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“I’ve got a new antidote,” I shouted as I came into the living area.
My feet skidded to a stop. Mother and Father were standing by the tape that secured anyone from going into Aries’ bedroom.
“Virgo!” my mother cried as she rushed over and threw her arms around me.
Wanting to push her off, but knowing how rude it would seem, I kept still, my hand clutching the bag with the meds.
“What are you doing here?” I said as she pulled away.
Father came over, his hand squeezing my shoulder as he looked down at me. “We couldn’t stay away any longer. We don’t care about the risks, we wanted to see our children.”
“We felt so useless at home.” Mother stroked my cheek.
Having them there made me feel like a child again. What was it about being around parents that caused us to revert back into children?
“The risk of infection is pretty low now,” I said, not really knowing what else to say. “But, I have some new medication to give them.”
Going to move past them, I stopped when they put their arms out to prevent me from moving forward. They glanced at each other, their eyebrows pulled low.
“No matter what happens, we trust that you’ll do your best. However, don’t forget why you’re here.”
I almost choked when I heard my mother’s words. Were they seriously trying to warn me about spending too much time on saving Nat’s life?
“I’m a healer. I will do anything to save them. Now, let me past.”
Knocking them as I moved to go to Aries’ room, I ignored their shouts. My mission was the last thing on my mind, right now. Okay, so I might have felt attracted to Alice throughout this, but my priority had always been Natalie and her baby.
“How is she?” I asked Scorpio.
He was crouching beside Natalie, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Aries was lying beside her, an arm thrown over her waist. Tracks of tears trailed down his face, pain etched in every crevasse as he wept.
“Not great...” Scorpio backed away so I could get closer.
“Okay, thank you for looking after her so well. Aries, I need to try you on this new medicine. It’s not been tested on anyone. There’s a risk-”
“Do it,” he muttered, struggling to sit up.
His energy was gone, but so were his red eyes. The water on his face were tears of sadness, not sweat. He was slowly improving, although he wasn’t completely cured. If I used the antitoxin on him, I would be able to see how it affected his body.
“Natalie is different to you, you know that, don’t you? If you have a reaction, she could have one. But, if you don’t, that doesn’t mean that she won’t. I...”
Shaking his head, Aries reached for me, grabbing my arms in desperation. “Please, you’ve got to try anything.”
“But...” My eyes welled up as his sadness leaked into me. “...what if it kills her?”
Scorpio’s hand stroked my back, trying to give me comfort. “You don’t have much choice, Virgo.”
“No one will blame you,” Libra spoke up from the sofa in the corner.
She was leaning forward, her stance weak, but better. If they were going to support me in trying the new antitoxin, then I had to go for it. It could save Natalie’s life, but it could kill her and the baby, too. The pressure on my shoulders was about to explode.
“Please.” Aries’ plea gave me the confidence to make the decision.
Nodding, I prised him off me, patting his hand in reassurance. “I’ll do what I can. Lie down, I need to give you this now.”
Disconnecting him from the antibiotics, I hooked the new bag up to him. Hanging it on the hook that Scorpio had managed to improvise, I went back to Natalie. Her breath was shallow, her body asleep. She didn’t move much, the weakness too much. Alice was right, either we tried, and she died, or we didn’t...and she would still die.
“Aries, I’m going to hook her up now,” I said, feeling for her pulse. “She’s too weak to wait. I’m...I’m so sorry if it makes it worse.”
He leant up on his elbow and looked down at Natalie’s face. Even if she was to leave him, their souls were united, so she would still be with him spiritually. But, their promise of a happy future would be gone. And, so would their child.
“You’ve got to try.” His words were whispered as he lowered his head closer and brushed his lips against hers.
Their love hit me in the chest. I had to save her. If I didn’t, I would never forgive myself. Aries had already lost so much, losing his twin flame would end him.
