The Birth (The Black Wing Book 1) (21 page)

“Don’t you worry about being alone.” I said. “I will visit you tomorrow—”

That instant it looked like a lightbulb has turned on Avalon’s head.

“No!” exclaimed Avalon.

Her eyes darted over the field, glancing at the harmless forest, and the innocent leaves drifting in the air. Avalon confessed something that troubled me, just hearing it make my stomach turn.

“When I passed Serenata into your child, much of my energy was spent, so much that it amplified a signal across the stars. For those few moments this galaxy shined like a beacon of light. It’s enough for an Elite to trace me, I wouldn’t be surprised if they have already located earth. If they find me, they will eliminate me for treason. Please, whatever you do, do not come back.”

“Why did you mention this now?!” I exclaimed. “I wouldn’t have help you if there were aliens—Lenurs, hunting you!”

“I understand your frustration”

“Frustration?” I repeated. “You’re telling me that apart from my husband, now I have to hide from your galactic justice system!”

“Elite.” corrected Avalon.

“Whatever!” I stammered.

This is some turn of events. My child is safe guarding the only live successor of the Emperor. This isn’t what I want to hear after I put my child in dangers way. Avalon assured me that I’m out of harm’s way. She said the only person who knew she was pregnant was the Emperor’s wife, and she’s perfectly dead

“It wasn’t important to tell you.” she justified. “I simply assumed you were going to leave and never come back. I’m not sure how swiftly my Emperor sent an Elite. But it won’t be long.”

Since connecting with Avalon, I now have a clear understanding of her world. Elite’s take roles as executioners. According to Avalon, they’re trustworthy enough to leave Osois. Avalon hinted that she doesn’t know who will be arriving, but she guarantees the Emperor’s advisors will send their best Elite. While it isn’t the time to ask, but I wondered what it is about the Emperor’s advisors that made them hate Avalon so much. Their passion to wipe her entire family is a mystery to me. Their power to do these things without the Emperor’s approval is a frightening thought on its own.

“What’s done is done.” I paused. “What do I need to do?”

“You will go home, I will wait right here, and preserve my life until you give birth to your baby. I don’t want to leave this world until I know that you and your unborn are safe. If the Elite arrives beforehand, they will assume I miscarried my daughter and conclude that she died. I won’t hide that the truth that I was with child. This is the information the Elite need to return to Osois. They must not conclude that the Emperor’s only child is alive.”

“You said this planet is toxic to your kind, so why would they risk coming here.”

“The Lenur don’t know this planet is toxic yet.” said Avalon. “That is my advantage and disadvantage.”

Avalon didn’t bring up her status if the Elite arrived. So I asked her what will become of her. She pressed her back near the boulder and took in a deep breath.

“They will surely send someone strong enough to defeat me in my feeble state.” she concluded. “I’m almost curious to know who it will be.”

Her reaction troubles me, I immediately told her there is nothing for her to get excited about. Apart from slowly dying, now there’s another force ready to punish her. Knowing how emotionally weak I am, Avalon tried to break a smile. No matter how unfair life is, Avalon only looks in the positive, incapable of submitting into ruthlessness. If only things could be different, if only she stayed in the Forest of Sei. If only the Emperor allowed her to have her child. None of this would had to happen, no one would need to suffer. Avalon’s in no condition to defend herself—the Elite will easily take her life. Avalon waved me down. I have lost myself, inside my thoughts.

“You must make haste.” she reminded. “Please go, and whatever you do—do not return. If you really value your unborn, never return to this place.”

For once, we are on the same page. I grabbed my backpack and swung it over my shoulder. This is really our last goodbye. Avalon’s hand rested on my belly, she smoothed over every curve. A smile hanged on her face.

“Someday.” she revealed “They will be like sisters—just like you have been to me.”

“Avalon.” I whispered.

“It’s time for you to go.” she announced. “Don’t think of me and certainly don’t think of the Elite.”

Avalon shared with me the same smile when we met. Her peaceful nature is undeniable, genuine, it remains pure—even now.

“I won’t see you again, wont I?” I said.

“If you do, it will only be to protect you. I owe you that much. Now you must depart, protect them.”

I held my tears, I don’t want to think about what’s going to happen to Avalon. Going back to the cabin is now more difficult than I imagined, but I went ahead. Now I have an even powerful duty than before. I must protect these innocent lives inside me. For Avalon, and for me.

T
he entire morning my windows vibrated like a haunted house. A strong wind current passed through, howling on the cracks of the cabin. I spent my entire morning in the living room. I sniffed the vapor swirling from my cup of hot cocoa. Last night, I was up late, worrying about Avalon. Sleep deprived, my body forced a yawn for the third time.

