Tears streamed down Pat’s face. It was finally over, for him and for Michelle.

There was screaming. There was blood. There appeared to be unbearable pain. But it was, at last, done. Pat wasn’t sure if he could see it through. It was the most intense thing he had ever been part of, even if only tangentially. And it had gone on seemingly forever.

But a brief silence enveloped the room, followed by a new sound. A new screaming, and it wasn’t stopping. It was relentless.

And it was very good.

“Do she have a name?” the masked nurse asked.