Proserpina

I knew I could not bring the children into the world on my own. My strength was weakening. I could barely move, and pushing forcefully was totally out of the question.

Moaning, I shook my head, begging for mercy from a Power that seemed to be deaf to my pleas.

The man, I guessed he was a doctor or someone close to that; he spoke to me gently, urging me to push.

I shook my head tiredly, barely able to keep my eyes open.

“Just let me die,’ I whispered, my lips dry and cracking. The man gently wetted my lips with a cloth and I gasped.

“Please, kill...