Undoing the cannula, I took her off the antibiotic IV. Taking a huge breath, I attached her to the bag. Placing my hands on her arm, I closed my eyes and concentrated on her breathing. Allowing myself time to rest, I kept my thoughts clear and just hoped that somehow I was helping.
The skin under my hands grew warm. Natalie moved slightly, her hand reaching out to Aries. He took it, his concentration purely on her face. It would take a while for the drugs to get into her system and fight the toxin. In the meantime, we would need to be patient.
“I need to go and explain to everyone what I’m doing.” Stroking Nat’s cheek, I left them, leaving strict instructions for Scorpio to shout for me if there was any sign of change.
My hands shook as I went out of the room and into the kitchen area where most of the family stood. They were talking amongst themselves, the mood sombre. They turned to me as I stood in front of them.
“I’ve given Natalie an untested antitoxin. It...it might very well do her damage...” The others gasped, their hands going to their chest or mouth. “...or, it might save her. But, if I don’t try it...we will lose her and the baby.”
Father rubbed his hand over his face. I hadn’t noticed how much he’d aged until now. The years of trying to help us as well as fumbling through his own reunion was taking their toll.
“You’ve done the right thing,” he said, pulling himself up and straightening his suit jacket. “Nick gave us all a low blow, but we mustn’t let it stop us from doing what we’ve been sent here to do. We’re half way through now, and—”
“Seriously?” I butted in. “Are you still worrying about the mission when Aries’ soulmate might die? Because of me?”
Moving to the side, I started to clean away the mess. Grabbing a cloth, I scrubbed the side, distracting myself from what was going on around me.
“Virgo?” Libra’s voice caught my attention.
Turning, I stared at her as she walked towards us. The others reached out to pat her back, or offer a comforting word. It was good to see her on her feet without having the antitoxin.
“You’re the reason hundreds of people are alive today. Your day to day job is saving people. And, you can’t have done anymore with us.”
Her arms came around me as I dropped the cloth and buried my head in her chest. She was much taller than me, her lithe frame even skinnier than before.
“I need a good meal,” she said, pulling away and kissing my forehead. “And, you need a break.”
I couldn’t take a break. For as long as Natalie was alive and unwell, I would be working to save her. And the baby inside her. My niece.
But, a sleep...I could do with a sleep. “Okay, I’m going to go to bed for a bit. Make sure Scorpio comes and gets me if there’s any change.”
She nodded as she went to sit on a stool, ready to be fed. It was so good to see her looking much better. A few good meals and she would be back to normal.
“Darling,” Mother said as I went to stride out of the kitchen. “You’ve handled this so very well. Please, be easy on yourself. About everything.”
She was referring to my mission. In their eyes, I wasn’t able to work on that until I had sorted the sick people. If only they knew that my soulmate had been the one who might save their lives.
Smiling gently, I left them to it. The prospect of my bed made me hurry up the stairs. My phone started ringing as I went into my room and plonked myself on the bed.
“Hello, Alice,” I greeted my partner in crime.
“Did it work?” Her lack of greeting didn’t come as a surprise.
She was a doctor, someone who cared so much about her work, she sometimes forgot her manners. Most doctors were the same.
“I’m not sure yet, I’ve only just started to administer it. I’m having a quick nap while it gets into her system. I can’t do anything else right now.”
My tone was helpless, I could hear it. I wanted to sit by Nat’s side and watch her like a hawk, but it would stress me out too much. Any reaction would be good or bad, so there would be nothing I could do either way.
Lying on the bed, I tucked my arm under my head. Alice was breathing on the line, obviously thinking about her response. “Just, let me know what happens when it kicks in.”
The phone went dead. Putting it on my bedside table, I closed my eyes. Was she still mad at me for some reason? She had basically attacked me, but why? I understood that the stress was a lot to handle, but I wasn’t a normal human being. I had faced evil men with my brothers and sisters. Alice had never had to handle something like this. Had she?
