"And you'll be amazed
At the secrets I keep
You'll be amazed
At my mouth full of lies
I'm too afraid to come clean
My life's still free in the house of cards"

"Flail?" - A quiet nodding followed, confirming that they were hidden somewhere in a bunch of weapons.

"Pistol?" - "Are you kidding me? That's the first thing to take with me when I leave since. . . I don't know!"

"Rocket launcher?," the male kept questioning, never caring about the latest comment on his question.
- "I hope it won't be necessary, but yeah."

"So now we've got flails, daggers, guns, swords, a rocket launcher, some tiny spears,
. . . It should be enough for tonight," he repeated the things which were already checked.
"We should so be not allowed to buy these", the female whispered, giving herself away by showing how unsure she really felt about all this.
"Without ´em there would be no tomorrow, neither for me nor for you, darling," he answered softly, trying to make her feel more comfortable.
"Let's just not be the victims this time, okay?," she said, trying to fake her true feelings, pretending to be alright. Like every other time. What else could she do? Anyways the thought of the past days made her smirk. . .
She had been wondering all day if that would be for real. He would run away every time the two of them were about to just be together, without caring about the world around them. He always found a reason to- she didn't know why, what his aims really were to do so. . .
All she thought about now was, if he runs away tonight, giving up their love (it felt more than just a teenage love from the very beginning which was their reason to go further now) it would be over. He'd probably always run, at least she thought this way. The male never wanted her to love him, like it was devil's rope bound around him so he couldn't shake it off. . . or shake her off?  

When she looked up again, he watched all of her movements very closely, like trying to find the mistake in the picture, but he just kept talking, trying to hide it:
"I'll do my best, I promise. Of all days this one is meant to be perfect, right?"
She stood up now, letting him remain there, sitting. With a sigh she reached over for two daggers and bands, which was exactly when he pulled her closer to him, until she could feel his every breath touching her lightly on her legs.
While he was busy mounting the weapons on her shinbones, she began telling him about the memories which had made her smirk a minute ago, before they were overshadowed by. . . him.
"I gave up hoping for such a perfect day, maybe in secret for a not totally screwed-up one, but perfect? Never. Think of your birthday, my one, even Christmas Eve! They all have something in common."
- "You know that I feel sorry for that", he stood up, too, and by doing this stroking over her shinbone, his fingers slowly made their way up to her thigh.
"It's not your fault," she whispered under her breath, "just promise me to stay."
- "You know that I can't. . ."
Of all words, they were the most true ones he could say to her. It would always be the one unknown quantity if he'd stay.
Pain caused by that fact touched not only her but also him, since both of them weren't sure if they had chosen the right way.
The only difference was that she made herself believe that it was all right, knowing that she would stay with him. . .no matter how much that would probably hurt. Her faith was love, the love for him.
Something he hardly knew until these days. That one feeling was strange to him, as intense as hatred and sovereign, not really fitting into his life, between being a victim and a murderer.
Without her he couldn't live though, so how wrong could just being together be? . . .

Maybe dead wrong.

After this day they would be bound together or in between forevermore. Both of them knew that when their lips crushed, sharing their desire, inner hopes, fears and dreams for another day.


