Reaching Out

Skylar sat on the edge of the narrow bed in the small spare room Jason had moved her to, her hands resting protectively over her growing belly. She had calculated that she was around six months pregnant, a feat she had managed to keep hidden from Jason for longer than she had thought possible. But now, the signs were becoming too apparent: the leg cramps, the dizzy spells, the swelling in her feet, and the incessant itchiness of her stretched skin.

She glanced around the room, its bare walls and single window giving little comfort. Jason had relaxed some of his restrictions, allowing her to move freely around the house more. The illusion of freedom did little to alleviate the fear that gnawed at her insides. Her baby was a fighter, clinging to life against all odds, and Skylar knew she had to find a way to protect them both.

Two days later, as she cleared the remnants of their lunch, a wave of dizziness washed over her. She grabbed the edge of the table to steady herself, but her vi