Vows of Fury

By Ritch Kristol

Prologue

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is a federal law enacted in the United States in 2003 to address the problem of sexual assault, harassment, and rape in detention facilities. PREA was signed into law to ensure that every prison, jail, juvenile detention center, and other correctional facility adheres to policies that aim to eliminate sexual violence and misconduct.

Inmates Deemed Incapable of Consent:

• The Law classifies inmates as being legally incapable of consenting to sexual activity with certain groups of people, such as prison staff, contractors, volunteers, or other non-incarcerated individuals.

The Marital Rape Elimination Act (MREA) is a federal law enacted in the United States in 2027 (Under the Trump Administration) to address the problem of adultery, harassment, and rape in marriages. MREA was signed into law to ensure that every marriage adheres to Marital Vows that aim to eliminate sexual deviants and misconduct.

Married Individuals Deemed Incapable of Consent:

• Laws classify spouses as being legally incapable of consenting to sexual activity with other non-bound individuals outside of the Certified Marriage Agreement and Vows pertaining to Adultery.

Brass Tax: If your wife or husband is having “consensual” sex with others its considered rape, as they cannot consent to having sex with others.

2028 Rode Vs. Payne was a landmark 2029 Supreme Court case that legalized the Marital Self Defense Act (MSDA) in the United States:

In 2028 Mr Rode came home to find his wife Mrs Rode having consensual sex with Ricardo Wade Payne in his own bed. Mr Rode took his revolver out and shot Mr Payne in the back of the head.

Oregon Washington County Circuit Court Judge Earl Cole III found Mr Rowe, Innocent of Murder and was within the confines of MSDA, as self defense was established to use Deadly Force in the prevention of rape of his wife.

Statutory Rape. If your wife or husband is having “consensual” sex with other(s) Its not considered consensual under MREA as they are not able to consent to having sexual relations outside of the contractual agreements within the Certified Marriage. Therefor the person that is not bound by contract of marriage could be charged with Statutory Rape under 18 U.S.C. § 2422-B*

Chapter One: A World Rewritten

The sky above Forest Grove hung low, gray clouds pressing down on the town as though they could feel the weight of the world below. Natalie Rode sat in her favorite spot by the bay window, her slender fingers gripping a steaming mug of coffee. She stared out at the dense pines surrounding their modest home, her reflection barely visible against the glass. Outside, the world looked serene—calm. Inside, chaos simmered just beneath the surface.

Her husband, Jez, stood in the kitchen, his heavy boots echoing on the tile floor as he methodically cleaned his revolver. It was a ritual he’d taken up since the Marital Rape Elimination Act (MREA) had passed last year, a law he’d greeted with disturbing enthusiasm. The weapon was a symbol of his authority, his dominance—a constant reminder of the new possible reality Natalie lived in.

“Coffee’s getting cold,” Jez said without looking at her, his tone flat but edged with annoyance.

“I’ll finish it,” she replied softly, her voice steady but devoid of warmth. She had long since learned that any tone he perceived as resistance could invite his wrath.

Jez turned to her, his eyes narrowing as he studied her for a moment. His gaze was piercing, as if he could see through her skin to the secrets she kept hidden beneath. “You should be grateful, you know. The law keeps families together. Protects vows.” He gave her a tight smile, one that never reached his eyes. “Keeps things simple.”

Natalie nodded, offering no argument. What could she say? That her marriage felt like a prison sentence? That every time Jez touched her, it felt like chains tightening around her soul? Instead, she sipped her coffee, the warmth of the liquid doing little to dispel the chill that had settled deep within her.

The laws had changed everything. The Marital Rape Elimination Act (MREA) had swept through the country like a storm, leaving destruction in its wake. In the name of morality and the sanctity of marriage, it criminalized any consensual sexual act outside the bounds of matrimony. Worse still, the Marital Rape Elimination Act (MREA) had made it possibly legal for a spouse to use deadly force to prevent what was now deemed “non-consensual infidelity” and Statutory Rape.

