The Portal to Sidhe: Book 1

by Kelsey Schaeffer

  My dad’s eyes were soft, as he couldn’t stand to see me in pain. As soon as we reached the cot, they helped lay me down. My father lit the lantern and the doctor set up the portable ultrasound. Damon stood in the corner of the room looking terrified.

  Just as Dr. Glintin had the ultrasound set up, we heard another crash from outside the safe house walls. I could see fear in my father’s eye. “Dad, I’m fine, go take care of things.” He looked torn, but he nodded his head and left. Damon took ahold of my hand.

  “How’s the pain? Any other side effects?” Dr. Glintin asked as he began rubbing the ultrasound probe over my stomach.

  “Just a bunch of stabbing pains...nausea...I felt dizzy. I’m having trouble breathing.”

  “How about now? Do you feel any better?”

  “A little bit, my stomach feels tight and I feel tired and sick.”

  As he rubbed the probe over my belly, I heard a heartbeat coming from the machine. Dr. Glintin smiled and said, “He looks just fine!” I’ll go ahead and give you an exam.

  After the exam he said, “Your son looks wonderful,” he paused, “It seems like your body is getting ready for labor.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked.

  He glazed his eyes over the monitor and said, “You’re thirty-five weeks...almost thirty-six.” His face tightened, “It’s not terrible news, but it’s not good either.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “The thing is…a baby born before full term is much more at risk. If he was born today, he may be completely fine, but there is a strong chance he might have more issues than if he waited a few more weeks. The biggest thing is,” he tapped his fingers on his cheek and said, “we’re stuck here. I wouldn’t be terribly concerned if we were at a hospital as they have the proper care for early term babies. But…” he paused.

  “What’s wrong?” Damon asked as he squeezed my hand. I felt terrified by what the doctor would say.

  “I’m a General Practitioner. Of course I can deliver your baby…I can even treat him…but this isn’t my specialty. Anything that happens out of the ordinary...well...oh dear,” he looked upset as he continued to tap his cheek. He began pacing nervously as he continued, “Whatever happens…I will do my best. I’ve been practicing medicine a long time and we have magic to help.”

  The doctor’s response made me extremely nervous. Damon squeezed my hand tight as I took several deep breaths in. The doctor continued to pace, but he stopped and pasted a fake smile on his face. Fear was bleeding behind his artificial smile.

  There was another loud crash from outside the walls. I jumped and my heart started beating fast. I felt as if I couldn’t breath. I could see the doctor’s hands begin to tremble, but he quickly placed them in his pockets to hide his fear.

  The doctor looked around the room nervously and continued, “I want him to stay put as long as possible. I want you on strict bed rest until he is born. I would like to keep him in at least another two weeks but four would be ideal. I want you to relax and stay in here until he is born. We will bring you food and I’ll bring you some books to read.”

  “I’m so worried, Dr. Glintin. What is going on?”

  “We’ll figure it out. Don’t you worry about anything but your son,” Dr. Glintin said with a fake smile on his face. “Just get some rest. The fairies can keep us all safe as long as we’re in here. You have to keep your son in there,” he pointed to my stomach.

  I nodded my head as another crash was heard. Damon wrapped his arms around me as I began to tremble. Dr. Glintin headed out of the room to see what was going on, and Damon stayed behind in the dimly lit room.

  Damon stayed with me for a few moments to calm me down before he left to see what was going on. I lay on the cot alone, with only the thoughts in my mind to keep me occupied. Thoughts of Ben continued to live in my mind. Our son would be here in only a few weeks, and we didn’t even have a chance to pick out a name. As I lay alone, listening to the occasional crashing sound and the howling of the wind. I eased my mind by sorting through names for our son. As my mind raced for what seemed like hours, I finally had a name in mind. Bennedict Alexander.

  After being alone a long while, my father finally came to me. “Dr. Glintin said everything is okay...are you feeling okay?”

  “Everything is okay. I’m just stuck on bed rest until he’s born.”

  My father frowned, but I saw he was relieved.

  “What is going on out there?” I asked.

