Taken Bride

by Alta Hensley

  “Ember,” he says as he pulls a scarf away from his mouth.

  Christopher’s eyes are wide, flecks of snow on his lashes. He seems as stunned to see me as I am him.

  “I was scared I’d never find you,” he says, still not moving toward me. It’s as if part of us both want to throw ourselves into each other’s arms, but something more powerful is holding us back.

  “Ember?” I hear Holly call from inside. “Who’s at the door?”

  Her words seem to free me from my stunned daze, and I reach for Christopher’s arm and pull him inside from the swirling snow outside. The church isn’t exactly warm, but it’s shelter from the storm.

  I pause and look over my shoulder at two wide-eyed women who stand terrified by the fire.

  “This is Christopher,” I say. “He’s my husband. Or… he was my husband.” I lick my lips, trying to soothe the dryness that is causing my voice to crack.

  I look at Christopher, whose head snaps in my direction as if I just punched him. “I am your husband, Ember. I’m your husband, and I’ve come to bring you home.”

  I lift my hand up to silently tell Holly and Violet that everything is all right and then return my stare to Christopher, who is scanning the room with a clenched jaw and darkened eyes.

  “Where are they?” he asks.

  I take a step toward him, still wanting to desperately throw myself into his arms and beg him to never let me go. But I can also see by his clamped fists and his stiffened spine that he’s in the mood for a confrontation.

  He’s ready for a fight. A fight he’ll win.

  “Gone,” I say, hoping my answer is all that is needed to soothe his fury.

  “What do you mean gone?” He then points at Holly and Violet. “Who are they?”

  Holly takes a protective step toward Violet and wraps her arm around her sister’s frail shoulders. “Ember? What’s going on?” she asks.

  All eyes are on me, and I feel as if I’m the only person in the room who truly has no grasp of reality. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t even know if this is real or if I’ve somehow mentally cracked and am living some alternate reality. There’s no way Christopher can be standing here in our house out in the middle of nowhere.

  How did he find me?

  Why would he even bother trying?

  “Were you outside earlier, watching us?” I ask.

  Confusion washes over his face. “No. I’ve been hiking all day, hoping to find you. Then I saw the smoke from the chimney and ran straight here. I hoped it was you. God, I’m so happy it is.”

  “How did you find us?”

  “The same pilot who took you flew me here,” he says. “And a shitload of luck.”

  “You risked your life—”

  “Where is Richard?” Christopher asks, taking his snow-covered backpack off and spinning around the room some more.

  “He and Scarecrow left to find us a new home,” Holly answers for me. I’m grateful for her, since I can barely swallow my own spit, let alone speak in complete sentences. “They aren’t here and won’t be for quite some time.”

  And thank God for that. If they had been here, what would have happened? Someone would end up hurt, maybe dead. There is no way the meeting of the men would end good. I need to get Christopher out of here before they return, because the clash of the Titans would be devastating for all.

  Christopher’s eyes narrow on Holly. “And you are?”

  Holly looks at Violet and then back at him. “We’re Scarecrow’s wives. We live here.”

  He takes a moment to analyze both women, who stand barefoot by the fire, wearing thin and worn floral dresses, and I wonder if he sees the old me in them. Does he see the ghost of Hallelujah Junction?

  He subtly shakes his head, then closes the distance between him and me and finally takes me into his arms. Pressing my face into his chest, he holds me as if he never plans to let me go. “I was worried I would never see you again.”

  Wrapping my arms around his back and inhaling his spicy scent even through the wetness of his coat, I whisper back, “I never thought I’d see you again.”

  He presses his lips to the top of my head. “Why? Why did you leave?”

  “I had to” is my only response.

  “No, you didn’t. You shouldn’t have. You belong with me. We belong together.”

  I want to argue and explain why he’s wrong, but I don’t have the energy to fight the moment of euphoria I’m feeling from within the security of his arms.

