AN: This is for the one-shot challenge! I hope you like it!
I ran. Ran as fast as I could, the woods my only refuge. No one should see me. Onlookers would only interfere. It was my burden. I carried it, so I will deliver it myself. I cried out as my body fought to rid itself of the new life.
My baby. That is all I could think about as I collapsed on the ground and clawed at tree roots to pull myself up. I silenced my exclamations of pain. My head swam and screamed at me to stay conscious. The difficulty not to yell was immense. I lay there clutching a tree root, all the while my knuckles turning white. My face was wet with tears as I sat up ever so slowly, and reached down to catch what was about to come. I pushed and I could fight my cries no longer. I ceased them as abruptly as they came. 'I don't need anyone's help...I can do this on my own.' My mother had always said I was strong and willful. I was only proving her right this night. I pushed again and again, lay there for hours and hours, until, finally, the baby, my baby, was free. His cries and wails were music to me, as if it were a victory cry. I seized a sharp rock and cut my cord away. I cradled him in my arms, and just sat there admiring the life I created.
"My little Joe," I named him, "Joe Shimamura." His screams calmed and reduced to a mere whimper as he stared up at me. His mother. I held him close with one arm, as the other grabbed the tree trunk for support as I stood. My steps were slow and heavy, as my exhausted body made its way to the church. I looked up as a light flickered on in a nearby house and a dark figure peered out at me. I cursed the person in the window. 'Let me walk in peace with the little dignity I have left.' My wish became true. The light was gone and no one came out to "assist me". I smiled weakly as the church came into view. I raised my head to the sky. It was beautiful. All the brilliant stars shone down at me, and I smiled all the wider.
"All you alright dear!?" The Father ran out to me and I collapsed on the stairs.
"Father..." I said feebly. "It's finished. My baby, my everything...tell him...that I loved him. Tell him that I'm sorry I couldn't be there in his life. Ask him to forgive me. Tell him to look to the stars, because that is where I'll be. I'll be soaring among the stars..." The Father knelt beside me and I grimaced as I lifted the beautiful life up to him. He took him from me gently and I rested my head on a cold stair. My sorrow was indescribable.
"My little Joe, I can't stay and watch you grow up into a man. I can't stay and see you marry. I'll never hear you laugh. I can't stay..." I clenched my fist and pounded the stone step. It wasn't fair. I relaxed and felt a comforting hand on my shoulder, but I didn't move. I didn't have the strength. Joe began to cry again, and tears fell from my eyes.
"...I love you my son. My child."
My mood got really melancholy when I wrote this. sigh I hope you liked it, and I will be working on Past to Present chapter 6 very soon.