The baby was lost to the both of them, but her body, it was trying to expel their baby.

She sobbed and cried. “No, no, I don’t want this, Preacher. Please, help me.”

“I don’t have my phone, baby. I need to go and get my phone.” He went to move, but she grabbed his hand.

“Please, don’t leave me. Please.” She sobbed out each word. “I don’t … I can’t do this. I don’t want to do this.” She screamed, and he heard the pain in her voice.

He had to get help.

They were surrounded by rain and dirt. This wasn’t going to go away. They were in danger. The tree branch could snap and the car would take them out without too much trouble. They were in such a fucking state. He looked around him, hoping to find something to help him deal with what the fuck was going on, but there was nothing.

He was fucked.

Royally fucked.

“I don’t want to lose her, Preacher. Please tell me I won’t.”

“I’m right here,” he said.

She sobbed. “No, please, tell me.”

He kissed the top of her head. They were both filthy.

She started to shake, and through each pain, he held her, keeping her close.

He tried to soothe her, but knew there was no way to soothe a woman who was losing a child.

O’Klaren, you better get the fuck out of town. When I get my hands on you, I will slaughter you.

The minutes ticked by and she released another whimper, and he knew it wouldn’t be long now.

“I’ve got you.”

“I … this wasn’t supposed to happen. We were meant to go home.”

“I know.”

“Bishop would have more homework for me.”

“I know.”

“I … I don’t want to do this, Preacher. She’s our little girl. We only had a couple of months.”

“I know.”

She sniffled.

The pain had lessened, but he also knew this wasn’t a good thing.

The cold would be getting to her, as well as the blood loss.

“I’m so sorry, Robin, but you need to go to sleep.”

He covered her nose and mouth, cutting off her air supply. She struggled with him, but he didn’t intend to kill her, just knock her out long enough to call for backup.

When she slumped against him, he got to his feet and picked her up. She was a dead weight and made it even harder to carry her.

He managed to do it. The strength came to him, and he got to the car.

Reaching for his cell phone, he pulled up Bear’s number, and made the call he never wanted to have to make.

****

Bishop watched as Bear hung up the phone. The man had gone pale.

“What is it?” Bishop asked.