I��m always bleeding, and I��m always in pain. But this�� this is different. The pain is more of an ache, a growing discomfort in my lower stomach that seems to be expanding downwards and...out.

The fire roars beneath me even more as unconsciousness seems a stupid promise, dangling just out of reach. Every time I Feel myself start to slip, either the fire or the pain in my lower torso keeps me present. Grounds me in the most sadistic, disgusting way.

��Ughh,�� I whimper, wishing I could reach down and touch my stomach. Something��s very, very wrong.

As the ache morphes into shooting, stabbing pains, I find that I can��t even scream. I can only twitch and cry as it just gets worse.

My line of sight is drawn painfully downward as I feel a trickle start to run down my inner thigh.?

Ares is still in front of me, staring at me with an intensity and�� glee? Joy? That makes my blood churn in my veins.

But time seems to stop as I realize that it isn��t urine running down my leg. No, it��s blood.

The crimson liquid that Ares seems to love drawing out of me is flowing in a steady stream down both my legs, and for once Ares doesn��t seem gleeful at the fact that blood is pouring out of my body. He seems concerned. Which only makes my concern grow.

His lips move in an obvious ploy to communicate with me, but no sound seems to reach my ears. Instead, dark spots begin to swim in my vision as unconsciousness finally takes me in it��s hold.

??? ??? ??? ??? *??? ??? *??? ??? *

Everything hurts.

That��s my first thought. But my body isn��t chained up somewhere and I��m not being raped or beat.?

What is going on?

My eyes creak open as I hear the distinguished murmur of Ares��s voice, which is enough to make me tremble. I��m in what appears to be a hospital. There are monitors next to my bed, some of them hooked up to my body as they record the rhythm of my heartbeat and breathing. There��s a needle in my arm hooked up to an IV most likely stabilizing my system after all the torture I went through.

But then a differents, softer, older voice rings out--easing my fear ever so slightly and peaking my curiosity.

��We��re not above the laws of nature, Sire. The child is gone, but there��s nothing preventing her from potentially becoming pregnant again.��

Those words resonate in my mind.

Becoming pregnant again��

I was pregnant?

Oh my god�� the blood. The pain. All in my lower stomach, all in my�� womb.

My body starts shaking as the realisation of what happened dawns on me. I had a miscarriage. I had a fucking miscarriage.?

A life�� the offspring of Ares was growing inside of me, and it died under his torture. A tidal wave of conflicting emotions wash over me.

I would have kept it. Even if it was the result of rape, it was still a life--and it was my responsibility to keep it safe.?

I failed.

Despite the fact that it was Ares��s torture that inflicted the misscarriage, a stupid part of me feels like it��s my fault. I should have fought back more, done my absolute best to run away, done anything. But I didn��t.?

And an innocent child died because of it.

I don��t even realize that there are tears falling down my cheeks until a soft hand takes my face and thumbs wipe them away.

��You��re dismissed,�� Ares mumbles, his eyes not straying from my pained face as he gives the doctor in the room permission to leave.

I jerk my head out of his hold, not caring if it earns me a beating. I hope he beats me again. I hope he draws so much blood that I die.

I��m not leading a life I want to live.

His next words, however, surprise me. They��re words I never really expected to hear from him.?

��I��m sorry.��

He��s sorry��

He��s sorry??

No! He does not get to be sorry!?

��I fucking hate you,�� I whisper.

He lets out a small laugh, causing me to tense. Here comes the pain.