The trail of blood was a dead giveaway to what I was going to find in the storage closet. I sighed, trying not to cry, wanting this day to be perfect. Our wedding day, and the morning was gorgeous. I hadn’t been outside yet, but could see through the drapes that the sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly. I drew the drapes shut tightly.

Matthew was sleeping at his best man’s house, as was tradition. We would see each other later that day, in our costumes - for that’s what they felt like. I wanted to call him to open the door for me. Thinking of this morning last night, it seemed so wonderful, but now … How had I not noticed? The little drops of blood crusted on the tile floor, leading to the room we never used. We had packed a lot of our items from storage in that room and then forgot about it. Or I did at least. But an animal must have gotten into there and died.

My hand trembled on the knob and as I turned it, I heard a faint whimper. I grimaced. The animal was still alive. Bracing myself, I opened the door to see a woman on the floor in a tight space between boxes. Her mouth was sealed with tape and her legs and feet were bound. Her knees were against her chest.

I rushed in and ripped the tape from her mouth without a moment to think. “What happened? I’ll cal 911!” I pulled my cell from my pocket.

“Thank you,” she sobbed and licked her lips. Her mouth was dry and her tongue was hard. I could tell just by looking at her. “I … he seemed nice … I don’t know …”

I stopped dialing the call. “He?” I listened as she described my soon-to-be husband.

With closed eyes, I took a deep breath. I looked at the woman one last time and decided to leave her mouth untaped, but her legs and feet bound. It couldn’t have been comfortable, but I had to look out for my husband.

‘Til death do us part, I thought, as I slammed the door shut and began to scrub up the dried blood he had missed. Her whimpers were drowned out from my radio. I would have to help him be more careful with his prey in the future.

“Eek!” I exclaimed, dashing into the bathroom and peeking through the thin opening. “It’s bad luck to see the bride on her wedding day! Why are you here?” And more importantly, where were my mother and my bridesmaids? They were supposed to have gotten here a half hour ago.

“Ella, I have something important to tell you. I was going to wait until we were on our honeymoon, but I just can’t.” Jim shifted his weight from foot to foot, looking both nervous and worried.

“Oh my god!” I exclaimed, stepping out of the bathroom and marching up to him. “You had better NOT already be married to someone else!” I poked him in the chest.

“No, no, it’s not that.”

“Your not married but you have children with someone else?!?” I was slightly calmer, but it had to be bad. I just wasn’t sure how bad.

“No!”

“A criminal. You’re a murderer or something!” My mind was going a mile a minute. “Did you kill somebody? Did they deserve it?”

“N”

He didn’t even get the word “no” out before my mind moved on. “You aren’t financially comfortable like you told me! Those statements were fake! Loan sharks are after you!” I was hyperventilating now.

Jim crossed the two feet between us and wrapped his arms around me, muffling my face against his chest. “Ella, Ella, breathe. I would never lie to you. I just haven’t told you the whole truth.”

I leaned in to his chest, focusing on his warmth and the spicy scent of his cologne. My breath gradually slowed but my heart was still racing. “What is it then?” I whispered.

Silence. I looked up at him. He opened his mouth as if to speak, shut it took a deep breath, and just looked at me. I was starting to transition from fear to annoyance. “Will you just spit it out? If it’s a deal breaker, I’ll tell you. If it’s not, we’ll figure whatever it is out somehow.”

“I’m a shape shifter,” he said.

I couldn’t process what he was saying. “A what?”

“A shape shifter.” He said. “I can turn into an animal.” He paused, his face red. “Specifically, a rabbit. I can turn into a rabbit.”

I stared at him.

He sighed. “I can see I’m going to have to show you.” He took a deep breath and slipped out of his clothes. The next fifteen seconds were definitely odd, but when he was done a rather large grey rabbit crouched at my feet. Fifteen seconds after that, Jim was again standing in front of me in the manly form I was accustomed to.

