Soul Ties

Chapter 13 [ The Cactus ]

James 5:14-15

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Trigger warning: Mentions of grooming, harshness, trauma

Ziana Carter
********************
Word count: 6814

The glass doors of the hospital slide open and I find myself rushing through them with Elijah right behind me. I go to the receptionist and see a bright and bubbly receptionist, her entire face light up when she saw us rushing through the doors.. hmm it must've been a slow day.

"Hello, we are here for a pregnancy consultant under the name Ziana Carter." Elijah says as i lean against the counter trying to catch my breath,

I nudge elijah in the gut for speaking so loud, we never know who is around hence why i decided to change into one of elijah's over sized black hoodies that and black baggy joggers, of course i cant forget the black hat and glasses, I would've wore the black mask too but something about it told me it would've been too much....

I guess it was a bad idea to use that extra 20 minutes to keep looking for more jobs, yet we still didn't have any luck...

"Okay.. I'm assuming you are the mother?" She asked in her high pitched voice while showing all of her teeth in her wide grin, I guess she loves babies,

"Yes. Yes i am, i know we are late for the appointment and its my fault but i desperately can't miss this consultati-"

"Miss Carter, please be calm. Its okay, you are pregnant, we know how hard it can be for future mothers to hold to a schedule. I can only imagine how much time you've already used making lists and buying baby products getting ready." She kept her warm and welcoming smile as her eyes dropped down to my stomach.. It was at this exact moment i realised what i was doing was the exact opposite of what i was supposed to be doing.

A tranquil long breath leaves her lips as she rests her head on her hands leaning forward into the reception desk, her eyes still focused on my stomach, " The greatest miracle life has to offer ain't it just?" She asks, almost in a daze at the sight of my pregnancy belly, too much of a daze to see how confused i look right now.

"I guess you could say that.." I say with dragged out words,

"You love your job right?" Elijah asks rhetorically,

"Dont get me started! I come in the mornings and see pregnant women all day, leave in the nights and see pregnant women leaving with their babies. I dont have to be too up close and personal to see all the blood from the birth but i can sneak back into the nursery when no ones looking and get a face full of new baby smell." Her eyes filled with ecstasy as she bragged about her job,

"Sounds like a perfect fit for someone who needs a job that's not too hectic eh?" Elijah says hinting to me that i should apply, i roll my eyes and rub my temples as i try to ignore the clear pain in my womb.. looks like me and my baby are ready to go.

"Oh its a great job but its far from peaceful, and you need degree's and multiple credentials to even get as close as an interview, never mind how draining the interviewing process is. A lot of people give up half way and just go to retail or home care instead-"