* * *

Finally left alone by my Mom who helped my dressing up, I could feel the tension wash away from me, like gasping after a long dive in the sea. Everything seemed unreal to me, like I'm would be watching from the outside, and still I struggled with problems only I could have: how to explain my parents? Zero already knew and he wasn't happy about it. I'd just move out when we got over with the marriage so they wouldn't get hurt or something, but the hidden truth is really obvious when your son-in-law starts to shoot at unknown people. . . I focused on the nearby things, like hoping the others would become less important if time passes.
The wedding gown looked lovely, I liked it from the beginning when I was searching for the right dress. I wore it with its low neckline, nearly showing too much of my skin, but the feathers up there and down at my legs distracted from it- I totally fell in love with it. Still, there was something missing. . .
As I walked over to the dressing table I already thought about where to hide the weapons I was supposed to wear, whether using them myself or just giving them to Rowan if he needed them. Our chances were bad that they would leave him alone today. . .
The gown was perfect: the front looked like a short skirt and its length was down to ground at both sides and from behind, ornamented with tons of feathers, hiding the daggers just right, and still they were reachable.
A chain now was in my hands, sliding slowly through my fingers as I took a closer look at the little cross on it. It was a birthday present he bestowed me last year. Of course it wasn't just any necklace, but the one his father had given to his Mom, a blade when you took off the upper part of the cross-like pendant. He always wanted me to be safe. . . not caring about if he would be.
I mounted a pistol, well my one, on my upper thigh. Would anybody notice? Probably not. I'd really prefer carrying a pistol instead of a bouquet, it would be more useful but tradition says the bride must carry flowers. . .


* * *


There weren't many people, it became more and more crowed, though. No more potential victims than necessary, that was the plan. It was hard to have an eye on everyone, difficult but still doable.
I walked around, observing everyone who arrived, searching for uninvited guests among them. Just few people from my side: Mom, Perry and Sharon. And if it wouldn't be for Mom I'd make them stay at home, but looking in her joyful eyes, shiny for the first time after years, I just couldn't.
Now that they were on my mind I automatically searched with my eyes for them until I noticed them standing together with Judith's family, talking about whatever. She looked so happy now. . . I tried to memorize it, knowing that I wouldn't see her often like that . . .
That was when Zero's piercing gaze met mine, and I had no problems guessing what he was thinking at this instant.
Well, he was absolutely right to hate me for causing problems for his family, especially for his sister, but she was the one who never cared. No matter how often I'd hurt her, she always wanted to stay with me. . .
Zero, though, had to see her breaking inside more than every now and then, he must see how one tear after another falls, which is actually my fault. I felt sorry for it, but wasn't able to change anything about it. . .
And now I was here, standing in a little garden nearby to a cliff which holds a view of the sea, about to marry her.
"Damn, I must have hit my head pretty hard to be so naive doing this", was all I could think of right now. It's not like I don't love her, it's because I do. . .
Dad. What would he do?- Well, I actually knew it already, he had made his decision and married my Mom. And as he was gone I had to take on his burdens. . .

Stay or Run, now and forever. I have to choose well, quickly now, because forever offers a lot of time to think about right or wrong.


* * *


"And do you, Rowan Bolton, promise to love and cherish her, in good times and bad, till death do you part?"
I smiled despite myself, having problems to control the urge to laugh when responding:
"Which good times are you talking about?"
And does he know how close both of us are to death day by day? How life will be like once we've changed rings?- He was better off not knowing.
Judith didn't think that this was as hilarious as it obviously seemed to me, hissing a "Whether you say yes or I'll kill you!" in my direction.
"Sweetheart, we talked about that already, you won't be able to...", I began with false seriousness, smirking. If glares could kill, I really would have been dead. . .
"Yes or No?! The question isn't that difficult!"
I felt sorry for the priest, since he couldn't know how difficult it really was, especially for me.
"Okay, okay!", with a sigh I began to make my vow," . . . Yes, I, Rowan Bolton, take you, Judith Mentell, to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the woman you will become, and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us."

Just when I finished several things appeared to happen at the same time, and I could just stand there, watching motionless.
Judith, wearing not only a lovely wedding gown but also the most beautiful smile I ever saw on her face, yes, that face turned to dark, looking as if she was in great pain. That caught my attention, following her gaze to see something unexpected. Rather someone.

The only thing to expect is the unexpect.

I tried to evaluate the situation, but looking at her black leather dress, weapons fitting in like accessories, made it pretty clear that she wasn't here to talk. There was only one question left over to ask for an answer:

Was this a job or something personal?

