Told you this would be up soon!

Chapter 7

Arkarian

So it's settled. Marcus gets a 3 month probation of being a spy for our side, and if it turns out that he decides (once again) to betray us, we kill him. If not, he stays with the Guard for the rest of his life.

The first month and three weeks go by fine; nothing worth mentioning there. Of course, the Order think that Marcus is on their side again, while he's really with us. Which means that whenever the Order plan something, Marcus tells us the exact details, and we can be there to stop it.

Then, one night, Isabel and I are walking home from a meeting for the Named, when she drops to the ground.

I'm walking a few steps ahead of her, so I don't notice her drop right away. I go back, only to find her rolling on the ground. "What's wrong? Is it a vision?"

She shakes her head, but grabs my hand and pulls me to her level. There's so much pain in her eyes, that, for a second, I'm unsure of what to do. But then she tells me. "Get Matt," she says, her teeth gritted in pain. She seems to consider something, then says, "Tell him to come here, and bring Mom with him. And Rochelle, too."

I contact Matt first. Matt, Isabel wants you.

He responds with urgency. What's wrong?

I have no idea, I reply truthfully, But she wants you to come here and bring your mom with you.

Where are you guys?

We're in a small clearing on the way home.

Silence. Then, Okay, we're coming.

I contact Rochelle next. Her reaction is the same as Matt's. What happened?

I don't know. She just dropped on the ground and started rolling around in pain, clutching her stomach.

Oh god no! is Rochelle's reply. I'm coming right away!

I tell Isabel that her mom, Matt, and Rochelle are coming. Then I tell her about Rochelle's reaction.

She nods her head. "I knew she'd get it." She closes her eyes in pain. I sit down on the grass beside her and hold her hand, focusing on easing the pain. Her face, which was red before, turns slightly more normal. She lifts her head a little, looking in the other direction, then lets it flop back down on the grass.

"They're coming," she whispers. Sure enough, Matt, Rochelle, and Isabel's mom come up the hill. As soon as they see us, Rochelle comes running over, immediately taking charge. She's brought with her a bunch of blankets, a few flashlights, some pairs of latex gloves, and even a pair of scissors.

"Matt," she directs, "you gather the stuff I brought and stack it neatly, getting ready to hand me some of the stuff when I tell you to. Coral," she says to Isabel's mom, "grab Isabel's other hand. Arkarian…" she looks at me, trying to figure out what I should do. "Just keep doing whatever it is you're doing. It seems to be working. Isabel, hold on. Use your skills of healing to help."

I then realize what's going on, and can't believe I didn't figure it out before!

Rochelle looks at me sympathetically. It's okay, Arkarian. Matt didn't know either until I told him on the way here. Coral and I both knew…must be a girl thing.

When Isabel told everyone she was pregnant, it was seven months ago, and she was already two months into it. Yeah, you get my drift…

It's a good thing Rochelle brought flashlights; it gets dark very quickly, and soon, Isabel's the only one who can see without a flashlight. But Rochelle's the one who needs it the most.

Finally, after 15 long hours, Rochelle says excitedly that she can see a head. I sit up straighter and get a better grip on Isabel's hand. It can't be long now.

How much longer, do you think? I ask Rochelle.

It's indefinite. But if I had to guess, I'd say under an hour.

I breathe a sigh of relief. My butt is killing me from sitting so long.

Soon, the rest of the baby starts to appear, and Rochelle elbows Matt to wake him up.

"We're almost done now," she says to everyone. Then, we all sigh when Rochelle pulls out a baby.

See? Told you this is one of my favourite chapters! Now you know why! The next one is good too…okay, I'll just get started on that one now…