A blossoming romance is a dream come true for any couple, an endearing partnership along with a exchange of heartfelt affection is a key focal point in a kindling courtship. Many would absolutely love to experience such a feeling, and for most, nothing can topple it's moments of true love and having someone truly care for you.

Walking along an avenue, grim in color, buildings mainly made with bricks, lost in it's tone, trees losing their leaves and people dressed as they were attending a funeral, (Y/n) takes it all in, breathing in the morbid atmosphere of his sullen and melancholy town. 

(Y/n) was a young man, nearing his twenties, tall and slim, yet pretty stocky for his appearance and build. Having (H/c) hair, and (E/c) eyes that made him appear much more appealing and alluring, he was titled as one of, if not, the only handsome individual man of his town. Matching the tone the town he lived in his whole life, he donned a dress shirt, beige white in color along with dark gray slacks. His black loafers left imprints on the dusty avenue he walked along. 

He didn't overdo the attire he wore like the majority of his town, instead he kept it simple and clean, not bothering to wear a full on suit matched with a tie like the other citizens. This, along with his constant need to smile, made him stand out in his glum environment. Though his reason for smiling was justified, for young (Y/n) was deeply in love, convinced that his partner that he has known for near on two years is the one.

Dear Catherine was her name, a young woman that captured many hearts in the town, including young (Y/n)'s. Though Catherine seemed to have taken more of an interest with (Y/n), keeping him the most company in her long tenure in this town. Many could claim they were destined for one another, with how often they spend together, though others could have the assumption that young Catherine was merely dragging (Y/n) along as a means of entertainment.

Regardless of their guesses and inputs, (Y/n) saw Catherine as his ideal. He has enjoyed the company they shared throughout their partnership all and all. Within his pocket was a ring, a ring that (Y/n) spent many months accumulating income to purchase. It was stunning, it stood out greatly in this dark place, shining a light every time a ray of light hit it, making it glow a beautiful blue color. It could make any room or night brighten up with it's lovely shimmer.

(Y/n) was going to ask young Catherine to marry him, a decision he has had in mind for months. 

In those months, young (Y/n) has noticed that Catherine had been acting distant, unusual compared to how she used to before all of this took place. Assuming this had to do with (Y/n) not taking the next step, which he thought was proposing, (Y/n) propositioned to himself to start saving up for a ring, so he could finally end her heartache of waiting for him to propose. 

Dear young Catherine told (Y/n) earlier that she would be busy working at her seamstress occupation which according to her, called her in to cover another worker.

(Y/n) surely hoped she wouldn't mind that he would stop by and wait for her to finish to meet up with her. 

After all, Catherine has been working very much more lately, making (Y/n) feel awful even more that he didn't propose sooner. 

Arriving at her seamstress job, (Y/n) awaited outside the door's entrance, eager for Catherine to clock out and meet up with him outside. He waited for hours it seemed, and when the bell rang to signify that the shift and the day was over, (Y/n) watched as many of the workers shifted their way out of the door when he saw something strange.

Out of the doorway, was another female worker, by the name of Martha, who was supposed to not be working today due to being sick, at least that was what Catherine told him. 

After Martha departs from the building, the proprietor of the building exits lastly, closing and locking the doors, looking over and seeing (Y/n) look eager as to where Catherine was. Giving him a look of disgust, they finished locking the doors before taking off to enjoy the rest of their day, making (Y/n) stand there perplexed as to why Catherine didn't exit the building along with the others. The thought and question of why Martha was here as well crossed him mind. Not wanting to let his worry pass him by, he quickly rushed over to Martha who was not too far, and called out to her. 

(Y/n): "Martha! Can you wait a second, where is Catherine? I thought she was working today."

Martha: "N-no I haven't, though I did see her walk to the park. Maybe she went there."

(Y/n): "The park? I will check there, and I hope you get better too."

As (Y/n) was about to run off the the town park to see if Catherine was there, Martha asked quizzically what he meant when he hoped she would get better.

Martha: "Get better? What do you mean?"

