A Chance Encounter: Wed to change

"Oh my Gods, how are you!" I said, running up to Daniel, and giving him a big 'ol hug. 

"Tash! Glad you can make it!" He said returning the favor while lifting me up. Jeez man, just because I'm short... After a happy second, he sets me down. 

"I'm surprised you made it all the way to Faedin! Hasn't the hunting season just started? Shouldn't you be sitting in a bush all day, nailing boars as they go by?" He doesn't know? shoot. umm...

"You were never happy about hunting where you, Daniel?" I guess I'll hold off. I don't want to bring down the mood.

"Nope. City life has treated me well. The hustle and bustle of the market works way better for me than the rustling of trees."

"You don't miss the village?" I said quietly. Maybe he didn't hear me. There were a lot of people in the cathedral after all, but all my ears were waiting for was his response.

"HEYY!!" The bride said, running over into Dianel's arms. She reached out her hand, saying "I don't think we've met, I'm Claire."

"This is Tash, she's a childhood friend from back in the village," Daniel said. Best smile, Tash. Cover up that pit in your stomach.

"Nice to meet you, Claire," I said, shaking her hand. 

"You got any embarrassing childhood stories?" Claire said.

"Oh, lots." I rubbed the rock in my pocket, and briefly closed my eyes. I faintly felt all the boots on the stone floor, and particularly two boots coming up the aisle behind me, walking straight toward the couple.

"Well, I can always tell you later, I have a feeling those two want to talk to you." 

"Oh, you're right those're my cousins!" Claire said, she shook my hand again. "We should really talk though, Tash." 

"Anytime," I said.

"I'll see you around, Tash," Daniel said as he took his wife down the aisle to talk to the much-anticipated cousins. 

"Yeah," I said, probably not too loud, looking at the plants growing in the crevices between stones. I tried to talk to other people that came to the wedding from the village, but they all changed so much. I needed a break. I took a seat in an empty pew and awkwardly sat there as people went by. I just needed a second to rest. And it was just then that a tall, dark-haired woman in red plopped down next to me. She sighed through her mask and looked up at the ceiling. She was covered in cuts. But not all the blood on her body was hers...