She was now at 5 months and seriously regretting the whole plan. The baby kicked often and strong and her whole body was constantly in pain and exhausted. She had wandered about the planet as far as she could, but she still did not come to any people. Did he really leave her on a deserted planet? Did the fool know nothing! Groaning she collapsed on the ground. Well at least there were a lot of edible plants. She lay on the ground staring into the stars almost begging him back, to give her comfort once more. She quickly drove the thought out. She wanted this; she was going to escape, if she wanted anything she had to work for it. Soon she fell asleep in the middle of the open field. She dreamt of awful things, of the commander taking her baby, or killing him, of her dying in child birth, of the baby being a monster and torturing people. Name it, she dreamt it.
At some point in the middle of the night she woke up in a cold sweat shearing whispers. At first she only thought they were in her dreams but slowly they grew louder. Opening her eyes and sitting up she peered around the open space and spotted a flame to the distance. Finally rescue! Or that's what she hoped. Standing slowly she crept up on the camp, scouting out if it was safe, she stared in the shadows and taking cover behind some bush. As if all of her dreams had come true, she spotted a group of older women who reminded her of Nancy. They were talking in a language she could not quite make out. Emerging slowly from the shadows the women immediately stopped talking and looked her over. After a pause one got up, recognizing her condition and took her by the fire and gave her food.
"Thank you so much!" Echo exclaimed taking the food and sitting by the warm fire. The women just smiled and wrapped a blanket around her. She wasn't sure if they spoke her language, but she knew they understood her gratitude. So thankful for their acceptance, otherwise she was not sure what she would do. Spotting a younger woman, full of youth, possibly close to her age, was smiling at her. Staring into the fire Echo began longing for her youth again. She wasn't very old, but the child made her feel otherwise. She had never intended on baring children until she was in her thirties. Now here she was forced to take on this unknown child, not even sure if it was human or wraith. Slowly she began drifting away in her thoughts that she didn't even notice she was crying. Quickly one woman took her in her arms and rocked her gently. She knew right there that these people would take good care of her.
They took her into their society, cared for her, gave her a home, friends, nothing could be better. They did speak a different language but it wasn't too much different from her own. Their town was humble yet nice, everyone knew each other and they all worked together. A better place could not be found. One day though Echo came to realize if her child was wraith, she could not remain here to give birth, surely they would quickly reject her. Sighing she wrapped her arms around her swollen stomach and stepped outside into the bustling town. Heading down the road she picked up a few supplies and her closest friend, Marilen, came running up beside her. Marilen was the same age and had recently gotten married. She was the younger woman in the group. They had taken her out in celebration for her engagement.
"Good morning Echo! How are you today?" She asked with that smooth accent that their people had. Echo smiled and waved to her with one hand, the other still resting on her abdomen.
"Hello Marilen, I'm doing well." She responded softly, picking up her small bag and turning to face her. Marilen smiled and pressed her hand to her stomach and giggled. Marilen and her husband had recently decided to have a child and she was so excited. Though she tried to find out how Echo became pregnant and wandering out in the wilderness all she could gather was that her husband had left her.
"When do you think your child is due?" She asked turning to look at her still beaming. Echo shrugged lightly and began walking again with her friend close behind.
"I'm not sure, soon I would guess, he kicks more than any child I have known!" She exclaimed exasperated. Marilen laughed and shook her head taking Echo's arm in her own and skipping lightly along side.
"That means he will be strong, you should think of it as a blessing." She purred, turning her eyes back to the bump where a child rested, only waiting until he was strong enough to come into their world. Nothing fascinated her more.
"I will be sure to do that after he is born!" She was certain it was a boy. How? No one could say for sure, but a mother simply knows these things, perhaps it's because of the strong connections. And no stronger connections would be said then between these two. She had recently decided no matter what this child was, she would defend him with her life. He was hers and hers alone. She had also decided that the commander will never meet her son. Surely he would recognize the connection and try to take him from her. She would not allow her child to fall under the influence of the wraith, no matter whom or what he was. He would be raised human, in a gentle world, never knowing the horror that was his father.