After leaving Avalon, Kinoki and I had a lot of trouble finding our way back. Not only was the dusk creeping in, but the crows have returned from their scavenging in the city. We trespassed their territory, and they had no trouble letting us know. These black flying reptiles harassed us out of their territory. Among them, lurks a crow twice as large as the other ones. The feathers on his left wing were ruffled. When we found the crater they stopped chasing us.

Kinoki leaped over the crater and ran towards the truck. She couldn’t be happier to see her lifelong enemy. I quickly inspected the
catarelia
, the living rock Avalon used to travel to space. It’s as I suspected, the
catarelia
has shrunk to three feet. In such a short time, this once massive space rock, has diminished into a small size. Avalon said, the rock represented her health, and if she dies, it will soon become naked to the human eye.

I want to visit Avalon, but I’m not allowed to do that. The Elite are coming for Avalon. It’s hard to believe the Emperor is so merciless to Avalon. Even if he made that rule to not have children, didn’t he love Avalon just a bit more than the rest? When Avalon and I connected, I felt her love for him. He was sweet to her, but he also caused her a lot of pain. I snapped out of my thoughts, Avalon told me not to think of her and what’s to come. I sipped my hot cocoa, in obedience to that. Just then, my phone rang a notification.

Tomorrow. Appointment with Dr. Graham @ 11 a.m.

I read the details of my appointment and couldn’t help but smile. I’m nearing the end of my trimester. Within four weeks, I will cradle my baby in my arms.

“Where’s mother?”

The window vibrated behind me, I looked through the porch window, there’s no visitor. The only sound in this cabin is the sound of Kinoki’s teeth crunching on her kibbles in the kitchen.

“I miss mother.”

The voice is tiny, barely there. I left the comfort of my sofa, abruptly placing my hot cocoa on the coffee table and spilling it.

“Hello?” I called out.

Kinoki greeted me, thinking I called her. I walked through every room in the cabin. The windows are making an eerie sound by the strong current of the wind. Sleep deprived, I went to lay down in bed.

“Lola.”

That is no wind, and I am not exhausted. This thing knows my name.

“Are you…Serenata?” I called out.

How is it possible? Avalon never mentioned she could communicate with her daughter. She didn’t even give me instructions on what to do. All I remember is the lullaby she sang, and the tales of her past. If my guesses are correct, that would mean that Avalon can outwardly speak to her daughter.

“I’m here.” I tested.

“I’m scared
”
the voice recoiled
.
“Mother is alone.”

Success.

“Your mother is strong.” I replied. “She is alone because she wants to keep us safe.”

I’m starting to suspect that Serenata knows the fate her Avalon is waiting. In one month, my child will be born, and Avalon will no longer be with us. Unless the Elite show up, that is the plan. My desire to return to bed hasn’t change. After all, my appointment with Dr. Graham is never a pleasant one. I pushed myself to sleep, the road is always a long one.

D
uring the check-up I’ve worried something abnormal was going to show up. Whatever Avalon did during the braightnos transfer, it gave my baby a traumatic shock. With my relief, Dr. Graham had nothing to report, everything is normal. We returned to his office to discuss the last four weeks of my pregnancy. During this time, he looked at me suspiciously—like something is different about me, but he can’t point out what.

“Have you been getting enough sleep?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Yes?” he repeated. “Yes, what?”

“Yes…I have enough… sleep?”

Dr. Graham grumbled, and folded his hands on his lap. I willingly returned to my anti-social behavior, a temporary phase, but a pain in the butt for my physician. I promised myself that after I give birth, I will cheerfully explain to Dr. Graham my reasons for treating him like garbage. I will buy him a fancy blue pen as penance.

When I rose from the seat, I thanked Dr. Graham, and prepared my leave. He asked me if I was sure there was nothing I needed to tell him. When I re-assured him of my comfort, that’s when Dr. Graham asked me to sit down. He even offered a prolonged please.

I sat.

As usual, my concerned doctor is going to make a speech about how naïve, how inconsiderate, and irresponsible I am.

“Lola.” he said in a low voice. “I checked the weather for the month, there’s a high chance of snow by the end of the week.”

I didn’t budge or agreed, instead I let him carry on.

“Are you going to stay in town for the rest of the month?”

“Maybe.” I hinted.

There is no way I have the funds stay in a hotel for the entire month of my pregnancy. That’s how I lost half of my savings after my husband kicked me out. Of course sharing this information to my physician will drive him crazy, so I kept silent about it.

“I assume you will be staying with someone? Perhaps with your family or father of the child?”

Dr. Graham examined my face, he’s expecting my predictable reaction. Any second, I will burst into a panic attack like usual. His eyebrows rose when I made no emotional outburst to defend my case.