(Y/n): "C-Catherine told me you were sick, which is why she said she was working for you today."

Martha: "I've been fine as far as I know (Y/n)... I have no clue why she would say I wasn't."

(Y/n): "You're... alright?"

Martha: "Yes?"

Martha said her goodbyes as (Y/n) stood there, his arms hanging on his sides, confused as to what he just learned. Catherine told him that Martha has been sick for weeks, which is why she has been overworking, staying late and arriving to their dates not on time. 

His mind shuttered with worrisome thoughts and guesses as to why she deceived him with such deception, yet his main focus was getting to the park, so young (Y/n) made his way, destined to figure out why Catherine did not work.

A quick walk turned into a jog as he rushed to the town's park, ignoring all of the people that questioned his hurry. His clothes became wrinkled and worn as he used his energy to sprint now to the park, curious and eager to find Catherine. Young (Y/n) came upon the parks entryway, the sign loomed over him, as he stopped to catch his breath, panting heavily and fixing his wrinkles to the best of his abilities as he could. 

The park was large in size, and like the town, most of the plants and trees that surrounded it were gloomy in nature, yet to (Y/n), he did find bliss in this park. This was the place he met Catherine after all, so perhaps maybe this was a ruse to hint young (Y/n) to come to the park.

A hopeful thought invaded his mind, for he assumed this was just a play made by both Catherine and Martha to guide (Y/n) to the park where maybe she, like him, would propose. 

Smiling once more after running so long, (Y/n) slipped his hand into his pocket, grabbing the wedding ring and hiding it behind his back, making his way towards the center of the park where he had a hunch that was where Catherine was.

With every step, (Y/n)'s heart beat quicker and quicker, very nervous as to how he was going to pop the question, yet he calmed his intense palpitation by breathing slowly and thinking of the foreseeable future that was planned out for him and Catherine. Yet his heartbeat would come to a complete halt when he turned the final corner to the center of the park and saw young Catherine being courted by another individual. 

(Y/n)'s eyes opened widely, his eyebrows forming into a somber expression as he watched on in trembling heartache as Catherine and this unknown man exchange kisses and displays of affection. 

The hand that held the wedding ring that (Y/n) spent many months acquiring was shaking in pain, not physical but mental and emotional. Eyes watering, (Y/n) blinked to let them trickle down his cheeks, causing them to slide off his face and onto the concrete ground. 

Keeping silent, Catherine and the unknown man she was romancing did not see or hear (Y/n) in the distance watching them. (Y/n) had no words to speak at all, even if he wanted to call out to them and question Catherine as to why, his heart was too broken to even muster a whimper or a single word. Clenching his fist, the ring pressed hard into his palm, as he shook his head to fling off the tears that were forming in his eyes. Turning away quickly and running off, not caring if his sudden movements alerted them, (Y/n) ran off, wrenched in heartbreak and in pain.

Catherine heard the rustling in the distance and peered over at the direction of the sound but saw nothing. Tilting her head as to what it was, she ignored it after a bit and went back to being courted by this other man.

The energy he spent running towards the park seemed to magically reform in a greater sense as he ran for his life away from what he just witnessed. Where he was going, he didn't know, young (Y/n) just ran and ran. Still holding the wedding ring in his grip, the tears that were flooding his eyes were shaken off with every step he took running. His mind raced with questions as to why Catherine did this, but he tried his best to push them out of his thoughts. Before he knew it, (Y/n) was out of the town's limits, and he soon found himself running into a forested area, trees, large and small surrounded him.

Starting to become exhausted from running so much and so far, he slowed his approach, but the tears that took over his eyes made his vision blurred and hard to see, and because of it, (Y/n) collided into a tree, promptly knocking him down.

The collision with the tree was impactful, making (Y/n) grit his teeth and let out a cry of anguish. Though if it was from the impact or from seeing his partner cheating on him remains a mystery.

Laying on the dirt for minutes, (Y/n) sat up, his eyes closed, not wanting to open them in fear that more tears would form. After keeping his eyes closed for a long period of time, he finally opened them, and it seemed to have worked, because no more tears came out.

