User:BlackcoalLiner

The Ghost Bride
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Sandra first heard about this legend when she was just twelve, now sixteen she wants to try if the ghost of the drowned bride is true. She actually got obsessed with Miriam Tanner a young bride who lived in the 1900s. She read stories about her good and bad ones. Count Dracula or Frankenstein might have movies and she thought time will come for Miriam to have one. She researched about rituals to summon the dead. She memorized the words in Latin and she brought five red candles.

Miriam can be summoned by having a grudge. She has one on many people specially her brother who try as she might that he accept her for who she chose to be can not. According to legend, Miriam does not harm women or in her case girls. She wants to know if this is also true. She hoped she was alone on that river. Today is Miriam Tanner's 100th death anniversary. Sandra decided to try to summon Miriam's ghost for she heard with her she kept the secret of the Tanner's wealth. She came to know her would-be husband only is marrying her for their riches. So as revenge, she hid with a trusty servant the location of her treasures.

Sandra is now standing before the river full of willow trees. She noted the change in the breeze. It seemed colder and drearier. Lucky for her she is alone. She chose a grass less spot and snapping a branch from a nearby tree, she drew a pentagram and placed on the five points the red candles. She with a knife cut her forearm and even if she got a little dizzy made sure the pentagram was shaped in her own blood.

She uttered something in Latin as she gazed on the river. Suddenly the candles' light blew out and the willows' branches moved as if seeking something beneath. Sandra just watched this spectacle with interest. One willow tree brought up a skeleton dressed in a white wedding gown. The specter moved its skeletal hand to free itself from the branches and stood. Miriam's ghostly form went towards Sandra. In her wet and tattered veil, you can hardly see her skeletal features and some of her black hair was still present. Sandra was fascinated once again but still can't help but feel a little fear as Miriam came close. Her gown was muddy with trapped willow leaves present also in her veil. The ghost spoke:

"What do you seek, child?" her voice is of a young woman as Sandra read, she died in her early twenties.

"I want to know if you are real and... I got this hatred..." but Sandra paused unable to say more

"I know what you came here for. No one had ever successfully called me from my watery grave but you... Sandra. In exchange of my riches..."

Sandra listened attentively,

"I want your brother's soul,"

Her heart sank. She is very confident she can pull this off but now she seemed hesitant.

"Do you know I am thinking if I should kill you?"

"W-What?!" Sandra replied in surprise

"Your brother hates you because you are a lesbian and some people do not accept you for who you really are. You suffered from them enough. As you heard I only attack men. You, my dear, have a boy's heart."

Sandra did not know what to say, how precise this entity's proclamation is.

"I am giving you time to think." Miriam said easing her mind a bit. She thought about their recent fight. Sam her brother, tends to call her names and the fight was about a stupid thing of the way she cut her hair. Sam said she is surely going to hell being a tomboy.

"Have you decided what you want to do, Sandra?"

"Y-Yes..." Sandra answered unsure of herself then continued. "I want to have your treasure but... in return," She went out a sigh of surrender. "You can have my soul instead of his!" She can't help but weep in front of the specter.

"'I'm doing this for our mother. She got cancer of the breast ...This will prove to Sam even if I'm a lesbian, I got a big heart, enough to sacrifice herself just to assure our mother's life will be longer," Sandra fully taken by her emotions covered her face with her hands crying. She does not care anymore of dying. She in an instant forgave her brother of the ways he had treated her.

She felt a hand on her head. In wonder she looked up and saw a very beautiful woman in front of her. Her skin was smooth and fair. Her emerald eyes complements the rosy glow of her cheeks as she tenderly looked at her. This was Miriam Tanner when she was alive.

"I am very proud of you child." With her veil up and her wedding dress seemingly new, she spoke to Sandra. Sandra's eyes grew hearing what else she has to say.

"I am giving you the map to my treasure. Your parents... specially your brother is very lucky to have someone like you as part of their family. After this, everyone will talk about your story Sandra Lyons." Her soft hand left her head. Around Sandra was the faint glow of dawn.

"I have to leave now, Sandra." Miriam was slowly floating away from her as a light shone around her. As she faded, she said, "Thank you too for your forgiving heart had made me find the peace I had so long longed for."

Sandra continued to stare at the space Miriam's spirit faded into. She whispered a "thank you also". As she looked down at her feet was an old scroll telling her where to find the Tanner's treasure.

THE END

Note: submitted this on an app called Scary Stories it came by the title The Ghost Bride Miriam Tanner. I chose to shorten it. Glad and much appreciated if you enjoyed it as much as I wrote this a couple of months ago. Comments are welcome. Hard to please critics are also welcome. Have a good day everyone.