Exist

My name is Exist Avery, And this is the beginning to my story. I was born in Elgin, Illinois; Our home sits just on the outskirts of Chicago. Ive lived here all my life, Never had I even thought about leaving or straying away. I was lucky enough to be born into a loving family. My mother and father had five children, Including myself. I was her last, And of us, the only unplanned. On the night that mother went into labor with me, Illinois was seeing one of its worse - record breaking - snow storms that it had ever seen. It wasnt long before my father gave up on trying to shovel his way out through the cement like wall of snow that trapped us inside our home. Unable to free themselves, Tme was running out, And The pain mother was in was taking over her whole body. She couldnt hold back her screams as she contracted involintarily, No longer in control of what was coming. She was left with no other option but to attemt bareing me on her own. Father helped her to their bed, And took her hand in his own. Mother let out anouther peircing scream and her hand grabbed fathers hand so tight you thought shed nearly broke it, But he remained composed, As if he was unable too feel anything at all. He did all he could to keep reassuring Mother that she was going to be okay, But deep in his eyes there was signs of worry beginning to show. He now could tell that mother was in pain, And he also knew there wasnt a single thing he could do to ease it for her. As the three older children walked into the room, They took in the seriousness of the situation. Briar, The eldest of the children - had been studdying to be a nurse; and she could tell that mother - after hyperventilating herself and pushing as hard as she could for nearly four hours - she began to tire and now is falling very weak. Father had been focusing all of his attention on the tiny body that was noooow almost fully protruded from mother, He had failed to notice that mother was no longer pacing her breathing properly.. With a loud scream, And a hard push; Fathers once uneasy face looked up to meet his childrens gaze and he smiled at them as he held up the tiny fetus. "Its a girl" He cried out, half overhelmed and half overbearingly happy.. But as soon as he stepped back, Mother shifted and began screaming as the contractions started up again. Briar now taking her fathers place at the foot of the bed . As she studied mother, She quickly realized what was now causing mother all this pain. "Theres another one coming" She said in a low but very serious voice, "I can see its feet..." She glanced up to meet mother face, hald expecting some kind of reaction from her, When she suddinly realized that mother had lost conciousness completly. It wasnt until that moment that it dawned on her, She knew what she needed to do, And she knew it had to be done quickly or the baby wouldnt survive. Briar then began shouting orders to her brother.. "Adrian run as fast as you can to the kitchen and find me a knife !... NOW! " He frantically ran out of the room and did as he was directed. "Now, try to wake mom up.." He quickly scurried over to her side and began shakng her and smacking her cheeks.. For a short second, he had hope that mother regained conciousness but as soon as it came mothers eyes began to flicker shut and roll back into her head.. She managed to choke out words, Yet they were no londer that a whisper. She said, " Please... Just save her...." As her voice trailed off, her head fell heavily and now hung in the direction of the floor. Her body now completly limp, No longer breathing nor able to push. She was dead. All Briar and Adrian could do now is focus on the little heart that still continued to beat inside mothers womb. Mother lay still, now lifeless, nothing more then a vessel of which was entrapping their newborn sister. Without hesitation Briar slid the blade of the knife across mothers lower abdomen.. "Wha... What are you doing?" Roah - The youngest of the elder siblings gasped out, Confusion sticken over her face as she looked at Briar in horror, Not understandingg what she had just done. Briar ignored the remark and dropped the knife, It fell to the ground and made a loud thud as it hit the hollowed woodfloor. She looked up at Adrian, As if she needed reassurance in his approval in order to move forward. His eyes met hers and sharrply gave her the nod that she was looking for. Without hesitation she pressed both of her hands into the incision, Spreading it open until she felt the unborn fetus in her hands. She shifted her weight, Almost looking uncomfertable at the angle she now stood. As soon as she was sure that her hands had a good grip on the tiny body, She pulled the baby up and out of Mothers stomach.. She quickly walked to the sink, turning on the water and washed away all the blood and fluids from the babys face and nose. She didnt realize that everyone in the room, Including herself had gone incredibly scilent. They each stood around the room, Watching quietly, flashing one another nervous inpatient glances until finally the sound of a soft whimper could be heard and broke the tention.. Each of them, Finally let out deep sigh of reliefe, And though the thought of just having lost their mother still rallied in their minds, They couldnt help but feel a strong sense of joy and accomplishment for the two fragile lives they had just saved and brought into their world. Briar looked to her father.. "What shall we name them?".. She asked, Curious at what names he might come up with.. Father seemed to fall into deep thought for what felt like minutes, Then Finally he began to speak.. He cleared his throught, Though his voice still shaky from the excitement of their night, He announced. "The First born of the twins, Shall be named Endure..." Though he acted as if he were very confident, We could tell he was weary on this decision. After all, Mother had always been the one too decide each of our names.. As his eyes flickered over the three of the children standing before him, He seemed to be searching their faces for any sign of objection.. Seeing none he continued.. "...And the second-born twin, We shall call Exist" . As the older children exchanges glances theyre attention returned back to their father as they nodded to him in approval. The tiny twins now lay snug and sound asleep in their shared basinette, One laying on each side - facing one another.. Briar reached down, extending her long pointer finger, gently touching the last-born twins tiny hand.. "Exist..." she whispered in a soft loving tone.. She repeated the name herself as if she needed to hear it her own voice, in order to appreciate it all the more. "Its perfect.." She smiled and withrewl her hand slowly. And that, Is the begginning to my story.. That is how I came to be know as Exist . But, Dont Worry.. It onlly gets better from here.. This story has only just begun..