"A Descent into Darkness"

Ashley lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as the clock on her nightstand glowed 4:00 am. It had been weeks since Gerald had found out about the baby, and things had taken a turn for the worse. He was partying more and more, often coming home late at night, reeking of alcohol and barely acknowledging her presence. The distance between them was growing, and Ashley felt like she was drowning in her own fears and worries. The doctor's words echoed in her mind: "There's a risk of miscarriage." She had tried to brush it off, but the fear had been lurking in the back of her mind, waiting to pounce. And now, as she lay in bed, she felt a sudden gush of liquid between her legs. She sat up with a start, her heart racing, and that's when she saw it. A wave of panic washed over her as she realized that her worst nightmare was unfolding before her eyes. She was losing the baby. The pressure was building, and she could feel something moving, shifting inside her. Ashley's mind went blank as she stared at the blood-stained sheets, her body trembling with fear. She threw off the covers and got out of bed, stumbling to the bathroom to assess the damage. What she saw made her blood run cold. She was hemorrhaging, and she could see the baby's tiny foot protruding from her vagina. Ashley's scream was muffled by her hand, which was clamped over her mouth as she stumbled backward, her eyes fixed on the horror in front of her. Gerald stirred in the next room, but Ashley didn't care. She was beyond caring. She was in shock, her mind reeling with the reality of what was happening. The baby... her baby... was coming out. And it was too soon. So much too soon. Ashley's body began to convulse, and she collapsed to the floor, her vision blurring as she stared at the tiny foot, still moving, still trying to free itself. She knew she had to call for help, but her phone was on the bedside table, and she couldn't move. All she could do was lie there, paralyzed with fear, as the darkness closed in around her.