The Corpse Bride Finds her Groom
James walked through the forest quietly as the full moon shinned over head. He stopped next to a tree and stared out over a clearing in the woods. His long hair was pulled back into a low ponytail that flowed in the breeze. He ran a skeletal hand through it as he tried to smooth it back down. With a deep sigh he focused on the stars. All of the sudden a shooting star streaked across the night sky.
'I wish…' He thought to himself. 'I wish I had someone to share my after life with.'
James was dead, had been for quite a while in fact, and unfortunately had died before he had found love. He had been shot by his younger brother for his birth right when he was twenty six and his brother was twenty one.
He actually had forgiven his brother a long time ago; in fact he was kind of thankful to him. His life had been nothing but doing as he was told by his snobbish parents. All the expectations they had for him were not what he wanted, but he still wished he had had gotten the chance to find love. Now that he was dead he spent most of his time in the land of the living since he was an unhappy soul he was allowed to wonder the earth.
He settled against the tree and slid down until he was sitting. Watching the moon he noticed something crossing it. It was a flock of butterflies that started to descend into the clearing and slowly formed into a beautiful young lady wearing a wedding dress and veil. She stood for a moment before crumpling to the ground and covering her face with her hands. Soft sobs filled the air as her shoulders shook.
He sat frozen against the tree not sure what he was supposed to do. After an inner debate he slowly approached her being careful not to startle her. She had her back to him so she didn't notice him until he spoke.
"Excuse me are you okay?" James asked.
'She's crying you idiot, of course she's not okay.' James thought angrily to himself as the girl whirled around obviously startled by his sudden appearance.
They both stared at each other taking in their appearances. All he could think was how beautiful she was with her bright eyes, full lips, and other dainty features. She was gorgeous even though she was obviously deeply depressed. Her gaze went from his hair down to his empty right eye socket to the blood stained hole where his heart was then stopped at his skeletal hand that was held out to her. It was obvious that the young lady was dead as well as she placed her own skeletal hand in his. He helped her to her feet and offered her a small smile.
"My name is James." He said as he bowed and lightly kissed the back of her hand.
"I'm Emily." She replied with a sad smile.
"May I ask why you were crying?" James asked and was surprised when she started to cry anew. He riffled through his suit jacket until he found a handkerchief and held it out to her.
"Thank you." She said as she took it a dabbed her tears away.
"You don't have to tell me if it causes you too much sadness." James said kindly.
"Thank you." Emily said again gratefully. She wasn't quite ready to talk about Victor just yet.
"Is there somewhere I can take you?" James asked.
"I guess I should return to the land of the dead." She said sadly as she gazed up at the moon.
"I'll come with you. I haven't been there in a long time." James said as he offered her his arm. She took it with a smile as they returned home.