Getting a grasp as to where he was, (Y/n) looked around to see he was in a forest of sorts. It seemed familiar yet he decided to stay here a spell in order to regain his composure and to not contact Catherine for the rest of the day as he thought all of this through. Scooting up to sit against a tree, (Y/n) took deep breaths, wiping away the remainder of his tears that dried up on his cheeks and eyelids with his sleeve. His hair became rugged from running and hitting the tree, so running his hand through it, he forgot completely he still had the wedding ring in his hand. 

As he stared down at it, young (Y/n) couldn't help but feel used, for it should have been obvious that from the months she seemed off, she was indeed seeing someone else. (Y/n) felt like such a fool, for the years he spent with Catherine, having the true feeling that she was the one.

So there he sat, in silence, only the bristle of leaves and branches from the wind filling his ears. 

Night grew closer, for (Y/n) lost track of time whilst in his contemplating state. Raising his head from his arms, he was about to stand up from his posture when he stared down at the ring and it's pretty blue glow. He wanted to smile at it's beauty but couldn't muster so much as a small smirk. Unfortunately for young (Y/n), the ring sale was final meaning he was unable to return it for a refund. He didn't want to keep it as it would remind him far too much of Catherine, so turning his head, he found what looked like a stick in the ground. Funnily enough, this stick had the appearance of a hand, the twigs that sprouted at the end of it looked like fingers. It surely was eerie in looks, since it definitely looked similar to a gentle and gauntly hand. 

(Y/n) held the ring, admiring it's blue glow one final time before departing with it.

(Y/n): "Oh... how the heart yearns for bliss, yet you blocked it's path towards it. Let this ring signify a beautiful sign of trust that was abandoned and dismantled, for you are not worthy of it's glow. Instead, let it signify to the soul who dons it next be the bride of whoever places it upon thy finger."

With his input of broken trust, (Y/n) placed the ring perfectly onto one of the twigs, making it seem like he was placing it upon a finger. He watched as the ring slipped on without a hitch onto the twig, smiling subtly to declare his passing of feelings towards Catherine. 

(Y/n): "And hopefully when asked the question of marriage, they say yes without any hesitation, and let their life be happier than mine. For you were not worthy oh Catherine of being asked the question, and let the next who is fitted with this ring be grateful of the question of..."

Letting go of the stick, (Y/n) smiled once more and finished his monologue.

(Y/n): "...will you be my bride?"

Wiping away a final tear that seeped it's way out of his eyes, (Y/n) peered down at the twig that adorned his ring he spent many dollars and months on. Vanishing Catherine from his memory, he now stood up and began to make his way out of this lonely and deserted forest.

(Y/n) felt awful for leaving such a beautiful ring to possibly rot within this forest, but the memory that the ring carried was too much of a burden to keep. As he made his way further away from the scene, a stronger force of wind began brushing up against his body, making him shiver from it's sudden cool.

The wind became stronger and more forceful, so much so that (Y/n) had to move his forearm in front of his head to prevent any wind to collide with his eyes. It was as if the wind was pressing him backwards, and looking down at his feet, he was indeed moving backwards from the strong current of air. Never has (Y/n) experienced such a act of weather to where he was moving from it's force.

Suddenly the wind ceased, immediately and abruptly out of nowhere. With the leaves rustling from the storm, (Y/n) removed his arm from his view and looked around as to what just happened. It was a strange event that surely sent shivers up his spine similar as to how the cool breeze earlier did.

(Y/n): "Odd..."

Turning around and looking down, (Y/n) saw the stick he donned with the ring become shifted from the sudden wind storm, nearly falling off the twig he placed the ring on.

So crouching down, young (Y/n) readjusted the ring so that it remained on the twig, for he did not want it becoming lost within the dirt or leaves that surrounded him. Rather he wanted it perfectly still on the twig that he placed it on so that someone who came across this area of this forest would have an easy way of finding it, and hopefully a better future with it than he thought he would have.

Fixing the ring's position, the twigs that were on the stick made a small crackling sound, like they were moving or breaking apart. 

