Velkan paced back and forth as screams came from upstairs from his younger sister. Looking up with worried eyes, he glanced at his three guests, close friends of the family. All were gathered around waiting for any word.

Upstairs, Anna sat up in bed. Her entire body was covered in sweat and her hair was pushed back. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she cried out to the midwife and chambermaids that she couldn't do it.

"Yes you can my darling, now just try!"

Anna tried to take deep breaths as her entire body felt as though it was being torn apart. Feeling the room spin, she snapped her eyes shut and screamed. There she remembered the handsome stranger who had helped her so long ago. His beautiful blue eyes locking with hers. The feeling of floating whenever he looked at her.

Then…

His awful ugly face grinning down at her as he made this thing that was ripping through her. Opening her eyes, Anna screamed out as the midwife worked between her spread legs.

"You need to start pushing, the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck."

"NO!"

Anna shook her head as tears ran down her cheeks.

"Let it die!"

The chambermaids surrounded her, one clutching her hand.

"Please Anna, try…just push!"

"No!"

Anna shut her eyes, begging for the pain to stop. Another awful one soared through her body as she grabbed into the sheets. This thing was killing her.

"Make it stop!"

The midwife then made one of the chambermaids push hard on her stomach.

"Push Anna, just push!"

Anna cried out as her breathing became harder and harder to do. The midwife struggled as blood began to appear on her white dressings.

"Your baby will die, you need to push!"

Anna then leaned forward and pushed with all her might, screaming she held onto the chambermaid's hands and threw herself backwards. Her entire body was now numb.

"Two more pushes, come on!"

Anna breathed deeply, laying back with her hair plastered to the pillow. The chambermaids all nodded their heads at her before she sat back up and pushed. This time the pain had become worse. Screaming at the top of her lungs she used all her might before an off noise filled the room and Anna fell back without any strength. Seconds later cries filled the room. Anna stared up at the ceiling, she felt so cold and empty. Taking shallow breaths, she looked up where her legs were spread. The midwife looked down, her clothes now soaked with blood. She stared down at the baby, her face speechless.

"Is it okay?"

Anna asked in a breathless voice.

The chambermaids all glanced over, one gasped and ran out of the room.

Anna then began to feel panic, trying to lean forward she shook.

"What's wrong with my baby?"

The chambermaids slowly began backing up, terrified.

Downstairs, Velkan looked up with the others as the chambermaid screamed at the top of her lungs and rushed down the stairs. Velkan caught her in his arms and shook her.

"What's wrong?"

The chambermaid was in a state of hysterical, shaking all over she cried.

"It's awful!"

Velkan then looked up the stairs.

Anna meanwhile used all her strength to sit up, her face pale.

The midwife kept looking down at whatever she was holding. In her free hand she slowly made the sign of the cross.

Anna reached forward, faintly smiling.

"What's wrong?"

Then she saw it.

Her eyes widening, she heard one of the chambermaids scream.