Arriving back home she closed the door quickly. She had begun packing and preparing, she had to leave because he was due anytime, she would be devastated to be caught in labor in front of her friends. She put the food she bought in her pack and closed in gently. She would be leaving tonight when everyone had gone to bed. It was then a crippling pain hit. She collapsed on the ground and cried out. No, it couldn't be now! She tried pulling herself up but the pain struck again. Her whole body was twisting in pain. He was pressing against her spine paralyzing her. Sweat beaded on her forehead and she gritted her teeth. Such a stubborn child. If he wanted to come he was going to. She cried out again as the baby shifted. Please! She begged into the still air, only broken by her own moans and cries. Please child, do not come now! Marilen happened to be walking by her door outside and stepped in when she heard her scream. Poking her head around the corner she called out, unsure what exactly she had heard.
"Echo? Is everything alright?" Upon perceiving her on the ground she ran up beside her in a panic. "Is the baby coming already?" She yelled unnecessarily loud. Nodding her head stiffly she gritted her teeth in pain. Carefully helping her up, she put her on the bed close by, though it was an extreme struggle considering with child Echo was a good deal heavier. Not knowing what to do she just stood there holding Echo's hand. "It's going to be alright, just hand on." She gave a poor pep talk but it kept her distracted. Just as the baby began coming she passed out, leaving the world in a flash of black. The last thing she remembered was fear for her child, leaving her in the hands of someone who has no idea.
When she did finally come to there were many people inside her house. A moment to regain herself and then the most excruciating pain and fear hit. Her eyes darted around as she tried pulling herself up only to be hit with pain.
"Where is my child? Where is he?" Her screams were piercing and rang throughout the house. Everyone fell silent turning to look at her. Trying to sit up Lehian, the birthing mother came running up to keep her in bed. This only panicked Echo more. She began fighting her and the pain.
"Relax Echo! You must stay in bed, you had a dangerous labor!" Lehian trying explaining in a soothing voice, but nothing stopped her, not until Marilen walked in with something small cradled in her arm. She was smiling down at it.
"It's ok Echo, he's ok. Oh and he is the most beautiful precious thing I have ever seen!" She cooed over him. Walking up to Echo she handed him to her gently. She took him quickly and pressed him against her chest trying to slow her heart beat, but the fast pulse seemed to comfort her child who had been whining slightly until now. Looking down at her child he was certainly beautiful. His hair was soft silk white; his eyes were a bright blue with a green ring around it. His skin was an even ivory color. My, she had no idea this is what he was. She smiled down at her child and stroked his soft hair.
"Oh my sweet child." She purred gently, happy to hold him, not noticing everyone around her. But unfortunately Lehian sat on the bed beside her and took her hand gently.
"Echo, we need to talk." She said softly resting her hand on Echo's shoulder. She wasn't really paying attention, she was far too interested in her new baby boy, but finally she pulled her eyes away from him and looked at the older woman. "Echo, where were you going?" She asked bluntly. Suddenly she froze, she had totally forgotten about how she had been packing. Apparently she had taken notice of everything neatly packed away. Shifting slightly she grimaced in pain.
"I'm sorry Lehian, I… I don't know what I was thinking." She lied smoothly. She seemed unconvinced but then smiled and stood. Brushing herself off she nodded, but now refused to look her in the eye.
"Of course, you were under a lot of stress. You must rest now." She said and ushered everyone from the room. Marilen was the last to leave who couldn't take her eyes off the baby. Echo sighed slightly and stared into her child's eyes.
"You need a name darling." She whispered tapping his nose lightly making him smile up at her. It was then she remembered the promise. He was coming back. He said he would be back as soon as he was born! The fear seeped into her heart once more as she clung to the sleeping mass. She could hardly move, the labor caused serious spine damage. She wanted to cry, not only was her child in danger, now these people were to. Slowly she cried herself to sleep, unable to come up with a solution. But as she slept, in her dreams a plan began forming; slowly it came together until she woke up with a start. "I know what I'm going to do."