  “Ember?” I hear Violet’s voice from behind me. “What’s going on? Are you leaving?”

  I break the hug and see a woman whose eyes are glistening and lip is trembling. I don’t know how to answer her, because I don’t know what’s happening next.

  Am I leaving?

  Will I leave with Christopher?

  Is it as simple as that? Or is it as difficult as that?

  I don’t know.

  I don’t know.

  “I don’t think he should be here,” Violet adds. “If Scarecrow finds out about this….”

  “No one’s leaving right now,” Holly says as she points to the side window revealing the snow, which is coming down harder and harder by the second. “It’s a storm outside that is only going to get worse, and walking out that door will mean death.”

  Christopher reaches for his backpack and pulls out a large black phone. He presses some buttons and frowns at the screen. He then points it above his head and continues to scowl. “I need to get someplace not within the trees to get a better signal.”

  I instantly think of the cliff overlooking the canyon, but there’s no way we can make our way there in this storm safely. “I know where we can go, but not until the snow stops.”

  He places the phone back in his bag and returns his attention to me. “Where exactly did Richard go?”

  “Wyoming,” I answer, feeling an odd sense of betrayal toward Papa Rich for telling of his whereabouts. “They’re hoping they can find a small mining town like Hallelujah Junction that isn’t so much on the radar as any place in Nevada or California right now.”

  “Scarecrow is going to be really angry when he finds out you’re here,” Violet says again, her voice cracking as she shifts her weight from one foot to the other.

  I look at Violet and then Holly. I need a moment alone with Christopher without an audience. Luckily, Holly picks up on my need and discomfort.

  She takes Violet by the hand and says, “Let’s go over here and work on the chimney more. The snow’s getting in and will snuff out our stew if we aren’t careful.”

  I take this opportunity to take him to my corner of the chapel and pull the curtain to give us some visual privacy. I know that if Holly and Violet want to listen to our conversation, they can, but at least we have some seclusion. But no matter how much we whisper, the reality is that we are all in one room with no walls separating us.

  “You shouldn’t have come,” I whisper, rubbing my arms to try to heat up my flesh that’s gone cold.

  “Did you really think I wouldn’t?” He notices I’m cold and begins rubbing my arms for me, and though his hands are icicles themselves, they do offer a sense of warmth and comfort.

  I don’t know what I expected. But did I think Christopher would be able to track me down? Did I ever think I’d see him again?

  No. Never in a million years.

  “When the snow stops, we’re getting out of here,” he says.

  I shake my head. “It’s not that easy.”

  “It is. I have a satellite phone and a pilot on standby.”

  “Christopher… there’s something you need to know.” I want to throw up, and I sit down on my pallet of wool blankets, because if I don’t sit, I’m afraid I’ll collapse.

  He sits down beside me, wraps his arm around my shoulders, and pulls me closer to his body. “We have shit to work out. But we can handle everything once we’re in a safe place.”

  “When I left with Papa Rich and Scarecrow, I ne
ver thought I’d see you again,” I begin.

  “I’m your husband, Ember. I’m not going to just let you walk away that easily.”

  “But we aren’t married. Not really. Your mother was right when she said that.”

  “Fuck my mother,” he snaps. “I know what she did to you. I was fucking blind, and I should have paid closer attention, and for that I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry you went through all of that alone.”

  I look up into his eyes. “You know about your mother finding Papa Rich?”

  He nods as his jaw stiffens. “I know about everything. She was cruel to you, tried to fuck with your head and attempted to make you feel you were losing your mind. And though I’ll never forgive her for what she did, I’m angrier with myself. I was so wrapped up in trying to get my life back. I wanted so desperately to have my normal to return. I kept telling myself that it was so I could care and provide for you, but that was total bullshit. I was being selfish and not focusing on you. I don’t blame you one bit for leaving. I would have run for the hills too.” He smirks and looks out the window at the falling snow. “Which you literally did.”

