Enjoy!

Till the Casket Drops: Part Two

"I don't understand." Char said, looking at herself in the mirror, fussing over her hair. "Why are we doing all of this if we know Malik isn't going to show up?"

Lena snapped her head in her direction while I just tried to move because the last time I did Unique popped me with her brush. "Don't you need to be putting your dress on?" Lena asked, everyone picking up on her sharp tone.

Char flashed a knowing look to our sister before rolling her eyes. "Not if there's not going to be an actual wedding."

I couldn't help snickering. "She has a point, we could save everyone all this trouble if we just told them we can't find him."

Lena huffed. "Because momma and daddy put a lot into this wedding and we have to be united."

Char looked at Lena like she'd grown several heads. "You've been saying that a lot lately, what aren't you telling us?" She asked, tilting her head.

I thought about it and her wording had been strange lately, Lena was uptight but not this uptight. "Yeahh, is something going on?" I chimed in and I could see it.

That vein in her forehead pulsating before she took several deep breaths. "Charlotte, Mercedes. I do not have time to go over the innerworkings of our family's personal business but what I do have time to do is to tell you both to get fucking dressed!"

Char and I both looked at her completely shocked. "Oh honey, uh-uh. None of that negative energy in here." Unique said, shaking her perfectly tousled hair. "Your momma told me that your brother will be there and that none of you need to worry about that."

I looked at Char seeing she wasn't convinced before she walked into the back to get dressed. I listened to the hum of the hair dryers and the soft music playing in the background while Unique continued curling my hair. I had to go last because I had the most hair. Which is the biggest understatement considering Lena's hair was much longer and Char's was the least manageable but I let them do whatever as long as it meant they stopped looking at me like I was losing my mind.

I was though. Losing my mind, I mean. Sitting here and doing these mundane things- like that, I never used that word before in my life and it's now suddenly a part of my vocabulary. I longed… there it was again. I never…

"I have longed for you, Keeper."

I blinked. That wasn't the same voice I'd been hearing… It was almost terrifying. I felt chills running down my spine, settling in the pit of my stomach.

"Cedes, honey you are shaking like a leaf. Are you okay?" Unique asked and I felt everyone's eyes on me.

"Y-yeah, just… didn't have a big breakfast." I lied and she nodded before waltzing away. I looked at Lena who was finally done and standing nearby, she was sporting the same disapproving expression she had been earlier.

She looked like she wanted to say something but luckily Unique returned with a bottle of water and a fruit bowl. "Here child, can't have you singing on an empty stomach." She said and I appreciatively took the offering.

That was another thing I noticed since these dreams and spells started. I was a lot hungrier than usual, I wasn't lying about needing food but I always felt hungry now. It was like I was trying to fill a void but the crazier thing was, I hadn't gained a pound. I had always been curvy but now it was more pronounced, imagine going to bed one night one way and then waking up with hips that people would pay for. It took me a week to convince my mother I wasn't pregnant.

"Char, hurry up. I need to get in there to change." Lena said and I felt whatever breath I'd been holding slowly ease out. Lena had this way about her that put me at ease, more now than usual.

A wide grin spread across my face as Char confidently pranced out of the dressing room in her stunning dress. The vibrant teal color caught the light, making it seem almost iridescent. The one shoulder design gave a hint of playful elegance, while the chiffon material flowed gracefully with each step she took. And the high side slit added a touch of allure, revealing just enough skin to remain tasteful.

"I personally think I will look the best today." She boasted confidently. Everyone laughed as she twirled about, flipping her curled tresses around before stopping herself when she got dizzy. "Think I'll pull a few married men?"

Unique let out a robust laugh, shaking her head. "Child, you are more like me than your moma would like and I love that for you."

She was after all one of our moma's best friends way back when. I'm not sure what caused the rift but they kept things 'friendly' whatever that meant. I think it had to do with our dad, he was super religious and Unique was anything but that. One minute we had Auntie Nique and the next she was just gone, it wasn't until we were around eleven and twelve that we saw her again.

I think moma misses her. I remembered they would always go out on Friday's and then waking up to Unique in the kitchen making all kinds of good food. We used to gather there and listen to her wild stories, she wasn't lying when she said Char was a lot like her because she used to hang onto her every word. Then the fight happened. No one really talks about it anymore but I remember moma crying for a bit then she kinda just stopped doing a lot of the things she used to do.

"Alright honey, go get changed and I'll take the rollers out after you put your dress on." Unique instructed. I just nodded before doing as I was told. I walked into the back seeing my dress hanging up, it was a sheath sweetheart sleeveless gown and it was a darker shade of teal. The garment was slightly different from Lena's which was an A-line scalloped neckline that was adorned with lace and knee length. Mine and Char's were floor length gowns with high slits, slits that I was not a fan of but-

"Keeper."

I jumped, looking around. The voice was too close to be in my mind, I felt my hands trembling as I reached for the dress. "Hel-hello?" I stammered, quietly.

"Keeper, it's time to wake up."

