DAN POV
I wake up around 8:30. I can already feel the jitters as I lace up my shoes. Alone, I find myself in the dining hall, absentmindedly eating some eggs. Before I know it, my feet are leading me to the observation room, where I am yet again looking at Charlotte through a pane of glass. Alma joins me at exactly 9:00.
"You're early," she comments.
"Today is an important day."
Alma nods. "She took the news a lot better than we'd expected. She even made the comment that she was glad her memory of you wasn't made-up. The only thing that she requested was an ultrasound."
"Did you give her one?" I ask.
"That's the thing," Alma replies, "She wanted you there as well, when you are both ready."
"Oh."
"Is that a problem?"
"No, not at all. Just a little nerve-wracking, I suppose."
"Well, they estimate her to be about two months, and District 13 cuts off non-emergency abortions at about month 4, due to safety reasons. Thought you'd like to know that. Charlotte was informed of this as well."
"Thanks for letting me know, but as if said before, this is her decision. I only give my input if she wants it."
Alma nods. "Go ahead and go through the door. She's waiting on you."
CHARLOTTE POV
I lift my head up when I hear the door shut. It's Dan again.
"Hey, stranger," he smiles lightly.
"Hey," I whisper back.
He sits on the side of my bed, and I take his hand.
"How are you feeling?" he asks me.
"More like myself."
"That's good," he whispers. "Charlotte, I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be sorry. I'm okay now."
"What are you thinking? About, well..." he trails off.
"I feel like I've lost enough already. Don't you think?" I ask him.
"But you're so young. We're so young. You've been through so much and...I just don't know if it's safe for you."
"They have good doctors here. My mental state has improved a lot. Did they tell you the good news?"
He looks puzzled. "What good news?"
"I could be out of here as early as next week," I tell him.
"Oh, wow. What do you plan on doing after that?" he asks.
"Well, I think I'm going to continue with this. I know that no matter what I'll be closely monitored, anyway. What about you?"
He says, "If that's what you want to do, we can share a compartment. I'll be there for you. Would you like that?"
"I would. Thank you," I say.
Just then, a nurse comes in the door with a handheld device and some earbuds. She sets it on my lap, and tells me, "This is the ultrasound you requested. It's the best we can do. Position the wand on your lower abdomen until you hear the beat."
After she leaves, I ask Dan, "Would you like to listen?"
He nods. I give him an earbud as I put the other in my own ear. Carefully, I press the device around my belly until I hear a distinct, fast thumping. I look to Dan, and he's looking at the wand.
As he presses his hand to my abdomen, the emergency sirens go off, and we both immediately know that another air raid is happening.
