moonstone daydreams

Cocooned in the safety of a womb, the offspring was aware of only soft sounds. Twitching limbs from separated- and yet suffocatingly close- siblings. Their tiny murmurings, faint and infrequent. The space was too small, too tight. Delicate toes jammed against chins and bellies, butter soft nails far from a concern. It was peaceful here. Warm. The familiar vocals of a greater being would occasionally permeate their entire being, reverberating through their brittle bones. It was a comfort, but also deeply frightening. So loud, so sudden. Even when she crooned to them, the children often startled.

It was suddenly tighter than before. Squeezing! The sac burst under the pressure, and the babe was forced from the womb. Emerging into the frigid temperatures of the living world, the only reaction they could muster was a sharp cry of indignation. Torn from their puny jaws by the shock of the cold air, oxygen went screaming into their lungs. Ouch! No! Bad! Mewling with fear and pain from the harsh air, they were tucked tightly against a very soft wall of warmth. Pale nose pressed tightly to the skin of mama's belly, they found what instinct told them would be there.

Another one of them was here, suckling happily beside them. Ah, perhaps this wasn't so horrible after all.