My mind wandered, jolting me awake when the bedroom door suddenly slammed open, rebounding off the wall. I was sitting up before Scorpio even got into the room.
“What is it?”
“It’s...it’s...” He gestured with his hand. “...Natalie.”
Jumping to my feet, I followed him as we thundered through the house. His footsteps were loud as they slammed against the floor. I glanced at the big clock on the wall, shocked that three hours had passed since I had gone upstairs. I must have slept very deeply to not even realise the time had gone.
“What is it?” Mother asked as we went into the room. “Scorpio?”
“Mother,” I said, poking my head out. “Please...”
Nodding, she turned back to the others. My father had left by the looks of things, which wasn’t a bad thing. Having the whole family waiting to see what was going to happen was intimidating.
“Virgo?” Natalie’s voice was stronger as I came into the room.
Kneeling beside the bed, I felt her pulse, my own quickening when it beat strongly against my fingers. That was a good sign.
“Are you okay?” I asked as she looked at me.
The sweat on her body was gone, the glassy look in her gaze clearing. She wasn’t completely out of the woods, but the improvement was immensely quick. That meant the antidote was working. Glancing over, I noticed that Aries wasn’t in the bed. “Where’s...?”
“He’s gone to have a shower, he’s improved dramatically too, but that’s not what I—”
Natalie suddenly groaned, her hand going to her stomach. No. No, it couldn’t be. She wouldn’t have enough strength if...
“I think the baby’s coming,” she muttered, squeezing my hand.
Had the antitoxin forced her into labour? She was close to her due date, but what were the chances of her contractions starting right after I’d administered the drug?
“I’m worried, you’ve not got the energy to do this,” I told her.
She pushed herself up on her arms, looking at both me and Scorpio. “I’m starving, maybe food will help me get some energy.”
Sitting against the headboard, she rested her hands over her stomach. It was a completely different Natalie from a few hours before. She had almost died, and now, she was well and truly alive. And, hungry.
“I know you can get me...us...through this.” Nat smiled at me, her eyes glistening with tears. “You saved our lives.”
Glancing at Scorpio, I swallowed hard. “You’ve helped me so much.”
He held up his hands, his head shaking quickly. “It’s okay, I can step away for this one.”
A smile blossomed on his face as I stood and threw my arms around his waist. He patted my back, not really used to affection from me. Scorpio was the most emotional out of us all, but he refused to show it. Always hiding how he really felt.
“I’ll get the others to make some food,” Scorpio said.
“Can you send Mother in?” I asked, shocked that I was going to trust her to help me deliver Natalie’s baby. “Make sure she has gloves on.”
Reaching down to squeeze Natalie’s hand, he left us to it. Whatever happened next, it wouldn’t be easy. A woman needed energy to give birth. And, if anything went wrong, I didn’t exactly have the equipment to help her if she struggled.
“I’m tempted to take you to hospital now,” I said as I cleared the surrounding space of everything. “It’s not hygienic enough here.”
A groan from the bed brought me back to Nat as she clutched her stomach. “We can’t. I’m not completely recovered from the Anthrax. Surely, they’d notice that?”
Wiping my hands over my face, I breathed in a sigh when my mother came in with fresh towels and a bowl of water.
I wasn’t a midwife, but I had attended a few emergency births in my time. Getting the baby out was priority, especially after the strain they both would have been under. If it wasn’t a quick birth, I would have to send Natalie to hospital, regardless of the risks.
“Okay, I’m ready to help. What do you need me to do?” Mother stood ready, her hands linked in front of her.
The baby would be the first grandchild, one that I was sure our mother would dote on. Yet, we had to make sure that Aries was here when the baby came, and that she could keep professional at all times. No matter the outcome.
“Natalie’s not had a bath for a while. I’m going to strip wash her. If you could see where her food is, and bring it in when I’m done.”
Without saying a word, she shuffled out, closing the door behind her. I glanced at my friend, raising my eyebrows.
