Ch. 15

Mr. Walker's hand on Glorianna's back felt like heavy and moist with sweat. He stood opening the door to their hotel room and all she could do was tremble and try to keep from whimpering. She had never been so scared in her life, not even when the Delancy brothers had held her down and hurt Bite Size. She had gotten out of that, luckily, however she knew no way of getting out of this, short of death. Fortunately, she couldn't bring herself to do that.

"Now, I know you're nervous honey, but everything will be just fine."

He opened the door, pushed her inside, and closed the door behind them. He grinned lecherously at her and picked up a box on the bed, "Here, put this on…I'll give you a bit to get ready, I know you want it to be special tonight."

She peaked in the box curiously, "But…Mr.Walker…there is nothing in here…"

"Exactly." He said, his grin widening.

She felt like gagging, "Yes, Sir."

"Please, I'm your husband now, call me something sweet, like dear, or honey…" He told her quietly, then kissed her forehead.

"Yes, Dear." She said, her voice trembling slightly.

"Alright, I'll be back soon…I can't wait…" He walked towards the door, then turned, his eyes narrowing suddenly, his face becoming suddenly cruel, "And if you even think of running away I'll send the cops to that scamp boarding house in Brooklyn, and believe you me, they'll all be in trouble. It will all be your fault."

Then he shut the door and left Glorianna to her tears. She sunk down to the floor, the wedding dress pooling around her, and sobbed her heart out.

Five hours later…

Charles Walker stumbled up the stairs of the hotel towards his room. He couldn't wait to get his sweet little wife in to bed. He had been wanting Glorianna since he first saw her picture and that fool, Huffington's place. She had grown into more of a beauty than her mother was. God how he'd wanted her mother. Well, now he'd have her daughter.

He saw her then, coming out of their room and looking about curiously. Anger flared in him, "Trying to run away, my dear?" He sneered at her.

"No…I…I was just wondering where you went…it's been hours."

He grinned suddenly, coming closer to her. She could smell the alcohol on his breath and his clothes. She grimaced.

"So anxious? Well…I'm here now."

"You're drunk." She said detest fully.

"I often am…" He said, pulling her roughly against him, "Now how about a kiss for you dear husband."

He began slobbering on her cheek, moving towards her lips. He moved a hand to her shoulder and began moving the strap down her arm.

"Stop! Not here in the hallway!"

He began grabbing her roughly, "I've been dreaming of this for so long!" He growled, pushing her against the door.

She struggled out of his embrace and began running down the stairs, "Leave me alone!" She cried out.

A few other guests began opening their doors to witness and beautiful girl, with long flowing blonde hair in a wedding dress go running down the stairs. A large, older man began stumbling after her, "Get back here you little bitch!" He yelled, "I'm your husband, it's my right!"

She ran down the stairs and suddenly felt her self slip and fall as the heel broke on her shoe. Her ankle twisted painfully and she glance behind her to see Mr. Walker gaining on her. She cried out and began hobbling down the stairs as quickly as possible, fear making her heart pound. Suddenly there was a loud thud, a sickening crack, and then silence. She turned to see the body of her husband sprawled out. He had tripped on her broken heal and fallen. His neck was twisted at a strange angle.

Glorianna let out a scream, the fear and pain of the last few weeks got to her suddenly, now, seeing his dead body laying on floor was more then she could take. She abruptly passed out.

- - -

Spot Conlan lay in the spare bed Glorianna had used during her brief stay in the Lodging house, staring up at the ceiling. He hadn't gone selling today, he didn't feel like it. He didn't really feel like doing much lately. It was hard to believe that just a day ago he had held Glorianna in his arms on her wedding day. Even harder to believe that she was gone from his life forever.

He sighed sadly and glanced up as someone knocked on his door, "What?" He called out.

"Lemme in, Spot! I have some news you might be interested in!" Gospel called from behind the closed door.

"What's that?" Spot asked, as Gospel walked into the room brandishing a newspaper in front of him and pointing it spot like a sword, "You've gotta read dis article!"

Spot shook his head and grinned slightly, "Yes, Sir Benjamin."

Gospel grinned, "Read it, read it!"

Spot sighed and glanced at the article, "So…some rich guy died on 'is wedding night…sad stuff…what's it gotta do wid me?"
"You, my friend, are an idiot…" Gospel said sadly.

"Hey…"

"Just read on."

He read on, his eyes catching on Glorianna's name and making his heart race. The article told of their wedding night and how Charles Walker had fallen to his death on the stairs. Glorianna was now a very rich widow (who was it that guessed the ending to this? Good eye, note leaver…I forget your name but you win the prize…um…congratulations Hehe it truly was the plan of the tale since the beginning…aw…I'm predictable..). The newly wealthy widows plans for the future were unknown and she refused to comment for the article.

"I can't believe it…Glori's free…"

"Yep."

"Wow…"

"Uh-huh."
Spot continued to stand there astonished, "I can't believe it."

"So…" Gospel said impatiently.

"What?"

"Are ya gonna go re-confess your undying love now, or what? Everybody's waitin'…"

Spot nodded spastically, "Well yeah!" He then ran from the room and down the stairs when something caught his eye behind him, he turned to see it and ended up running straight into the door, "Damn! Ow!"

"Why Mr. Conlan…are you always this graceful?" Came a soft voice from behind him.

Spot turned slowly, rubbing his nose painfully. His heart stopped. There she stood, a vision of black satin, lace, and curled blonde hair resting under a silly wide brimmed hat with a big bow and a small veil.

He sighed, "God, you're beautiful…"

She blushed becomingly and smiled. They continued staring at each other for a good ten seconds, "I'm sorry…bout your wedding night…"

She glanced down at her feet and shook her head, "I know it's awful, Spot…but I'm not…I'm glad he died. He was so frightening…the things he was saying…" She shivered slightly, her eyes glazing slightly with remembered fear.

Spot moved towards her, putting his hands on her arms, "I'm sorry, Glori. I wish…I wish I coulda kept ya from all dat. I told ya I'd keep ya safe an' I failed…"

"Oh Spot, It's not your fault!" She said, hugging him tightly, "I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too." He said emotionally, squeezing her tightly, "I love you, Priss…promise me you'll always be my goil."

She smiled, tears trickling down her cheeks, "I promise."

((So that's almost it…just one more chapter left to write… If any of you are interested in reading a sequel please let me know…))