Vigil ran fingers over the worn satin. Hair pins jammed into her skull, attempting to tame her dark mop. Her sallow face stared back at her, eyes swollen with crying.

A new maid sat behind her at the vanity, Eleanor deciding Margaret would take it too easy on her. The maid said nothing about her puffy eyes, only stood silently as she draped a string of pearls around her neck.

"This color looks lovely on you." The maid said, smiling.

Vigil glanced down at the purple silk. It looked better than the green frock, but something in her couldn't seem to care. The only thing she felt was an overwhelming... sadness. It seemed the only word for what she was feeling.

As she made her way outside, she felt numb. It was a beautiful day, the sun shining through the automobile windows, carrying her family down to the cathedral. Everyone bustled around the auditorium, adjusting Martha's trail and dusting her face.

Before Vigil knew it, she was being lead to the back of the church. All the guests had filed in and taken their seats. She lined up with the other bridesmaids, carrying Martha's trail in two fists. A smile was painted to her face as she made her way down the aisle.

Then they started their vows. Clarence was glowing, eyes shining with joyful tears, and despite her grief, she had to feel proud. Her brother was getting married, and it pleased her that he was so happy, even when she couldn't be.

It seemed like forever as the priest droned on and on about the importance of love and marriage. She peeked out into the audience, where Margaret was sitting with the rest of the servants. Vigil nodded slightly, until she saw James sitting next to her.

His face was impossible to read as he stared blankly at the couple. His eyes suddenly met hers and she quickly looked away. She couldn't bear seeing him as so many words of love and beauty were being said.

The voices came back in a rush. It was like a hammer being bashed into her mind. She gritted her teeth, grasping the silk of her dress in two hands.

I won't stoop until you give up. I won't stop until you jump. The words kept chanting, sometimes in a rambling whisper, only to suddenly start screaming. Her mind was in a blur of chaos, confused and disconcerted.

I won't stop until you jump. Vigil's eyes popped open in a sudden moment of realization. She had to give up. Then the voice would stop.

She had to jump.

~~~~~

Her feet sprinted over the stone floor. She knew what she had to do now. This is what she always had to do. It was the only way to stop the voices. It was so clear her whole life, and it was the only thing the voices required of her.

Tears streamed down her face as she climbed the stone stairs of the bell tower. Jump. Give up now. The voices were now chanting, growing faster with each step. Footsteps battered behind her, and she slammed the trapdoor to the top of the tower, locking it behind her.

She grabbed the stone pillars of the bell tower, gazing down at the cobblestones below her. Everybody had flocked outside, all shouting below her. Her parents were there. Clarence was there, Margaret was there. Tears streamed down their faces, screaming for her to come down. It was almost enough to convince her, but another strike to her brain hardened her again.

Suddenly a bang came from behind her. The trapdoor swung open and somebody came running through.

"Vigil!" James screamed, clambering up out of the doorway. "Are you mad?"

She backed up, back pressed against the pillars. "That's just the thing," She whispered, hot tears running down her cheeks. "I am mad."

With a terrified scream, she started running across the stone floor. Her legs lifted her from the ground and she was suddenly in the air. Jumping. Obeying the voices inside her.

Two arms wrapped around her stomach, jerking her from the air.

"Stop," She screamed. "Let go of me!"

She thrashed her arms and legs as James dragged her away from the edge. He kept whispering in her ear as she cursed and spat at him. She could only make out one thing— "I love you."

With a defeated sob, she suddenly collapsed against him, clutching his shirt in both hands.

"Help me," She cried as he held her. "I can't do this anymore."

James rocked her back and forth as she wept into his shirt, shaking uncontrollably. "I will always be there to help you."

Heavy footsteps were running up the stairs below them. Men were shouting.

"Don't ju—" A man burst through the broken trapdoor, then stopped when he saw the two crumbled to the ground.

He and more men filed out of the floor, pistols pointed at the two of them.

"Don't move." They ordered, circling them.

"She isn't going to jump," James assured them.

Vigil glanced up at them, her heart dropping. "No, James," She gasped. "They want to take me. To an asylum."

Horror washed over his face. He wrapped his arms tighter about her. Vigil did the same, holding tighter than she ever held anything before. Two hands seized her shoulders. The men were trying to calm her down, but it was only a muffled slur. Men were grasping James' arms as well, yelling at him to let go.

They finally tore his arms from her and she screamed again, feeling his body leave hers. He yanked his arms from their grip and frantically took her face in his hands.

"I'll get you out, Vigil," He sobbed, holding her face like a lifeline.

Vigil opened her mouth, but what could she say? Goodbye? Farewell?

Somebody grabbed her wrists, ripping her away from him. They were suddenly dragging her backwards. She said the only phrase in her mind, the phrase that said so many things.

"Don't forget me."

James stared into her eyes, moss clashing with auburn for perhaps the last time. He shook his head.

"Never."