It was a cold evening in the suburbs of Pemberton City, where a modest wedding was taking place in a small church. Only a few people had gathered, but it was still the happiest day of Audrey's life. She wore a loose-fitting wedding gown, but her baby bump was clearly visible, signaling she was in her final month of pregnancy.
Beside her stood her husband-to-be, dressed sharply in a well-tailored suit. Sawyer looked every bit as handsome as she had imagined, his presence grounding her amidst her emotions. Audrey smiled at him, her eyes reflecting a mix of joy and hidden sacrifice. She had given up everything her luxurious life and even her parents' love to be with this man. Yet, she was ready to face the world by his side, eager to build a happy life with him and their unborn child.
The priest's solemn voice echoed through the small church. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Audrey Davenport and Bennett Sawyer in holy matrimony. May their love for each other continue to grow and flourish, a bond that will last a lifetime."
The audience offered a polite cheer as the priest continued, "Bennett Sawyer, do you take Audrey Davenport to be your wife, to love and cherish her, through all the joys and challenges of life, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, till death do you part?"
Sawyer opened his mouth to reply, but before he could speak, a man stepped forward from the back of the church and handed him a folded note. The small congregation fell silent, stunned by the interruption.
Sawyer's brows furrowed as he read the note. His expression darkened, and his hands clenched the paper tightly.
The note read: "If you proceed with the wedding, you'll return to find the dead bodies of your parents and siblings."
His heart sank. His family had already opposed this wedding, fearing retaliation from Audrey's powerful parents, and none of them had shown up. But now, the threat was real and chilling.
"What is it?" Audrey's worried voice broke through his thoughts.
Sawyer looked up at her, forcing a smile as he crumpled the note and slipped it into his pocket. "It's nothing important," he lied, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
He took her hands gently, his eyes pleading. "Just wait for me here. I'll be back."
Audrey's eyes widened in alarm. "No—no, where are you going?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear.
Sawyer cupped her face, his touch warm and reassuring. "Believe me, I'll be back. I just need a few minutes to sort something out."
She reluctantly nodded, though her grip on his hand tightened. He smiled, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "I promise."
With that, he turned and hurried out of the church, leaving a bewildered silence in his wake.
The small crowd exchanged glances, their confusion evident.
"Where is he going?" the priest asked, breaking the tense quiet.
Audrey mustered a smile, though her heart was pounding. "He'll be back. He just needs to take care of something outside," she said, her voice calm but hollow.
Minutes stretched into eternity, and as the light drizzle outside turned heavier, murmurs began to ripple through the crowd. Audrey clutched her hands tightly together, her mind racing.
But as twenty minutes passed with no sign of Sawyer, the disappointment in the air grew palpable. The villagers who had come out of kindness began to whisper among themselves, casting disapproving glances at the bride. Audrey, still trying to maintain her composure, felt her heart sink further with every second he remained absent.
Audrey quietly sat down, exhaustion weighing heavily on her. Her fingers fidgeted nervously, a reflection of the turmoil in her heart. The last words Sawyer had spoken replayed in her mind like a mantra, a fragile hope she clung to desperately: He'll be back. He promised.
One hour passed. Then two. Then three. The church was now deserted, save for Audrey and the priest.
"My child," the priest began gently, his voice tinged with concern, "are you sure he's still coming? It's dark now, and everyone else has left."
Audrey had been holding back her tears, but the dam finally broke. She couldn't respond with words, only sobs. The priest placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay," he said softly. "Why don't you try calling him?"
"I've—I've called him so many times," she stammered, her voice cracking. "He's not picking up, and now his phone is switched off." Her heart felt like it was shattering with every word.
The priest sighed. "Calm down, child. Go home and rest. You can always return to complete the ceremony another day."
Audrey nodded weakly and stood, though her legs trembled beneath her. She nearly collapsed, but the priest steadied her.
"Thank you," she whispered, managing a sad smile before she walked slowly to the church exit.
Outside, the cold night breeze struck her face, making her shiver. She wrapped her arms around herself, her tears still flowing freely. "Why me?" she murmured into the stillness.
She wandered aimlessly through the dark streets, her mind blank with despair. The dim glow of the streetlights illuminated patches of the road, leaving the rest in shadow. Step by step, she drifted toward a graveyard, her heart heavy with hopelessness.
As she reached the entrance, she felt an odd sense of solace in its stillness. The idea of death, once terrifying, now seemed like a release. She turned on her phone's flashlight and entered, walking deeper into the rows of tombstones. Her light swept across names etched into stone, some adorned with fresh flowers, others long neglected.
Suddenly, a gush of water ran down her legs. Audrey froze, her breath catching. Her water had broken. She smiled bitterly through her tears, recalling Sawyer's words about wanting to be there for the birth.
"And yet… where are you now?" she whispered.
Exhausted, she squatted down, her body trembling from the strain. The cold wind swept through the graveyard, chilling her to the bone. She looked around, her eyes darting from one tombstone to another. Would anyone care to bring flowers to her grave? The thought made her laugh bitterly.
"It doesn't matter," she murmured.
Suddenly, the first contraction hit her. The sharp, unbearable pain tore through her, and she cried out, her voice echoing across the silent graveyard.
"Sawyer! You deserve to die with me!" she screamed in agony, her tears falling freely.
The pain grew worse, her body convulsing as wave after wave of contractions gripped her. Finally, with a last, desperate push, her baby was born. The newborn's cries filled the cold night air, a fragile sound of life amidst so much despair.
Audrey smiled faintly, her face streaked with tears and exhaustion. She had no strength left to pick up her baby. Instead, she lay on the cold ground, waiting for death to claim her.
Her phone's flashlight flickered and died, plunging her into darkness. A cold wind rose, cutting through her like a blade. Then, out of the shadows, black smoke began to seep into the graveyard.
Figures clad in black hooded robes emerged, their forms shifting and ominous. The air grew thick with an oppressive, unnatural aura.
Audrey's ears filled with whispers, low and insidious, like a chorus of voices just beyond comprehension. Her lips trembled, but she forced a weak smile. The end had finally come.
"Will you come with us to avenge those who hurt you, or die a miserable death?" a voice whispered, soft yet commanding.
Her thoughts raced. Betrayal, anger, and loss weighed on her like an anchor. She thought of her crying baby, so small and vulnerable. "Save my child…" she whispered hoarsely.
"You still care about that bastard's child?" another voice hissed, sharp and disdainful.
"Save her," Audrey repeated, her voice firmer now. "I'll follow you… and make them all pay!"
The whispers ceased for a moment, replaced by a chilling silence. Then, a sinister chuckle echoed through the graveyard.
As the dark figures closed in, Audrey shut her eyes, surrendering to the abyss...