I glanced around once more before shaking off the strange sensation and hurrying to undress. I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, but when I looked over my shoulder there was no one there. I carefully took the dress out of its bag and slipped it on, making sure it didn't snag on my hips. But it did. Frowning, I tried to wiggle around but the damn thing wouldn't budge.

Just then, Char appeared in the doorway, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she saw my struggle. "Need some help there, Cedes?" she asked, her grin widening as she approached.

I sighed in relief and nodded. "Please. This thing is stuck on my hips."

She chuckled softly as she came closer and expertly adjusted the fabric around my waist. "There, you just have to shimmy it a little," she advised, giving the gown a final tug. The dress slid into place, hugging my curves perfectly.

"Thanks," I muttered, feeling a bit embarrassed but grateful for her help.

"No problem," Char replied, her eyes scanning my face with concern. "You sure you're okay? You look a little pale."

Before I could respond, Unique's voice called from the front of the salon. "Ladies, it's almost time! Let's add the finishing touches and get going!"

We hurried forward to join Lena and Unique, who were waiting with a array of accessories spread out on a small table. Unique was holding up two pairs of dazzling earrings, one set encrusted with sapphires, the other with emeralds.

"Pick your poison, girls," she said with a wink. "These babies will complement those dresses like stars in the night sky."

I chose the sapphires without hesitation; they matched the deep teal of my dress perfectly. Lena opted for the emeralds, which set off her lighter teal and lace beautifully.

As Unique clamped the earrings into place, her hands were gentle yet firm. "There. You three are going to turn heads tonight, mark my words."

Char beamed, twirling once more in front of the full-length mirror. Lena adjusted her hair slightly, then nodded at her reflection with satisfaction.

I tried to share their excitement, but the strange voice from earlier lingered in my mind, distracting me from the moment. I shook my head slightly, trying to dismiss it as just a figment of my overstressed imagination. "Just focus on tonight," I murmured to myself, attempting to push the eerie whispers to the back of my mind.

But as we walked out of the salon and into the harsh afternoon, the air seemed to pulse with an unspoken urgency that made my skin tingle. The bright sun shown brightly above, casting a fiery golden glow that seemed to linger around us like a spotlight.

As we reached the venue, the chatter and laughter of our friends and family filled the air, temporarily drowning out the haunting voice in my head. The event was beautifully decorated with twinkling fairy lights and lush floral arrangements, creating an atmosphere of enchanting beauty.

I tried to immerse myself in the festivities, laughing at Char's jokes and engaging in light banter with Lena. But the sense of being watched grew stronger, making it difficult for me to fully relax. I kept glancing over my shoulder, half-expecting to catch a glimpse of someone lurking in the shadows, watching me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

When the wedding coordinator gave the signal, everyone quickly walked into event space to begin the ceremony. I was instructed to stand at the end of the isle and wait for the progression to begin to start singing. My brother requested Can't Help Falling in Love which was fitting since our grandma used to sing it to him when he was little. I stood nervously waiting for everyone to finish finding their seats before feeling a cool rush flow over my skin, it tickled almost causing me to shift.

"Keeper!"

I flinched, side stepping and almost falling over. There were some murmurs before I was able to steady myself, my eyes met Lena's and my mother's. Lena sporting a frown and our moma looking overly concerned before she mouthed "Are you okay?" I nodded, smoothing my dress and stood up straighter.

"Focus." I chide myself right as the music began and I took that as my cue.

The first notes of the piano cascaded through the air, gentle and haunting like a lullaby. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the music seep into my bones, steadying my trembling hands. With a deep breath, I opened my eyes and began to sing, my voice carrying softly over the gathered crowd.

"Wise men say only fools rush in," I started, each word a careful step down the aisle of emotions. The melody was familiar, comforting even, wrapping around me like a warm embrace. The guests fell silent, captivated by the gentle strength of the song that had bound generations.

"But I can't help falling in love with you." My voice grew stronger, confident and clear. In the sea of faces, I saw my brother's eyes glistening with unshed tears as he stood at the altar, waiting for his bride. The connection bridged through the song, linking past to present—our grandmother's loving voice now reborn through mine.

As I continued, each verse flowed more effortlessly than the last, the initial nervousness melting away under the warmth of the music and the gathered loved ones. The room felt charged with emotion, each note resonating with memories and hopes.

"Take my hand, take my whole life too," I sang, feeling the weight and the promise in those words, watching as my brother extended his hand to his bride as she reached the altar. Their fingers intertwined, a symbol of their commitment and future.

"For I can't help falling in love with you." The final line hung in the air, a gentle declaration that seemed to echo through the hall long after I finished singing. There was a moment of hushed stillness before applause broke out, warm and enthusiastic. I smiled, relieved and happy, making my way back to join my family.

As I walked back, however, that eerie sensation crept up on me once more. The murmur of congratulations around me faded into a distant buzz as I grasped another cold rush of air, this time stronger than before. It swirled around me like an invisible cloak, sending goosebumps racing across my skin. The whisper returned, louder and more urgent than before.

"Keeper, it is time."