"Torah." Swallowing heavy I thought about options to handle the whole situation, knowing I had not much time to figure them out. I had to make sure that the others would be safe, this wasn't just about her and me as it seems. Her emersion holds something more and her face confirmed my theory, hatred blazing up from the inside.
"Rowan", her facade didn't give anything more away when she came closer, lessening the space left between.
"Zero!", I called over my shoulder, "We'll have to disturb at this point, I'm sorry. Do me a favor and bring our dear guests inside of the cathedral. You may do it quickly, please."
Judith's expression didn't change when she turned, about to walk over to her family so that everybody would keep calm and stop the gossip if Torah was an ex-girlfriend of mine who now wanted to have me back, marrying her instead.
"Judith, stay where you are, please," it caught me somehow off guard, knowing that she would be involved, like. . . No!
Torah knew where to find the weak point of mine and she used that knowledge well. My jaw tightened, knowing she mustn't be in that business.
"I don't want you to miss anything", Torah added softly, watching me, searching for an evidence that her proceeding was successful as she said this.
"No," Judith said, almost whispering it. She looked only once after herself, at me, before walking away.
Her sapphire blue eyes were so gentle and full of faith, just before everybody started screaming. Yet one voice crying out of pain, instantly falling to lie nearly motionless on the ground, really caught my attention more than any other scream could.

In movies everything is in slow motion when something unpleasant happens, well reality was different:
Everything nearly blurred as a surge of adrenaline made me see things more clearly at this instant. Things I actually never wanted to see, in a situation I never wanted to face.
Zero's eyes kept wandering between his sister- wanting to care for Judith, me- inclined to make me pay for what was going on by now, and the people around him- concentrating again to yell over the screaming, trying to hold them back from us so he could escort them into the cathedral where they would be safe.
Judith writhing in pain called forth old memories, causing more pain for me, wanting to die right now because of knowing it would finally be over. Everything.
Torah enjoyed the outcome, feeling more happy for every drop of blood which stained Judith's dress than she should, and at the same time she kept moving on until she stood right there in front of me with a diabolic smile flashing over her lips.
I never saw her that way. . . never. If the situation gets out of control it would become a deathtrap, most likely not for me, but for everybody else. . . Damn!

"So what do you think you are doing here?", her eyes glared at me, but I only kept thinking about what else there was hidden beyond her hatred.
"I'd love to hear your answer, because this could really become interesting."
"Isn't it obvious to you?- C'mon, you saw the bracelet, didn't you?"
Of course I did, it was when we first met that she wore it: silver, without attracting much attention, but it got burned into my mind.
"Mhm," I was aware of Judith listening by now, "And you know that she can't be blamed for anything. No need to distrust her. There is nothing that could be changed about it, so do me a favor and mind your own business! Not interfering to affairs that you're not involved in is the first thing you learn."
"I must have missed that day. Just like you missed the one about not marrying the enemy, huh?"
Judith's heels grated over the floor behind me when she tried to get up again. It was just a grazing shoot at her thigh, but she really wasn't used to the pain.  
"Don't take it personal, I'll have to kill you if you don't scram right now."
Of course she didn't take me for real, this was a game and she wanted to win. Her self-confidence was all about Judith's unawareness, so she'd probably join us in a few minutes.
"I love your temper in moments like this."
I was about to reach for my gun when Judith grabbed my shoulder to support herself with her other hand resting on mine.
"Darling, are you..?," I commenced, Judith had her own head though, interrupting me now to ask the one question:

"What is this all about?"

Her claiming gaze could tell that she wanted me to be sincere, not to lie at her or leaving anything out. I could tell she would have a hard time to believe me plus she was better off not knowing, but now it was way to late too climb down.


* * *


"Judith, I had my reasons not to tell you. Some members of your family aren't what you can call trustful. I thought it would make things easier, at least for me, not to talk about it, so I might forget about them. Well, it's hard to forget my father's murderer. More than that. Impossible."