Tilting his head at the unusual sound, (Y/n) was about to stand up when the entire stick emerged from the ground and the twigs grasped (Y/n)'s arm, holding on tight. 

(Y/n) gasped and his eyes shot open in fear and confusion as to what was transpiring. Before he could react anymore, the stick forcefully pulled (Y/n) forward, nearly dragging him into the dirt where it receded. In a panic and a whimper, (Y/n) used all of his strength to pull himself away and out of the grasp that was the stick. This was surely a supernatural event taken effect, making (Y/n) breath heavily as he managed to break free of it's grip, launching himself backwards from the momentum. 

As he gathered his surroundings from what was happening, his vision refocused and looking over at his arm still was the stick, holding on tight. Yet upon closer inspection, (Y/n) noticed that the stick was rather a arm, and the twigs were instead fingers. 

The arm was decayed, but by the bone structure, it was most definitely an arm. (Y/n) used his other free hand to try and smack it off, before he was interrupted by a rumbling coming from the ground. Looking over where he once was, the dirt that rested peacefully on the ground began cracking and eroding away. A tall figure than began emitting from the dirt, like something out of a ritual, the figure was slender, skinny and had on what looked to be a wedding dress. The evening gloomy sunrays that seeped through the many tree branches could only make visible a few things about this figure to (Y/n). Looking to the arm, he noticed the forearm was missing, which he assumed was what was grabbing his own arm. 

The silhouette that the figure had began to subside and the evident appearance of this intimidating person became much more easier to see. 

It was a woman.

A woman with long hair that flowed both in front and behind her torso, her skin appeared blue in color, and her wedding dress looked tattered and worn out, like she had been here for decades. She has a veil over her face which hid her features, but as (Y/n) sat there in disbelief of what was happening, the arm that held onto his released it's grasp and made it's way back up onto the woman's arm where it locked with a click, before raising her other arm up to her head to move aside the veil, revealing her face.

Her gaunt eyes stared daggers down at (Y/n), who held his mouth open in awe and shock as to what he was seeing. She looked like a corpse, her body, her visible rot, her skin color, yet her face seemed beautiful for a dead girl. Her eyes had a shimmer to them, most likely from the evening sunrays, yet this whole ordeal still kept (Y/n) unnerved and petrified.

Emily: "I do..."

Her voice was gentle, soft and strangely eerie, yet it most likely had to do with her being a literal walking corpse.

(Y/n) responded as well as anyone in his situation would, he let out a small yelp and very quickly stood up, turned around and began running away from this figure. 

Not wanting to look back, his curiosity got the better of him for he reluctantly turned his head slightly to see if she was following. 

The woman was indeed following (Y/n), not running but rather seemingly floating her way towards him, at a similar speed surprisingly. 

(Y/n) panicked even more seeing her gaining on him, and it didn't help young (Y/n) that he did not know exactly where he was going. He accidentally found himself within this forest and now has the unfortunate challenge of trying to escape it. 

Running through and against branches and dodging trees, it slowed his process of running away from this mysterious and undead woman. Branches became tangled with (Y/n), halting his running momentarily, making him desperately break them in an attempt to keep on running away from this woman who was nearing him.

Not wanting to believe any of this was happening, (Y/n) kept opening and closing his eyes, hoping this was just a nightmare. It certainly seemed like one to young (Y/n), with him finding out Catherine was cheating on him all along, and now this, a zombified woman chasing him in a abandoned forest. In his attempt to try and wake up from this horrid nightmare, (Y/n) accidentally collided again with another tree, knocking him down and out.

The woman caught up with (Y/n), staring down and gasping at seeing him down on the dirt, eyes closed and a gash upon his forehead. She rushed over and tended to him, running her boney hand along his cheek, the ring still upon her finger.

(Y/n) was out of it, yet in his unconscious state, he could feel the touch of something upon his head, his eyes shivered and hoped in his faded mind that when he opened them, he would be somewhere that's not here. 

For this was a nightmare he wanted to be over...