Legacy

Chapter 31: Countdown

Eleven girls. Eleven.

That's how many victims it takes for Michael to take a break.

Ten nights listening to screams.

One girl was too drugged to be heard all the way from the basement.

Nine night terrors.

There are nights I wake up screaming, only for Michael to take care of it.

Eight lasagnas.

Nancy trying to make amends with Michael after trying to kill me.

Seven days.

Michael says the baby should come any day now. Should be before the week is out.

Six graphic stories.

The carpet now has a couple gross stains and Michael has invested in a trash can by the bed.

Five months.

Just since he started. I can tell by the size of my belly.

Four hours.

Michael has been spending four hours a day outside after coming back from work... but I'm all too relieved when it's not another guest.

Three months.

That's how long I've been pretending to be excited about the baby.

Two big kicks.

Twice a day the baby kicks and I hope it'll be a fighter like me.

One mistake.

That's all it would take for Michael to let me die after.

~~~~~

"Are you sure?" Michael's voice is soft as his hands probe my belly eagerly. "I can't feel anything."

"I'm telling you, Michael," I look up to meet his eyes. "The baby was kicking. Literally, just now." It happens again and I slide his fingers over the bump, to the right a bit, just below my belly button.

He smiles like an idiot and gently pecks my nose. "Are you feeling... like it's time?"

My back stiffens. "We're not inducing birth." Before he can even open his mouth I add, "Or a c-section." I fold my arms over myself, so they rest on top of my bump. "The baby will come when it comes."

There's a beat of silence before Michael sighs and kneels down. "I know, Morning Bird." His hands caress my belly. "I'm just ready to meet her." His eyes snap up to mine. "Or him." The timer goes off and he goes to check the noodles on the hamburger helper. "I just feel like a kid at Christmas, you know? The tree is out, there's a present there with my name on it, but I still gotta wait..."

I shake my head and sit down at the table while Michael goes to fill our plates. My stomach twists into a tight knot.

Any meal might very well be my last. Nancy has been giving me regular checkups to make sure that the baby is doing fine... but there's a look in her eyes that suggests that the moment the baby's pulled from me, I won't live much longer past that point...

I have a feeling that Michael might just let that happen. But I don't know...

"Michael?" I murmur, turning my head to look up at him.

"Mmm?" He sets my plate down in front of me and takes the chair beside me, resting a hand on my belly.

"Umm..." I clear my throat, taking my time salting and peppering my noodles. "We never talked about names."