THE MIDNIGHT PROCESSION
532 Words
The hymn grew louder.
It drifted through the trees like a chorus of mourners.
Alexa couldn't tear her eyes away from the chapel.
The lights inside flickered like hundreds of candles dancing in the wind.
Then the doors opened.
One by one...
Ghostly figures stepped out.
Men in black suits.
Women in faded dresses.
Children holding white roses.
Their faces were pale, their eyes empty.
None of them spoke.
They simply walked.
Slowly.
Silently.
Toward the chapel.
Damien grabbed Alexa's wrist.
"We have to leave."
She didn't move.
"It's like they're... inviting me."
"They're not inviting you."
His voice cracked.
"They're escorting the bride."
---
Edward stared at the procession with sorrow.
"They were the wedding guests."
Alexa looked at him.
"They died too?"
Edward nodded.
"The night Eleanor was murdered, no one escaped."
"The darkness beneath the chapel consumed everyone."
"And every year..."
"They return to witness the wedding that never happened."
---
A little girl broke away from the procession.
She couldn't have been older than seven.
She wore a tiny white dress stained with mud.
Clutching a wilted daisy, she walked straight toward Alexa.
Damien stepped in front of her.
The girl looked up at him.
Then smiled.
"You can't stop it."
Her voice sounded far older than her face.
She held out the daisy.
"For the bride."
Alexa hesitated before taking it.
The moment her fingers touched the flower...
Another vision consumed her.
---
She stood inside the chapel.
Not the ruined chapel.
The real one.
Candles burned brightly.
The pews were full.
Music echoed through the hall.
Eleanor stood at the altar.
She wasn't smiling.
She looked afraid.
Her eyes searched the crowd desperately.
Then Alexa noticed something.
Hidden behind one of the stone pillars...
Father Benedict.
He was younger.
Holding a silver cross.
Praying.
Suddenly, he looked directly at Alexa.
As if he could see her.
His lips moved.
"Don't let the door open."
A thunderous roar interrupted the vision.
The chapel floor cracked apart.
Black smoke erupted from beneath the altar.
Guests screamed.
Father Benedict rushed forward, pressing the silver cross against the stone.
Golden light burst through the chapel.
The smoke retreated...
But not before a deep voice growled,
"I will return for the bride."
The vision shattered.
---
Alexa collapsed to her knees.
Damien caught her before she hit the ground.
"What did you see?"
She struggled to catch her breath.
"Father Benedict..."
"He knew."
"He wasn't trying to save Eleanor."
She looked toward the glowing chapel.
"He was trying to keep something locked beneath it."
Edward's face hardened.
"And now..."
"It's awake."
---
The wind howled.
The ghostly procession stopped all at once.
Every spirit turned toward the forest.
Toward the chapel.
The massive wooden doors swung open by themselves.
Inside, candles lit a path down the aisle.
At the altar stood a priest in tattered robes.
His face was hidden beneath a hood.
He slowly raised his head.
Alexa gasped.
It was Father Benedict.
But his eyes...
They glowed the same golden color as the creature beneath the chapel.
He lifted one trembling hand.
"Come, child."
His voice echoed through the night.
"The wedding..."
He smiled sadly.
"...must finally be finished."
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