NOTE: POSSIBLE TRIGGER WARNING

No blood/gore, but the subject alluded to may cause painful memories for some. Please do not continue reading if you have had experiences that may be easily triggered.

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The sound of drumming distracted Meara from the High Noble Father's words. Then she realized it was her own heartbeat. She had barely slept all night, and was awake before dawn when they arrived. She remained seated on her bed. She knew what they were here for, but she was not ready.

"I will not go." She tried to keep her voice steady. "I won't do this. It's my baby."

He sighed. "You cannot think of it that way. It is not that way. You MUST let go of this baby." 

She looked down. "I can't."

"Don't you understand? It's better for everyone. For you, and even for the baby."

She looked up. "Better for the baby? How?"

He spoke softly. "If you try to keep this baby, it will suffer its whole life. You know this. And you will suffer. We all will." He set his hand on her shoulder. "You can have other children later. You will forget about this one." He paused, but she did respond. He continued, "If you try to save this child, it will only bring you suffering and shame."

"I don't care," she answered. "I will find a way."

"Meara," he said, "This is difficult for all of us. Do you think I want to be here? Do you think I enjoy seeing you suffer? But it is a sacrifice we must make."

"How will I live with myself if I let my child be killed?" she murmured.

"You will remind yourself - and we will remind you - that you did the right thing. It is the right thing. And you really have no other option."

"I know." A single tear trickled down her cheek. "But I will never forget my child."

"We need to go. They will be waiting for us."

Meara nodded, stood up, and meekly allowed her parents to drive her to Planned Parenthood to appease the gods of Pride, Success, and Education.