One Way Journey - A Writing Exercise

Sila groaned as she felt her way along the hall. Behind her she heard the chatter of the nurses. How could they be so calm?! She was getting out of here. Just a few more steps to the elevator…no one had seen her yet. She clutched her hospital smock with one hand as she used the other to hold herself steady. Only a bit further. 

“Sila! What are you doing?” she heard the frantic voices behind her. 

No no no! Coming to the elevator she smashed at the buttons in desperation. This is not happening! 

But then hands were on her—steadying her, but also leading her back to her room. The room was too real. Too white and confining and not a place she could do this. 

“I know you’re scared hun, but we’re here for you. You’ll get through this,” the nurse said patting her arm as she helped Sila back into the bed. 

“I really can’t,” she gasped as pain ripped through her. 

This was it. There really was no going back, no escaping now. The current of agony and terror ebbed and flowed, the waves came faster. They hit harder. She rode it, her mind sometimes fading into numb acceptance only to be snapped back to the present with another violent clenching of her body. 

“Okay, just one more push. You can do it Sila! One more!” her doctor encouraged. 

“No…I don’t want to. I can’t do this,” she groaned.

“Well, it’s happening whether you like it or not. There’s no putting her back, she’s coming, and she needs your help now, more than ever!”

Shaking with exhaustion, Sila finally nodded. Sweat dripped from her forehead and she found her palms were slick in the nurse’s hand. Whether she was ready or not she would do this. She would become what this little person needed. If that meant pushing her out into this cold and frightening and overwhelming world, then, well, she’d do that too. 

With a scream the world opened around Sila as her daughter entered it. The tiny, hesitant cry filled the room and Sila was reaching for her new person. 

“We did it,” she murmured as she held her child close. “You and me kiddo. We’ve got this.”