Chapter 60: Maybe Someday

Yes, this is the story of Erica, Drago's other wench. Prepare for an angst fest.

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I was 12 weeks along in my pregnancy, although I didn't know it then that I was pregnant.

That was the day that everything went wrong for Erica.

She went into labor at 24 weeks, and she and I were both scared for her and her baby.

Drago appointed me as Erica's helper. I could've only hoped someone would help me when I went into labor 28 weeks from that day.

Her labor came on slow and hard, like I'd feared mine would.

"Becky, I can't do this."

"You can do this, Erica. I'm right here and I won't leave you."

"No, I mean…this baby is way too early. They'll never make it."

"Erica, do you remember me telling you about my friend who was also born early?"

"The son of Stoick the Vast? But Drago said…said he watched Stoick burn."

"Stoick's alive, Erica, and so is his son. He and I both survived being born early, and I'm hopeful that your baby will, too."

"How can you be so sure? My brother was born early, and he didn't make it."

"Everyone is different, Erica. I'm praying to the gods that you and your baby will both make it, and I hope you'll pray, too."

"Becky, if I don't make it, if you ever meet my husband, tell him I'm sorry, and that I love him."

"I will, Erica. I promise."

"And don't give up. One day, we'll be free from Drago's torture."

Erica cried out as another contraction rendered her speechless.

"You'll be okay, Erica. You'll be okay."

"Have you…have you ever done this before?"

"No."

"Neither have I."

"We'll do this together, Erica."

"Tell me about your Eret. It'll distract me from the pain."

"He's strong, and he's got a good heart, and he's gentle…so, so gentle. Maybe someday you'll get to meet him. I bet he'd like you."

"Maybe someday, you'll meet my husband."

"Maybe someday, we could all have dinner together when we're free from Drago and his torture."

"Wouldn't that be nice?"

The time came for the baby to be born, and it was, as you'd expect, a messy affair.

No one else assisted. I was labor coach and deliverer in one.

In the end, Erica lost a lot of blood, too much for me to do anything to try and save her.

"Is…is the baby okay?"

"Erica, I…I'm so sorry. She's gone."

"It was a girl? I killed her. I killed my baby girl!"

"Erica, you've done nothing wrong. This is not your fault. I…Erica? Erica?!"

With the lifeless baby girl in my arms, I looked over and saw my lifeless friend.

What I wouldn't have given to have been with Eret right then, so he could've held me and helped me through this.

I began to sob, and someone came into the room, and I could tell it was Drago by the smell of mead on his breath.

Drago picked me up by the arm and forced me to stand.

"You're over-emotional. I never want to find you like this ever again, do you hear me?"

"Yes, Drago."

"Good. Dispose of the bodies, then get back to work."

"Yes, Drago."

Drago left and I disposed of the bodies by dropping them into the sea.

That night, I dreamt I'm back with Eret, and, when I woke up, I could feel dried tear streaks on my cheeks.

I missed him so much, and I could only hope the next three months would go by quickly.

But they didn't.

And it wasn't three months, it was six.

I had given birth to my son, and I had lost both my helper Anthony and my son. I had lost so much weight, I was practically skin and bones.

I was then returned to Eret.

That was when the night terrors truly began, but don't you dare blame Eret for that. It wasn't his fault. It was mine, and mine alone.

I just hoped that Eret would be able to forgive me, eventually.