Chapter 1: Miserable

All her life, Maria Perez had obeyed everyone's orders and wishes, even as a child. Her father, Diego, would scold her for not being a proper lady and shaming the family when she stepped out of line. Her mother, Sophia, just watched by while her father ranted on about keeping the family title in high regard. Everytime, Maria would hear her mother's words after her "talk" with her father, saying that women should obey every man's wishes or else they would be used and become filth, not worthy of a family or title.

Maria listened carefully to those words and it became the basis of her life: submit or be destroyed. She didn't feel like the fighting type nor capable of being independent so she simply followed anyone who told her.

Her family was rich and highly regarded in the city of Madrid in Spain. Their history dated back to the time when Spain was the most powerful country in Europe and the Perez family prided themselves in it.

However, it all changed when Maria's great grandfather had squandered their family's wealth in gambling and drinking. Eventually, he lost everything except for the family name that was hiding the many debts he left behind after his death. The rest of the Perez family became shameful of Maria's great grandfather and after he died, they had erased all memory of him and burned all his photos and prized possessions he had left. The dishonor that Maria's great grandfather brought upon her family was used by her parents to keep Maria in check, explaining that if she did such thing, the same would be done to her.

Ever since, Maria has listened to what her father commanded of her and as she got older, Diego had created an arranged marriage with a wealthy man named Juan Sanchez. Juan belonged to a family that had become famous for their successful business in wine making and connection with other rich families. Diego believed that if Maria married Juan, then the family would be freed from the debts of the past. However, Maria wasn't too thrilled about it.

In fact, she didn't love him but when she first met Juan, he tried to woo her with gift and charm on his part. However, his true colors were revealed when they became engaged to each other only a year ago. Juan was arrogant and believed himself to be a man that could get what he wants. When Maria didn't like when Juan tried to have sex with her before their marriage, he punched her in the face and kicked her several times for not obeying him. Maria felt ashamed by what she had done and tried to make amends with him, worried that word would reach her family that she disobeyed her fiance.

Back and forth the abuse she received from Juan grew while her apologies became weak so she decided to make sure she listened to Juan so she could avoid anymore confrontations with him. But everything changed when one night, the unexpected happened and she was thrust into a new world.

A year has passed and Maria was walking with her mother through the market, following the path towards the bridal shop. Her mother was beaming with excitement while Maria was trying to put up a smile now and then, hiding her true feelings.

"Oh Maria. I can't wait until I see you in your wedding gown. It will be the most beautiful of them all."

Maria curls her lips in a small smile, "Yes, Mother. I'm sure it will be beautiful."

"Oh dear, it will be and especially with your looks. Juan will be excited to have you as his wife."

"Yeah . . ."

Maria wanted to speak out about the engagement. Her body was sore from the last time she had confronted Juan but she was hesitant to tell her mother. She knew the words that her mother would tell before she asked but she did anyway.

"Mother?"

"Yes?"

When her mother turned around to look into Maria's eyes, they changed from delight to concern. Maria continued to speak.

"Do you think it is right for me to marry Juan? I don't love him and this marriage is just about the money and—"

Her mother stopped her mid-sentence, "Look, dear. I know that it may not seem fair but he will be your fiance. He will take care of you and bring our family out of debt. All you have to do is listen to him and it will all be okay."

Her mother smiled again but Maria stood there, frozen in time. Why would she ask her mother about this? She knew her parents didn't care; all they wanted was money and popularity in Spain and they would whatever it takes to make it happen.

Maria, shaking off her stiffness, walks along her mother and not thinking of anything else but the words her mother spoke to her earlier.

After a long day of trying out wedding gowns, Maria and her mother managed to make it back to their mansion on the hillside of Madrid. Her awaiting father stood in the balcony on the second floor, greeting them as they approached.

"Hello, my dear Sophia."

"Hello, Diego."

Quickly, they embraced each other in a simple hug and Maria just stood, watching them with indifference. Her father lets her mother go and strides towards Maria with awaiting arms, wrapping them around her.

"My beautiful Maria. How was everything today?"

Maria smiled a little, "It was good, Father. We found a wedding dress that was perfect."

Her father nodded in approval and grinned at her, "That's my good girl."

Maria lets go of her father and proceeds to take her wedding gown into her room upstairs. Once she arrived, she laid the dress on the side of the bed and Maria walks towards her vanity, sitting down on her chair and looks at the mirror.

