"Beyond Consolation"

"Call an ambulance," Ashley mumbled, her voice barely audible, her words slurred and weak. She didn't look up at Gerald, didn't even acknowledge his presence as she lay there, surrounded by the remnants of her shattered world. Gerald's face reappeared in the doorway, his eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. "Ashley, oh my god, what happened?" he asked, his voice shaking as he took a step closer to her. Ashley didn't respond. She just lay there, her gaze still fixed on the lifeless body in her hands, her eyes dry and empty. Gerald's words seemed to be coming from a distant place, a place she couldn't quite reach. Gerald took another step closer, his eyes fixed on the tiny body, and for a moment, he just stared, his face pale and drawn. "Ashley, I'm going to call for help," he said, his voice firm, but shaking. "I'm going to get you help." With trembling hands, Gerald pulled out his phone and dialed 911. As he waited for someone to answer, he glanced down at Ashley, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and sadness. "Help is on the way, Ashley," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Just hang in there, okay?" Ashley didn't respond. She just lay there, her body numb, her mind foggy. She felt like she was floating away, drifting into a dark and endless sea. The sound of a 911 operator's voice crackled through the phone, and Gerald quickly explained the situation. "My wife is in labor, and...and...there's been a complication," he stammered, his voice cracking. As Gerald talked to the operator, Ashley's gaze slowly drifted up to his face. She saw the fear and panic etched on his features, and for a moment, she felt a pang of sorrow. She knew that he was scared, that he was trying to be strong for her, but she couldn't muster up the energy to comfort him. The operator's voice continued to guide Gerald through the process, and eventually, he hung up the phone, his face set in a determined expression. "The ambulance will be here soon," he said, his voice firm. "Just hang in there, Ashley." Ashley nodded, her head barely moving. She felt like she was trapped in a nightmare, a nightmare that she couldn't wake up from. The sound of sirens echoed in the distance, growing louder with each passing moment. As the minutes ticked by, Ashley's gaze drifted back to the lifeless body in her hands. She felt a wave of grief wash over her, a grief so overwhelming that it threatened to consume her. She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the horror of what had happened, but it was too late. The image was seared into her mind, forever etched into her memory.