Marie
by Lucinda

Her lips curved slightly upwards in an expectant smile. The sun broke through the gloom which had surrounded her, making the stars vanish the instant the brilliant rays hit them. The sound of awakening birds lifted her spirits even higher for he would be coming soon, coming to reveal her destiny.

She had prepared her whole life for this one, glorious moment. But now, as she waited on the old mountain road, she could no longer suppress her nervous feelings, having to sit down as they engulfed her.

She caught a glimpse of sun-streaked blond hair, followed by an irresistible body. His athletic build made him look like he was a celebrity as he rode up to her on his Harley Davison.

"Nathan, am I the one you choose to marry? Is it me to whom you pledge your undying love?" she cried, running up to him in her long, red velvet dress, and flinging herself into his strong, masculine arms.

"Oh yes, my darling," he replied, hugging her tightly, "I have waited too long, almost too late to ask you," he continued, handing her a shiny black helmet. He gently lifted her up onto his motorbike, then mounting it himself, they rode off down the winding mountain road.

They parked beside a glistening, red car. Marie gave the convertible a longing look, imaging her long, blond hair blowing in the breeze, driving along a beach-front road. "Come on," Nathan said, bringing her back to reality, "it will all be over soon, then you'll be able to relax."

Nathan and Marie walked hand in hand down a steep, narrow path, surrounded by tall, luscious rainforest. Every now and then, Marie would gaze lovingly at her fiance. Through a clearing, she could just make out an old church-style mansion. She squeezed Nathan's hand even tighter in anticipation, which he returned just as enthusiastically.

"How much farther?" she panted, trying to keep up with his long strides.
"Just around the next bend."

They reached an arched doorway, which led to a giant hall. "I'll go find the minister," he said, letting go of her hand, "You stay here, my sweet." Nathan walked through a doorway, surrounded by coloured lead window panes, which had on them pictures of brightly coloured birds in reds, yellows, blues, greens and purples.

Marie wandered around the great hall, admiring the exquisite oil paintings of laughing people having picnics and going for bicycle rides. She checked her watch, wondering why Nathan was taking so long. Finding fifteen minutes had gone, Marie decided to go and find him.

She retraced Nathan's steps through the doorway.

The room she entered was beautifully furnished in reds and golds. Behind a large stained oak desk, she saw a set of marvellously crafted mahogany curtains, hiding an old heavy door. Marie pushed the door, which gave way with a groan. The room she entered was dark and gloomy, except for a candle burning in the corner. That's when…"Aaargh!" Marie let out a piercing scream, for hanging from a low rafter, by an antiquated rusty chain, was Marie's now ex-fiance, Nathan. His eyes, brains and intestines had been completely removed, leaving deep, dark hollows. He had a blackish-red liquid dripping from his left foot, making a bloody pool underneath him. Marie took her eyes off Nathan to try and become accustomed to the vile stench, which had engulfed her. That's when she saw the murderer. Marie fainted, for sitting across the room from Nathan's carcass and wearing a ministers' collar, was a giant spider, eating the missing body parts.

"Cut!" yelled the director, "That's a wrap," The lights came on, flooding the studio with their golden brightness.

--written in 1999--