THIRD PERSON POV:
The rough stone walls of Tris’ cave are dimly illuminated with Elena’s figure as she screams from the gouging pain of childbirth, threatening to consume her. There are sweat beads on her forehead, and her breath comes ragged and uneven.
She clutches at her swollen belly, wailing, “Why the f**k isn’t this working? Like… like a modern epidural? Why can’t this pain just stop?”
Tris crouches beside her, her hands glowing faintly with magic. She chants in a low tone, sending gentle waves of calming energy toward Elena, but her cry pierces through the cave roughly.
“Can you keep it down? I am trying to rest!” Gertrude shouts from the corner of her prison. They both ignore her.
“Childbirth is punishment, Elena,” Tris says quietly, trying to calm her best friend. “It’s suppo