I couldn’t help it. I started laughing. I laughed so hard I had to gasp for air which made me sound like a braying donkey. I laughed so hard my legs could no longer support me and I sunk to the floor. Eventually I got control of myself and wiped the tears off my face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. But honestly, I did not see that coming.” I took a deep breath. “So aside from having to stock extra carrots and watch out for coyotes when you are in rabbit form, is there any other aspect of being a wererabbit I need to be aware of?”

He sank to the floor next to me and released the breath he’s been holding in a long sigh. He took my hand. “Shifter rabbit. Not wererabbit. Wererabbits only change form when the moon is full and it’s involuntary. I can shift or not shift whenever I want.” He twisted to look in my eyes. “You seem to be taking this rather well.”

“I’m just happy you aren’t a murderer or already married to someone else,” I said. I leaned my head to rest on his shoulder. “But seriously, is there a particular aspect of this… trait… that I should be concerned about?”

“Well,” his face was now so red it was almost purple. “Have you ever heard the expression ‘breed like bunnies’?”

“Uh, yes?” I wasn’t sure where he was going with this.

“Well, uh, there’s a reason why I asked if you wanted a big family.” He looked away “Even if we are really careful with birth control… well… shifter rabbit sperm are really strong swimmers.”

Once again, a laugh burst out of me. I almost didn’t hear the knock on the door.

My mom cautiously opened the door and stuck her head in. “You’re laughing. Can I take this as a good sign?”

“Yes, yes,” I said, getting to my feet. I gave Jim a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you in about an hour, love bunny.”

Both he and my mom looked at me oddly over the endearment as he left.

I started to put on my dress. I’d have to do my makeup all over again. I looked at my mom. “So, mom, remember when you said you would move here if there were grand babies to watch? You might want to start house hunting.”

Mia’s hair was the first sight that I could call absolutely breathtaking. The luscious curls that could shine on the gloomiest days. She has so much light emanating from every inch of her body and soul. I walk into the hallway leading to her door. Today’s our wedding. The union of our souls, our very existence. The frivolous extras of cake and partying means nothing to me. I am happy to do so but I just need to look at her. See her for her beauty, tell her fully what she means to me. All of what it means for us to be together. I take a deep breath, deciding to go with our plan of a first look before we get this thing started. I open the door to find a different woman. “No, no, don’t look at me, get out!” I stand frozen. Confusion is all over my face. She’s sees it and mistakes it for something else. Fat tears roll down her face in droves. Loud sobs that can’t be contained escape from her mouth. A heap on the floor in her dress, a destroyed wig in hand. Her head is balding. More so bald with little scraps left that have no life left to give. I quickly wipe away the look on my face for one of comfort and acceptance. I get on the floor next to her and scoop her up. “You are so beautiful, I don’t think you understand how I see you, regardless of what may change of the outside. The hair I knew shined. Now, you head shines.” She laughs with some sniffles in between. It’s true. I love this woman more than she’ll ever understand. “I mean, come on Mia, I now get to rub your bald head whenever I want!” “Really? That’s what you say in this situation?” “Yup. You know who you’re marrying.” She laughs again and scoots closer. She rests her head on my chest. The wedding is ours, it’s not possible to be late.

Shaina stared at the text from an unknown number. She wasn’t sure if she could believe her eyes. She wasn’t sure she was comprehending the words.

“Greyson has been cheating on you. With me. I’m pregnant. I’m sorry.”

Her maid of honor, Gwen, walked into the bridal suite and saw Shaina’s pained look.

“What? What is it?” She set down their coffee and donuts and rushed to Shaina’s side.

Shaina simply held up her phone for Gwen to read.

“Is this some kind of prank? What the fuck?” Gwen stared in disbelief.

Shaina was silent, turning each word over in her head a dozen times, unable to form a response. Her heart was in her stomach.

“Shaina? The girls are going to be here soon. What do you want to do? Do you want me to hold them off so you can call Greyson?”

“I don’t think it’s a prank.” Shaina said finally.

Gwen stayed quiet, silently urging her to continue.

“Can you tell the girls to stay in the lobby for a few minutes?” Shaina asked.

“Take as long as you need. I’ll let them know and I’ll be right back.” Gwen jumped up and rushed down the hall to the lobby as the bridesmaids began to arrive.