“Thank you,” she said, her fingers gripping my forearm as I started to wash her. “I will never forget this.”
Shushing her, I told her to save her energy. Once I’d finished and dressed her in a clean nightgown, Aries was ready to come in. Mother followed him with a huge tray of food for the pair of them. If Aries’ appetite was anything to go by, he was well and truly on the mend.
“Slow down,” I told him, handing Natalie a sandwich.
She also guzzled it down, her recovery better by the minute. Finishing with a cup of tea, she edged up slightly, indicating that she needed to pee. For the first time in days, she was able to get up, instead of using a bed pan. As soon as she was on her feet, a flush of clear liquid poured down her legs.
“That’s your waters breaking,” I said, laughing as she grimaced. “Don’t panic. Do you still need to pee, or...?”
Shaking her head, she laughed as she lifted her nightgown clear of the wetness. Bending, I quickly cleaned her legs and settled her back in bed. Washing the floor, I dried it so no one would slip.
“Babe,” Aries said, finishing his last bite of food. “That was pretty gross.” He kissed Nat, making her giggle.
How had he kept eating? The sight of the liquid would put me off my dinner. But, then again, Aries hadn’t eaten properly in days and he was a big lad. He needed the calories.
“It’s so good to see you smile,” he whispered, staring into his soulmate’s eyes.
I glanced at Mother who was grinning to herself. It made her happy to see her children succeed. If only she could be proud of us for what we did outside of falling in love. Maybe that would encourage us even more.
“It needs to be completely tidy in here.” I went to start clearing again when Aries stopped me.
“Relax, Virgo, it’s clean, it’s fresh...and you need to concentrate on getting my daughter out safely.” Aries stroked Natalie’s brow as she winced in pain, her legs moving beneath her. The contractions were normal, which was a good sign. In an hour or so, depending on how quickly they progressed, I would check to see how dilated she was.
“It will be a while yet, we just need to keep you as comfortable as possible, Natalie,” I said, going over to her again. “You’re not going to have any pain relief. I...I’m concerned about that.”
Not only was her body fighting toxins still, lack of pain relief would really make her labour a struggle. She had no idea about the amount of pain she was going to be in.
“I’m her pain relief,” Aries said, a smug smile on his face.
“You wait,” I muttered, raising my eyebrows at him.
The look of peace on Natalie’s face made it hard for me not to feel guilty for making her give birth at home. The risks were so high.
“I can’t do this,” I said. “We need to get you to a hospital.”
Mother put her hand on my shoulder, drawing my attention to her. “You have a healing gift, my love. If you send her to hospital, the questions will be rife. How will you explain everything that’s happened to them? I would never want to put anyone at risk, but sending them there could well do that.”
My eyes filled with tears as Natalie reached for me. Going closer, I took her hand, petrified at the thought of what we were about to do.
Aries reached across and took my other hand. “You can do this. I know you’re scared, we are too. But, between us, we’ll do it.”
My brother’s thirst for life had been extreme when he was younger. He was now becoming responsible. It was a happy change, one that helped me feel encouraged about my task at hand.
“Okay, we can do this.” As I spoke, Natalie grasped my hand tighter, her breathing huffing slightly. “Is that another contraction already?”
Nodding, Natalie breathed the way she had been taught in the pre-natal classes.
I looked over my shoulder at my mother, who smiled to herself. “I didn’t technically give birth in this lifetime, but I’ve been around enough to know that this baby is coming pretty quickly.”
I was about to reply when Cancer popped her head in the room. “Do you need any help?”
The eager look on her face made me feel bad for refusing her. For now, we just needed to keep calm and collected. There was no point in rushing when it would take time.
“Not at the moment, but if you could stay on standby, that would be great. In fact, if you could make the bassinet up, that would really help.”
The baby’s crib had been set up in the far end of the room. Aries had insisted that they live with us until we were all united with our twin flames. He wanted to make sure he was there to help the rest of us through our journey.