"What are you talking about?," was all she said. There were some big question marks in her eyes.

"My father died when I was ten. As it appears your uncle was my fathers best friend and also the murderer who killed him in front of his son's eyes. I was just a pathetic child, not able to help him in any way.
Anyway, it was your father's brother to kill him. You hardly know him- be thankful you don't. Your dad does not know what he did, but he may have a bad feeling about him. People often have that intuitive powers, it's like a sixth sense to them."

I paused shortly, letting her swallow this first. I never told her the full truth about what caused me to do what I'm doing, to be called "Bloody Wolf". She knew I was a hunter and a victim at the same time. The path I chose is bloodstained, icy cold and hard to walk. As if I ever had a choice. Since Mum is ill I need to care for my family. And now for Judith as well.
The time has come to choke out the words which were safely carried with me behind my facade up to now.   

"I might tell you what his very reasons were, selfish ones in every sense, Judith.
So my dad was working for the kingdom, just like your uncle. Both of them were doing missions, a lot like me now, but working together most of the time. They were good team players.
It appeared that he was a damn traitor, working for any underground organization, a spy. As soon as Dad found out, he knew that the only right thing would be giving him away. Otherwise our dear kingdom would no longer exist or something. I don't know much about what the organization's plans were at that time. What I know is, it was that night that he went to talk to his majesty, when he got attacked from behind somewhere in the woods.
It's truly squalid to attack somebody from behind, but also not to have the guts to fight fair afterwards is most cowardly. Anyway, he survived that one, and continued."

Drowning in these memories, I hesitated to continue, coming to the most awkward part of the story. How my new me was born, my life began to change. . .
Hatred might destroy you someday, but it holds you alive until you face that someday.

"I remember waking up that morning, hearing the deep breath of my father’s wolf Aki. He shouldn't be there without my dad, I knew that. As I ran into the kitchen I saw my mum sitting at the table and she. . . cried. She looked at me with her tear stained eyes, and so did I.
"Where's dad?," I just asked. I wasn't able to think about something bad happening to my father, maybe it was just a weak try of my brain to cheer me up. But the fact was: he didn't come home that night. After a while I heard Aki whining. It was a cruel and bloodcurdling noise. A few seconds later everything was quite, not even birds were audible. Suddenly a scream broke through that silence, the scream of my dad's. I remember how I hurried outside, running against him. He stood there… bloodstained, I saw his body pulsing out of pain. There was your uncle… and he was attacking him!  I took the bar right next to me warding the man’s sword off. My pathetic child body wasn’t strong enough, though. One punch into my neck and I broke down. He walked to my dad, killing him with his sword. The last thing I recognized was the final gasp of my dad's.
"Nothing was the same as before, yet you know that by just looking at me. I avoided telling you all this, because it's easier living with burdens you don't know about. It doesn´t matter anyway what happened in my past. I thought I might be able forget about him. Ridiculous now that I think about it. By now he has new plans. He´ll cause some great damage for Arsen if we don´t stop him. I can´t tell you more about it. Like I can´t tell what this is about. Probably angst me forgetting what my mission is. You getting in my way. Whatever. It's ridiculous. I know that if I'm not all concentrated. . . I'll die. But I won´t make mistakes. You´re strong enough."

Judith was still struggling with herself to say something, but the words didn't work along with her thoughts as it seems. Annoyed she gave up and her eyes searched for mine instead. I hold her gaze for a second, not longer. I had to keep concentrating on Torah. She hurt her once, surely twice with what she made me say, but Torah was the one whose smile stayed on her lips.
"How dare you. . ."
I got my dagger before she could even realize it, about to throw it. Terror gave her away, not long it stayed, but long enough to let me know. She was still aware of her lose if it comes to a fight between us. Common sense not dead yet, huh?
She whistled. Once. Thrillingly.
"Which brings us back to your temper, darling."
Soon some other agents came in view. Maybe 10, 15? As if I care. Judith, still standing beside me swallowed heavily. The dagger in one hand, my free arm around her waist. We'll live, don't worry. However, they kept themselves in the background yet.