For Natalie, it meant more than just the fear of the law—it meant the tightening grip of Jez’s control. It wasn’t enough that he monitored her phone or demanded to know her every move; the law had empowered him to enforce his dominance with impunity.

And yet, Natalie had found a spark of hope in the unlikeliest of places.

Ricardo Payne had entered her life 9 months earlier, bringing with him a warmth she hadn’t felt in years. He was new to Forest Grove, moving into a small apartment conveniently above the bookstore where Natalie worked part-time. From their first meeting, there had been something different about him—a lightness, a kindness that cut through the gloom of her existence. Unfortunately the new laws complicated things.

“Morning, Mrs. Rode,” he’d greeted her one crisp autumn day as she shelved books in the store. His voice was rich and warm, and his smile had lingered just a moment too long. Natalie had felt her cheeks flush as she returned his greeting, aware of the flutter in her chest.

“Call me Natalie,” she’d replied, the words slipping out before she could stop them. It was the first time she’d felt seen, truly seen, in years.

Their interactions grew from there—innocent at first. Quick chats in the store. Shared laughs over a book he’d recommended. And yet, as the months passed, the boundaries between them blurred. A glance that lingered too long. A brush of fingertips as she handed him his receipt. The unspoken connection between them was undeniable, even as Natalie fought to suppress it.

“Natalie,” Jez’s sharp voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned to see him standing over her, his jaw tight. “You’re distracted.”

“Just thinking about work,” she lied, setting her mug down. She avoided his gaze, afraid he’d see the truth in her eyes.

Jez’s hand shot out, gripping her chin and forcing her to look at him. “I hope you’re not thinking about anything… inappropriate.” His breath was hot against her face, his tone a warning.

“I’m not,” she whispered, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to remain calm.

For a moment, he held her there, his grip unrelenting. Then, with a grunt, he released her and stepped back. “Good,” he said, turning away. “I’ve got a meeting tonight. Don’t wait up.”

Natalie nodded, relief washing over her as he grabbed his coat and left the house. The door slammed shut behind him, and the sound echoed through the empty space like a gunshot.

The moment he was gone, Natalie allowed herself to breathe. She rose from her seat, her legs unsteady, and walked to the kitchen. Her hands trembled as she rinsed her mug and placed it in the sink. The weight of her reality pressed down on her, threatening to crush her. But then, she thought of Ricardo.

She glanced at the clock on the wall. Jez wouldn’t be home for hours. The thought sent a thrill through her—a dangerous, reckless thrill. She grabbed her coat and keys, her heart pounding as she stepped outside into the crisp November air.

The bookstore was quiet when she arrived, the familiar scent of paper and ink wrapping around her like a warm embrace. Ricardo stood at the counter, his dark eyes lighting up when he saw her.

“Natalie,” he said, his voice soft but filled with warmth.

“I needed to see you,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She didn’t care about the risk, about the consequences. All she knew was that Ricardo made her feel alive in a way she hadn’t felt in years.

Ricardo stepped around the counter, closing the distance between them. “Are you okay?” he asked, his concern evident.

“No,” she said, her voice breaking. “But I am when I’m with you.”

For a moment, they stood there, the world outside forgotten. And then, as if drawn together by an invisible force, Ricardo leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. The kiss was gentle at first, hesitant. But as Natalie surrendered to the moment, it deepened, passion flaring between them.

For the first time in years, Natalie felt free.

The sound of the bookstore bell ringing snapped them apart. Natalie’s heart raced as she turned toward the door, fear gripping her. But it was only a customer—a young woman who barely glanced at them as she wandered toward the shelves.

Ricardo placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “We’ll figure this out,” he said, his voice steady. “I promise.”

But as Natalie looked into his eyes, she couldn’t shake the feeling that their love was a ticking time bomb, and the explosion would be devastating.

End of Chapter One

• – *This is Fictional