Page 12 of Monster Queen Rising

"They put a baby in me." Her head moves in a tiny shake. "It's growing too fast. I can feel it. It's... it isn't right. It hurts."

"I know."

My thumb brushes across her knuckles.

"I'm so sorry."

Tears spill down her temples.

"Will you get me out of here?"

"Yes." I don't hesitate. "I'm getting you out."

Her free hand drifts to her stomach, lifting the restraint just enough to rest her palm over the swell.

"Your name is Madison?"

She nods.

"Madison. I'm taking these off. Then we walk out of this room — me on one side, Daron on the other. We go together. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Are you in pain right now?"

"All the time." Her breath snags. "I can feel her getting bigger. I swear I can feel it happening."

Then, quieter, "Am I going to die?"

I open my mouth and nothing comes out. I clear my throat and try again.

"There is something that might slow the pregnancy down and make it hurt less," I say. "We are getting it now."

Her eyes come up to mine.

"That's not an answer."

"No."

She lets out a breath.

"Don’t let go," she says.

I reach across her with my free hand and unbuckle the restraint. Simple buckle. It comes off. The wrist beneath the padding is red where it has been pressing for hours.

I get an arm behind her shoulders. "Lean on me."

"No." A breath. "Let me try first."

She swings her legs off the bed and puts her weight down slow, one hand flat on her stomach, jaw set. She wavers — and goes.

I catch her under the arm before she can hit the floor. She comes back up so easily I almost miss how little effort it took.

Madison looks at me.

"I've got you," I say.

Her jaw sets again. She nods.