Chapter 8
Tris P.O.V
I look into the long length mirror staring at my swollen stomach, my little girl is getting so big. I can no longer see my feet when I look down. Almost there, I'm thirty seven weeks today. I'm so excited to see my little Angle be born. Of course I wish things could be different for us. But I would walk through fire to make sure she is happy, healthy, and loved. Lately she responds to my questions and conversations with kicking me. It makes me laugh the thought that she can understand me.
The past few weeks have been more livable though, no longer in the hotel room. We now have a more permanent living quarters. It small, a kitchen, with a island to sit at, a small coach, and two rooms attached. Eric and I no longer sleep in the same bed or same room for that matter. Some how he believed me when I expressed my concerns about "once the baby comes" we would keep him awake all night long. So now we have separate rooms, but we always have dinner together. I cook every night, what ever he requests. Making sure dinner is always ready when he comes in the door. I figured with Eric the more you praise him like a child the more pleasant he will make your life. I would do anything to avoid him being angry. At least, while I'm still pregnant. During the day he locks me in, while he goes out and about doing god knows what.
At first the thought of escaping hit my mind constantly, but I would easily talk myself out of it. Being too pregnant with no help, on the run, and in the middle of nowhere. Isn't the best way to escape. I tried to ask for help a few times from staff members that I have seen but quickly failed. Almost everyone is rather afraid of Eric or the man that they call David. One nurse, her name is Jess, confused me when she said that she felt bad that she wouldn't help me before, and still can't. When did I ask her before? I wonder...
Since having our separate bedrooms, and so close to my due date. Eric stopped asking for sex, there was only one time he came into my room demanding for it. Luckily he passed out on my bed from drinking all day. Before any advances could be made. He did say "Even after everything I still can't win." But never figured out what that statement really meant, and I won't dare to ask him.
There has been occasions were I have heard female voices in his room, at first it was kind of awkward. But I quickly realized how thankful I was that I wasn't the one in that room... The thought made me feel so guilty, but if the woman liked it. By all means.
I know that one day soon I will escape this place with my daughter. But first I have to ensure a safe delivery for her. I also know that knowledge will be key. Eric once told me we are at the Bureau, middle of no where. So I have to figure out where that no where is.. Where the closes place there is, along with transportation, and means to hold us over. I'm a mother now, and have to start thinking myself as one. Can not allow something to happen to me and leave her here with them unprotected.
I'm aware something is wrong with my situation. I know because the man that appears before me, doesn't match the man I remember. I have also been having these dreams... I'll admit at first I thought it was my subconscious trying to comfort me, that I was lonely, or even pregnancy brains, Jess would call it. But with every dream, came intense feelings for him. The look of admiration and love always in his dark blue eyes, his hands although callused always gentle and loving to the touch. The smile always genuine and kind.
The first time I dreamed of this man, I was held captive. I was in a hallway a man with a long nose, and taller then me held my hands behind my back. The man of my dreams didn't think twice, he hit the man that was holding me. Placing me on his back, he ran down the halls with a gun in his hand. He made me feel safe and protected even in the middle of what looked like hell. We hide together in a closet, knowing that there was no way to escape. He encircled me in his protective arms, encouraged me to continue, and to survive. He whispered words of love and cherished me with each word he spoke. His kisses slow but passionate and intense. Then the door to the closet opened and I woke up.
Other dreams followed after that night, although each one was different they always ended the same. They ended with the same man, smiling, kissing me tenderly, whispering words of love.
One dream planted permanently in my head. Felt more like a memory then a dream, we were sitting in the rim of the tub, the water was running. I was so... sad, tired, and hurt. My feet wounded and bleeding, he bend over washing and tending to my wounds. He was so tender and loving with each touch. When I cried, he took me in his arms. "I'll be your family. I love you." He said. Then the dream ended.
Something about this man from my dreams, although for a short time every night provides me comfort.
I can't see anything, the picture in my head is blank. " We're all right, you know. You and me. Okay?Nothing else is all right. But we are." The voice says. It's a deep but familiar, he sounds so sincere.
Then my eyes open. I sit up, I'm in my room it's dark, there is no one in my room other than me. But something has woken me up, it's early morning the sun hasn't even risen yet. I sit up in my bed, turning on the lamp that sits on my nightstand by my bed. Taking another look around my room.
Yesterday I spent the day cleaning, putting things in it's place. Maybe I over did it. There's an ache in my lower back, the pain comes in sharp in and out. Causing me to take a deep breath, and trying to stay calm. When it stops, I have relief. I lay back down. Seven minutes later the pain is back just has bad. I make my way out of bed, walking to Eric's door.
BANG BANG BANG
"Eric!" I yell.
BANG BANG BANG
"Eric, help, I think I'm having contractions." I continue to Bang on the door. But still no answer. I grab the door knob to the door and turn the knob. Please, please don't be mad at me for waking you up. When I open the door, I see he isn't alone in the room. Another form is under the covers with him, and I don't care.
"ERIC! ERIC! WAKE UP!" I say almost yelling, starting to feel another contraction coming on. "AHHHHH! AHHHH!" I scream louder. The pain is getting more intense. Feeling like my body may actually slice itself in half. I try to breath through the pain. I see Eric finally stir in bed, noticing that I am in the room with them.
"Tris?" He says, realizing that he still has someone in his bed. "Tris, you can't expect not to deliver and me not-" I cut him off.
"I don't care about her. I'm in labor, you fucking idiot!" I yell, another contraction. Crap this HURTS!
Eric stands up, pulling on his pants and shirt. He doesn't look like a soon to be father would. He isn't nervous, or excited. Maybe it was the conversations that we have had the past few weeks. He agreed that when the time came, he would take me to the clinic. He was after all, the one with the keys since the doors were locked from the inside. I have been prisoner in this "apartment" for months now.
"Alright, has your water broke?" He asks, placing a hand on my lower back trying to guide me out of the room. I notice that the pressure in my back subsides lightly to the pressure he gives to my back.
"No, not yet. I woke up having the contractions." I say panting between words.
"Just woke up? How do you know this is real labor? You better not have dragged my ass out of bed for false labor!" He says pointing a finger in my face. Is he seriously starting this shit right now.
"Eric! Please just-" I try to say, but couldn't finish the thought when another contraction came in. I grabbed the back of a chair trying to keep myself from crumbling to the floor. "AHHHHH! AHHHHHH!" I scream.
"Tris, remember what the Doctor said you have to breath. Come on!" Eric says trying to get me moving. As he takes hold of my shoulders to guide me out of the room, I feel a popping feeling, follow my a pressure release with in me. I look down and take notice, my water just broke on Eric's shoes. Laughter threatens to leak out of my mouth, but I hold it back. Hearing a growl come from Eric. Needing to get to the clinic, and wanting not to start anything that I know I can't handle right now. I immediately apologize and hope that is enough for now.
"You lucky you're in labor STIFF!" He says with anger in his eyes. The way he says the name Stiff makes me want to crawl into a hole. Please let me get my daughter and I through this in one piece.