Shaina considered calling Greyson but called her mom instead. She broke down and told her what happened. Her mom cried with her. Shaina said she needed to talk to Greyson but to stand by to begin cancelling the wedding. Her mom agreed and hung up.

She called the unknown number instead.

“Hello?” As soon as Shaina heard her voice, she knew who the woman was.

“Allison?” Shaina asked accusatorially. Allison was her cousin. Her own flesh and blood.

Allison hung up.

Shaina put on her wedding dress and marched out to the lobby. Gwen and the bridesmaids gasped.

“Um, hun, what’s going on?” Gwen looked at her quizzically.

“We’re having a party. A break up party.”

The bridesmaids all talked at once, clamoring for more information.

“Greyson got my cousin, Allison, pregnant.” Shaina said loudly. Other friends and family walked over from other areas of the venue when they overheard Shaina’s proclamation.

Word soon made its way to the groomsmen and they darted off to confront Greyson. Greyson walked past them without response and rushed to Shaina.

“Baby, what’s going on? You look so beautiful.” Greyson tried to hug her but she yanked away from him.

Shaina held up the text. Greyson’s eyes gave away his rapid calculations as he weighed how to explain this.

“Don’t bother explaining it. I already called her. We’re done. You can go now. I’m throwing a party and you’re not invited.”

“You can’t do this. We’re supposed to be married in 4 hours.”

“Then thank God one of you had enough of a conscience to save me some legal fees for a divorce.”

The groomsmen, including Shaina’s brother Andrew, escorted Greyson off the premises. The only people who followed him out were his best man and his parents.

The party that should have been a wedding went on without a hitch. Though tears were shed, Shaina was relieved she could share a few hours with friends and family, rather than wallowing alone with a pint of ice cream.

Tomorrow would be a new day. Tomorrow she could begin to heal. Tonight was a party. Tonight was just for her.

