BATTLE OF AUTHORS 🗡️✒️ Contestant #3; Winifred

FIRST NIGHT OF FOREVER

Tainted Matrimony

Ada Nnamdi

nnamdi.chiamaka (Instagram)

"We're here," John said softly as he steps out of the sleek black BMW, S series latest model, parked in front of the mansion's front door. His left hand extended out as a gesture, to assist Christina out of the car, he smiles calmly at her.

John is a no longer living a bachelor life, for he is now a newly wed, to woman named Christina. He is a tanned 30-year-old man, the only son of a rich family called the Robinsons, who also own a multimillionaire company. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall, wearing a white suit. He holds the door for his bride to step out, and Christina takes his hand.

Christina, dressed in a bridal gown, long and beautiful, is a 25-year-old civil servant, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and brown in complexion. Christina comes down from the car hand in hand with John. The happiest of occasions for them would be today for several more years to come.

John and Christina have been dating for about 9 months before John popped the big question, and Christina agreed. Presently, Christina and John are walking together to their matrimonial home. Today they had their wedding at a cathedral and the reception at a small event hall containing their closest family and friends.

They walk hand in hand up the five flights of stairs to the front door of the mansion. John opens the door and gestures for her to step inside first, which Christina does, and John follows from behind. The interior of the house had an elegant and royal decoration that marveled Christina beyond words. Since it was nighttime, roughly around 8 PM, the lights illuminated the interior of the house, giving it a mystical feeling.

"Do you like it?" John asked with a voice that was soothing and calm. He stood beside her admiring the interior of the house. The mansion was given by John's parents for their honeymoon.

"Like it? No… I love it!" Christina exclaimed with excitement. It was the first time seeing such a grand-looking home.

"I'm glad," John replied lovingly. John wrapped his arms around Christina's waist and pulled her close to him. John leaned in and kissed Christina. They enjoyed a passionate kiss until they were interrupted by their maid, Mrs. Rachael.

Rachael is a chubby woman in her mid-50s, who has worked for the Robinson family since her early 20s. She is tasked with making sure the couple enjoys their stay, especially taking very much care of Christina, a new member of the family.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you both madam and master but, your room is ready," she says with politeness and respect. Mrs. Rachael is dressed in an old-fashioned, black and white maid uniform.

"Oh Rachael... You're here," John said, facing Rachael with his newlywed wife.

"Darling, this is Mrs. Rachael. Our maid. She's been working for the family for years," he continues in a calm and soothing tone.

"Hello. Nice to meet you," Christina greeted with a smile on her face. Christina is shocked to hear about a maid, but she doesn't show any sign of discomfort. Mrs. Rachael respectfully nods once, meaning she respects the new madam of the house.

"Oh, don't worry, darling. She's the only one. My family just sent her to assist us," John reassures Christina with a charming smile that soothes her nerves. Christina gives a nervous smile and nods in approval.

"Rachael, show Christina to her room. While I take care of some matters," John commanded. He smiles at Christina as she moves slowly to Rachael's side. Christina and Rachael walk away, up the flight of stairs to the master's bedroom. While walking on the flight of stairs, Christina looks back at John, and John gives her a wide smile.

"Madam! Here is the room," Rachael said, gesturing at the master bedroom door. She opens the door, and Christina walks inside. Christina was in awe because of the intricate design and decoration of the room. It made her feel as though she was from a royal bloodline.

"What is that smell?" Christina asked. The room had a beautiful scent that Christina had never sensed; it relaxed her nerves and put her mind at peace.

"This is one of the products created by the Robinsons. Only the family can have such a scent. It's one in a million, Madam," Rachael said with pride and respect.

"It's a wonderful scent," Christina commented. Rachael nodded and politely excused herself from the room. Christina thanks her as she leaves. Christina undresses and heads to the bath.

After the bath, John isn't back, and Christina wonders why. She wanted to spend their wedding night together without any interruptions from the outside world. After wearing her silk nightdress, she waits until about 30 minutes before going out to look for her beloved. She wanders through the mansion, calling out for John.

The more she explores the mansion alone, the more she feels as though eyes were watching her from the shadows. The mansion was emitting an ominous aura that creeped Christina out. She decides to cut her search short and rush back to her room upstairs.