"Scared?"

"Naw, just aware of your abilities."
"Rowan. Don't ..," Judith's voice was not more than a whisper anymore.
"It's already too late. She had no right to involve you. Talking, okay. But no need to cause pain for you. Torah will pay for each drop of blood."

"Judith. It was the only way to make you listen. That's just the beginning of what he hides from you. A web of lies! Do you really want to live like this? Or want to be the reason for hundred of deaths?"
Was this supposed to be the "I am your friend, he not!"- card. Ri-di-cu-lous, as I said.

"I love secrets."
Winking, she pulled herself tighter to me.

"How naive can one person be... ?"
Torah rolled her eyes, shaking her head like she was the only sane person around.

"Not more than you, actually."
We all knew his voice, but what does he actually do around here? All of a sudden. Turning around slightly I faced him. I could feel Judith's tension changing into relief as she relaxed by recognizing him, knowing he would be playing for our team, not for Torah's.

"Oh c'mon Torah! Not that you weren't supposed to handle this by yourself, but did you have to shot at Judith?! Next time take Rowan as your victim!"
Nathan's voice reached us before he did. If he meant that for real?- Probably.
It was him. Me. And Judith.
That was another story, but maybe reason enough for him to approach here. Both of them walked over to us, Nathan laying an arm around her waist, pulling her away from me.

"How nice of you- I'd say you're more likely to be the victim, especially if you touch her once again!"

"Can't we ever leave you alone?"
Currently talking to Torah, Ethan, son of our all organization's boss, turned toward me, Nathan, and Judith.
"Actually none of you can be left alone. However, is it already time for congratulations or is there still business to do?" His warm smile flashed over his face, as if nothing has ever happened.

"... Hey guys, what are you supposed to personage? You're no clowns, payed for being funny or stuff, are you? 'Coz I hate 'em and, sorry to tell you, not funny."

"Such a spoiler..."
Nathan still hold Judith close to him while she tried to get rid off him. As long as she was busy with anything that diverted her from our current not-so-perfect-marriage.

"You know that nobody of the organization is really happy to see you marry Judith", looking at Nathan he continued," some of us because we'd like to change parts with you, but the others have reason enough to worry that we'd end up brutally betrayed. It could end up in a great threat. You never know. Well, for now we're just gonna stop Miss Jealous from screwing-up your marriage, Rowan."

"Torah, stop your little show and get going. It's over."
My beloved bride stumbled over to me when my dearest brother was busy with watching Torah's disgust from their appearance.

"It's over you say- it's just the beginning I say."
Her heavy laugher echoed over and over again as she kindles some flares, throwing them down the cliff. Red lines of smoke rose visibly, marking where she was, we were, and where the fight would take place after all.
Like a harmless earthquake you could feel some vibration, helicopters already audible, though they must have been some hundred meters away from where we stood. The noise became more unbearable with every lessened meter.
The three of us exchanged some short glances, gouging how to solve our new problem.

"See! I said we needed the rocket launcher!"
I yelled happily at Judith who just mouthed an worried "Oh my..." at the view of the three helicopters.

"Don't you worry. We'll handle that."  Walking over to Ethan, Nathan grabbed his collar to pull him away from Torah. It was time to think about how to handle the situation.

Probably not looking as self-confident as the others, but all worried I kissed her shortly before walking away with the words, "Judith, we'll give our best to keep them away from you, but be on your guard as well."

"Alright. Take care you three."
Judith took a deep breath, concentrating on what she was going to face. She was strong. She had to be, . . .

Rolling with her eyes Torah commented snidely on everything she said:
"How cute!- I'm about to vomit if I hear more."

"Hag. From. Hell!" Stand for the truth, so true, Judith. That's what I love you for: honesty.

