Red

I got married today. It was beautiful. Everyone looked nice, and was happy. It was the best experience of my life. We got to the hotel a few hours ago, but as soon as we got here, my husband said he had to make a call. He has been in the bathroom, ever since. I wonder what kind of call he's making.

I look around the room, noting how the red blankets are the most colorful thing in the room. Everything else is beige. Well, almost everything. I look at my husband's shoes, which he tossed by the door before going to make his call. His shoes are a rich brown, with red bottoms, for some reason. The painting on the far wall is just as beige as the rest of the room.

Bored, I walk over to the shoes, setting them nicely beside one another. They look less like they were just thrown there, now. I walk back over to the bed, sitting down on the soft matress. Fidgeting with my hands, I look down at them. Red. Why are they red? I look at the shoes. Beneath them is a puddle of something... Red. Huh. Maybe my husband stepped in paint, though I don't know where he would have.

My ringing phone brings me out of my thoughts. I see that it is my dad calling.

"Hey, Dad, what's up?"

"Have you seen your mother?" His voice is worried.

"No, why?" I ask.

"I have been looking for her for hours, and haven't been able to find her. You know it isn't like her to dissappear, especially without warning." My eyes, flicker to the shoes, but I dismiss the thought that tries to surface.

"I'll let you know if I see her, Dad." He hangs up.

I set the phone on the bed beside me, laying down on it. Where could she be?

A phone chimed, but it wasn't mine. I lifted up the pillow on the bed, to see my husband's phone. It was locked. But if that was in here... How was he making a call?

"Jay?" I call, hoping he will reassure me that everything is alright.

He comes out of the bathroom, smiling apologetically. He sits beside me on the bed.

"Sorry," He says. "You know how work can be." He reaches for my hand, but I pull away.

"You don't get work calls. And you didn't even have your phone." My eyes flicker, again, to the shoes. Then, I glance at my phone.

I stand, walking to the bathroom. I am greeted by red. Everything is red. It smells like death. The tub is filled with red, and mixted with water. A body floats. I reach for my phone, only to find I left it in the room. I speak words meant for my dad, but no one can hear them but me.

"I... I found her..."

And though I can't see, I run.