Winter 10

I sat at my desk, staring off into space. I wasn't even paying attention to Ms. Mana's lesson as she lectured to us about a famous painter who lived in Trampoli. I couldn't help it though! I wanted class to end so I could leave for the clinic. I eagerly wanted to visit Leonel for a few hours before I had to go home. I could feel the baby kicking hyper actively…it must be excited as well!

The echo of the bell rang as I hurried out of my desk and out the door while the afternoon class hurried inside. I waddled as quickly as I could to the clinic, I opened the doors noticing some familiar figures. Dr. Natalie and Ray, of course, my parents, Barrett, Alicia, and obviously, Dorothy. I smiled and rushed over toward them.

"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here? Barrett, why aren't you teaching your class? And it's nice to see that you've returned safely, Alicia! How was your trip?"

"Same reason you're here, Clara!" Mom exclaimed as my dad finished.

"We just wanted to visit Leonel to see how he's doing."

"And don't worry. I've asked Jake to cover for me." Barrett explained.

"And my trip was horrible! Just because I can predict the future doesn't mean I'm a witch! Some people." Alicia sighed in agitation, pinching the bridge of her nose. I gave Alicia an awkward laugh as I pointed towards Leonel's room.

"Can I?"

"Of course, Clara!" Dorothy exclaimed, I opened the curtain to his room, closing it shut behind me. Leonel looked over towards me, smiling.

"Hello Clara. How have you been? How's our baby been? I bet it's getting really excited to be born!" I just giggled and nodded, placing both of my hands on top of my huge abdomen.

"It's been moving more and more lately, so I'm guessing it's really excited!" he giggled a bit, and as if he had regained all of his strength, propped himself up on one arm.

"Really?" he asked as I just nodded. We stood in silence for a few moments before he broke it again.

"Have the builders finished the room yet?" I bobbed my head up and down.

"They finished it this morning! It looks amazing! I can't wait until you see it!" he just smiled and giggled a bit; by guessing his strength had vanished, he crashed in the bed, looking a little paler than usual.

"L-Leonel? Are you…okay?" he just nodded as I took his hand, they were cold, colder than ice, I quickly retracted them.

"You're freezing! I'm gonna grab an extra blanket for you!" I walked over to the closet; pulling out a soft blue blanket from a shelf bringing it over to him, I covered him up.

"Clara?" he began, I looked into his eyes, "Who is that?" He nodded his head weakly, it seemed he was nodding towards the window as I looked out.

"There's no one out here, Leonel. You must have seen an animal." I turned back towards him as I noticed he was shivering.

"Why am I…so cold?" He asked, I felt my heart race as his face turned a sickly pale color and his eyes went from soft and warm to cold and glassy. He exhaled loudly before I noticed his chest wasn't moving anymore.

"Leonel?" I asked no response. "LEONEL?!" I shrieked; I didn't know what to do. I was so scared. I picked up his cold limp body, shaking him.

"LEONEL! LEONEL! LEONEL! WAKE UP!" I shrieked, feeling a pair of strong arms pull me back, I kicked and screamed Leonel's name, tears were rolling down my cheeks.

"YOU CAN'T LEAVE US! YOU CAN'T…" I stopped when I felt a thick fluid leave my lower region. Everyone was panicking. I couldn't make out what they were saying. I only made out a few of the words.

"Gone…"

"Labor…"

"Too soon..." It was all I could catch before I felt as if I had blacked out. Suffocating in a deep and dark abyss.