Fractured

Prologue

          Rain pelted the women running into the bar. The storm stopped them from reaching their destination, but they were determined to have a drink. One of their group was getting married, rain was not going to stop their party. Unfortunately for the patrons already there, the women's volume broke the quiet atmosphere. Shouting voices cut through the gentle jazz playing over old speakers. Patrons glared at the already tipsy women before returning to their drinks. The designated driver ushered her friends to a booth and went to get more drinks. The quiet, rustic bar grew louder as patrons complained about the women. The loudest complaints came from a shadow covered corner. As the woman reached the bar, a small nervous man stumbled out of the shadows followed by a tall composed man.

          The smaller man, blond with a gentle smile, barely reached the chest of the second man. The second, pale with black hair and a tight grimace, seemed overdressed. His pristine black and gray suit highlighted the paleness of his skin. It also made it clear the shorter man was underdressed. The two walked to the bar, commenting on the room quietly. The short man attempted to order a drink called 'absinthe' as the woman ordered shots of tequila. The bar tender stuttered and asked to clarify, before the tall man placed some gold coins on the counter. As the women received their drinks, the men walked back with eight pints of the strong amber alcohol. The complaints quieted and the women began chattering.

          "Tell us how you met! How did you know he was the one?" A blonde slurred.

          "Shortly after I moved away from my stepmom, I moved in with seven friends. Then I was in an accident caused by her. When I woke up from my coma, I was in a hospital and he was my doctor. He was super handsome, and kind and we fell in love..." The bride sighed dreamily.

          "Love at first! Just like a fairy tale!" A red head squealed.

          "With a real evil stepmother!" A brunette chuckled, "Like a real-life Snow White."

          A scoff from the shadowed booth broke the happy squealing. A shushing and quiet reprimand proceeded a series of slightly louder protests. The group of women turned their attention to the corner. Light hit a glass of amber liquid as it slid across the wood table. A happy hum and another reprimand solidified the attention of the drunk women. They moved closer, requesting an explanation. The nervous man stepped out, stuttering an apology. The taller man stepped in as the women hurled accusations. He spun an explanation, stating their friend was just dumped and was hammered. Everyone except the bride accepted the apology. The bride threw insults, despite the men trying to defuse the situation. A woman, who matched the tall man's height, stood up behind him. The bride turned her rage on the woman.

         "You probably don't even believe in love or fairy-tales anyways! I doubt you even had a childhood or dreams!" The bride shrieked.

         "Oh, I believe. You're just wrong about Snow White," She countered with a forgotten accent.

        "And you're the expert on a two-thousand-year-old story?" The bride scoffed.

        "I should be," the growl came as she stepped impossibly close, "I'm the one who killed her."