Chapter 22: The Agony Continues

The pain was becoming unbearable, and Ashley's body was starting to tear apart. She felt herself being ripped open, and she knew that she was going to give birth. Gerald's voice was a distant echo, urging her to push, to bear down, to bring the baby out. And then, suddenly, it was over. The baby slid out of Ashley's body, and Gerald picked it up, cradling it in his arms. Ashley lay there, exhausted, her body throbbing with pain. She looked up at Gerald, who was gazing at the baby with a twisted smile on his face. He walked over to her, the baby held out in front of him, and placed it on her chest. Ashley felt a surge of love and protectiveness towards the tiny creature, but it was tempered by the knowledge that she and her baby were at the mercy of this monster. Gerald stepped back, his eyes roving over Ashley's body, taking in the aftermath of the birth. Ashley felt a wave of humiliation wash over her, knowing that she was lying there, naked and helpless, with her baby on her chest. Four hours passed, and Ashley drifted in and out of consciousness, her body recovering from the ordeal. She was vaguely aware of Gerald dressing the baby, and then holding it up to her. "Meet your son, Ashley," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I've decided to name him Damien." Ashley's gaze fell on the baby, and she felt a pang of love and sorrow. Damien was a strong, healthy baby, with a mop of dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Ashley's heart swelled with emotion as she gazed at him, but her joy was short-lived. As the hours ticked by, Ashley began to feel a stirring within her. She was still weak and sore, but she was also becoming aware of Gerald's gaze on her. He was watching her, his eyes hungry and predatory. And then, in a move that made Ashley's blood run cold, Gerald began to undress, his eyes locked on hers. "Time to get you back in the game, Ashley," he said, his voice low and menacing. Ashley realized, with a jolt of horror, that Gerald was going to make love to her again. He wanted to get her pregnant again, to keep her trapped in this living hell. And Ashley knew that she was powerless to stop him. As Gerald climbed onto the cot, Ashley felt a wave of despair wash over her. She was trapped, and she knew that she was going to be subjected to unspeakable horrors. Gerald's hands closed around her wrists, holding her down, and Ashley knew that she was in for a long, agonizing night.