Wedding day

It was my wedding day. Early morning light filtered through the curtains of the bridal suite. I was still in my pajamas, hair in rollers, sipping coffee and smiling at myself in the mirror. Today I would marry Alex. The man I had helped heal after his mysterious ex disappeared. He was kind, stable, and I loved him deeply.

My phone buzzed on the dresser. An unknown number. Probably one of the guests sending a sweet message or a video from the rehearsal dinner. I opened it without thinking.

It was a link. I tapped it.

The screen filled with swirling colorful spirals and a soft, soothing female voice. I tried to close it, but my thumb wouldn’t move. The video played automatically, the spirals pulling my eyes in.

“Relax, Abbigail,” the voice said gently. “You are safe. You are open. You will obey.”

I felt my body go limp. The voice continued, giving instructions. An address. A time. I was to go there immediately. Tell no one. Leave the wedding.

I stood up like a puppet, changed into simple clothes, and left the bridal suite without a word to anyone. My mind was foggy and obedient. I got in my car and drove to the address the voice had given me.

Alex's POV

I stood at the altar in my tuxedo, heart pounding with excitement and nerves. The church was full of our friends and family. The music started. Everyone turned to watch the doors.

But Abbigail never appeared.

Minutes passed. Then ten. Then twenty. Whispers spread through the crowd. My best man looked at me with concern. I kept checking my phone, but there were no messages from her.

She never showed up.