Every month brought a week of torture. I would feel strong pains just below my stomach. Sometimes I was unable to walk. This ache was much worse than the minor discomfort of having a sliver in my foot.

I thought how strange it was. Not only had Adam and I brought suffering into the world through our disobedience, but there were different forms of pain. Some were little more than inconvenience, and others were brutal. I also found it horrific that nearly every species of animal in the throes of indescribable anguish was capable of making a sound that so closely resembled a human scream, as if reminding us who was at fault for all the wrongs of the recently formed world.

There was also emotional pain every month. Everything made me cry, or I felt as if a fire burned in my chest, and I wanted to scream. Never had I felt sorrow or anger in the Garden of Eden, but now they were simply part of life.

One month arrived when my body didn't have its usual course, but I still felt uncomfortable. My chest ached so dreadfully that while I was alone as Adam worked in the fields, I removed my garment. Wondering what was wrong with my body, I placed an olive in my mouth.

As soon as I tasted it, the most unusual experience began. My body began writhing on its own. Usually, whenever my body moved, it was because I willed it to do so, but now it was controlling me.

I felt a fire in my throat, and all I could think was how I had to spit out this horrible taste. What had I eaten that tasted so awful? Had I accidentally swallowed dirt?

Suddenly, my body lurched forward, and a repulsive mess fell from my mouth. It seemed there were pieces of food in it, so I supposed it must have come from my stomach. However, I didn't have time to consider it because it happened again. Not until my stomach felt completely empty did this bizarre experience end.

I never wanted to eat again. Even then, I knew it was ridiculous. All creatures must eat to survive. However, I felt as if I would never again desire food.

I cleaned up the mess as quickly as I could. I decided to say nothing about the unpleasantness to Adam. It would do no good worrying him, and he had no more idea than I what had caused this problem, let alone how to stop it.

Once again, I was completely unsure of what should be done. I had once seen a dog consume the repulsive mess of its own stomach, but should I trust the judgment of a species that sometimes tried to eat excrement? The scent of the horror on the ground was enough to convince me that I would not behave as a dog. I would rid my home of this horror and gather a bouquet of wildflowers to disguise the lingering stench.

However, as soon as I had disposed of the mess, I fell asleep. I had slept well the previous evening, but now I was exhausted again, even though I had done very little. Pushing aside such senseless feelings of tiredness, I went to pick the bouquet.

The field of flowers looked so inviting, reminding me of the day that Adam and I had first met. As my face was tenderly chiseled from Adam's bone, I began to feel a gentle warmth that I would later call sunshine. When my eyes were formed, I could see the beauty of various flowers, and when two slight dents were carved into my nose, I caught the sweetest, most delicate scents on the slight breeze, which gently began to stroke the wisps of my growing hair.

Such memories vanished at once as I turned. I hadn't realized I was lying down in the field, and I certainly hadn't meant to fall asleep. Now my face was reddened from the glare of the sun's heat, and my entire body itched from being consumed by myriads of tiny insects.

I silently prayed this mysterious ailment would soon end, but for weeks, I had difficulty eating, and I feel asleep too easily. However, I noticed I was gaining weight. My flat waist was beginning to grow.

Perhaps I had eaten something wrong. That would explain my stomach illness. Could something still be alive inside my body? Is that why it was growing?

For reasons I couldn't quite understand, I was beginning to hug myself, as if trying to guard my growing waist from the evils of the outside world. Perhaps I had some manner of instinct, like the animals that were once my companions. I could only pray that in time, the reason for my illness and strange behavior would be revealed.