The Beginning of her end

It was late in the afternoon. The air was filled with sweat, old concrete as prisoners walked around the yard whilst armed guards kept an eye on them. Selene did not raise her eyes and sat quietly. She didn’t want trouble. She couldn’t afford it. Not with the baby coming soon.

There was a crack of noise which broke into the yard.

“You stupid liar!”

Two prisoners leaped at each other, and punched each other with fists. Very quickly a crowd was formed, cheering and shouting.

Guards shouted on the tower, though they did not come running down. Fights like this were common.

Selene didn’t move from her spot. She was leaning on the fence and stroking her belly. She wanted to stay invisible. She would have liked the day to go by without people noticing her.

But the quiet ones were always found in trouble.

Heavy feet were scraping the ground behind her. Selene stiffened. She did not have to turn around to tell who it was.

Liora Voss.

A broad-shouldered, tall, tattooed woman with anger in her eyes. Liora Voss loved breaking people. Especially weak ones.

Well, well, said Liora Voss loudly when she halted before Selene. “Look who’s hiding back here.”

Selene kept her eyes down.

Liora Voss tilted her head. “Hey. I’m talking to you, 1165. Lift your head.”

Slowly, Selene raised her chin. The accident had scarred and disfigured her face, the cause of people staring, whispering, or quickly looking away.

Liora Voss burst out laughing. “Damn, 1165. I have no appetite when I look on your face.”

Some of the other inmates near by laughed.

Selene breathed quietly. She didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her vocal chords were destroyed and every time she attempted to speak, she produced a broken and rough voice.

“What?” Liora Voss asked. “You too good to answer me?”

Selene swallowed.

Liora Voss stepped closer. “Say something.”

Selene opened her mouth, and attempted to make a sound.

“Hhh… k–”

The sound was harsh and agonizing. It was as though it were a car engine that was difficult to start.

Liora Voss laughed and threw her head back. “Oh my God. What was that? Do it again.”

Selene shut her mouth tightly.

“Oh, come on,” Liora Voss said. “Don’t be shy. Give us another engine sound.”

More laughter.

The large belly of Selene fell into the eyes of Liora Voss.

“So you are going to carry that thing in there, huh? “ she said, giving Selene a single poke on the stomach with a finger.

Selene jerked back, with her hands on her belly.

“Calm down,”Liora Voss said. “I’m just checking.”

Selene made a little sound. “Pl… sss…”

Liora Voss leaned closer. “What was that? Speak properly.”

Selene tried again. “Pl… stop…”

It came out like a low crackle. Hard to understand.

Liora Voss smirked. “You know what? I do not speak broken-engine language.”

She poked Selene harder.

This time Selene flinched, and the baby moved in her.

Liora Voss narrowed her eyes. “Move your hands, 1165. Let me see.”

Selene shook her head and withdrew.

Liora Voss’s face darkened. “I don’t think you get it. I run this yard. Not the guards. Not you. Me. And, when I say show me the belly, you show me the belly.”

Selene’s shoulders trembled. She didn’t want to cry. Not in front of Liora Voss.

Liora Voss slapped her stomach, hard.

Selene felt a jolt of pain in her body.

She gasped and bent over.

Liora Voss stepped back, confused. “What’s your problem now? Don’t act like I hurt you.”

Selene caught the fence and was breathing rapidly. The pain didn’t stop. It increased, and covered her belly and her back and her legs.

“Hey…” Liora Voss muttered. “You okay?”

Selene attempted to speak, and only a choked and broken sound was produced.

Other prisoners began to shout.

“She’s in labor!”

“She’s gonna drop that baby!”

“Someone get the guards!”

“Leave her alone Liora Voss or you’ll go into solitary confinement again!”

Two guards rushed over. One pushed Liora Voss aside.

“Stay down!” A guard hissed at Liora Voss.

“What happened?” She demanded.

Liora Voss lifted her hands. “She just started screaming! I didn’t do anything!”

Selene weakly shook her head and clutched her belly.

The second guard was on his knees by her side. “1165, are you listening to me?”

Selene was able, but not able to react appropriately. She uttered a groan, which was tremulous and disjointed.

“Call medical!” the guard shouted. “Now!”

Her legs gave out completely. She fell on the ground trembling. The ache was making her feel as though something was eating her inside.

There was a stretcher clattering over the yard. They lifted her onto it. Her breath was short gasps. Drips of sweat ran down her forehead.

“Stay with us, 1165,” said one of the guards as they took her to the hospital.

The hospital of the prison was reeking of antiseptic and cold air. Nurses moved around quickly.

“She’s fully dilated!”

“Get the delivery kit!”

“She needs to push!”

Selene’s body shook. The pain was too much. She attempted to breathe, and her breathing was ragged.

A nurse held her hand. “You need to push, 1165. Do it now.”

Selene tried.

“Again!”

She pressed harder, till her entire body shook. A crude note tore out of her throat.

“Her heartbeat is dropping!”

“Push harder!”

“One last push!”

She pushed…

Then her world went black.

As she opened her eyes, all had been silent and still. She had to wait a moment to recall where she was.

She turned her head slowly.

The physician was standing by her bed, and he looked serious.

“Selene, he said,” calling her name, for the first time in years”Can you hear me?”

She nodded, her eyes heavy.

He sighed and gazed a little and then looked up at her.

“I’m… very sorry,” he said quietly.

“Your baby was stillborn.”