Wednesday Blog Hop - Escape

So, I've come across a little weekly challenge called the Wednesday Blog Hop, hosted by a blog I follow called The World of My Imagination

Each Wednesday a writing prompt is given in the form of a picture and five random words.  The challenge is to come up with a short story, maximum of 500 words, which contains all of these elements.  You then have a week to go over to the hosts blog and post the link to your story.

Here is the photo for this week:

 

The five words are:   north, gutter, padlock, herald, sky

Here is my interpretation of these elements.  Enjoy!!!

Escape

Marina sat on her bed, awaiting the arrival of her father. He would be here soon with the car, ready to take her to the church. She stood up and looked at herself in the full-length mirror. The dress he'd chosen was pretty she supposed. She wouldn't have picked it herself but she was never allowed to make these decisions anyway; it wouldn't have mattered either way what she'd wanted. The simple white cotton dress clung to her body as she swung this way and that, flowing around her feet. She had to arrange her hair herself, a single flower pinning it up on one side, away from her face. She hoped it met with their approval.

She turned to the window now, wondering how things would be different if she'd managed her escape. No way to know now, the padlock and bars made sure she wasn't going anywhere.

She heard her father's footsteps on the stairs, across the landing and then they paused outside her room. The key turned in the lock and the door swung open gently. 'Ready my dear?'

Marina didn't bother with a reply, it would be a futile effort. She took his arm and let him lead her down the stairs and out the front door. The sun shone high in the sky making her squint, too long she'd been cooped up in the house.

In the car she watched the houses go by, shops filled with people, the park where the children played. Nobody cared that this was her special day. She doubted anyone even knew. It was to herald a new phase in her life, father said. A new chapter filled with excitement. At least it was for him. This marriage would seal the biggest deal in his career, a solid link with the most powerful family in the country. She'd never even met her groom. She guessed he may be handsome. She needed a good match, father said, to look after her and keep her from the gutter.

She looked at the church as they approached, it's grey walls uninviting. There were no crowds awaiting them, no family and friends to celebrate with. Just her groom, his father, her father and the vicar. Was it really only her that noticed the oddness in that?

The ceremony would be short, she was told. A quick blessing afterward and then they were to head north, to their new home. She had no idea where, but wondered if she could get lost somewhere on the way. There had to be plenty of places to escape to, or from. She lived in hope.

Word count: 442