  “You were trying your best,” I say. “And you deserved to have your life back. You had every right to want normal.” I release a deep breath I’ve been holding. “Your mother told me that I was holding you captive. That I was just as guilty as Papa Rich in kidnapping you—”

  “My mother is a selfish bitch. What she’s done to you is criminal,” he interrupts, his face reddening.

  “But she was right in many ways. I was holding you captive. You didn’t choose to marry me. It wasn’t fair to expect you to remain married and take care of a woman and a situation you were forced into. You deserved better.”

  “I chose to stay with you,” he growls. “Yes, our situation is not ideal. This isn’t how I saw my life going, but regardless, the minute we left Hallelujah Junction, I knew I was committed to you. My wife. The woman I love.” He reaches for my hand and squeezes it tightly. “And I still feel that way. I don’t want you gone. I don’t want us apart. I don’t want my old life without you in it. I want you, Ember. I need you to understand that.”

  “But it’s asking a lot. It’s not fair to you. You should have been able to go back to your career without a worry in the world.”

  He nods again. “But it should have been something we did together. I was insensitive. I put me first. I know this, and I plan to fix it if you’ll allow me to. I want us to leave here and start over. I want to be the husband you deserve.”

  Something is gripping my heart so tightly that I can barely breathe. I push myself away from Christopher and scurry a few feet away so I can have some room. I want to bury my nose in his chest and never face reality, but I also know I can’t.

  “I married Scarecrow,” I blurt out.

  I refuse to look at Christopher after I spit out the words, but I can hear his intake of breath.

  “I don’t understand.”

  I steal a glance at him and see the stunned confusion washed all over his face. I’m so ashamed for what I’ve done, how we got to this place, and for what’s still ahead of me in the future. As happy as I am to see him again, I’m also devastated he has to see me in this light.

  My true light.

  “Papa Rich made me. He said that what happened between you and me was a mistake. That the devil made it happen, but that me marrying Scarecrow would correct the sin.”

  “This is insane.”

  “I didn’t know what to do. I was so scared of what Papa Rich would do to me for burning down Hallelujah Junction. I felt like I was walking on eggshells, and… I left you. I left any chance, any hope, for a different life. My reality was right here.” I point around. “This is my life. It’s what my life has always been and what it will always be.”

  Christopher shoots up from sitting before me and towers over me. His eyes darken, and his entire presence morphs from a man offering me salvation to a man full of fury. “There is no way in hell I’m going to stand by and allow you to remain with that man. They are fucking lunatics who both deserve to be locked up for life. I don’t care what they told you or what they forced you to do; there is no fucking way you’re married to Scarecrow! Do you hear me?” His entire presence morphs to an almost beast-like creature. “I’ll burn the fucking world down to keep you safe and next to me, starting with this place.”

  The sound of his booming voice rattles the rotting rafters above and dust speckles its way down on us.

  “Ember?” I hear Holly call across the room. “Why don’t you and Christopher come over here and join us by the fire? He’s soaking wet, and it’s cold.”

  “Did he fucking touch you? Did he… did he make you his wife?”

  I shake my head vigorously, knowing exactly what he’s asking. “He didn’t consummate the marriage yet. He said he would when he returns.” I swallow hard. “I haven’t had sex with him.”

  He inhales deeply and appears relieved. He then looks out the window again. “We need to get out of here. Now.”

  “There’s a blizzard coming,” I say calmly. “We won’t make it down the mountain. We may not be able to for days.”

  And that’s if I go with him, which I can’t see how it’s truly possible.

  He runs his hands through his hair and lets out a deep sigh.

  “Ember,” Holly calls out again. “Come sit by the fire and warm Christopher up until the stew is ready.”

  She’s not going to give up, but she’s skilled in knowing how to tame the beasts. She’s had plenty of practice with Scarecrow.

  “We should get you out of those wet clothes,” I offer, knowing we need a break from all this for at least a moment.