How strange, he did say the word family, and right now I’m clearly thinking of my husband. Where is the rapid heartbeat and the sweaty palms? Dr. Graham naturally took this as a bad sign, but I’m just as surprised as he is. Did Avalon have anything to do with my usual anxiety attacks? She saw I was a prisoner of my own past, mistakes, and fears. Did meeting her free me in a way I didn’t otherwise notice?

“Lola, are you feeling alright? You don’t seem like your usual self.”

“I’m fine Dr. Graham.”

I used his title to emphasize my seriousness.

“Actually I have never felt this good before.”

Dr. Graham noticed my optimism, he sighed and scratched the back of his head. His elbows fell on the burgundy desk I will always wholeheartedly admire. Dr. Graham dismissed our previous conversation and brought an alarming report.

“When I asked you about where you plan to stay, it wasn’t because I’m trying to pry into your business—this is different. My wife and I have a request, we hope you will say yes to.”

His wife—whatever happened to patient confidentiality? Dr. Graham continued.

“We want to invite you to stay at our home for the end of your pregnancy and shortly after your baby is born, at least until the road is open for you to safely drive home. They won’t be plowing the snow on the road you take anytime soon, it’s old, dangerous and a waste of the city’s money and yes—I checked. My wife and I would be more than happy to have you fill our empty home with a baby.”

While I expected something worse to come out of Dr. Graham’s lips, for once—I don’t find this one absurd. It’s a reasonable idea. The further I can get from the woods right now, the safer I am from the Elite. I think Avalon will approve of this. If this Elite arrives, they won’t find us in the city and I don’t have to worry about driving to the hospital or paying for a full week at a hotel. Of course, I won’t tell Dr. Graham that I did plan to stay at a hotel—that’s if I get approved for a loan.

“No! I want to be near my mother!”

Gasping at the voice trailing in my ear lobe, a surprised Dr. Graham asked me what was wrong. I thought he heard Serenata, but it was my reaction that surprised him. I dismissed his concern. I’m so stupid to think she could not listen to us.

“May I use the restroom?” I requested.

“Is everything alright? Are you feeling ill?” he inquired.

“No, I just drank a lot of water.”

I left the office and hurried into the restroom across the hall. I closed the door, locked it. I let the sink run and took in a deep breath.

“Serenata.” I called out cautiously. “We will be safe if we stay near the city. We don’t want an Elite discovering us.”

I made sure I spoke discreetly and looked at myself in the mirror. I imagined the person I looked at was Serenata. The water continued to run while I waited for her response.

“But mother is all alone.”

“Your mother told me to protect you and my child, do you know why?”

Serenata is waiting for my reply.

“Your mom is doing everything she can to make sure we are safe, and we have to help her.”

“I guess…your right. Staying here will please mother.”

To motivate myself, I nodded to my reflection. I turned off the faucet, and returned to the office. Dr. Graham’s hands neatly folded over his desk, waiting patiently for my return. I returned to my seat, and brought up his request. I looked away, and then back at him. It’s becoming a challenge to say I want his help. Dr. Graham held a neutral face, he’s so used to my rebellious character that he can’t imagine anything beyond the word no.

“Can I think about it?” I replied. “What I mean to say is, I want to accept your offer, just give me a day to pack my belongings.”

“Really?” he said surprised.

He released the manly grip over his hands, his pale cheeks grew bright as a cherry. Dr. Graham is so overjoyed it’s like I told him unicorns really do exist.

“Well then…”

Abruptly, the door knocked. Before Dr. Graham had the chance to respond, the door swung opened. Without my doctor’s permission, a man invited himself in. He looks far from being a pregnant patient, but his face looks strangely familiar. He casually stepped foot into the office but halted when he noticed I was in the room.

“Sorry…” he murmured.

His hazel eyes pressed on me, and went back to Dr. Graham. He scratched his blond hair, and tried to wrinkle up a smile. I took great notice of his pale relaxed shirt with wrinkled jeans, and muddy, dirty—grass stained boots. He’s far from being a nurse.

“What did I say about entering without permission!” yelled Dr. Graham. “How many times do I have to tell you not to come into my clinic with those boots again?!”

Dr. Graham has never looked this frantic before. The man glanced back at me with flushed cheeks, and apologized. He hesitantly told Dr. Graham he will wait for him in the hallway.

I pretended I was one of Dr. Graham’s potted plants, and blankly stared at the ceiling. Dr. Graham smoothed back his hair, fixed his tie, and sat back on his leather seat.

“I’m sorry you had to see that” he said.

“It’s okay. I didn’t know you can get this upset.” I teased.

“That was Jeremy—my son. As you can see, he runs a farm and doesn’t know when to keep those dirty boots out of my clinic!” he shouted so his son could hear.

I thought he resembled someone, it’s Dr. Graham himself! I nodded out of common courtesy, and dismissed myself.