"Hey guys, time for them to be assassinated!"
Fortunately Zero was already finished with his escort and everybody was more or less safely inside, except the four of us plus Torah's group.

So, three and Judith against fifty or sixty armed agents- let the party start!


While I was busy to get the rocked launcher ready (that's what decoration really is good for, have to admit that) Nathan and Ethan went to get their weapons: stolen from the totally overwhelmed agents of Torah's.
"All your fault," Nathan yelled, "you parked like miles away!"
"Ah, and of course you would have preferred parking right here. Why not over there. Uh no, the altar was there first!"
Our enemies were simply stunned by those freaks attacking them. Not much of a counter-attack. Of course not!
Well, what counts is the outcome which was rather good. We got rid of these agents and were armed now.

In fact three helicopters kept heading for the cliff, definitely our most important problem right now. I'd finished preparing the rocket launcher by now, targeting the most far cry.
The two other ones were already too close to be shot down. No way I was going to risk an explosion down here.
Nathan and Ethan turned toward me while Judith's gaze wandered upon the sky.
Deadly silence weighed on my mind, even cutting out all sounds around me, like some agents groaning with pain, until with ear piercing noise some fire lit up the sky.
The wreck fell immediately. May these twenty or something guys find their redemption in the icy cold sea . . . that's all you get after killing whoever's name made it up to your black list.
My own end wouldn't be much different from that. It does not matter what you kill for, let it be revenge, an accident, a job. . .  Murder is murder. Murderer stays murderer. That's the weight on our all shoulder´s.  

The backing of Torah's finally arrived to join our party. Several agents jumped down, all well-equipped and armed of course. This was going to take some time.
My not-yet-but-if-it-all-goes-well-and-neither-me-nor-she-dies-wife soon searched for some more calmly place, meters away from the actual fight. Getting rid off the rocket launcher, instead getting my guns ready, I headed toward them. . .
Somewhere in the back of my thoughts I wondered where Torah was . . . it took one bullet grazing my face to make me focus again. The inner strife, wanting to care for Judith and search for Torah, though, remained.


* * *


Long and all straight hair, which fell softly into her face, made her piercing eyes with that unusual orange colour search harder for one person. She needed to face that girl on her own today.
"Time has come to make a change, though I seem to be the one confused. When taking off at the base it felt all right, I was sure why I did what I was doing, right?"
Thoughts were running on my mind. In fact I was no longer sure if I was taking the right path. He was our enemy. He had ever been enemy of our organization How could Rowan stand the fact that her uncle killed his father and after that even his girlfriend. Enemy. All clear. Did he count on him recoiling from killing his own niece?
Eventually disturbing my thoughts I noticed Judith fighting another four agents, one lying on the ground, unconsciousness already.
She was ruining everything. Since she came along the very first time it had been all difficult. Rowan was agent, part of an organization, part of my life. We won´t give him up that easily!

I held myself hidden while Judith continued to protect herself. Her three "angels" were not around this time.
"Quit a pity how things turned out, isn't it?" When the last agent was defeated, my time had come. "You´re not as weak as I thought, I have to admit that.
"Torah, . . . Can´t you just leave us alone? Start now." Judith´s jaw was tight and her hand clasped around the gun, holding a dagger in the other hand. Standing in a hard contrast against the black blade a shimmered.
"I won´t. I´m here to raze other people´s mistakes," I could not help my anger. It was just so true, isn´t it?
"So what you´re saying is, I´m the mistake you have come for. How nice."
Her eyes met mine, as we both noticed that we have walked toward each other. Imagination playing tricks on me I could feel how much this called for a fight, feeling my heart beat, like ice punching against my chest from the inside.
"Exactly." The guns on my belt felt heavier with every word so I got them, aiming for her heart and head, "Let´s get this over with quickly."
"I won´t make it so easy for you." In that instant the dagger, a second before in her hand, was stuck in my thigh and Judith getting the next one ready.
"Fighting dirty? Matches with you," I said while pulling her weapon out of my flesh, rushing forward to hit her hardly in the face with my gun. The dagger now had left a huge scratch somewhere near her neck, blood running down in thick red lines. Groaning once or twice about pain she was back to fight, aiming for my chest.
Always aim for the chest. It´s the largest part of the body and the one most likely to miss.
You learned quite a few things. It did not last out, though.
Being so much faster I shot right through her shoulder, watching her hitting the floor hardly. Targeting her heart now my shoulder was grabbed from behind, making me turn. Of course.


