Page 86 of Mortify

"Just a cramp," I say. "It’s probably nothing."

But the third one doubles me over.

"Bathroom," I gasp, and Vail's eyes widen.

I make it to the toilet just as the blood starts.

Not spotting.

Real blood, bright red and terrifying.

"No," I whisper. "No, no, no."

"Everly?" Vail's voice through the door. "What's wrong?"

"I'm bleeding," I sob. "Oh God, I'm bleeding."

The door bursts open.

Vail takes one look and snaps into EMT mode.

"How much? How long?"

"Just started. But it's..." Another cramp hits, stealing my breath. "It's bad."

"We need to get you to the hospital," she says. "Now."

"But Regnor?—"

"Will meet us there." She's already calling for Gwen. "We need to go now, Everly. The baby?—"

The baby.

The tiny life I've been protecting.

The future we've been building on lies and hope.

"Please," I whisper to the universe, to God, to anyone listening. "Please don't take this baby. It's all I have left."

But the blood keeps coming.

And Regnor's not here.

And I'm terrified that by the time he comes back, there won't be a baby to protect anymore.

"Stay with me," Vail orders as Gwen appears with keys. "We're going to take care of you. Both of you."

But as another cramp tears through me, I'm not sure there's anything left to save.

The last thing I think before Vail helps me to the car is how cruel the universe is.

To let me think I could have this—a family, a future, a chance at happiness.

Only to rip it away when I'm finally starting to believe it's real.

The ride to the hospital is a blur of pain and terror.

Gwen drives while Vail sits in the back with me, her hand gripping mine.

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