Cancer gripped her hands together in front of her face and almost squealed before disappearing out of the room. A pile of baby stuff had been kept in one of the closets, ready for when our niece arrived.
“I think I might check you now,” I said, stroking Natalie’s head.
She nodded, her eyes widening as she looked at Aries. “I can’t believe this is happening now. Why couldn’t she wait another week?”
He moved his lips right next to her ear and whispered something I didn’t hear. It helped distract her while I checked to see how dilated she was.
“How’s she doing?” Mother came round to have a look. “Wow, this is going to be a quick birth. That’s good.”
I agreed. The quicker the baby came, the easier it would be on Natalie. Some first time labours were over and done with before much happened. I really hoped that would be the case with this one.
“Okay, Natalie, luckily, fate has smiled down on you. You won’t have too much trouble with the length of birth. However, I’m just going to feel the baby to check where she’s lying.”
The couple smiled, glancing at each other with such love, it shook me. My hands trembled as I felt the bulge of my future sister-in-law’s stomach. Trying not to grimace, I pressed carefully against the baby’s bum, trying to guide her head first. She was slightly sideways, but not enough to worry. Another gentle push made Natalie bite her lip.
“She’s in place,” I whispered, anxious for the birth to be over. “Now we wait.”
They nodded, talking between themselves as Aries fed Natalie tiny bits of chocolate. Anything to get her strength up. She laid on her back, propped up by pillows. She wasn’t very strong, which meant we would need to help her as much as possible.
Picking up my healing box, I left the room and went to the kitchen counter. Cancer was talking to Libra about the baby’s crib.
“I need to make some tea to give Natalie some energy,” I said.
Others would instantly think of using an energy drink, or something full of caffeine, but that would not be good for a mother about to give birth. She needed a natural remedy.
“The kettle’s just boiled. I’ll keep the water boiled for when you need it.” Libra got up instantly to assist me in making the nettle tea.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, placing a hand on her forehead to check her temperature.
She grinned down at me, her eyes bright. Her movements were slow, but she was cured of the Anthrax, that much I could see. It was such a relief to know that my two siblings were going to be fine.
“It’s no wonder you’re known as a healer, you’re fantastic at your job.” Squeezing my arm, she poured the tea in the cup with the nettle leaves. “I feel good enough to go back to work in a few days.”
Smiling, I sat on the stool and put my head in my hands. The stress of the last few days was starting to get to me. Once the baby was here, safe, I would be able to finally relax. Maybe even go on a holiday.
“You know we’ve got your back, don’t you?” Libra took the sponge I was about to use to wipe the surface out of my hand. “No matter what happens, we’ll always have your back.”
She was right. They would always have my back because they didn’t have a choice. If I didn’t unite with my twin flame, we would fail our mission.
“Thank you,” I said, instead of saying what I really thought.
Resting my forehead on the cool marble surface of the kitchen worktop, I closed my eyes briefly.
“Virgo, she’s having another contraction already.” Mother stuck her head out of Aries’ room.
Yawning, I got up from my seat. The antitoxin must have pushed the labour on. Maybe the baby was stressed and needed to get out of Natalie’s sick body.
Taking the mug Libra handed me, I went to walk away. Stopping me with a hand, she gave me another one. “You need some energy, too.”
Nodding my thanks, I hurried into the bedroom. Natalie had her head thrown back and her hands on her stomach. Putting the tea down next to the bed so it was easily accessible, I took up my stethoscope and placed it roughly where the baby’s heartbeat would be.
“She’s impatient to come out, but her heartbeat’s strong. That’s a good sign.”
Bending, I checked the dilation again. It was already at 7cm, which meant it wouldn’t be long at all. Just half an hour in labour so far. She probably wouldn’t even make a full hour. We were lucky. Very lucky.
“Please let this go smoothly,” Nat whispered.
