Chapter One

"You know Emily liked this song," Victor said as his slender fingers gracefully glided across the piano keys. "She was playing it when I went in to apologize for...well, lying to her..."

Victoria stood by the piano, one of her hands neatly folded over the other as she watched her husband play. She smiled softly, "She had an impeccable taste in music. This truly is a lovely piece. Especially when you play it."

"Thank you," Victor blushed, trying to concentrate on the song.

"So..." Victoria began. "Are we doing anything...special tonight?"

"Sp-special?" Victor stuttered. "Whatever for?"

"Well..." Victoria replied. "It has been a year since our marriage, and I was simply wondering if you had anything planned for the evening."

Victor's eyes widened, and he hit several sour notes before tumbling out of his chair and crashing to the floor.

"Oh dear," Victor mumbled, picking himself up, dusting himself off and awkwardly fixing the piano seat. "I'm such a fool, Victoria. I completely forgot."

Victoria maintained her gentle smile, "Oh, Victor. That's alright. We didn't have to do anything-"

"No," Victor interrupted, taking his wife's hands in his own. "I'm going to make this evening fantastic. Just give me some time."

"Victor, you don't have to-"

"I insist," Victor persisted. "I'm going to arrange a wonderful dinner for just the two of us. Give me a chance to make it up to you."

Victoria smiled shyly, "Alright, if you insist. But please, don't feel like it needs to be anything spectacular."

Victor nodded. He reluctantly loosened his grip on Victoria's dainty hands, and she slipped them out of his.

"I will return shortly," Victor promised, glancing over his shoulder as he headed for the door.

"And I'll be here," Victoria said. "Be safe, Victor."

Victor nodded once more. He slipped out the door, closing it gingerly behind him and slumping against it as soon as it was shut.

"I forgot my own anniversary! How perfectly foolish of me!" he cried, then lowering his voice, said, "And what can I do to make this day special, and not just like any other dinner?"

He sighed and started walking down the street dejectedly. A tired, tall man was sweeping at an old storefront. Dust clouds filled the air, and Victor waved them away from his face dismissively, resisting the powerful urge to sneeze. At the sight of his parents' home, he careened around a corner, taking great care to avoid it. He kept walking until he'd arrived at the stone bridge. The bridge where Emily had kissed him. The bridge that was the gateway to the tall, dark forest. Victor wondered, would she still be buried under that oak tree, if he'd not happened to place that ring on her finger? Or would someone else have come along?

He shook the thoughts out of his head and continued on through the dark woods, in the desperate hope that he might find a solution to his problems there.