She looked disgusted when she saw herself in the mirror. Her dark, brown hair fell smoothly down her shoulders, covering the bruises that were changing from purple to green. She huffed in disgust, angry at herself for being so helpless to do anything about it. What striked her most was her strange, brown eyes. They looked empty to her; devoid of life and thought. She looked like an android whose purpose was to just obey and nothing else.

She was about to check more of her bruises until a knock on the door interrupted her. Swiftly, she tucked her hair so that her bruises were concealed and she calls out, "Come in."

When the door opened, she saw someone that she didn't want to deal with right now but he moved inside like he owned the place.

Juan strides towards Maria and embraces her from behind. "Good evening, my Maria."

He curls his arms around her shoulder and moves his face close so he could leave a kiss on her cheek. She didn't react but let him kiss her so that he would stay in a good mood. She kept her eyes in the mirror, not wanting to turn around.

Juan smiled lavishly and placed his cheek near hers as he looked into the mirror. "Beautiful . . . both you and I. I can't wait until our wedding."

Maria just wanted him to leave and get on with his own business but he had other plans.

"I can't wait until I can take you and claim you as mine. I want all of you."

Juan moved his hand from his shoulders and guided them down her skin, lowering them slowly until they reached her breasts. Maria screamed in her head for him to let go and with a sudden burst of courage, she shrugs his hands off of her and shoves him off. Juan's face changed from happy to shock and then to anger.

Maria couldn't believe what she did and knew what was coming next. She raised her hands in apology and crept slowly towards him. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean—"

Next thing she knew, a hand swiped across her face and landed on her cheek, launching her towards the floor with a loud thump. The pain radiated on her cheek as she tried to rub it off. She didn't have time to react when she felt a kick to her stomach, making her double over in pain. Juan just towered over her and seething with rage. Maria began to shed tears in her eyes and she looked up at Juan, saying nothing.

"You think you can just tell me what to do?"

Maria fell silent and kept her stare at Juan.

"You think you are better than me? I'm going to be your future husband and you must do as I say! You have no right to make your own decision. You. Are. Mine!"

Maria began to whimper at him, "I'm sorry Juan. I won't do that ever again . . . I promise . . ."

Juan just looked down on her with aggression but it faltered a little after he knew she was obedient again. He lowered himself to one knee and gripped Maria's chin roughly.

"Good. Make sure you don't forget it."

After that, Juan stood back up and exited the room, slamming the door behind him.

Maria let her tears flow, not caring if anyone heard her. She had no choice and the abuse that Juan showed her made sure she followed obediently. After she lost all energy to cry, she crawled to the bed and fell asleep, thinking of nothing else but the pain spreading in her cheek and stomach.

After a couple of hours later, Maria woke up to her father scolding her again for not listening to Juan and making her family look like trash. Her mother just stood there as usual and not doing anything to help Maria. This was as far as her relationship with her parents went: arguing about obedience.

A couple of days later, she was in her room, putting on makeup to cover her scars but also to get ready for her wedding rehearsal that was going to take place at the La Almudena church in the countryside. It was a beautiful church for a wedding but for Maria, it felt like she was going to a funeral.

If it wasn't for her friends, Ana and Valeria who came to help her get ready, Maria would feel more miserable than she was presently. Maria loved Ana like a sister and they were the best of friends. Ana would come over almost everyday to help Maria cheer up but most of all, Ana wanted Maria to become independent; always trying to get Maria to stand up for herself and much more after she was told of Maria's abuse from Juan. Ana didn't agree with the wedding but she supported Maria no matter what.

As for Valeria, she was like an on-n-off friend; trying to be with Maria as a support like Ana but then leaves Maria alone to go partying with random guys, disregarding Maria entirely. The only reason Maria had kept in contact with her was that her parents were close friends with Valeria's.

While doing her makeup, Ana styled her hair into a tight bun and placing pieces of jewelry in it, making it shine with the light. Soon, Ana pops up the question that she had been asking Maria for a long while, "Maria, do you really want to go through with this?"

Maria paused while trying to find an answer to Ana's question.

"Do you really want to be some kind of puppet for the rest of your life? Don't you want to make your own choices? Just for once?"

Maria breathed deeply before she spoke out, "I don't know Ana. There are days that I do but if I even think of them, it would ruin my family's name. I can't let them down."

"Really? Does your family even care? I care for you and I just want you to be happy."

Maria knew that Ana was right but she couldn't go against her family. She wasn't strong enough. "I know and I thank you for that. But I need to do this. I must . . ."

