The screams, moans, and gunshots are deafening. I crawl around to look for my BFFs and the blood sprays on me. I look up at the dead stare of the college dude.
“Oh my god,” I yell, shaking, covering my face with my bloody hands.
I’m shaking and crying, leaning against the wall. I’m scared shitless. I don’t know if I’m going to die. I pull up my legs to protect my tummy.
What about my baby?
The gunshots are so loud and continue. I’m trembling, and then the gunshots stop. A hand grabs my arm, pulling me up.
“Baby, are you okay,” Anatoly asks, pulling me into his arms.
“Oh my god! You’re here! I’m so scared.”
“You’re safe, but we need to go.”
“But my chicas are here. We need to get them.”
“Baby, we can’t look for them. There are lots of college kids running and hurt. The police and ambulance will be here. We need to leave,” Anatoly says in a low, urgent voice.
I can’t believe this. Am I really going to leave my chicas behind? The police and ambulance will be here, so they will be okay if they’re still alive.
Oh my god!
I can’t think that.
“Ah. . . . okay,” I whisper, staring into his eyes.
Then I black out.
“Baby?”
I feel and smell Anatoly. He’s here, and I didn’t imagine it.
I open my eyes and look right into his worried eyes.
“Baby, how are you? The doctor said that you’re okay.”
What?
Everything rushes through my mind, and I push up from the bed to look around.
“Where am I?”
“Baby, you’re safe. You’re at the medical center,” Anatoly says, running his fingers through my hair.
“Oh my god, is the baby okay,” I yell, touching my stomach.
“The baby?”
“Si, Anatoly, I’m pregnant. I just took the test,” I hiss, grabbing his face.
I gaze into his surprised eyes.
“Tell me that you want our baby!”
“Baby, baby, of course, I want our baby,” Anatoly hisses. “I must be processing the news.”
“Good, so ask the doctor if the baby is okay,” I say, moving my fingers through his hair.
