It was finally the day. Marie was thrilled and sick at the same time. This was her wedding day. She knew that this would likely be the biggest celebration of the year in the small commune in which she lived. The inhabitants didn't drink, but there were other ways to celebrate. As she was dressing herself in the simple red cotton gown, she looked in the cracked mirror in her cabin. She was struck by the simplistic beauty brought out by the dress. She could understand why this was chosen over the traditional dress of brides. It was incredible, and radiated excitement. The nervous sickness vanished at that moment. Outside there would be no decorations but the trees, which was just how she wanted it. Her groom would be standing under the leaves of a giant oak, with their commune leader standing ready to wed them. It was then that one of her bridesmaids walked in.
"Are you ready?"
"One second, " said Marie. She put on the thin, white veil, covering her face, "Ready." The bridesmaid walked out, to tell the cellist, who would begin to play the Bridal Chorus. When Marie heard the music, she walked outside. When she saw the setting before her, she was enthralled. The oak was there, of course, full, and vibrantly alive. The sun shone through its leaves, giving everything a green tinge. Her groom stood underneath, black hair slicked back, in his formal suit, and his hands crossed before him. The cellist was playing the serene Bridal March, his horns glistening in the green-tinged sunlight. As she got closer to her groom, a flutist joined in, blue skin growing dark with effort, and a nearby fish began to play the maracas. Marie smiled. It was just how she'd imagined.
"Poor girl."
"Yes, indeed." Two psychiatrists sat in observation before a padded cell. Its occupant was completely oblivious to her situation. She was sitting on the floor, tied up in a straight jacket. A thin line of drool fell from the corner of her lip into her lap. She was completely gone. She had killed her husband some years before, just two months after their spur of the moment wedding in Vegas, leaving his mutilated body in the streets of the trailer park where they lived. She was later incarcerated into the Broadmoor hospital for the Criminally Insane. She had sat like this, staring blankly into a universe only she could see. The two psychiatrists exited from the observation chamber. The girl, Mary, sat in her cell unmoving. Then, just a ghost of a smile flickered across her lips.
"You may kiss the bride."
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