"Christina? Are you alright?" John asked, after bumping into Christina as she was rushing back to her room. John is still in his wedding suit and worries for Christina, who looks spooked.

"John... Uhm... I'm fine. I was looking for you," Christina says. She could feel her voice trembling as she speaks.

John chuckles and strokes her hair. "You are so beautiful," he comments with a warm smile. Christina is pleased that John likes the nightdress she has on. "Let's go," John adds. He holds Christina close as they walk side by side together.

As John and Christina approach the staircase, they hear a knock on the door. Christina looks to John with worry and curiosity. "Let me check," John says with a smile on his face, which calms Christina's nerves momentarily. John takes a few steps to the door and opens it, while Christina is waiting patiently for him.

Christina hears them talking and soon sees John drop to the floor. Christina was about to scream, but she covers her mouth and turns to run to their bedroom to call for help. Unfortunately, Christina is caught before she could run and tasered till she loses consciousness.

Christina wakes up to being tied up. She checks her surroundings and sees John tied up opposite her. She starts to break down in tears and calls out to John. John wakes up dazed and confused.

"John... John, are you alright?" Christina asked, panicking as her fears escalate. John reassures her that he is fine. And they devise an escape plan. While effecting that plan, a masked person walks in. The masked person punches John twice and kicks his stomach once before dragging him away.

Christina is devastated at seeing the brutal treatment. As John is being dragged away, she screams for them to let him go, but her screams and pleas are in vain. A few seconds later, Rachael rushes in.

"Madam... Madam..." She calls out to Christina in a low voice.

"Rachael... Rachael..." She cries with relief. Rachael shushes her and asks her to stay quiet as she cuts the rope that was used to bind Christina.

"Madam... We have to leave immediately. Let's go," Rachael says, and Christina thanks her and follows her to an exit.

"Madam... Here," Rachael says as she looks back and forth, checking for anyone that followed. Christina was curious until Rachael unveils a secret door in the mansion's study. Rachael opens it.

"Madam, you have to run. As quickly as you can and call for help," Rachel says, still looking out for the assailants. Christina is skeptical at first, but she passes through the door because she hears footsteps approaching. The assailants have found them. As Rachael is closing the door she says, "Madam, good luck." Christina is hurt and devastated at the loss of an ally, but it doesn't last long. She follows the path to an open yard. As she runs towards the mansion gate, she discovers that she is being pursued and then she is caught while going through the gate.

Christina is knocked out cold and dragged away. She wakes up to find herself chained to a round table. Her arms and legs are bound in different directions in an empty dark room illuminated by the burning fireplace. Five people dressed in red cloaks walk in slowly, chanting words that sound dark and ominous.

Christina struggles as the cloaked persons approach her, and she breaks down in tears. She pleads with them to let her go continuously. The five cloaked people take their positions on her legs, arms, and head, but there is a sixth person, Christina didn't notice before until the person was close to her, and to her shock, it was Rachael.

"Rachael..." She says, wondering to herself what's going on.

"Let's begin the ritual," Rachael says with a blank expression. Rachael is standing opposite the person who's standing close to Christina's head. Rachael spreads her arms wide and begins to chant.

Rachel stops and speaks.

"Welcome to our annual sacrificial ritual, for years the family has performed this ritual to sustain the longevity and wealth of the Robinson family. And today Master John has brought his sacrifice...."

John removes the hood of the cloak. Christina's heart sinks due to the shock.

"John...?" Christina is beyond speechless. She is confused and heartbroken. John was beaten and dragged away before her very eyes. But John here looks as though nothing happened. "I must be dreaming?" She thought to herself. Her trusted ally and her beloved betrayal leave her wondering about her thoughts.

Rachael, on the other hand, takes up a dagger and passes it until it reaches John, which he accepts. Rachael starts a chant, and the rest of the cloaked people join her. Their voices increase, creating confusion in Christina's mind. She struggles once again, pleading for mercy and her release.

John slowly raises the dagger and slices her throat but not too deep that she dies immediately. She bleeds out as she slowly loses her breath. John continues by tearing her clothes and uses the dagger to create a deep cut from her chest to her abdomen. The cloaked people quickly dip their hands inside the cut and rip out an organ.

Christina is in immense pain but can't scream because of the cut on her throat. She watches them mutilate her until she passes away with a broken heart, gaping mouth, and tears streaming down her face.

THE END.