The Bachelor's Desire

Chapter 2

~ Meredith POV ~

Sitting in the bridal suite of the Chivalry Baptist Church, I stared at myself willing this day to really be here. Fear and anxiety washing over me like a heavy rainstorm I tried hard to keep from shaking.

“I can’t do this.” I said to my mother and bridesmaids getting ready for my wedding with Richard. “You are just nervous, sweetheart. Everybody gets nervous on their wedding day. Everything will be alright. I promise.” my mother said, drawing out the word promise.

“You are so lucky to be marrying the most eligible bachelor in Colorado!” One of my bridesmaids squealed loudly. Then all the girls started squealing and giggling like they were the ones getting married.

“Mother…” I said in a whisper “he’s not nice and is always so upset with me.” I pleaded with her to understand and help me.

“Meredith dear. Every marriage has it’s problems. He is rich and from good breeding. You will marry him and nothing more will be said about it.” she said rather matter of factly. “Now. Let’s get your dress on.” she said, giving me a smile I know she was faking.

No one’s going to help me. Oh God what am I going to do? Thinking to myself. There’s got to be a way of escape. Think Meredith think!!

Starting to feel as though there was no hope of escape Meredith caught sight of a window not far from her. Underneath it was a sitting stool mocking me with its very existence.

Getting up so I could put on my form fitting wedding dress I noticed the window was slightly open and the jump to the ground outside was but a slight one.

Mother and the ladies were buttoning up the lower part of the back of the dress as I was now thanking God for the dress that was picked out for me. At first I did not like it at all because it is not my style at all, but now? I’m grateful for the moveability of the dress.

How am I going to get out the window without being caught or dragged back in? The thoughts were coming like wildfire as I thought hard how I was going to get away. I need a distraction. Yes! That’s it! But what? How?

Just then Ashton, Richard’s best man knocked on the door. “Hey, Richard wanted me to come and check on Meredith to see how things were going.” He said with a toothy smile that made the girls swoon over him. As they were touching his arms and chest batting their eyes at him no one was paying attention to me anymore.

“Ok now girls, he’s just a man. Well a very nice looking man, but let’s give him room to breathe shall we?” she said, batting her own eyes at him.

“Meredith is just fine Ashton. She is almost ready and we will be coming out shortly. Tell him not to worry all is well.” giving him another toothy smile touching his arm slightly.

This is my chance! If I do not go now I won’t be able to ever go! Come on Meredith! You can do this! Giving myself a mental pep talk.

While mother was still talking with Ashton, I slowly made my way to the window. Kicking off my heels I lifted my dress, stepped up on the stool chair and jumped out of the window.

Not stopping to look back I ran. I just ran and ran praying I was going to make it out without being followed and dragged back. If Richard catches me or finds me now, everything will be for not and death will be my future.

As I was running I could hear someone calling out to me from behind. “Meredith! Where are you going?! Come back Meredith right now!”

I did not stop to look knowing this would only cause me to stumble. I ran, then turned, then ran and turned some more. I ran so hard and so long that my lungs started to burn from within.

My legs started feeling like jelly. My belly ached from the muscle cramps. But I knew I could not stop. Not now. It was too risky. I kept making various turns that did not make sense until my surroundings no longer looked familiar to me. Then I ran some more.

I finally looked behind me to see if I was being followed by anyone I would recognize, but no one was there. Thanking God for this freedom I did not notice the car coming at me.

Turning back around, I was hit by an oncoming car as I ran into an intersection. I was slammed onto the hood hitting the windshield and rolled back off hitting the ground hard.

My head and body throbbing with immense pain, I could not move. I could barely see as my eyes failed me. The last thing I heard before darkness took me was…

“Oh my God! I did not see you. Are you alright?” Then, nothing but darkness and I fell into the dark abyss that was calling me like an old friend.