To The Grave

"I-I can't move them," Adeline said in a breathless voice, suddenly panicked by the realization. What if she was paralyzed for the rest of her life? She was terrified of this possibility, but knew it was the result of a good thing—her children were safely born.

"What?" Elias's face became stormy and serious. 

The atmosphere thickened, and the air became suffocating. He squatted down to observe her tucked legs. She jumped when he touched her leg, squeezing her muscles painfully. She didn't even flinch, and instead, naively peered at him.

"Does it hurt?" Elias asked, continuing to press his fingers into her legs.

Adeline shook her head. She grabbed onto his arm to steady herself and nervously looked at him. "I don't feel anything."

Elias sucked in a sharp breath. He deeply frowned and bent down to pick her up. She held onto him immediately, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.