Aries was pretty quiet for once, soothing his fiancée when she was in pain, stroking her hair back from her forehead. It was wonderful to see him so supportive of a woman going through a completely natural birth.
I was just watching, observing. It was good to see such a raw moment first hand.
“OWWWWW!” Natalie wailed, shooting up to sit. “That one’s... Owwwww!”
She bent forward, her hands clutching her bump, her fingers digging into her skin. I gestured for Aries to grab them so she didn’t hurt herself.
“You need to drink some of this tea,” I said, waiting for the contraction to subside.
“Breathe, baby.” Aries moved Nat forward and crawled behind her. Cradling her back against his chest, he took her hands and let her clench them in his fingers. His metal legs brushed against her bare ones.
“Can you take them off?” he asked me.
Swallowing, I did as he asked, unscrewing the expensive prosthetics so they didn’t harm Natalie’s skin. He was always wearing shorts, so he hadn’t prepared by putting trousers on.
“They’re so easy to take off.”
Placing his legs on the other side of the bed, I glanced at Mother. She was sitting forward on the sofa, her hands on her lap as she watched me.
“It’s handy,” Aries said, rocking slightly as Natalie threw her head back to lean on his chest.
Most women had some type of pain relief when giving birth, but there wasn’t any available. If Nat got through this, I would make her a trophy, because she would be a hero.
Covering the metal that stuck out of Aries’ knee stumps with pillows so Natalie didn’t hit them at any point, I concentrated on her. Sitting beside her, I felt her stomach again. The baby was in the proper position.
As the latest contraction died down, I forced Natalie to drink some of the cooling tea. She listened, her eyes screwed up in pain. Even when she wasn’t contracting, the movement of the whole womb was tender this late in labour. Especially with no pain relief.
I wondered if I would ever have children. The thought had never entered my mind, especially since I realised that I was gay. It was almost as if I’d written motherhood off at the same time. Which was crazy. Of course I could have a baby if I wanted. There were ways to get around it if that’s what I decided I wanted to do in my future.
“This...really...kills,” Nat muttered as another contraction started.
Her body convulsed as it took hold. Lifting her nightgown, I gasped. The baby was ready to come...now.
“I’ve personally never seen a birth this quick, but I think she’s ready to come.”
Mother handed me towels when I indicated, laying them on the bed under Nat’s butt. She practiced her huffing with Aries, trying to dumb down the pain. “This... Owwww.”
Her scream filled the room as I opened her legs wide, asking my mother to support one under the knee. Aries took the other, his face serious. Biting his lip, he looked down at his fiancée. “You can do it, baby, just take it nice and easy.”
Panting, Natalie gripped his thighs with her fingers, squeezing tight. I was concerned that her nails would break the skin, but Aries had it under control. I had to keep my mind on the task at hand.
“You’re fully dilated, which means on your next contraction, you’ll need to push.”
Shaking her head from side to side, which caught her hair on Aries’ T-shirt, Natalie moaned deeply in her throat. The pain was etched on her face, the mewling echoing around the room. Sweat lined her forehead, dripping down the side of her cheeks.
Mother stepped forward when I glanced at her, wiping a damp cloth over Natalie’s face. The stress of birth was ten-fold because of what she’d just been through.
“There’s...another...one...” Nat’s whole body shook as she clung to Aries’ hands.
“Push!” I shouted, Nat’s face turning a shade of plum.
She did, her weak body protesting as she tried her hardest. I could see the head crowning, but it wasn’t breaching yet.
The contraction slowed, leaving Natalie sobbing as the pain obviously pulsated in places that I couldn’t even imagine.
“It won’t be long until...”
She started panting again, her face contorting as the contraction hit again. Sweat was pouring off her now, her nightdress soaked through to the skin.
“Push again,” I shouted over her screams.
She did, but again, the head wouldn’t breach. “I think I might need to cut you. Mother, could you go to my herbal box and bring out the pain numbing salve, marked Cayenne and primrose oil? Nat, it will help, as it contains lavender and peppermint oil that will numb the area.”
