Page 22 of Raven Blackwood
“All right then, let’s move. The sooner we hit them, the sooner we’ll be back,” said Steele.
Heading back to the transport, Trinity glanced at me. “You riding with us?”
I shook my head. “I’ll take my sky-cycle and lead the way. I know the terrain.”
Hannah stepped closer, resting her hand on my arm, “Be careful.”
I cupped my hand against her cheek. “Don’t worry. I always am.” I dropped the quick kiss on her lips, then hurried off to mount my sky-cycle and be on my way. As we lifted off, I glanced back to see Hannah watching me. I gave her a wave and set my vehicle into motion, speeding toward the horizon.
Hannah
As soon as Raven disappeared into the sky, I felt an ache settle into my chest. I knew that he could handle himself, but the danger he was heading for was very real. Pausing to gaze out over the camp, I saw that everything hadquieted from earlier in the day. I turned and went back into the house. Inside, I found Grace holding the edge of the kitchen sink, her other hand clutching her belly.
There was a gush of water splashing the floor between her feet, and I knew immediately what that meant. “Gracie, are you okay?”
“I think so, but I’ve been expecting this. I’ve been having cramps on and off all day. I really wish Zach were here. I miss him so much,” she choked on a sob.
I put my arm around her shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. “I know, honey. I miss him too, but don’t worry; Raven will bring him back. I just know it.”
“I sure hope so.”
“Do you want to lie down?”
“No, it’s better if I walk or at least stay on my feet. But first, I need to change because I’m all wet with that fluid, and I made a mess on the floor.”
“Don’t worry about that. Do you need help to get back to your room?”
“Not this time.”
“Okay. I’ll clean this up while you get changed.”
I got a rag and the cleaning bucket from under the sink. Setting the bucket in the sink, I used thehand pump to fill it. I set it down on the floor and hunkered down to wipe up the puddle that Grace had left. I knew I wouldn’t sleep until Raven returned. At least now, I had something else to think about while waiting.
When I finished cleaning up the floor, I emptied the bucket and rinsed the rag. Then I went to get my comm tablet to review the instructions for the labor and delivery of babies. This was one of several times I had reviewed the information. We had planned to use the birthing chair method, where Grace would sit in our heirloom handmade wooden chair when it was time to push the baby out.
Apparently, before the war, they started this practice because it used gravity to help the mother give birth. It also allowed her to take in more oxygen than when she was lying flat on her back, with the weight of the baby pressing on her diaphragm. Of course, those birthing chairs had mechanics that could lift and tilt them, but those were different times.
Using this method didn’t mean that nothing could go wrong, but we hoped it wouldn’t. Taking the tablet with me, I went back to Grace and Zach’s room to check on her. Everything was ready. She had set up the chair with a birthing pad underneath. I would kneel in front to guide the baby out as he came through the birth canal.
Grace had changed into a robe that wrapped around and tied at the waist. It was evident that she wore nothing under it, so when the time came, she could pull it up and take her seat on the birthing chair.
“How are you feeling?”
“My back hurts, and I feel some cramps, but no more labor pains yet.”
“Well, according to our birthing guide, the first birth usually takes longer. With any luck, Raven will get Zach back here before you drop that baby,” I said to encourage her.
Chapter Fourteen
Raven
I led the way on my sky cycle, flying low over the treetops as we traveled to the labor camp under the cover of darkness. Crude fencing and makeshift wooden watchtowers surrounded the camp. A few dim lanterns flickered, barely cutting through the darkness, but with my enhanced night vision, I could see just fine. There were two guards at the entrance, but the watchtowers appeared deserted.
“You sure about the numbers?”Orion’s silent message fed directly into my mind from my CPU.
“Thirty prisoners, ten guards. At least, that’s what I counted last night. If Jenkins moved more men in, we’ll find out soon enough,”I confirmed.
“That’s okay. A few more won’t make any difference. We’ll handle it,”Trinity assured me.
