Sabrina ; The next generation

18

I stared angrily at Emmanuel when he made me take a prenatal vitamin.

He had just given me an ultrasound to make sure the pregnancy was going well.

Months had passed and I was five months pregnant. Every time he did a scan, he made Tomas be here as well.

He talked to us like we were a couple. Like we had chosen this. He acted like it was all natural and he's the happy "grandfather".

"Do you want to know the sex?" He asked, looking at me as he packed away the ultrasound machine.

I just stared at him.

I hated to admit it, but I had formed a bond to my unborn baby, and having to give birth and have the baby anywhere near Emmanuel, scared me to death.

"Felicia, when I ask you a question, I expect you to answer me."

"I don't want to know it." I said quietly, and Emmanuel nodded, before he turned to Tomas. "Do you?"

"No thank you." He shook his head. "Sir."

Emmanuel walked out of the room, and Tomas looked at me.

It was also weird how Tomas and I had formed a bond while I'm locked up here in Ghana.

I would never be able to forgive him for the things he's done, but having some company here was nice.

"How is she?" I asked, looking at Tomas.

He sighed, rubbing his hands together.

"She's okay." He told me. "So is Alec. If he— if he just behaves, he'll be getting a room and a lot more freedom. Like you and Emma."

"Freedom? I wouldn't call this freedom."

"You know what I mean."

I slid off the bed, groaning. Tomas was by my side quickly.

"I have to pee." I said, just so he knew where to follow me.

I wasn't allowed to pee or shower without him being there, and I hated it, but I did it because I did have to pee and I did have to shower.

"Isn't it awkward being here when I shit?" I asked as I pulled my pants down and sat on the toilet.

Tomas snorted, leaning back against the door. He never looked at me when I was on the toilet, which I was very much happy about. It would only make things more awkward if he did.

"Are you gonna be there with I give birth? When this huge baby pops out of my vagina? Are you gonna watch his slimy and bloody alien thing come into the world?"

"Jesus, Sabrina. You do know how to bring down the mood."

"Sorry." I said sarcastically. "Can't help it. After all, I have been stuck here for months."

Tomas looked down at the floor.

"I turned nineteen a month ago, Tomas." I said, sighing. "I didn't get to spend it with my family. We always spend birthdays together."

"I know."

"My parents come into my room. They sing and they act like the most cringe parents ever. My dad makes my favourite breakfast food, and I unwrap presents around the breakfast table. My siblings are all there and we have such a fun time. Mum tells me stories about me when I was little."

"It sounds like fun."

"It is. It's my favourite days." I said in a whisper. "I'm going to die here, aren't I?"

"No. You're not." He said. "I'm going to get you help. I just... I don't know how or when I get the opportunity."

I looked up.

"What?"

"I've been planning it for a while." He told me. "I don't think any of this is right, and I— I don't know... it's weird but I care for this child—"

He gestured towards me.

"—and I don't want our baby to grow up here. I'm working on it, Sabrina. I really am."

I finished peeing, and pulled up my pants before flushing the toilet. I washed my hands, and then looked at myself in the mirror.

"I want to see Naomi."

"We've talked about this..."

"And I want to see my brother. It's been months Tomas. I haven't seen either of them in months!"

"You can't—"

"The last time I spoke to Naomi, I was angry with her! I kicked her out of my hospital room and I ignored all of her messages! I love her and I need to see her!"

Tomas bit into his bottom lip.

"I'm gonna try and talk to Emmanuel, okay? But I can't promise anything."

-

I never got to see Naomi.

I spent four more months in that house, waiting for Tomas to finish his plan.

I was suddenly nine months pregnant and I was terrified.

Actually, I had never been more terrified in my entire life. I could give birth at any moment and then my baby would have to live here.

I didn't want my baby to know Emmanuel. I wanted my baby to be mine.

I wanted to be a mother to my child and I wanted to be able to protect my child in an environment that was anything but this.

"Sabrina, hey." Tomas said quietly as he entered my room one day while I read a book.

"One second." I said, holding up a finger. I finished reading the page, then marked the page before putting down the book.

I looked at Tomas who sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I know how to get you out." He said, and immediately I sat up, but then groaned at the cramp going through my stomach. "Hey... don't move so fast."

"Tell me!" I spoke. "What have you got planned?"

"When you have given birth. Right as the baby is out and safe, I will give you something that will slow your heart rhythm. It'll make it look like you are dying, and if we are lucky, he's gonna think you are dead. He will wrap you up and dump you somewhere. I'll make sure there is a note on you with every possible information so that they will find the rest. Someone will find you and you will be brought to the nearest hospital."

I stared at him for a moment, before shaking my head.

"But... what about the baby?"

"When they find this place, they'll find the baby and bring them back to you." He said. "I won't run. I'll let them arrest me and I'll be in Azkaban, but our baby will have you and that's the important thing."

"Wait... but Tomas. I can't— not when Alec and Naomi are in that room. Not while Emma is here. Not while our baby is here. I can't—"

"It's the only way I can see this succeed." He said quietly. "Trust me, okay?"