  “No one knows. We just keep hearing loud crashes. The Queen must have sent more minions…but it could be the weather.” He stopped and sat down next to my cot. “We should be safe in the here for awhile. We have no electricity and it’s going to get cold...but we still have running water and the ventilation system is working. We have enough medical supplies for the baby. I’m not willing to risk any more lives. I think it best we wait it out for now.” He paused, “The weather sounds bad.”

  “I think you’re right, Dad. I think it’s best if we all stay here until the fairies return.”

  “I’m worried about the fairies though,” he said. We have no way of knowing if they return. We have no cell phone service...nothing.”

  “They’ll be okay...I think.”

  My dad nodded his head. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “I wouldn’t mind something to eat.”

  “I’ll bring you something back,” My father left the supply closet.

  Three weeks passed by, and I was only a week away from my due date; Bennedict was still safe inside of me. I tried to occasionally read, and I had visitors from time to time. The crashing from outside continued, but seemed to slow down, but the wind only seemed to grow louder. Thunder echoed amongst the wind as thunder snow seeped through the town.

  Despite what was happening outside the safe house, our town remained safe inside. It was very cold and lying around made it much worse. My father brought me layers of warm clothes and made sure I had plenty of blankets. I knew the town was growing very uncomfortable and bored, as it had been weeks without any electricity. Without any means to cook, we survived on a diet of peanut butter sandwiches, crackers, cookies and what was left of the freeze dried rations.

  I was relaxing in my cot one day, when Damon entered the room.

  “How are you feeling?” He sat down on the floor next to the cot. I saw his smile through the dim lantern glow. The two of us hadn’t spoken much since I returned, but he was frequently by my side.

  “I’m not feeling too bad, just ready for Benny to be born.”

  “You named him Benny?” Damon asked.

  “After his father…and mine...Bennedict Alexander. I don’t know if Ben’s even…even…alive” I felt tears building up in my eyes. I hadn’t talked to anyone about Ben. Everyone was trying to comfort Brandon and worry about what was going on outside. There was constant chaos since I had returned, and I hardly had a chance to talk to anyone about the wild events on Sidhe. With the exception of my bad dreams, I had kept much of my emotion to myself.

  Damon got to his knees and wrapped his arms around me. Then he wiped my tears away.

  He was quiet for a moment; his eyes were looking to the ground. I could tell he had something to say. “I hope Ben is okay and I’m sure he is...but I just want you to know...the things that happened before...I’m here for you Miranda—”

  “I know.”

  “Wait...I want you to know. If we go to Sidhe...and Ben is...I want you to know I will take care of you and Benny…if you allow me. I’d treat him if he were my own.”

  “Stop, please.” I said.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, “I just want you to know that you aren’t alone. You won’t ever be alone…even if we’re just friends.

  “Damon, please don’t...” I suddenly felt a crushing like pressure sinking into my abdomen. “Ouch...oh, Damon!” I screamed as I yanked his hand.

  Damon jumped up and began to run out of the room.

  “Don’t leave me! Don’t leave me!”<
br />
  “I’ll be right back!” he cried.

  Moments later her returned with Dr. Glintin by his side. Dr. Glintin checked the ultrasound and gave me a quick exam. When he was finished he said, “Everything is fine, but I think your son is coming soon.”

  Damon smiled at me and took my hand.

  “I’m going to give you some fluids...but I’m sorry there is nothing I can give you for pain.”

  “I understand,” I said feeling terrified and exited all at once.

  “The best thing you can do is try to stay warm and move around if you can.”

  I nodded. I felt nauseous and my body was trembling. Damon bundled me up in a blanket as I quivered. He sat besides my bed and held my hand. As I lay in bed, I felt intense waves of contractions coming and going. Each contraction, I squeezed Damon’s hand. The contractions came on stronger and stronger. As I lay in bed, I suddenly felt my water break.”

  “I think my water broke!” I said to Damon.

  “I’ll go get the Doctor,” he cried.

  Damon came back with Dr. Glintin. He examined me once more. When he was finished he looked firm and said, “I don’t want to scare you, but I think something’s wrong.”

