Page 87 of Tech

"Come on, Petal, open your eyes for me, baby girl,” my daddy whispers.

I force my eyes open at the pain in his voice, concerned for him, only to squeeze them shut at the room's brightness.

"Brooky?" Josy whispers, and my eyes open again, locking on her standing before me. Her hair is a mess, her face blotchy…..

I furrow my brows and croak, "Why-why y-you crying, sissy…?”

She sobs, and the room becomes tense. I look around to see my momma and daddy both with tears running down their cheeks, Sarah trying her hardest not to sob, her hand over her mouth as Kennedy holds her other hand. Carol is being held up by Eagle.

Confusion hits me.

What's happened? Why is everyone surrounding me?

Oh God, did someone die?

I look around the room again to see I'm in the hospital—no, not the hospital, Doc’s medical room.

Wait…. Did I die?

"Wha…." I croak, lifting my hand, only to feel a pinch. I furrow my brows and lift my left hand to see a cannula.

"Brook…." A voice says to my right, and I turn and make eye contact with Doc. His eyes shine with concern, and it hits me like a train, my memories coming back.

Gracie looking shifty….

The water….

Waking up chained and exposed….

The pain….

Nina cackling….

My baby….

I gasp, my hand going to my belly, one that's no longer firm and round with a child.

"My b-baby…."

Momma sobs and panic hits me, and I look at Doc.

"She took-took my baby?" I ask with panic. He doesn't confirm it with words, but his eyes are full of pain for me, and I cry, "My baby, where's my baby!"

My body shakes as I try to move, pain shooting through me.

"Brook, Tech is on it; he's going to find the baby. Please, you're three hours post-op. I only just managed to save your womb. You need to calm down, please," He begs, taking hold of my shoulders to stop me from moving.

Three hours post-op, and I still don't have my baby….

Did I have a girl or a boy?

Is my child even alive?

Panic and pain suffocate me, everyone looking at me, making it worse as I struggle to catch my breath.

"Brook, breathe for me, darling," Doc rasps, and I shake my head.

My baby, oh God, my baby is probably dead….

---