  I do.

  I need to breathe. I need to focus. I need to stop the ringing in my ears.

  He nods, but I can see he isn’t happy.

  I don’t blame him.

  I’m not happy either. But the difference between him and me is that happiness can be in his future. Not mine. I simply need to get him to face that hard fact.

  I have. I’ve faced my dark future head-on. I’ve seen the red in the devil’s eyes, and I’ve accepted his greeting.

  11

  Ember

  * * *

  Christopher is restless in the chapel, and I don’t blame him. I watch his eyes examine the girls and the way they’re dressed. I know he has to hate seeing I reverted to my old look as well. He also seems to be looking for an escape route, as if he’s expecting Papa Rich and Scarecrow to enter at any moment.

  And that fact is a reality.

  They could return.

  They could hit weather of their own and decide they want to wait until winter has passed to start the journey to Wyoming. They may have also left us as a test. To see if we would indeed try to escape, regardless of how Holly feels that isn’t true.

  I can see them testing me. See if I’m trustworthy now after the Hallelujah Junction incident.

  “How long have you lived here with Scarecrow?” he asks Holly and Violet.

  “We don’t really pay attention to days,” Violet says softly. “Seasons are easier to track.”

  “Did he kidnap you too?” he asks.

  “Our hands in marriage were promised by our father,” Holly says, cutting more vegetables to throw in the stew. She knows we have another mouth to feed, and we barely cook enough for ourselves as it is.

  “Your father married you off to Scarecrow?” Christopher says his name as if it burns his tongue.

  Violet nods. “At least my sister and I could stay together.”

  “We need to get you both out of here too,” Christopher declares as if it’s as simple as that. “It’s wrong what’s been done to you.”

  Neither Holly nor Violet respond but look at me for answers.

  Answers I don’t have.

  “We can’t just leave,” Holly finally says.

  “Scarecrow would kill us if we did,” Violet adds.

  “Not if we go to a safe pl
ace,” I suggest, realizing we really could all leave as one. “If the police get involved—”

  “Weren’t they already involved?” Holly asks. “And yet, you are here.”

  “You both don’t need to be afraid of those men,” Christopher reassures. “We’ll get us all off this mountain, and I’ll make sure that when they return… well, they won’t like what’s waiting for them.”

  Holly huffs. “You have no idea what you’re up against. Scarecrow and Richard aren’t going to simply walk into a trap. They’re smart. Smarter than you give them credit for. Just because we all live off the grid doesn’t mean we are inbred, uneducated fools.”

  I can see Holly is growing more and more agitated by the minute.

  “I’m not saying you are,” he says gently, most likely seeing her change in demeanor the same way as me.

  “He wants to help,” I tell her softly. “He only wants to help us.”

  “I’m going to go out and see if I can get a signal with the satellite phone,” Christopher finally announces, not satisfied just sitting by the fire and maybe realizing there needs to be some space between him and the women.

  I stand to go with him.

  He puts out his hand and says, “I’ll go alone. I’ll only be a minute. No reason for you to get wet and cold.”

  He doesn’t wait for me to argue but instead grabs his coat and hat hanging by the fire and heads out the front door.

  Holly calls after him, “There’s a cliff to the right. It’s straight down to the canyon below. You may not be able to see well with the snow. I’d be careful not to get too close.”

  “I’ll watch out,” Christopher replies as he opens the door and charges into the harsh weather.

  “If Scarecrow finds out about this…,” Violet whispers as if someone can hear us.

  “We’ll be gone before he does,” I say, though not with much confidence.

  I’m just as scared as they must be. I’ve seen what happens when Scarecrow feels his wives have misbehaved. And sadly, it will be Violet—Wife Number Two—that will pay the price for us all.

  I reach for Violet’s trembling hand. “We’ll be okay. I promise you. No matter what happens, we’ll stick together and be okay.”