Tom raised his head as a scream suddenly sounded. He stumbled, before standing up again and clambering in pursuit of the noise. He rounded the corner and stopped, grey eyes taking in the sobbing, bloodstained woman.
"Please..." She gasped out. "My baby..." Tom cast his eyes down to the bloodcovered bundle at her side. Crooning quietly, he picked up the newborn and opened its mouth, clearing it out. The baby began to cry, a thing keening wail that made Tom release his held breath. He looked at the woman to check he was doing it right. To his shock, her eyes were closed.
"Umm... Excuse me?" Her eyes fluttered open and he knelt, balancing the little girl on his injured arm.
"Please..." She repeated. "Look after her..." He nodded, eyes serious. There was a hint of an Irish accent in her voice. "I..."
"I'll look after her." Tom stroked her face tenderly. he didn't know why he did that. Maybe he just wanted her to know that someone cared. "What shall I call her?"
"Marlee..." The woman sobbed, before her eyes closed for the last time. Almost as if the newly named Marlee knew what was going on, she started crying. Tom hushed her quietly.
"Come on then Marlee." He stooed up and switched arms. Let's get you out of here."
As a final mark of respect, he closed the woman's eyes before heading towards the fuselage.
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Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:12 pm