Chapter 8 - FIRST BREATH
The sub-basement was an echoing chamber of humming generators and pipes, a surreal and gritty place to bring a life into the world. But Elena didn't care about the cold floor or the broken wrist screaming in agony. She only cared about pushing.
Agent Vance held her good hand, his voice a steady, grounding anchor amidst the chaos. "You're doing great, Elena. You are so strong. Push."
She thought of the kitchen. She thought of the snap of her bone. She thought of the suffocating, terrifying years spent walking on eggshells around a monster. She gathered every ounce of rage, every shred of fear, and pushed with a guttural, roaring scream that echoed off the concrete walls.
And then, the sound cut through the heavy air.
A sharp, beautiful, piercing cry.
May you like
"It's a girl," the doctor said, smiling from ear to ear as she quickly cleared the infant's airway. "A beautiful, healthy baby girl."
They placed the screaming, warm weight of her daughter onto her chest. Elena pulled her close with her uninjured arm, burying her face in the baby's damp hair, sobbing uncontrollably. For the first time in years, they were tears of pure joy.