  My heart dropped. “What’s wrong?” Damon and I said at the same time. Damon grabbed my hand.

  “He seems to be positioned wrong.” He felt my stomach and shook his head, “This isn’t my specialty, but he seems like he’s in a bad position...oh dear.”

  “What can you do!” I cried in a panic.

  “We can try to turn him...I can’t promise it will work...it’s our best chance.”

  “What if it doesn’t work?” Damon cried.

  “Oh dear,” Dr. Glintin said as he shook his head. I could see his face was turning red and sweat was beginning to trickle from his forehead. He looked stressed out. “If we can’t turn him, we will have to take you to a hospital.”

  “But the Queen’s minions are outside!” Damon said.

  Dr. Glintin kept shaking his head. He was a nervous wreck, “I can’t do a C-section. I’m not a surgeon…we don’t have the tools…Get Alexander,” he said to Damon.

  Damon ran out of the room and moments later returned with my father. Dr. Glintin quickly told my father of the dilemma.

  “I believe in you Dr. Glintin. I believe you can deliver my grandson,” my father said.

  My father’s positive words gave me hope and calmed me down, but I was still terrified.

  “I will do my very best,” Dr. Glintin said, “Buuuut...we should prepare the fairies and warriors in case we need to take her to the hospital. Alexander, you must understand. If I can’t turn the baby, she has to go to the hospital immediately.” Dr. Glintin gave my father a firm glare. I knew this was serious.

  My father nodded his head and left the room.

  Dr. Glintin looked very nervous as he said, “I’m going to attempt to turn the baby. This is going to hurt...bad.”

  I grabbed Damon’s hand and held it tight. Dr. Glintin began pressing around on my stomach as if he was trying to move the baby. Suddenly my dad ran in the room and announced, “If you need to go to the hospital, we have volunteers to take you ...and of course I will—”

  “So will I!” Damon cried.

  I nodded my head as Dr. Glintin continued trying to move the baby.

  “Ooooooouch!” I screamed as a contraction hit the same time Dr. Glintin was pressing on my stomach. My dad quickly grabbed my other hand and Damon held me tight. I was shaking and clammy from the agony.

  “Someone get her a wet rag and a glass of water!” the doctor cried as he slowly tried moving the baby.

  Damon nodded his head and ran off. I continued yelling as tears rolled down my eyes. My dad did everything he could to comfort me. When Damon returned, he helped me sip water and held the rag over my head. Dr. Glintin kept trying to turn my son for a long time; he was red and covered in sweat. Finally he stopped.

  “I don’t think I can do this,” he said shaking his head. He looked frazzled and stressed out. “I’m worried he’s going to go into distress. We are going to have to get her to a hospital. Time is running out.”

  I started crying. I was completely terrified. I was delivering my son in what seemed like the worst scenario possible and I needed Ben by my side.

  Then I had a thought, “What about magic? What if the fairies used magic to turn him?”

  The doctor rubbed his fingers across his brow, “I’m not sure if that is a good idea. But it may be safer than leaving the safe house…Damon grab your mom...and Nikolaus.”

  Damon nodded his head and took off, he quickly returned with Delia and Nikolaus. Nikolaus was the fairy of healing; he was somewhat a doctor himself, but he used magic to heal others.

  “I might be able to help,” Nikolaus cried, “I’ve never done this, but I have assisted with deliveries before.

  I nodded my head with hope.

  Nikolaus thought for a moment then said, “I know some magic that might work. It’s very light and the only side effect...it may be a bit more painful for you. Delia and I can send our magic to Dr. Glintin as he continues to try and move your son. Our magic should help Dr. Glintin in his task. I can’t guarantee it to work, but I fear any stronger magic could harm your son.”

  I nodded and my dad squeezed my hand.

  “If this doesn’t work, we need to leave for the hospital immediately,” Dr. Glintin said. His face was bright red and he looked scared.

  “We’ll start,” Delia said looking at Dr. Glintin, “Go ahead at any time.”

  The Doctor nodded and the Fairies placed their hands out towards him. They began to lightly chant. My father was on one side of me and Damon was on the other; they were holding me tight. Dr. Glintin placed his hands on my stomach and began to move my son once more.

