movement for her. It must've been his idea of a joke, for the man let out a boisterous laugh. "Fidgety little thing," he murmured, throwing a smile that caused Alyssa's stomach to churn upon seeing how many crooked teeth the guy possessed. Alyssa guessed he smelt as bad as he looked.

"We should do a family vote," said Delores, eyeing Alyssa with a certain degree of distaste. "You can't force us to take her in as one of our own when she doesn't belong here, Ian."

"A family vote? No. I see the way Eliza and Daphne are watching her. It was up to any of you, you'd kill her now!" Ian countered coldly.

"We do what needs to be done to keep our survival secret!" Martin spat vehemently, eyeing Alyssa with the same loathing look that everyone else in the room was throwing her.

"Oh, really?" Ian challenged with his own snarl. "Where was your protective instinct when you all wanted Cassi for Ben? Which moron decided it was best to steal a pristine little cupcake like her?"

Tom stalked forward, immediately causing Ian to move Alyssa to his side before standing up to block his path to her. Tom grabbed ahold of Ian's shirt, pulling him in close. "Do NOT question my motives," he snarled, causing Alyssa to watch this exchange with fear.

"Do not get pissed at me because no one is satisfied with your fucking choices, Harrison." Tom continued coldly. "You turned down Eliza, Daphne, Amy, Rosalita, and for what? So you can have the street rat who just tried to stab your grandfather...?"

Alyssa didn't dare speak. All the dirty looks she was currently being thrown was somewhat comical. It was then that she realized there really wasn't anyone in this room minus Ian who cared if she walked out of here alive. Everyone looked like they wanted to kill her right then and there. It wasn't death Alyssa feared. It was knowing that there wouldn't be anyone looking for Cassi if she was out of the picture. No one else would care to keep looking. Her dad would give up soon enough. There would be Cory and Luke, but they wouldn't know what to do or where to look. They would be too preoccupied trying to find the missing Alyssa than trying to find out what happened to Cassi.

Her parents wouldn't put up much of a struggle looking for her. Even though her father might still be asking questions, he accepted Cassi ran off with Tyler. Cory and Luke could try to figure out what went wrong, but they probably wouldn't figure out just how twisted and deranged this entire thing truly was. Cannibals? That was a twist that belonged in D-rated horror films. Alyssa felt this couldn't possibly be happening; how could it? Wealthy people couldn't possibly be cannibalistic psychos. The cannibalistic types were supposed to be the backwoods hood-rat individuals who didn't believe in personal hygiene. Never would anyone believe the millionaires were the cannibal monsters...