Odette

Twenty four

Odette

I gasped for air as my eyes opened. My clothes were drenched in water as I was in sitting in a pond

"Odette!" arms wrapped around me as I felt tears sprinkle on my shoulder 

"Ali-"

"I thought you were dead! Don't ever scare me like that ever again" she screamed

Alice cried in my arms and I looked around the room. Celeste and the other council members were in a circle watching. I thought, I had died... 

"Everyone please leave" Elida quietly spoke as Alice got up and walked out with the rest

"I met Cordelia..." I mumbled under my breath

"And tried to kill yourself. Odette what were you thinking?" Elida bent down and rubbed my cheek

"I wanted to die" I whispered 

"Everything hurts Elida and I'm lost. Cordelia said I must fight but I don't think I can. I can't raise a child in a world where it'll be hated. My own lover betrayed me and I'm all alone"

"You're not alone Odette. I apologize for being cruel these few days watching them pick up your lifeless body scared me. I can't lose you like I lost my sister" she started to tear up 

When they brought me to the forest I remember how distraught Elida was... my mother and her were two years apart but she adored her older sister so much. It was hard for Elida to accept my parents choice our relationship was strained as a I grew up. Granny said she just struggled to find love as I reminded her too much like my mother  

"When your parents left I begged your mother to stay it was dangerous out there but she insisted you were the chosen one and needed to leave this place. I've been a terrible aunt and now you're going to be a mother" she sniffled 

"I'm sorry about your grandmother... she was like a second mother to everyone. I know losing your father was hard on her and you were her only family left but I promise you the entire council will protect you on her name" Elida said wiping her tears and helping me stand 

"But everyone hates me" I chocked 

"They are scared and hurt, nobody hates you dear" she wiped my tears 

"Cordeila spoke and we look up to you now. We will rebuilt our homes and those humans will never renter" 

Nodding my head Elida stood up and left me alone. I had no idea what to do anymore I couldn't kill this child but I also didn't want it. It was cruel of me to say but my heart couldn't handle the thought of birthing a kid and it look like Eric. He broke everything inside of me

"Odette" I looked up and saw Poppy standing at the door 

"Celeste asked me to conduct an ultrasound" 

She came closer and asked me to lay down. She pulled the machine we had inside and started prepping the table 

"I'm sorry" I whispered as she checked my blood pressure 

"You saved my life" she mumbled

"But it's my fault I allowed him into our home. Melody... she" I started to cry remembering her lifeless body 

"She died an honorable death Odette. As did every solider we lost so don't carry that burden"

I nodded my head and watched her pour the gel on my stomach. She rubbed the circle bulb on my stomach and smiled, "There he or she is" 

I looked at the screen and there was a small peanut inside. This was my first time seeing my child and I turned away. I couldn't look at it knowing their father lied to me and burned my village 

"Do you want a photo?" she asked

"No. Are we done now?" I asked sitting up

"Odette... don't hate this baby. Trust me when I say it will be your life and joy" 

Nodding my head I let, Poppy wipe the gel off and began to pack up the scanners

"How did you deal with it?" I suddenly asked

"What? Cheating on my abusive husband?" 

I never knew what exactly happened with Poppy and her husband. Everyone spread rumors about her being an adulteress but nobody spoke about any abusive. I assumed she betrayed him because they weren't in love

"Poppy-"

"Its okay, Odette. We've been cruel to each since we were young so I don't take anything personal. I lost my child from his abuse and then was told I could never conceive again, so I beg you to not hate this baby" her eyes were watering as she spoke 

"I know it's hard and you loved that man but it's time you grow up and take responsibility. Stop blaming a fetus who will enter this world unaware of the past. Your a mother now and they need you" 

I didn't say anything as Poppy walked out. Everyone was begging me to fight and be strong but I was struggling. I felt utterly alone. If my granny was here she would know what to say she would make everything feel better 

How could I be a mother when I was acting like this. My life was crumbling in front of me and I was in deep pain. I wanted Eric to be here and tell me this is all a bad dream. I want everything to go back to before 

Laying down in the bed i heard the door open but ignored it. It was probably another council member coming to make sure I was alive. The bed dipped and I felt a body behind me 

"I'm here for you" Alice whispered as she held me

"You are stronger than you think Odette" she began to stroke my back 

A sniffle came from my throat and Alice hugged me tighter, "I'm sorry for your lose. They... they took Alfie"

I turned my body to face her as tears were in her eyes as well, "the king took prisoners and Alfie pushed me and the children out the way to protect us"

"I'm sorry Alice" I cried with her

We both lost somebody close to us. I pulled her closer in my arms and closed my eyes falling asleep