  The moment my son moved, I screamed in pain. It felt like my insides were being ripped apart. The magic made the pain a million times worse. I started shaking as my father held me tight. Damon was rubbing my shoulder as tears fell from my eyes.

  “He’s moving!” Dr. Glintin cried.

  I continued screaming out in agony as Dr. Glintin moved my son into a better position. As soon as he was positioned correctly, I could feel him starting to emerge.

  “He’s coming! He’s coming! We did it.” Dr. Glintin cried out as his color went back to normal.

  Everyone in the room was smiling, but I was screaming out in pain. Nikolaus and Delia left the room, but my father and Damon stayed by my side as I gave birth to my Son.

  After what seemed like hours of pushing, I finally heard a loud wailing of my son’s cry. The Doctor placed my son on my chest and began to bundle him tight. My dad and Damon had the biggest smiles on their faces as they looked into my son’s big gray eyes. I felt a sense of relief as the King was finally born.

  As I held my son tight, I suddenly felt very dizzy and nauseous.

  “I don’t feel right,” I said as I looked to the Doctor. That was the last thing I said before I lost consciousness.

  Chapter 21

  From the darkness, I saw dead bodies piled throughout the hall, each in a puddle of their own blood. I walked around, stepping over dead figures, trying to find someone alive. Tears sprang from my eyes as I stepped over my aunt then Roger. I walked a little further only to find the limp body of my mom.

  I reached down trying to shake her, “Mom!” I cried, but there was no pulse. She was gone.

  I continued on, trying to find anyone still alive. I stepped over the Queen’s sister, who was covered in blood and lying still. Then I saw his Ben’s body across the room. He was covered in blood and burns, but I ran too him. My heart raced as I crossed the hall, hoping to find him alive. I kneeled to the ground, shaking him, hoping he would wake up, but he was lifeless and lying in a pile of his own blood. I rolled him over and in horror saw the gap in his shirt as blood poured from his wound. It was Ben and his heart had been torn out.

  I began to shake and screamed at the top
of my lungs. Suddenly a creature appeared from the corner of the room. She was dressed in black and I recognized her disgusting laugh from across the room.

  With my hands covered in Ben’s blood, I stood up and snarled at her, but her smile never faded. I threw out my hands, ready to kill her with any magic I could. But she began to laugh and said, “Your son is next.”

  “Miranda...Miranda?”

  I heard my name. My heart was throbbing and I gasped for air. I could feel that I was drenched in sweat. When I opened my eyes, my dad was holding my son. I felt very weak and tired, and fear shook my mind. Damon had his hands on my shoulders and was quietly saying the healing chant. I reached my hands out to hold my son, but as my hands began to tremble, I realized I was much too weak. Benny was safe in my father’s grasp.

  Dr. Glintin was cleaning me up as he said, “You lost a lot of blood and fluids. I can give you fluids, but I don’t have any blood, and it would be risky giving you anything without knowing your blood type.”

  I nodded my head. A few moments later, Nikolaus returned to the room. Without giving me blood, they would try to use magic to heal and restore me. Damon and Nikolaus continued to chant with their hands placed on my shoulders. My father took care of Benny, as I was much too weak.

  After at least an hour of chanting, I began to feel better. I held my hands out to hold my little Benny once more. He was so tiny and his skin felt soft in my arms. He woke up for a short time and looked into my eyes. The love I felt for this tiny baby was like nothing I had felt in my entire life.

  After awhile, my father left the room to check on things with the town. Damon and I were left alone. Damon was staring at Benny and smiling; he looked so proud.

  “Do you want to hold him?” I asked.

  He smiled and held out his arms. Damon took my son in his arms as his smile only grew. He held him tight, rocking him to sleep. Damon looked so natural with my son in his arms. I could see Damon loved my baby, just by the look on his face. I didn’t want to say it out loud, but if Ben was gone, I knew in that moment, I would let Damon help raise my son. After my nightmare, my gut told me Ben wasn’t alive, but I hoped I was wrong.