Confusion
The Confusion Begins Anew
Soon the confusion will begin…all for Victor and Emily's love. And now, they shall prepare…let's see what they're up to, shall we?
Victor stood right at the door; hand on the handle, ready to open it when he froze in place…it was that voice; that voice had stopped him from his escape to the freedom he had once enjoyed.
"Darling, where are you going?"
He had heard those exact words not all that long ago; less than a month ago. But the voice it was spoken in now made his blood rush through his veins with a little fright, a little anger, maybe some guilt and for sure some nervousness; there was agitation there too, you could tell. That was the voice that had frozen him in place: his soon-to-be wife, Victoria's. (Sorry if it was a bit confusing, but I'm making up rules, and the live in adjoined buildings).
Victor remained rooted to his place not even daring to turn around and face her. It seemed so wrong when he wasn't even sure he truly loved her. It was to be a forced marriage; perhaps, he thought, he had only felt obliged to love her. This was just all a lie, all for their parents' happiness; a lie that wasn't worth living any longer.
Victor fiddled with his fingers, trying to answer, but finding it difficult with the pounding of his heart in his ears distracting him. Victor wished he didn't have to put up with it anymore. It happened far too often. He was sure Victoria could hear it too. But she couldn't; she was only confused, unsure why he was acting the way he was; why he wasn't answering. Ever since they had been officially engaged he had calmed down and had been able to answer. He didn't know it, but he wouldn't have to listen to that heart beat so much anymore…soon; but for now he would.
Finally he found his voice, but it was unsteady, weak, and unprepared, causing him to stutter. "I-I-I…" he tried to say. Finally he just spit it out though still stuttering and trying not to yell over that heart beat he'd grown to despise so much. "I-I'm…going for a walk…"
Victoria didn't know what to say. Victor had always been so tired in the morning; he hadn't wanted to get up right away, and she had always been up first. But today, he had been up before her, dressed and ready to leave. And he was stuttering again; he hadn't stuttered like that since the day they had first met when he had struggled to say 'married'. The few friends her parents had let associate with (the ones they thought high enough for their level) had told her about this type of behavior. The only thing it could possibly mean was…
"Another woman!" her mind screamed. Victoria tried to push that thought to the back of her mind, reassuring herself the only other woman he knew was dead, but something about it seemed true and something in her mind refused to give up the theory. "It's another woman, and you know it!" her mind insisted.
Victoria's brow wrinkled with anger, sorrow, and confusion. She knew Victor. He had never tried to hide anything from her before or even seemed like it. She loved him. She didn't want him taken away from her…especially by another woman…but she didn't want him to be unhappy either. Death was different; it couldn't be prevented forever…although she knew if he died before her, he would marry Emily…or maybe not, if he really loved her.
Instead of interrogating him and making it seem like what she would say in the wedding vows (that she fully trusted him and was sure he would always love her, never-ceasingly) wasn't true she merely said, "Victor, dear, be back by lunch. I love you." The only response he gave was a nod, not even responding to the 'I love you' or even turning around and opened the door. He headed toward the woods with single minded determination; he knew he wouldn't be back by lunch; he knew he probably wouldn't be back at all; all he wanted was to get to Emily.
Emily was still unsure to believe. The past times she had hoped that it was true and then something had gone wrong, so she was cautious…but she did know where to go to find out if this was for real: Elder Gutknecht.
"Elder Gutknecht?" The old skeleton jumped, having been startled by the sudden noise in the previous peace of his library. Nevertheless he settled himself and readied himself for what she had to say.
"Yes, my dear?" he said looking down at her with a kind smile from his tower of books. He was glad to see that she was out of her trance and speaking to him again, ready for some form of conversation. "I've had a…premonition…about seeing Victor. I think I really need to see him and that he needs to see me." Elder looked surprised at the subject, but instead of doubting, not wanting to discourage her since she was finally talking, he only asked the specifics, like when it happened and what she saw.
"Well," Emily began, "it was two nights ago…I think I saw it during a dream. Victor was tossing in his bed, but he wouldn't turn in the direction of Victoria's picture. Then he got up and sat down by the fire…" here she hesitated as Elder Gutknecht looked down with anticipation. "Yes, dear, go on," he encouraged. "He was drawing a picture of me…" she finished slowly.
"My dear that is called guilt; guilt for leaving you. That is another way of saying he wishes he hadn't left you. He wishes you had not left him and he had not been engaged to marry Victoria. He does indeed want to be with you, but whether or not it is true love, I cannot say."
Emily's heart sank just a little. She had hoped Elder could tell her whether or not for sure. But it was the closest she could get. All she could do now was hope for the best. All she could do was hope Victor would come in hopes that she had not disappeared forever from him to the eternal here-after.
Alright, that's the chapter finished. Hope you like it, but it wasn't all my idea. I've teamed up with a reviewer to write this story and I think it's turning out great. You tell me what you think though. The part about Victor is thanks to my new partner, Cheshire3324 although I modified it just a little bit. But the basic idea is hers. I wrote the part about Emily. It's still 3 reviews a chapter, though it may take longer for me to post it. Thanks!
Lydia Deetz