* * *


This fighting was not worthwhile, we could not do anything about it, though. I had finished my number of agents, when Ethan and Nathan still fought. Torah still did not show up there so it was time to look after Judith. That´s when I found both of them.
Judith was bleeding like crazy, and Torah about to finally kill her. Damn luck that I was in time.
"That´s enough," my hand still lay on her shoulder when she looked up at me, "You´re gone too far."
"As if you did not." She did not shake it off or anything, just standing there, all calm again, like an innocent angel. Just armed.
However, Judith was about to lose consciousness, which was good in a way. It would make it easier to stand the pain, but it would not help her bleeding. If I leave Torah now standing here I can´t prevent her shooting at both of us in the instant I turn my back on her.
We stood there like minutes until finally the last few enemies were taken care of.
"Guys," my voice echoed in the deadly silence, "some more work to do."
Soon Judith was carried away by them so they could apply a dressing and making it possible for me to end this.
"You cause so much damage and pain. Look at those guys. It was not worth it at all. All this could have end up so peacefully if you´d just think! And don´t tell me you did some thinking."
She just nodded. It was not hard to imagine that trust was something we´d just lost in her.
"Don´t think I'd give up just like that. . . Nice knowing you."
Even before her gun could harm me in any way her limb body fell.
"Indeed," . . . "I'm sorry," I added whispering.
No glance back when I walked away from her, looking for the others . . .


* * *


"I, Judith Mentell, take you Rowan Bolton to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live," and just audible for me she added with a wide grin," and I hope it'll take some time up to then." Me either.

It had taken some time to get the area all tidied up again. Even longer than to solve our problems earlier. One was not really taken care of by now, but hopefully soon enough:
Torah´s corpse still lay anywhere near the cliff, hidden safely. Nobody of us was able to just throw her down into the blue. She had been part of the "family", so she should at least get a funeral. . .
I could only imagine what the priest would look like if we´d ask him to do it right after. . .  Anyway, enough of that now.
Out of the corner of my eyes Judith´s smile was back in place again. Clenching teeth she managed to hide the pain, blood and dressings. Hope would always support inner strength and trust.
Everybody who sat behind us, once again, was all tense and curious. Both at the same time. What did they miss? It was written on their faces. With some exceptions.
Judith´s parents were simply worried, Zero angry with me, and Ethan and Nathan . . . they just sat there, exhausted. Cleaning up means slow torture to death (right?!).
However, I did not have regained all trust from the Mentell´s by then and it just appeared that we got attacked. Not good when you´re about to marry their beloved daughter . . .  not good at any time . . .

"I hereby declare you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Turning toward Judith, stroking over her cheek softly was when I noticed somebody standing in the shadows, not more than a few meters away. Did not anybody else notice? Even Judith was all focused on me. They were waiting for the one everlasting kiss to fulfill the bound of our love.

I could not help myself instantly shielding her by placing myself half behind her. My gaze still was on that person, who now looked up. These piercing orange eyes. . .

"That can´t be happening . . . ," was all I could think of. Again and again these words were on my mind.

My gun was eventually in my hands, not knowing how it had get there, I just returned a shot of hers from the instant before. Was it all in vain. . . ?


"No!"
Judith´s scream echoed in my ears
. . .  no . . .  no . . .  no . . .