Sabaro/Birth of a Monster

Adelino paces back and forth in front of their hut, sweat running down his face from both the heat and the nervous energy coursing through his body. When the midwife comes jogging into view he gives a soft sigh of relief.

"Quick, inside." 'He opens the door and ushers the old kinfolk inside before doing the same and closing the door behind them. The windows are sealed and on the bed Ndjiia writhes and growls as contractions hit her. The matriarch of the family has been in crinos for long months now and they all know what is to come. When Ndjiia roars the kinfolk midwife orders Adelino to help her with the supplies. Hot water, clean cloth and a few ointments. Everything on hand as they assume their positions.

It is a long and arduous process and though he will never admit it Adelino fears for his life more than once as his wife thrashes. Two hours after the contractions start the midwife is finally holding a small, sodden metis that quickly begins crying out and struggling. Dodging the tiny claws the old kinfolk cleans and bundles the babe, laying it in a nearby crib. When the contractions only lessen instead of outright stopping the midwife turns to Adelino

"There is another one coming." The old woman turns back to the now much calmer matron as Adelino nods. "Take care of the little one boy."

Adelino tries. He really does. But the tiny metis squirms and cries and tries to crawl out of the crib. For almost twelve hours Ndjiia works to bring her second child into the world while her husband fusses with their firstborn and the midwife tries to make it as painless as possible. When a second, tiny human baby finally leaves her mother's body the old kinfolk is completely surprised the child managed to survive. Finally able to relax Ndjiia falls into a peaceful sleep as the midwife debates where to put the second born.

"Put her in the crib." Adelino says softly as a flash of understanding settles in his mind. The old kinfolk tells him he's mad, that the metis will tear the child to pieces, but he takes his second born from the midwife's arms and carefully slips the girl into the crib. The metis cries and squirms as he does but once the surprisingly quiet girl is layed beside the beast the firstborn reaches out and curls around her, settling for the first time since birth. The old kinfolk stares and Adelino smiles.

"A natural protector. The only way she would have survived."