A/N: Okay! Trying for a quick update, here! Anyways, here ya go!
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Chapter 4: April 4, 2013
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It had been ten months since Sam Doe woke up. He had moved in with Marissa's family on July 4, in complete health, as far as the doctors could tell. He had to have regular check-ups every two weeks to make sure he was still okay. The Anthony family didn't mind. They were a small family and treated Sam like the son they never had. They even wanted to draw up adoption papers, but Marissa begged them not to, knowing Sam's real family would probably be looking for him.
She and Sam had grown very close. They acted like siblings, though they never fought. They'd always be seen together. In fact, Sam never let Marissa go outside alone. He acted as though she was his little sister, and he played the part of over-protective older brother very well.
The Anthony family decided that his birthday would be the day he came out of his come, June 4. Sam was able to remember that he was twenty-two and that he was almost done college. Marissa joined him. They had started in September.
December and January were the two best months in the Anthony home. They lived on a farm, and, though it was small, they had a good amount of land. They decorated a tree that was outside as their Christmas tree, and Sam climbed a ladder to put the star on top. Of course, he nearly fell off the ladder when he put the star on, but he caught his balance in time.
Christmas was lovely, and New Years was fun, but Valentine's Day was spectacular. Sam had planned a special surprise for Marissa, something he had found out only days before. He had to admit, when he first found out, he was rather scared. But now, he wanted to, no, needed to show Marissa. Besides, if she thought it was cool, then it was the coolest thing in the world.
She thought it was awesome. Sam was ecstatic. Marissa even helped him think of a name, and the one she picked fit perfectly. So, he gave her the second part of the surprise.
A ring. He asked her to marry him, and since the Anthony family hadn't adopted him, it was perfect. The two felt as if they were made for each other, but every so often, Sam would see a picture of a different girl in his mind, and he'd feel guilty. It was almost like he was cheating on Marissa, but he couldn't even remember the girl.
So, there he was, standing at the altar, looking past all of the smiling people and towards the doors where Marissa would come from, thinking of what had happened in the last year. He smiled, remembering the day when he and Marissa had started planning for the wedding.
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Flashback
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"Sam," Marissa was saying, "what are we going to do about our names?"
"Well," Sam replied, "I think Marissa Doe would sound horrible, and we can't have your name sound horrible, right?" He smiled his contagious smile, and Marissa grinned as well. "And, now that I mention it, Sam Doe doesn't sound all that pretty, either."
"So, what are you trying to say?" Marissa asked, already guessing the answer.
"Well, I think we should be Mr. and Mrs. Sam and Marissa… Anthony."
Marissa's smile widened. "Samuel Doe, why do that?"
"'Cause I love you, 'Rissa, so why make you change your beautiful name?" That one statement alone earned him a little piece of heaven in the form of a kiss.
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End Flashback
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His smile broadened as he remembered that day. It had happened a week after Valentine's Day. It was one of the best days of his life. And among those days was the day he first, as far as he could remember, picked up a pencil and drew a picture. Marissa had told him the only time she had seen something as good as that was in an art museum.
So, he began his new career. His first picture had been hung in his room, which was in the attic of the Anthony family… barn. He had chosen to live in The Barn instead of the house because he sometimes felt he was intruding on the family. Of course, the only times he was in The Barn was at night. The first picture was soon joined by many more, each more beautiful than the last. His name began spreading around their college, especially since he now majored in art. With each picture came an amazing feeling, like everything was perfect, life, the world, everything. But sometimes, he ended up drawing pictures of the same girl he saw in his mind. He didn't know what his relation was to this girl, but it felt better drawing her than anything else, even Marissa. Of course, he never told anyone this.
And now, the first bridesmaid was coming down the aisle. There were only two, and the maid of honor. There were an equal amount of groomsmen. All were friends of Marissa and Sam. The maid of honor was a friend she had since pre-k; the best man a guy that Sam shared nearly everything with. Their names were Rebekah and Charlie. The bridesmaids were Alexis and Elaine, and the groomsmen were Raymond and Michael. The eight of them made up a nickname for the little group they formed, the college CRAMMERS. They were called that because they were the best in their respective majors. Charlie was in math, Rebekah in different languages, Alexis in drama, Michael in sports/teaching, Marissa in music, Elaine in writing, Raymond in science, and Sam, of course, in art. That was another cool thing about their group, it was an acronym for their names. The seven had been friends ever since they met, and when Sam came, he fit right in.