Aries stared at me, his mouth open wide. He had probably not even thought about how a woman gave birth. It was very common for woman to be cut to allow the baby to come out.
Nat nodded in-between her cries, her face growing redder and redder.
Reaching for my surgical scissors, I raised my eyebrows to Natalie as she leant back against her soulmate. She quickly nodded her head, her teeth biting down on her lower lip. “Do it,” she huffed.
Mother handed me the salve, staying beside me as I applied liberally. The next contraction started just as I finished, so I quickly snipped a couple of centimetres. Natalie pushed as I dropped the scissors in the bowl that my mother held next to me.
“The head is out!” I said excitedly as she pushed again. “One more push and she’ll be here.”
Clenching her hands around Aries and using him as leverage, she bucked her hips up slightly as the last contraction wrapped around her stomach. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she pushed as hard as she could.
My heartbeat was in my mouth as I held the towel out to catch their daughter. She dropped into it, a solid form landing in my hands. Rubbing the waxy vernix and streaky blood from her face, I checked her mouth and cleared any remaining liquid from her throat. She didn’t make a sound.
“Is she okay?” Natalie asked, her efforts finally stopped.
She slumped against Aries, her muscles weak. I indicated for my mother to give her more of the tea and some water as I cut the umbilical cord.
Wrapping the baby up, I put her over my shoulder and patted her back firmly. A hiccup was followed by the sound of a cry. Smiling, I put her onto Natalie’s bare chest, dragging the towel away so they could have skin on skin contact.
Aries’ eyes were pooling with water as Nat cradled her daughter. He reached over and stroked the small cheek as a sob escaped his lips. My throat closed as the tears dropped from his eyes and onto Nat’s head. She laughed, crying with him as they glanced at each other, then at their child.
The baby was quiet as she gurgled up at her parents. Her eyes wide and blinking as she took in her first experience of life.
As I helped Natalie deliver the placenta and stitched her up using an extra application of pain relieving salve, they muttered among themselves. Mother stood to the side, her expression full of pride and happiness. She was a grandmother.
“Do you mind if I check her over? I’d like to see if the Anthrax has had any effect on her.”
My nursing mind had switched back on. Wiping my eyes from the leak of water a moment before, I took the baby when Nat agreed.
Wrapping the baby up, I went over to the changing table. It was in the corner of the room, previously topped with rubbish because they weren’t expecting the baby for a few weeks.
Taking her temperature was my first job. My mother bought a bowl of lukewarm water over so we could bathe her. Her chest was a bit wheezy, her temperature fairly high.
“I’m afraid she’s been effected by the bacteria in your body. I’ll need to speak to Alice to see if we can give her any antitoxin. It might not be good for a newborn.”
Leaving my mother to wash the baby, I went out of the room. A cheer went up as I came into the living area. Everyone was there, including those who shouldn’t have been. It looked like Pisces, Derek, Leo, Taurus and Kerry had just arrived. They were putting bags down on the coffee table, their faces full of joy.
“How are they?” Cancer asked.
I addressed them, a smile on my face. “They seem to be doing well. The baby isn’t out of the woods yet, she’s been effected by the Anthrax, so I need to speak to Alice to find out the best way to treat her.”
They started to speak amongst themselves. Some were worried that she wouldn’t pull through, others trusted that I would sort it.
Taking myself off to the corner of the kitchen, I dug out my phone, frowning when I saw that there were several missed calls from Alice. Dialling back, I held my breath, unsure of why I was nervous. She probably just wanted to know if the antidote had worked.
“Hello?” I said when someone picked up the phone but no one spoke.
“Virgo?” Alice’s voice was hushed. “Help me. There’s someone outside my house. They’ve been there for an hour. One man shouted that if I didn’t come out soon, he would come and find me. He also said that if I called the police, they would kill you. Please, help me.”