“Hold it right there. Are you going to fetch your belongings?”

“Soon.” I replied. “I need to get something done first.”

“There should be snow by the end of the week, don’t take your time.”

“I won’t.” I paused.

It’s time I confess what I’ve hiding from him since day one. I might as well come out clean before I’m properly introduced to his wife.

“There’s a…cat you see.”

“You don’t have to explain.” he groaned. “That backpack of yours is bursting with feline hair. If you need someone to babysit your
secret
pet, my son can do it—”

“I don’t know.” I said promptly.

I’m not going to drop Kinoki to some stranger’s house—even if he is Dr. Graham’s son.

“He has a few horses, goats, chickens—but no dogs. Your cat will fit right in.” he assured.

“I still don’t—”

“Well since you’re going home to pack up, Jeremy can help you. He was supposed to visit his mother, but today he can drop off your belongings at my house—”

“No-no, that’s too much—” I stuttered.

“What’s too much?”

“There’s no need—”

“No need for what?”

“You’re interrupting me!” I cried.

“You’re the one interrupted me!” he quoted.

Could it be his son’s intrusion that is making Dr. Graham this bossy? Now that I think about it, he mentioned that his wife wants me to stay. My cheeks burned, Dr. Graham has been venting out to his wife about my sour attitude and all the embarrassing lies I came up with!

“I can pack my belongings myself.” I insisted, hoping it will redeem me.

“Lola, you already accepted my help, and you can’t lift heavy objects. Is being so stubborn worth risking your own child?”

“No.”

“Then it’s a plan, the sooner the better. Wait here.”

Dr. Graham left his leather chair and walked out of the office. He closed the door so I wouldn’t hear him talk to his son. It’s not like I need to, I imagine his son is refusing and groaning at his father’s demand. I feel very uncomfortable of the idea. I naturally planned to have no visitors in the cabin, especially by a man who got yelled at by his own father and showed no guilt.

The door opened with Dr. Graham reaching for my appointment card and handing it to me. I looked at the date on the card and smiled, it’s my expected birth week.

“Well it’s settled, he’ll be accompanying you.” he added ushering me out of his office.

“I can do it myself.” I said resisting Dr. Graham’s gentle push towards the exit.

“Now, now—you’ll be a mother soon. Once you have your baby, I’ll stop losing my hair, and we won’t be having these kinds of arguments anymore.”

Like a salesman, Dr. Graham escorted me out of his office and shut the door in my face. I found his son waiting across the hall. He glances at me, then at my belly, and finally looks away. I figured Dr. Graham must have used the
pregnant woman card
to guilt trip him. Jeremy’s face remains rock solid, he even looks irritated. To save myself from the awkwardness, I skipped the introduction and made my way back to the waiting room. His steps echoed behind, cautiously taking each step slower than mine. Something made him edgy, and I don’t like it. He makes me feel like I’m a monster waiting to devour him.

When a familiar receptionist occupied the front desk, things just couldn’t get better. The receptions is Natalie, the poor woman who fell victim through one of my panic attacks. When we made eye contact, her eyes swiftly went back to the computer screen. By the time I reached her desk, Natalie didn’t greet me, instead, she’s pretending I’m not here! Okay—so she’s still mad at me—who wouldn’t after I gave her a heart attack by snatching my appointment sheet off her hands. A part of me I wants to explain myself and tell her that I’m now free from the shackles of anxiety. As a form of apology, I decided to wait as long as she wants me to. I used the time to admire her slim, aqua tone glasses.

In my optimism, I spoke too soon. My passive-aggressive receptionist just rolled away from her desk, and is blindly looking into the file cabinets.

In my long wait, Dr. Graham’s son came to mind. I found him leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, staring at me, my belly, and then looking away. What a bother! There’s plenty of pregnant women here, what form of psychology did Dr. Graham perform on him to gawk at me in such a manner? I ignored my irritation once again, and looked back at the receptionist—now gone! I sighed and started to recite the four more weeks of pregnancy in my mind. It’s no use getting upset, I deserve it. When she finally re-appeared from who knows where, she rolled her eyes and sat down.

“Give me one second.” said Natalie, reaching for another folder to blankly stare at.

“I think she’s waited enough.” said Jeremy, sneaking up behind me.

Natalie jumped at the darkening voice, hovering behind me.

“Jeremy! I-I’m sorry, I’ve been busy.” she explained.

Immediately, her face turned that of a red lobster.

“It’s ok, she really was.” I added, hoping that our next meeting will be a peaceful one.

When she handed my paperwork, I gracefully and gently accepted those sheets like they were secret documents belonging for the CIA. Thanks to Jeremy’s
intervention
, I saved some time for the ride home. But as I walked into the parking lot, my perspective changed.