Claire always knew there was something off about Augustus; it was part of why she was so drawn to him. Being an heiress, people would always be showing their hands to her. There was no mystery in her life since she could remember. People would find out who she was and tell them every little thing about themselves in hopes of getting her money. Sure, some people went about this more cleverly than others. More patiently, they would present themselves to her at a country club dinner, a tennis match, or a charity event as someone who came from new money. As those people would know, Claire knew all the old money heirs and heiresses as they were her social circle. They would make up these elaborate names, and back then, there was no internet, so she had no way of knowing if they were lying. Fabricate these false and always brief encounters they have claimed to have had with Claire at a previous country club dinner, tennis match, or charity event. They would prey upon Claire exchanging polite hellos with hundreds of people at every event and using this information to get an "in" with her. The first few times this happened, her father was still alive but too busy to detect the deceit; she never saw him, and when she did, it was like seeing a ghost. Like he wasn't alive at all. She pretended to remember meeting them and found a way to compliment their ridiculously lavish clothes in hopes of changing the subject. She'd invite them to lunch, then, if they could keep up the charade, she'd ask them to an opera. Most never made it past lunch because, at lunch, they had the heiress alone. A perfect opportunity to pitch a business idea to share with her father or a plea to pay for the family home they are about to lose. Claire never had any true friends, sure she had the other snobs she grew up with, but they were just as phony as the vultures pretending to be one of them were. So when she met Augustus, it was like she could finally let her guard down. He was a breath of fresh air. He didn't hide who he was. I mean, sure, all Claire knew was that he was a psychologist from a middle-class family somewhere out west. But it was nice to finally meet someone who wasn't pretending to be something they weren't. She couldn't believe a handsome and intelligent young man like him wasn't going steady with somebody. She couldn't believe that he wanted to date her, for her. He had no idea who she was when they met. She was visiting her brother at Columbia, and that day she refused to wear what the maid had left out for her. Instead, she told the delivery boy to buy a plaid skirt and cream sweater off the mannequin from that hip store on the seventh. She had passed it the day before, saw three girls around her age, and envied their style.
She didn't take the family car that day; she insisted she walked. But her governess refused to let her leave without an escort, so she waited until her governess went to lunch for her escape. The delivery boy left the clothes in the upstairs dumbwaiter, just like she had instructed. She put on her disguise and headed toward Columbia. About thirty minutes into her walk, her legs grew tired, so she turned a corner and found an empty table at a quaint little coffee shop. She had been sitting by herself for five minutes when the tall, lean young woman in the tweed jacket with piercing green eyes and slicked back raven dark hair sat across her. They hit it off immediately, discussing everything from philosophy to music and his field of study, psychology. They only didn't talk about their respective families and upbringings. She was so taken with how much of a genuine intellectual he was. He talked about his work in psychology like Dr. Victor Frankenstien discussed his monster, and though it scared her, it also excited her tremendously. She had never met anyone like him, who genuinely had no interest in money. Knowledge was his money. She could listen to him talk about his research and theories for hours. Because she, too, understood the human condition the way a psychologist would. Her whole life has been one psychological experiment, seeing what lengths desperate people will go to for money. . Augustus was everything she dreamed of, someone who understood her and, more importantly, wanted her for her. Claire Emerson wasn't the prettiest of girls; she knew that. Claire was very short, had broad shoulders, a prominent nose, and bushy eyebrows. She didn't look like the pinup girls, but he made her feel beautiful just by sitting across from her. When he asked to call on her, she told him her strict father would disapprove, so instead, they arranged to meet at this cafe, same time and day, once a week. Then it became twice a week, and so forth. Then her brother died. Claire told him she couldn't see him for quite some time. That's when he gave her the promise ring she hid in the hole of her childhood stuffed teddy bear, so she could look at it every night. A year later, she wrote a letter to the address he gave her; he said it was the psychology lab address. To meet her at their coffee shop. He showed up with a bouquet full of chrysanthemums, her favorite flower. She decided then and there that she couldn't lie to him anymore. She told him everything, and he didn't bat an eye. His reaction was no reaction. At that moment, she knew she had to do everything she could to marry him, but her father would never approve. But then, he died too. Augustus Haley was there for her through it all. Through the brutal reading of the will, several distant relatives try to abuse Claire's grief as an opportunity for themselves to make money. He was there for the grief. When Claire opened up to him that October afternoon, he told her about his family. How he was an only child of two loving dairy farmers. His father was enlisted in the war and died when he was eleven. And his mother died of pneumonia when he was 16. She felt terrible that he was an orphan but loved him even more. He'd tell her the day of George Emerson's funeral while she was sobbing on her childhood bed; that's how he knew they were meant to be. He was perfect.

July 16th, 1959, Emerson Estate, Martha's Vineyard. Claire knew it was bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, but she was nervous, and he always could calm her down. So, she got up extra early that morning and snuck to the backhouse. She crept on the cobblestones barefoot so he couldn't hear her coming. She planned to kiss him awake before he had time to playfully scold her about the superstition. She crept from bush to bush, getting closer and closer to the front window of the backhouse. But as she got closer, she noticed a car in the driveway with New York plates. Thanks to her late brother, Claire knew cars. The car was a '57 beat-up red Ford Thunderbird. She recognized the car but didn't recognize this specific car. No one was staying with Augustus; he had no family. She crawled on all floors, most likely ruining her silk blue pajamas; she didn't care. She made her way to the window sill, and that's when she heard the shouting. "Nobody can know about this, you hear me?" Augustus yelled, He was a soft-spoken man, she had never heard him shout like this before, and that horrible feeling she got from all those imposters crept up into her stomach. "It's a done deal; if you give me the money, he'll go down for it. And you're good to go." Said a man sitting at the coffee table. He was a large round man in a khaki-colored trench coat wearing a brown fedora. Claire didn't recognize him. "Thanks, sergeant, seriously." "As long as you are a friend to the NYPD, the NYPD will be a friend to you, understand?" "Understand." What has she gotten herself into? Who is she marrying? She screamed and immediately cupped her hands over her mouth to try to take it back. "What was that?" asked an on-edge Augustus Haley. The Police Captain shrugged, took his envelope and briefcase, and headed towards the door. Augustus started making his way toward the source of the scream. Getting closer and closer to the giant window on the opposite side of the kitchen. She immediately ducked down, but Claire's body began to pulsate, her joints began to twitch, her legs collapsed beneath her feet, and she fell face down onto the hard ground. And the world went dark

“Hurry chica I can’t believe you forget the veil,” Bianca said.

