Beneath the Roses (Scary Short Stories)

Til Death Do Us Part

The happiest moment of my life was just now starting. My heart was racing and it was all I could do to keep from sprinting down the aisle to Matthew.

The wedding march began to play over the speakers. Tears welled up in my eyes as I clutched my bouquet of flowers between both hands and took a deep breath.

If only Daddy were here to see this. He'd be so proud.

I pulled the door to the sanctuary open and immediately made eye contact with Matthew. Already he was crying and it caused my heart to swell. I felt my lips tremble, but urged my legs to stay strong; to get me down the aisle and to my beloved.

Our guests were sparse, but I didn't mind. We decided to keep the wedding small. Neither of us were exactly raking in the dough. It felt more intimate, even if no one rose as I had made my entrance.

Still, I kept my eyes on Matthew. He was shaking like a leaf, the sweet thing. Still, I couldn't rush. I'd take my time; savor the moment. Let him enjoy the breathtaking view that is me, his bride.

Glancing to the left of the alter, I see my best friend Kendall, strangely enough, Matthew's ex, with tears in her eyes as well. I smile at her, but it's hard to tell if she returns the smile or not. But I knew she'd probably scream if I removed the duct tape. Better to leave it on. I'm too determined to make this the greatest most happiest moment of my life.

Finally, I reach Matthew and blush. I wish I could just kiss him immediately. But he'd probably scream too. Better to wait until it's his turn for the vows.

Looking back at our guest, I beamed. I shared a knowing glance with a man I liked to call Howie. I imagined he was my old friend. Maybe we'd once had a thing between us. Maybe I was the one who got away.

His eyes were taped open since gravity wanted to keep them closed. I had to hold his head up with rope too, but I ignored the way it squeezed his face and gave him a wink. I pretended he winked back, even if he was dead.

Looking back at Matthew, I realized he was struggling against his restraints and grew still once my eyes rested over him once again. He kept his chin up in defiance, but I smirked.

He was mine. Whether he wanted to be or not.

Kendall groaned behind me, the tape over her mouth making it impossible to spew profanities at me. I ignored her noises and faced the front of the alter where the priest stood, waiting... also tied up and held in place with restraints. To his right stood a podium which had been moved aside, a switchblade on top.

I stuffed my bouquet between Kendall's bound-up arms and turned back to the priest.

"Let's get on with it." I smiled, reaching over to rip the tape off his mouth.

He whimpered in pain as I flicked open the switchblade and pressed it gently to his side.

"Just like we practiced," I encouraged him.

Reluctantly, he nodded.

"You yell, this goes into your kidney and you die." I winked at him and placed the knife back on the podium.

I licked my lips, eager to begin, and turned to face Matthew. His eyes were full of hate, but I looked past that. Maybe he didn't love me now, but he would learn to. I didn't care how long it took, as long as we were together.

The priest rambled lowly, unenthused, but I paid no mind. I kept my eyes on Matthew.

I noticed he wasn't struggling any. He stood perfectly still and kept his eyes on me. My heart felt so full. I could feel my eyes begin to tear up.

"I'm going to make you so happy," I whispered. "I promise you."

His eyes flinched, looking past me, then focusing back on mine. Only then did I realize Kendall had gone silent.

I turned to view my best friend, only to be greeted with the blade of my knife. Kendall screamed and jammed it into my cheek, the searing pain blinding me. I was in such shock, I could barely make a sound.

Matthew's muffled yells caught my attention. I turned back to him and felt the wetness pouring down my face, down my neck. Slowly, I reached up to my cheek and gingerly pulled the blade out.

Kendall stepped back, panting, her eyes widened, waiting. Her restraints hung around her left wrist and the tape had been removed. My bouquet was on the ground. The bitch. She could never let me just be happy.

I stumbled back, gasping. The pain was throbbing and my vision was blurring.

There was pounding. My adrenaline was high and the blood was coursing through my veins, in attempts to keep me going. I screeched and leapt for Kendall, knife in hand. Kendall blocked the blow by grasping my wrist holding the blade. Together we struggled against one another. I couldn't let her win again. Not this time.

I spat in her face, blood splattering across her stunned expression. My free hand grabbed onto her hair and pulled hard. Kendall screamed and stuck her finger nails into the back of my hand, desperate for me to loosen my grip.

"Drop your weapon!" A booming voice commanded behind us.

I let go of Kendall, but not before taking a fist full of her perfect blonde locks. I kept the knife between us and looked back at the entrance of the sanctuary. Two police officers, guns pointing directly at me, slowly inched towards us.

All I could do was laugh. I'm sure I seemed manic. I know it looked bad. I just wanted my happiness. I just wanted Matthew.

If I couldn't have him, neither would she. I turned back to Kendall and lunged at her, but not before a bullet hit me in the back of the leg.

I fell toward, gravity pulling me down hard. The knife fell from my grasp as I landed, crying out in pain.

***

Hand-cuffed to the gurney, I'd been lifted and pushed into the back of the ambulance. I winced as the movements disturbed my wounds.

Through the open doors of the vehicle, I could see Matthew across the lot of the church. He was chatting with a police officer, keeping his eyes on me. Kendall stood next to him, shaking. Once the officer finished with his questions, he left the two of them alone. Matthew wrapped an arm around his fiancée, taking his eyes off me. I glared, seething.

Matthew placed a soft kiss on Kendall's lips and hugged her tightly before guiding her away.

A tear spilled down the side of my face as I looked away, up to the ceiling of the ambulance. A slow smirk formed across my lips and I mentally pat myself on the back.

Before placing the tape over a then-knocked-out Kendall's mouth, I had carefully sprayed a poison over it. It was only a matter of time before it took effect. And now that Matthew had kissed her poisoned lips...

Well. If I couldn't have him, no one could.

And no one ever would.