The White Mark

Prologue

An unsettling silence had clouded the room as the pained screams faded into nothingness. It was late. No signs of life could be identified on the empty streets. A flickering light in the corner of the room, struggled to single handley fight of the darkness that threatened to enclose is. The figures moved swiftly around the area circling a single bed positioned almost in the very centre of the four walls.

Soon after, the silence was broken, as another series of shrieks followed closely behind. This time, higher pitched, newer, to some more joyful. The screams although deafening evoked tears amongst those present. The droplets a mixture of despair and relief in one.

A new life had been brought into this world. Yet another was yanked into the dark abyss of death.

The tiny, naked creature did not let herself be consoled. She, instead, chose to continue the terror she had brought upon the ears of the midwife, doctor and nurse. As if she knew, felt within, that the heart that had been her constant goodnight lullaby and good morning song had stopped, and could never beat again.

The frantic midwife whose night shift came as a surprise to all trembled slightly as she held the baby close. Her hair was in a bun that a hair tie barely held together. She wasn't supposed to be there. The almost lifeless body that lay on a hospital bed half covered with an extremely thin, blue blanket, was supposed to be there. But holding her precious treasure tightly to her chest and not taking her last breath. If only the one doctor she could afford wasn't a recovering alcoholic who gave into the temptation hours before.

A pair of scissors snapped. The only physical connection the newborn had left with her home of nine months was swiftly broken. She was cleaned and checked from head to toe not once ceasing her sorrowful cries as a lone doctor in the background tried to achieve a miracle. Encouraging her mother's heart to keep beating with the artificial pumping of his hands. The nurse stood by his side, staring helplessly at the figure, now void of life.

Their hard work to save her only relative had successfully distracted them from the real miracle that was mere steps away. The midwife had seen it clearly despite the dim lighting. There it was. A tiny miracle situated on the upper belly of the most vulnerable, little girl. Yet she didn't dare show anyone. She didn't dare speak of it. She silently watched it fade away as she held the bundle of pure innocence in her arms.

That day she had made a choice. One which meant more than she could have ever predicted.