“Shut up and help me look,” Marla hissed.

The sisters hurried around the apartment’s living room looking in increasingly unlikely places. Marla tripped over her sister’s feet crushing Bianca’s pinkie toe.

“I’m checking the bedroom,” Marla said as Bianca erupted into a volley of imaginative curses.

In the en suite bathroom there was the veil hanging in the shower. Three yards of fine lace adorned with crystal butterflies twinkled at her. She had her first date with Freddie her fiancé at a butterfly exhibit. She hugged the memory to her chest. Running, Marla tripped over Freddie’s desk knocking his laptop to the floor.

Damn I’m clumsy. I hope that’s good luck for the bride, Marla thought as she rubbed her thigh. The laptop screen woke up and she entered his pin to make sure it was all right. It opened to Instagram and Marla froze. The app was on a profile Marla knew too well, NoShameJames her stalker.

For two years Marla had gotten nasty random texts, chats, tweets, and most recently calls. The messages started with name calling, slut, skank, whore. Then they progressed to rape threats. Marla changed her phone number again and again.

The stalker always somehow found her. She called the police and fled social media. Marla’s world grew smaller and smaller. The memory of the most recent call after her bachelorette party chilled her. A computer altered voice, a childish high pitched voice, promised to cut her heart out.

Marla sank onto their bed. The cyberstalking started a few weeks before they started dating. As the messages grew more vicious Marla became a paler version of herself. Freddie had been so supportive and protective. She only felt safe in his arms.

“Mami what’s wrong. Who do I have to kill?”

Bianca walked in the bedroom and gently pried the laptop from Marla’s hands. She scrolled down. Tossing away the veil Marla rushed to the toilet to vomit.

Empty and shaky the bride to be walked back into the bedroom. She turned her tear streaked face to her sister.

“What am I going to do mi amo? The wedding is in five hours.”

“Remember what our mother God rest her soul taught us.”

Marla rubbed at her face and gave a watery nod.

“This dog hurt you, frightened you just to trick you into needing him. What we are going to do is make him regret the day he was born.”

Bianca patted the foot of the bed. Together heads bent over the screen they began wreaking havoc.

One week after meeting, we decided quickly and quietly to unite. To marry at dawn beside the sea. The cove selected and the officiant hired.

We spent the night apart to be a bit traditional but I could sense there was something very untraditional to come.

At 5am I round the corner of the cove and hear ‘onaona i ka hala’ and my heart melts. I am so deeply in love. Moved by the presence of this human in ways I never dreamed possible.

But wait, three on the beach? The one I didn’t expect is about 3 feet tall and in a tuxedo. It’s dark out and I’m squinting to bring details into sight. It looks like a dark, small shadow. Am I dreaming?

Confused but continuing forward. Who is this third?

Now 60 feet away from the ceremony site, the sky becoming brighter, and now I can see. A chimpanzee right in front of me!

I open my mouth and before I can ask, my love says ‘meet my best friend Ike.’

I have so many questions and fear overtakes me. As if reading my mind, my love steps forward, draws me into a deep gaze and says ‘I train animals for movie roles. Don’t worry they have their own homes except Ike. He lives with me.’

I stare ahead and instinctively my left elbow bends to a close, pinky finger facing forward and thumb near my ear while my right hand crosses in front of my body, the palm placed on top of my left middle finger. And I scream ‘Time Out!’

“He’s got a kid.” I choke on the coffee I’m sipping, “What?” “I said: he’s got a kid,” my bridesmaid and best friend, Kristina says quietly.

“He doesn’t, why would you say that?” “Baby,” the hairdresser- another one of my friends- says between gritted teeth, “he’s got a little boy. About two years old.”

“That isn’t funny,” I jerk around to face Shy, the hairdresser. “Me and him were together during that time. Two years ago? Three? Him and I were together.”

