The Gateway

Chapter 1 The Wedding

"I didn't want to kill her." " I'm serious it truly was an accident." " Fine, here's the money and be sure they believe it." The door slammed and the lightning fast rain spotted the red felt rug. Eva stared into the roaring fireplace reminiscing the events of the recent week. She had really killed someone. A person. A living body that so many depended on. A woman that worked so hard to her full potential and she took it in a split second. Of course she never really thought highly or well of her, and plus she was destined to die soon, what was she like hundred years old. Its no big deal it'll blow over in a few weeks. Brushing her hair aside Eva stood and opened the chimney damper and closed the fireplace chains. Carefully she stepped over the creaky wooden stairs she traveled through the dark, damp corridors and opened the forth large door. Placing her slippers parallel to her nightstand she climbed into her four poster bed. " Tomorrow is a new day." she whispered reassuringly to herself and dozed off in an instant.

5 years later

The loud music of the organ shuffled through the halls and across 46th street of Hamburg,Massachusetts. The long narrow isle lined with flowers could not withstand the beauty of the gown, it was the prize of the hall. A rather plump lady sitting in the front left pew by the isle was smeared with eyeliner as she wept constantly tears of joy soaking her thin tan silk dress making it see-through in the worst of places.  Her face was bright red and she covered it with her fur shawl out of embarrassment the man next to her patting her shoulders and looking down the isle at the gown and the veil surrounding the face. Another woman sat opposite of the plump lady and wore a stern look that looked almost mean with her pale skin and deep lines that cast a shadow over her face. Eva glared at her mothers expression an was hurt that she could not even pretend to be proud or exited for her daughter on her wedding day but she cast that feeling away and decided her day would not be ruined. She glanced on the other side of the pew and saw her soon to be mother in law crying her eyes out. Eva couldn't help the laughter but was deeply ashamed with herself.  Reaching the church steps Eva uncovered her veil and turned to the minister facing her future husband. 

Benjamin Smith was the life and soul of Hamburg Massachusetts. He owned the most successful weather company in the world, Esterhall radars. 8 years ago he was lonely as a feather in space and now here he was about to be married to Eva Brown the orphanage matron at the St. Monica orphanage the same orphanage his grandmother Marie worked at.  Benjamin deeply looked up to her and loved her more than anything else in the world but sadly she passed with no explanation except a stroke which was not possible. There he stood sweating slightly and exhilarated reciting his vows back to Eva. They were off in a carriage the town rented for them and going to their private honeymoon cruise. Their life was an amazing adventure everyday. Eva quit her orphanage matron job but visited the children regularly. Benjamin had adopted 2 children from St. Monica's years back and Eva knew the children from their births and loved them deeply. Benjamin gave her permission to send a whole day a week with the children from the time they were 5 and 7 years old and moved out of the orphanage. Now Eva would not have to visit the children because she would be their mother. If it were not for the children Eva and Benjamin would have never met. 

It was their 1 year wedding anniversary and Eva thought it would be good to tell Benjamin about her incident years back. She felt he would take it well and be OK with it, but how could anyone be OK with sleeping with a murderer, could I tell him next year though Eva. "No said Eva sternly drawing attention to Stephen and Cassie who were doing homework in the mansions library. Eva tucked her arms into her evening gloves and rushed downstairs to meet Benjamin at the door. Saying goodbye they quickly rushed off and walked to their Gazebo where a table 5 feet high of food was waiting in front of them. They ate and drank and talked all night. Making sure that Benjamin was drunk and new it was time to tell him." Benjamin", Eva stated quietly. We - we need to talk. "Yes" said Benjamin rather loudly. " Ya know that woman who was matron before me as the Matron."   Eva's face flushed and her now bleeding arm was bright red from pinching it so hard. Her hands were moving like a fish on land. Her eyes were stinging and she felt her heart pumping through her chest. " A few y- yea. A few years back when she was, when she was still Matron I. Eva did not know how to tell him. She had practiced all day for this moment why was her my suddenly blank. She grind her fingers together, and with nothing else to do she absent mindlessly blurted. " I killed her". It was like everything suddenly grew silent all she could here were the crickets chirping and leaves rustling it was the worst most embarrassing, most horrifying, most concerned feeling in the world staring into her husbands eyes and waiting for a reaction, but none came. Suddenly Benjamin face grew \ide and tears filled the edges of his eyes and it was the worst she had ever seen him. Then he spoke " Eva what was her name." She was silent but she saw the anger and confusion in his face and knew it was best to answer."Well I -I" " Eva what was her name", he said in a angry voice.The cooks came out to collect their dishes  but when they saw the tears flooding down Eva face and Benjamin's massive eyes they decided it was best to stay away. Benjamin stood waiting for an answer but not wanting one. Suddenly Eva spoke   "Marie" she said frightfully.