The soft pale light of a Sunday morning filtered through the curtains of the Goth Manor, illuminating the tanned features of Cassandra Goth. She looked at herself in the tall carved oak mirror in her room. Her hair knotted in a bun, a clear silk veil spread around her. Her dress sparkling in the golden light of the ten o'clock sun. "It's finally here…" She mused turning herself round in the mirror, striking little poses with her bouquet. A small knock at the door echoed. "Come in…" She said placing the white roses on the dresser. Her father slowly opened the door. "You ready for today?" Mortimer said reassuringly. "Yeah. I'm just thinking." She said dreamily. "I think it might be time to give you something," Mortimer said pulling a book out from behind him. "Your Mother said to give it to you on your wedding day." He said holding out the book. Cassandra looked at it closely. A chocolate brown cover with gold lace patterns running around the book. "Dad, what is this?" She asked turning the book over in her hands. "Your Mother's Diary." He said smiling sadly. "Oh Dad," She said placing the book on the nightstand, and standing up to hug her elderly father. "Thank you." She said as Mortimer looked her in the eyes. "Well, the guests are arriving, the caterer is in the backyard, and the musicians are almost ready. The pianist didn't come on account of the flu." He said giving her an update before walking out. Alexander came in next. "Cass, I have to tell you something, I-" "Not now Alex. I have to work on my makeup. Why don't you go downstairs and help the musicians? They're not ready yet and the piano player's a no show." She said trying to nudge him out. "But really! I have to-" He tried to finish but the door slammed behind him. Outside, the cool air was hardly noticed by the guests. Practically the whole town got an invite. Conversations were scattered in the blowing winds and colorful leaves, and grey clouds began to form on the horizon. In the midst of the chatter, the piano began the wedding march. Everyone took their seats. Don stood at the arch, watching Cassandra in her white silk dress brushing the dark grass below her. She was breathtaking. Don tried to keep himself from staring, as did everyone else. She reached the arch, kissed her father, and stood below the arch, ready as ever. After five minutes of talking about old marital traditions, the officiant got down to business. "Cassandra Jocasta Goth, do you take Don Lothario to be your husband? To Have and to Hold, in Sickness and in Health as Long as you Both shall live?" Marylena Hamilton asked sincerely asked as she held out the rings. "Yes. I do." She said smiling waiting for Don, who sliding the diamond ring over her slender finger. "Don Lothario, do you take Cassandra Jocasta Goth to be your wife? To Have and to Hold, in Sickness and in Health as Long as you Both shall live?" Marylena asked as she held the ring out to Cassandra. He stared at the ring, then Cassandra, then the town. Cassandra figured he needed a little push. She picked up the ring and started to slide the gold band around his finger. Resistance kept the ring from sliding all the way, "Come on Don, not funny. Now stop it!" She whispered harshly pushing harder. Don lashed his other hand out and shoved the ring back towards his Fiance as she stared whimpering at Don and the ring. "I can't do This! I just. I… Bye!" He said cowardly as he shook his head quickly and dashed off as Cassandra cringed at the ring. The motor of his car revved as the shocked guests looked around as if unsure if this was real, or a hallucination brought on by the champagne. "Why you! Lothario when I get my hands on you!" Mortimer yelled running after the car as rage filled his elderly bones. Cassandra, suddenly being held up by Mary-Sue, Darren and the officiant heaved sobs as she practically collapsed under her heavy sadness, rain beginning to fall on the guests. Darren and Mary-Sue led the jilted bride into the living room, quickly followed by Mortimer, Alex, Dina, and the rest crowding into the small living room. "I can't believe him." Cassandra heaved. Alexander sighed. He knew this would happen, but decided against saying I told you so. It just wouldn't be right…

Dawn Bachelor sat with her little Sister, concentrating on the worn words of Bebe Bachelors marble grave. "What happened to Mommy Dawn?" Teresa would always ask every time they visited. "I can't remember Honey." Dawn would always reply. Truthfully, she knew exactly what had happened, but as her sister was only five years old, it just couldn't be said. All the young woman knew was her Mother was long dead, as well as her Father, and the woman that had forced them both out of their own home was far away enjoying the inheritance. The seventeen year old had been forced to lie about her age to keep her sister away from the social services, worked long nights at Red's, and owned an apartment just big enough for the both of them with a small garden on the roof. With a child to raise, most of her sense was still left back in Sunset Valley. At least, she thought it was. "All right. Come on, time to head back," Dawn said sadly casting one last look at her mothers grave before scooping up Teresa and walking through the downtown cemetery as the rain began to fall. "Where are we going?" The small child asked as they crossed the street and turned right. "We're going to Red's for dinner. Your Sister's got to work." Dawn said weakly hoping an awning would shade them from the pouring rain. She sprinted through the torrents of rain with Teresa in her arms towards the diner. "What happened Girl? You're soaked!" her co-worker said worried as Dawn stepped in. "It's fine Nicole, just let me get back to the break room and I'll be fine…" She said letting her little Sister hop out of her arms as if too exhausted to put her down herself. "How are you?" Nicole asked helping Dawn out of the soaked overcoat. "You must be exhausted!" She exclaimed. "I'm alright. Visited Mom today, and what not. Where's Teresa?" Dawn said looking around worried. Nicole pointed over the counter. Her little Sister was talking to Goopy the head cook. Dawn shook her head. This is going to be a long shift…

A man with short copper brown hair walked along a well worn path in the Al Simhara Desert, determined to get back home. He had seen more than he wished to, and only wanted to forget the dark days he served in the military. He missed his Wife and Kids, and was willing to go through everything to find them. "I'm coming home Dina. I'm coming." He said he crossed towards the small landing strip. He crossed into the hangars "Who are you? Where are you from?" A deep voice echoed from the steel cavity. "Michael. Michael Bachelor. I'm from Pleasantview." He said observing the many biplanes. "Ah. Passport?" "I lost my passport to a sandstorm, and besides that it's fourteen years out of date." "No passport, no plane." the man said cocking his gun. "I'll pay. Here." Michael said tossing a worn cigar box at the man. He opened it. "Hmmm. Not enough. Out." The man growled. "What? But I thought-" "Out!" The man said pointing the rifle at him. Michael, realizing that this was going to get worse, held his calloused hands up and backed out of the hanger. And realizing that the cigar box was gone, cursed and continued walking, thinking of only one last place to go. "Alvi." He said bluntly.