Ana was about to open your mouth but then was interrupted by Valeria walking in and not bothering to knock.

"She's right. This is her only chance to find a rich man to take care of her. Plus, she can get anything she desires." Valeria raised her chin in elation.

Ana puffed at Valeria, "Really? There's more men out there and Maria deserves someone better."

"Easy for you to say. You don't have money like Maria and I. You're only here cause Maria like you and nothing more."

Maria could sense that Ana and Valeria were going to fight so she interrupts them, "Enough! I need to finish my makeup and hair so could you go and get my wedding gown prepared? Valeria?"

The only response that Maria got was a grunt from Valeria as she storms out of the room while Ana signs and returns to fixing Maria's hair. Maria reached for Ana's hand and held it as to reassure her that everything was going to be alright. Ana smiled and resumed her duties.

After a few hours later, Maria arrived at the church with her parents, Ana and Valeria as they strolled through the main entrance and into the hallway. The church was covered with glass windows that shown images of God and other figures that were important. Maria smiled at them, believing that they were the only solace in this place since they shined even with only candlelight.

Once they reached the altar, Juan greeted her with a smile and reached out his hand to her. Maria pulled off a fake smile and placed her hand in his while her parents, friends and other guests sat in the rows of chairs just across from them. The priest came to Maria and Juan and proceeded.

"Alright, I know this is only a wedding rehearsal but I want this to be as if it's your wedding day. So, say what is in your heart and I wish both of you the best." The priest smiled and nodded to Maria and Juan as they held each other hands in between them.

Juan speaks out his vows, "My dear Maria, you are the light in my darkness. You shine with such radiance that I believed you were an angel sent to me by the Lord himself." He paused to look into Maria's eyes but she avoided full contact with his; only glancing at Juan for a moment.

Juan continued, "I am blessed to have such a creature in my arms and I vow to protect you from this day until death do us apart."

As he finished speaking, he placed his fingers towards Maria's chin and raised it so Maria could look into her face. Unbeknownst to everyone else who awed and smiled at the young couple, Juan squeezed his fingers tighter around Maria's chin; enough that it started to hurt for Maria but she endured it. Juan gave a look of "don't mess with me" and Maria shivered slightly.

Juan lets go of her chin and returns his hand into hers. The priest turns towards Maria and asked her to speak her vows.

Maria began to speak, "My sweet Juan, you are—"

All of a sudden, Maria looks behind Juan and saw something massive and black run across the glass windows. She didn't know what she saw and returned to what she was saying.

"You are my—"

Again, she saw another one running across the window and she paused, wondering if something was outside but didn't get a clear look since it was nighttime and there was nothing but darkness on the outside.

Juan coughed to get Maria's attention, "What are you waiting for, my Maria?"

He was growing impatient but Maria just stared at the window, hoping for another glimpse of the shadow. Juan grabbed her hands and shook her so she could get out of her trance.

"Sweetheart, what are you doing?"

Maria answered immediately, "I could have sworn something moved on the window over there. Someone should check it out."

Everyone at the chairs glanced at the window Maria was referring to but they all turned around and chattered to each other, thinking that Maria may have lost her mind. Ana looked concerned while Valecia and Maria's parents brittled with annoyance at Maria's behavior.

Juan placed his lips close to her ear and whispered, "Maria, if you don't stop making a fool of me, then there will be Hell to pay."

Maria glanced at Juan and spoke loud, "I'm serious Juan. Something moved behind the glass. We should—"

Juan violently shook her and his anger seeped out in his voice, "I swear Maria. If you don't stop this—"

No sooner did he speak the words that the glass exploded and shards of glass flung in every direction of the church. People began screaming and shouting, trying to find out what was happening.

Maria froze in her place as a creature emerged from the window and leaped down near her and Juan. He only turned around and widened his eyes at the sight of the creature before them. It was massive and covered in a black sheath. Its head was elongated like a tube while it had no eyes but Maria couldn't help that it ws staring at her. It bore massive arms that were sharpened with deadly claws and its feet were ginormous. It has a tail that was whipping around and snapping at the ground with a spear-like appendage at the end of it. It was a monster.

At that moment, Maria knew that this was wrong . . . that something terrible was going to happen.

Maria knew that this day was just the beginning for more horrors to come.

Hi Readers!

I'm here with a new story upon request by FeralG3 and I hope that everyone enjoys this one as well as Twisted Fate. Thank you very much! :)