“Turn around,” Shy huffs, “I’m not good with y’all’s white people hair, you know this. You got so many bobby-pins right now, that if you turn, one will jab at your brain like a sausage and-“

“A kid?” I run my manicured hands down my shaven legs and shiver in my towel. “A son? He couldn’t- he wouldn’t have…”

“The boy is sitting like… outside right now,” Kristina says, fixing her eyeliner. “He’s cute, actually. I don’t know who the mom is, I didn’t-“

“A son? A… son? That’s- this isn’t funny.” “Baby, turn around,” Shy growls. My breath comes fast, “Would he… do?”

“You know, I actually thought the boy looked kinda like-“ Kristina is punched on the shoulder by Shy. She shrugs and turns back to the small mirror, a tight frown plastered onto her face.

                               .•.•.•.•.•

The music plays, it’s my cue. I peep out onto the standing crowd of family and friends and sigh, pacing to and fro, a perfect hand resting on my chin… thinking.

Doo-doo, doo… Doo-doo, doo-doo…

I take a deep breath and push through the curtains, dragging my white gown with me. The music continues as I walk down the rose petal path- thanks to my beautiful flower girls.

I step up onto the platform and look at my handsome husband for the first time in a whole twenty-four hours.

“You look gorgeous,” he whispers. I swallow, “Thank you.”

He beams at me, proud of his gorgeous soon-to-be wife. I try to smile, but my eyes water and my legs shake. I’m lightheaded, a small headache threatening to burst into a major migraine.

“…and do you…”

My vision goes in and out. I grab onto his hands as the wedding continues, as he says his written vows. Black dots blot my vision- suddenly I can’t remember what I’m suppose to say.

“…and I want to spend the rest of my life…”

His brows are pulled together as he watches me blink in rapid succession, trying to clear my view from the blurry spots.

“Do… do you have a son?” I hear myself ask aloud, my hands shaking horribly.

That earns several gasps, one of them being my own. I turn to the crowd, scanning for a little boy that looks like my fiancé.

“What? I-“ he stutters and blinks at me. “Do you?” I repeat. “Do I-“ he’s cut off by me. “Do you have… have a son?”

I almost expect the crowd to pull out popcorn. Beside me, Shy covers her mouth and turns away. Kristina reaches out, but thinks better as she pulls back.

The best man looks from me to my fiancé and grunts a warning from somewhere deep in his throat.

“I can explain…” he trails, reaching for my hand.

But I’ve heard enough. I pull away, tears clouding my vision as I stumble from the alter. Shy pulls me away, giving me a small hug before pushing me down the aisle.

“It was an accident- I didn’t mean to-“ “That’s why you use a condom, or keep your shit in your pants,” Shy yells over her shoulder, pushing me faster down the aisle.

But that doesn’t stop me from seeing the little boy. And guess who he’s sitting next to?

…

My sister.

I stared at my beautiful bride to be. We were just seconds away from making things official.

“Does any one object to this union? Speak now or forever hold your peace!” the officiant announced.

I knew no one would object. Our friends were excited for us. This wedding had been in the making for quite some time now and I was ready to settle down with the woman of my dreams.

Just as the officiant was about to speak again, the doors to the church burst open. Men with guns came piling in shouting at us.

“Hands up where we can see them!”

Fear gripped me in a vice. What the hell was going on? I went to grab Sarah’s hand, but I grabbed air instead. I looked over to where she was just standing but she was gone. One of the officers came up to me.

“Where is she?” he asked.

“Who?”

“Where’s Sarah?”

I shook my head.

“I don’t know she was just here!”

What could they possibly want with her? What could she have done to warrant the police?

“What do you want with her?” I asked the officer.

“She wanted for multiple counts of murder!”

They took me down to their headquarters and questioned me thoroughly. They showed me crime scene photos of the victims and Sarah’s face on multiple passports. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! But they had no reason to lie right? Sarah and I have been together for six years. Now, it was like I didn’t know her at all!

Excited to marry The love of my life My happiness is very Play the drums and fife

Tessa