Madness [ Claire Sequel ]

Chapter 22

Kira's POV

I woke later in the morning to find Arika gone. I wasn't sure where she went, but I was positive she knew what she was doing, no matter what is was.

My worry dried up, I trudged into the bathroom and took a shower. I stood under the stream of water for at least half an hour, gazing down at my flat stomach. Today, I was officially two months pregnant.

How had this happened? How had I become so irresponsible as to get pregnant at nineteen?

I could always give the baby up for adoption, but I didn't have the heart to do it. Even now, without having even held the child, I knew I wouldn't be able to let the baby go. Arika would be here to help me, of course, and maybe even Death and Black Star.

But I still hated that I didn't know who the father was! Of all things, how could I forget that? If I knew who he was, I could force him to take responsibility. I just wouldn't take no for an answer, no matter who he was.

After quickly finishing my shower, I dressed and practically threw myself down the stairs. I was not ready to take on the day. I had to get another ultrasound from my father, be a surprise guest for my father's class, and then make plans with Lord Death. Even that sounded exhausting.

Fortunately for me, Arika had returned home and had made breakfast. She slid a plate of eggs, waffles, and bacon over to me, and I inhaled the foods. "Geez. Aren't you hungry." Arika grumbled. She was sipping at a glass of milk. "Where were you this morning?" She asked. "Dad's," I spoke around a mouthful of eggs, "Setting up an appointment for today."

Arika raised a brow. "At four o'clock in the morning?" She inquired. I shrugged. "Early bird gets the worm." I paused to finish my eggs. "Where were you?" I countered. She hummed, setting her empty glass in the sink to put in the dishwasher later. "Outside. There was some fight in the street." She rolled her eyes. I scoffed. "Talk about early birds..."

Our breakfasts finished, I had Arika go ahead and head to the Death Room while I went to the infirmary. Dad was already there, setting up the equipment. He seemed very distracted until I knocked on the door. "Oh! You're early!" He exclaimed. I giggled and shrugged. "Only by a minute or two. Sorry to show up so early this morning. I don't know what was into me." Dad shook his head and chuckled. "It's quite alright! I don't sleep much anyway!"

Dad twisted his bolt three times while I lay back on the bed/chair. I pulled my shirt up to reveal my stomach, and he poured the freezing gel on my stomach. When he turned on the ultrasound machine, Death, Black Star, and that Soul guy walked in.

"Hey, Kira!" Death and Black Star announced. I waved and smiled, even at Soul. "Sorry for this morning, Soul. I know we got off on the wrong foot." I helf out my hand, not even jumping when the monitor-bar was pressed to my stomach. Soul shook my hand sadly. "I'm sorry, too." He murmured, not making eye-contact with me.

Dad cleared his throat, leaning forward into the monitor where my baby was shown. "What on--" He whispered. "What?" I asked, "What is it?" He leaned back, revealing some sort of white static around the baby.

"Gah! What is that!" I panicked, my heart rate jumping. "Kira, stay calm!" Dad demanded. "What is that! Tell me what the hell that is and I'll calm down!" I shouted. Black Star grabbed my left hand, Soul grabbing the other. Death moved closer to the monitor to try and see what it was. "I've got to print that out." Dad said. He pressed a button and a whirring sound began underneath the monitor.

After a moment, dad pulled a piece of paper out of a machine and looked at it, Death glancing over his shoulder. It took ten minutes for him to sigh and turn to me. "Do you want the good news or the bad news?" He asked. "Wait. Neither is very good, so I guess I'll just tell you. That white static; that's your Madness trying to invade and destroy the baby. It's not successful. Yet.