Chapter 37
THIRTY-SEVEN
GINNY
My little Alice. The perfect baby. She never cried and lay as good as gold in my arms.
So warm and heavy. Her cheeks flushed pink as I rocked her while humming. Her tiny mouth opened with the faintest little snore, each breath so utterly charming. One perfect fist curled against her chin and her pretty pink ribbon curling soft as a kiss against her chest.
I walked down the hall, thrilled when people glanced our way. It made me so proud to show off my baby. Mama had always taken the others, and I’d never seen them again.
But the faces turned from me.
Orderlies, nurses, and doctors stared as I passed. Pale faces and eyes wide, whispering behind their hands as if I couldn’t hear. They recoiled, shrinking from me as if I carried the plague.
I clutched Alice tighter, shielding her from their ugliness.
‘She’s mine,’ I hissed. ‘She’s my sweet girl and you can’t have her.’
And then Nancy appeared.
Sweet Nancy.
Her face softened when she saw me. Eyes so gentle and hands outstretched as though she longed to gather us up.
Nancy had been the only kindness since they had locked me in Wellard.
Sitting by my bed in the days since I had Alice and stopping any of the others coming close.
She helped deliver the afterbirth. Brought me water and brushed my tangled hair.
Whispering that I wasn’t alone, that she’d make sure it never happened again.
She hadn’t flinched when I told her Alice’s name, and had sung softly to her when I bathed.
She was the only person I could trust.
Nancy was going to take me and Alice home.
Away from the cold walls and cruel doctors.
She’d told me all about her house, and the nursery she already has set up.
She’d brought in the sweetest duck covered pyjamas, which fit Alice like a dream.
We’d live like a family. Me, Nancy and Alice. Maybe even Elijah, too.
‘Let me hold her for you, Ginny,’ Nancy said, her kind voice protecting me from the whispers. ‘They just need to have a little look at you. Only for a moment.’
Panic rose until it made my chest hurt. I rocked faster, clinging to Alice.
‘Be gentle. She’s so precious. I’ve waited so long for one I can keep.’
Nancy nodded, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. ‘Of course, love. Just for a few minutes, and then I’ll pass her right back.’
Reluctantly, my fingers unclenched. I passed her to Nancy before wrapping my arms around them both.
‘The doctors scare me,’ I whispered in Nancy’s ear.
‘I know, but they need to make sure you are okay after the birth. You can’t look after Alice unless you’re well.’
I brushed a kiss over Alice’s forehead, my brow wrinkling as the skin felt like it shifted. But when I looked at her pouting little face, it was as perfect as ever.
A scent bloomed in the air, as familiar as breath. Peppery and woody.
Elijah.
He was there.
He wouldn’t let anyone take her.
Relief washed through me as I stood back. My smile held as Nancy guided me gently back into a chair. I didn’t take my eyes off Alice, making sure no one but Nancy held her.
And then straps pulled tight across my chest, harsh leather biting into my skin.
Then my wrists and ankles as I tried to kick and push the doctors off.
Cold metal kissed my skin, sending a chill through my veins that stole my ability to move.
My bladder loosened in a hot flush as panic gripped me. ‘No. Nancy! You said we are going home. You promised! Please, don’t let them—’
But then I saw them.
Dr. Marney and the others, their white coats merging in front of me.
Their eyes glinted dangerously as they enjoyed my distress.
On a tray nearby lay tools I didn’t recognise.
Long and silver, pointed like needles, others blunt and heavy and menacing.
They clinked as Marney lifted a terrifyingly long metal spike.
My throat closed around a sob. ‘What are those? Why do you need them? Elijah. Elijah, please don’t let them hurt me!’
I strained against the straps, wrists burning and ankles bruising. ‘Don’t let them take her! Don’t let them take my baby!’
Nancy’s face swam above me, blurred by my tears. She still held Alice, but she wouldn’t meet my eyes.
‘Elijah!’ I screamed, thrashing pointlessly against the straps. ‘Help me! You promised you’d protect me!’
His scent still clung, Elijah was there.
He had to be.
He always came when I needed him most.
Even as the doctors surrounded me.
Even as the straps cut deeper.
Even as Nancy turned away.
Even as the pointed metal stick neared my eye.
Elijah would come.
He always did.