My heart pounded in my ears as I looked around frantically, trying to locate the source of the voice. No one else seemed to notice anything amiss; their smiles and laughter continued undisturbed. Feeling a mix of fear and curiosity, I edged toward the back of the room, away from the throng of guests.

Behind a curtain that draped elegantly from the ceiling to the floor, I found a small, secluded area—an alcove hidden from view. The air here felt charged, thick with an energy that made the hairs on my neck stand on end.

"Why are you calling me?" I whispered into the empty space, half expecting no response.

"Because you are the Keeper," the voice answered, its tone both ancient and seductive. It has been the voice of the man from my dreams.

"Keeper? Keeper of what? Why won't you show yourself?" I questioned.

"I have but you aren't awake so you can't handle looking upon me. Your human gaze isn't strong enough."

I shook my head, I was officially talking to myself. "What's your name?"

"Here, I am known as Sam." The voice answered.

"Here? You mean earth?"

"Wake up, Keeper."

I felt myself getting frustrated. "How can I wake up if I don't know that I'm asleep?!" I spat.

"Cedes?" I heard. I looked over my shoulder and saw Courtney standing there with two glasses of champagne. "You okay sweetie?"

I blinked a few times before slowly nodding. "Yeah, just… tired." I replied and she extended a glass to me that I gladly accepted.

"Malik told me you weren't sleeping, I told him that you didn't have to sing but he insisted. You did beautifully."

I blushed. "Thanks, our grandma used to sing it to him." I said, taking a long sip wincing, alcohol was never really a friend of mine.

She sighed, taking a sip herself. "That's what he told me, he said they were very close and that you sound just like her when you sing."

I looked at her, she was stunning in her ghost white, mermaid shoulder chiffon dress with a sweetheart neckline. Her beautiful mocha skin glowed, her hair was pulled back in a braided bun and she wore little to no makeup. I could tell she was kind hearted simply by just being around her, she leveled out Malik's sporadic behavior.

"He's funny." I said with a soft giggle. "Our grandma's voice mirrored that of Gladys and Aretha, I just got a little of her talent." I replied bashfully.

Courney laughed, shaking her head. "It's time for you to wake up."

I felt the chill again. "Wha-what did you say?"

"I said you have an amazing voice and you need to wake up and embrace it." She repeated and I had to force myself not to freak out.

"Oh, thank you… I guess I'm just not used to hearing it." I reply, taking another long sip of the champagne, this time it goes down a little smoother.

Charlotte ran over, panting. "Someone is here, they just started throwing things and-" She said before there was a loud crash.

"KEEPER!" A loud, booming voice sounded from the reception hall. I felt the glass I was holding slipping from my hands almost like slow motion.

The glass made contact with the concrete ground and shattered before the voice sounded again. "YOU CAN NOT HIDE FOR LONG!"

I stood frozen, the voice sounded deranged and oddly… familiar. "Wh-who is that?" I questioned, my legs refusing to move when Charlotte tugged at my arm.

I saw Courtney run back into the hall but it was all so very slow, it was like everything was happening at the slowest speed possible. I turned, seeing Char's lips moving, her long tresses bouncing as she tried to move me but I only heard air.

My feet were cemented to the ground and my pulse was rising, it was like I knew what was going to happen but I couldn't understand why.

Suddenly he appeared, the man from my dreams, he was right in front of me but for some reason I couldn't hear him either. I tilted my head as he talked to me but nothing was making sense.

He mouthed words that seemed to dissolve before they could reach my ears, his expression intense and urgent. I squinted, trying to concentrate on the shape of his lips, desperate to decipher any fragment of his silent message. His eyes—emerald and swirling like a storm—held mine, pulling me deeper into a trance.

Finally, my hearing started to clear, like surfacing from underwater. "You must listen," he said. His voice was clear now, resonant and commanding. "There is not much time."

"What do you want from me?" I managed to stammer out, my voice faltering under the weight of my confusion and fear.

"Keeper, you must wake up and fight!" he exclaimed stepping closer. "You hold the power to bridge the worlds, to keep harmony between what is seen and unseen. But someone has disturbed this balance. "

I blinked, shaking my head. "I am just… me. I'm not who you ever you're looking for…" I said, slowly turning my head towards the noise but he stopped me by grabbing my shoulders and shaking me.

"WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS, EITHER SHE REMEMBERS OR SHE DOESN'T BUT YOU MUST GET HER AWAY FROM HERE!"

I spun around, my breath catching in my throat as I took in the scene before me. There stood Courtney, but she was a new version of herself. Her once elegant wedding dress had been traded for a fierce suit of armor, gleaming with vibrant green and golden embellishments. In her hands, she wielded a massive sword with ease, ready for battle.

"I don't understand?" I said looking back at him.

He shook his head. "It's never lasted this long." I could see the desperation in his eyes as he spoke, not to me but to whoever he knew as Keeper.

"Then get her out of here, she'll remember… in time." Courtney replied.

Before I could even protest, I felt a sharp pain just below my left ear and everything went blank, engulfed in a blinding white light.

well that was a lot :)