Dull green eyes look up from her knees.
"One more push, you can do this."
She grasps the bed rail, her fingers slipping from the sweat. The pain intense, arises from within her like a beast vehement to get out. She pushes, the pain searing through her insides like hot fire. She falls back on the bed. Exhaustion takes over. She has nothing left to give.
The pain comes again, she tries to recoil against it. Her body is not her own. It's a machine doing what has to be done. Once more, just once more she will push, then she will give up.
"You did it."
Exhaustion steps aside, will come back later when the night has fallen.
A warm bundle is placed in her arms, she looks down into black eyes. Feels the weight of life upon her arms and in her soul.
The pain is a dull ache. She feels weak, she feels hollow. She looks around wildly, her mouth dry. A doctor makes eye contact, looks at the floor under her feet that are still limply lying in the stirrups. His eyes widen. The warm bundle is scooped out of her arms. She tries to reach out, a cold hand takes hers and places it on the bed beside her. Pats it twice.
She feels weak, feels tired. Words float around her.
"Blood loss."
"Pressure dropping."
"Transfusion."
Her arms ache from want where her baby cuddled.
Her mind is foggy, her eyes too heavy to keep open. She feels hands on her shoulders, shaking her. Repeating her name. She remembers looking into those black eyes.
Contentment washes over her. She smiles, takes a soft breath. Her last.
This prompt was from Red Writing Hood.
Flash Fiction can be fun and a real challenge. This week focus on the words and the strength of each to contribute to your story. Write a 300 word piece using the following word for inspiration: LIFE.
5 comments:
Wow! We took the same route with this prompt!
The moment where she makes eye contact, realizing that something has gone terribly wrong, was powerful. "She remembers looking into those black eyes" Sigh. Sad and lovely.
Heartbreaking! A true view of the full spectrum of life. I love how you wrote this as though a veil was over the entire tale...fading in and out, the pain providing her only real grip on reality.
Nice job!
Boo for death... but you captured such a sad moment with such beautiful language.
Great job!
You knocked the breath out of me...didn't expect that. I am amazed as I read these posts tonight. Such intense moments....so much told in so few words.
Some of my favorite lines...arms ache for want, machine doing what has to be done, words float.
So specific...and do what they should!
Oh so sad! And scary. You really captured birthing and demise in your poetic words.
This line: "Exhaustion steps aside, will come back later when the night has fallen." read beautifully. And the karate chop ending? Chilling perfection.
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