Double Exposure

Another powerful contraction began and the pain jarred her back to the realityof the task at hand. In just a few minutes the head appeared and the eventmoments ... » 

Another powerful contraction began and the pain jarred her back to the realityof the task at hand. In just a few minutes the head appeared and the eventmoments ago were repeated. Again the Doktor held the baby by its feet and gavethis one a good whack. Nothing happened. He tried again. There was still no cryfrom the baby. He laid the baby down and put his stethoscope to his tiny chest.A frown crossed his face. Nurse Kelm had seen that look before and understood.The Doktor tied and cut the cord just as he had done with the first baby andhanded him to Ilse. She quickly wrapped the baby in a receiving blanket pickedit up and rushed out of the room. Freya watched this scene as if seeing it inslow motion. Where is she taking my baby? she screamed. The Doktor took herhand and said softly Im sorry Frau Muller but he is dead. A heartrendingscream shattered the quiet of the room. Freya began to sob uncontrollably. TheDoktor whispered to the second nurse and she handed him a syringe with a mildsedative. Freya didnt feel the needle enter her arm. She couldnt feelanything at that moment except a pain in her heart that made her oblivious toany physical pain. «