And now, they were all together for what would probably be the best day of Sam's life.
--Or the worst.
Rebekah, Alexis, and Elaine had taken their places. All three had smiled reassuringly at Sam on their way up. They knew how nervous he was and tried to send the message that everything was going to be fine. The familiar song "Here Comes The Bride" had started, and everyone stood up and turned to the back doors. Sam was smiling the biggest smile ever as he waited for the doors to open and Marissa to walk down the aisle as planned.
But something had happened that wasn't planned.
Rebekah was the only one who knew what might have encouraged this. All eight knew about Sam's surprise for Marissa, both parts. They all thought it was cool. But Marissa and Rebekah had some concerns. Marissa remembered her old friend, whom Rebekah had also met. Both thought there might be a connection between him and Sam and couldn't find it until Sam's surprise. It was then that Marissa remembered the light show she had seen before her friend was kidnapped. She thought her friend and Sam were the same person, but Rebekah thought it was an odd coincidence. That one thing had caused this to happen.
There was a shrill scream. The doors burst open, and Marissa ran out, crying. There was what could only be considered a monster following her, his hand glowing purple.
Sam's smile dropped off his face as he remembered a dream he had had the night before. He had just finished reading Frankenstein and had dreamt of a monster coming to him and whispering, "I'll be with you on your wedding day," in his ear. Unfortunately, he had taken the threat with a grain of salt. Now, he wished he had paid attention to it.
Marissa ran towards the altar as the monster fired.
She never made it.
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Later that day
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It was raining. A horrible storm had begun, leaving only one behind.
Sam stood at the stone longer than anyone else. They had all left, but he stood alone, memorizing what was written there.
Marissa Elizabeth Anthony
1991-2013
Beloved Daughter
Loyal Friend
Cherished Fiancée
That didn't even begin to cover how amazing she was. Sam gazed at the stone, then looked down at his hands. They were glowing yellow. He put one finger against the stone, adding to what was already written a short haiku he had thought up.
Here for the present,
Loved by everyone nearby,
You left me too soon.
A single tear rolled down his cheek, mixing with the rain water there, as Sam stood up again. He dropped a beautiful red rose at the grave, remembering how Marissa loved roses. His last words before he left the state were lost in the howling wind, even though he screamed them in anger and sadness.
"I'll find you, 'Rissa, and I'll make sure the one who killed you pays for it!"
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Lyrics
Catch me as I fall Say you're here and it's all over now Speaking to the atmosphere No one's here and I fall into myself This truth drives me Into madness I know I can stop the pain If I will it all away
Chorus: Don't turn away (Don't give in to the pain) Don't try to hide (Though they're screaming your name) Don't close your eyes (God knows what lies behind them) Don't turn out the light (Never sleep never die)
I'm frightened by what I see But somehow I know That there's much more to come Immobilized by my fear And soon to be Blinded by tears I can stop the pain If I will it all away
Chorus
Fallen angels at my feet Whispered voices at my ear Death before my eyes Lying next to me I fear She beckons me Shall I give in Upon my end shall I begin Forsaking all I've fallen for I rise to meet the end
Chorus x3
Servatis a pereculum. Servatis a maleficum
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A/N: Wow, I got that out fast! YAY! Well, sad, I know, but the next chappy leans more to humor! I own the haiku and the names of all the friends except Charlie. He's from NUMB3RS! Love y'all! Oh, sneak peek to the next chappy below! BYES!
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Sneak Peek
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Two months into his tour, on his birthday, Sam had gotten an electric guitar. It was blue with silver flames on it. Marissa had taught him how to play several months before, and he had learned quickly. He had also been taught how to sing. He and four new friends had made a sort of "tour-bus-band". On nights that there was no show, Sam, Nick, Jon, Leo, and Kay would find a local coffee shop/any place that asked for groups to come on to play a few songs. Some of the time, they were asked for an encore. Some of the time, they were booed out for being too "depressing". In times like that, Sam, Nick, Jon, and Leo would have to keep Kay from running back in and beating up or killing all those who were booing. Even then, she normally was dragged away from the door, kicking, punching, and screaming, just slightly weaker than the three boys put together. Of course, she always listened to Sam, especially after the first, and only, time they had fought.
Sam laughed, remembering that day a year ago.
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