I CAME BACK FOR BLOOD

hina'

my eyes flutter open is a qu

rd... I'm v

s, my head pounding, body aching in ways I can

ke I'm speaking through a fog. I try to si

've seen him only briefly, but his weary eyes are etche

gain, slowly, carefully,

stand what?" My hands tremble as I press

llowing. "The baby

ntly, my chest tightens, and my hands clutch t

t almost disappears. "It's not possible. I.

ow you are, but... the bleeding was sev

ears already streaming down my face. "I was scr

upts gently, "I kno

waited!" My voice echoes, bouncing o

r has struck him physically. "We..

n blurring with tears. "

, only looks down, jaw tight.

hands tighten around the sheets as if I could hold onto some

ce breaking. "No... the

Dr. Harris says quietly. "

ing crushed from all sides. My body shakes violently, my tears wet

new, and he hasn't come. Not even t

hose sad, tired eyes, the kind of look that says he

"I needed him," I whisper. "I nee

laine. She's young, her hair pulled into a tight bun, her face s

e says softly. "Ho

the sheet. "How do you think I'm feeling

s, then back to me. "I... I'm so sorry. We...

elief. "You watched me bleed. You waited because someone

ess into a thin lin

with rage and grief. "Not here. Not ask

ative hand on my shoulde

hile my baby dies? Busy while I'm lying here, alo

me space. "I wish there was more

rying to hide the tears. "There's nothing more you c

omething to cling to. But the room smells of antiseptic, cold and cle

Time has no meaning here. The emp

nd dial Julian's number again. It rings.

voice is tiny, breaking. "I lost the ba

d, feeling its weight like a ston

that will never be sung. I imagine holding a tiny hand that doesn't exist

r opens

ope flaring in my chest, t

t isn

s h

ret A

oor, each sound deliberate. Her cream coat is immaculate, her pearl earrings catching th

he foot of the

st tighten even more cold