The Midwife's Last Breath

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale glow over the old birthing suite. It was a place of both joy and sorrow, where life was born and where it sometimes ended. The midwife, Eliza, had been a part of this suite for decades, her hands guiding the birth of countless children. But now, her calm demeanor was marred by a growing sense of dread.

The suite was quiet, save for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the distant wail of a newborn. Eliza moved through the dimly lit room, her footsteps echoing off the cold tiles. She reached the last patient, a young woman named Maria, who was struggling to bring her baby into the world. Eliza's heart raced as she checked the fetal monitor, the lines flickering ominously.

Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine. She turned to see a shadowy figure standing in the corner, its face obscured by a hood. Eliza gasped, her hand instinctively reaching for the scissors by her side. "Who's there?" she demanded, her voice trembling.

The figure stepped forward, the hood lifting to reveal the face of a woman she had delivered many years ago. "Eliza, it's me," the woman whispered. "I need your help."

Eliza's eyes widened in shock. "Margaret? But you... you died giving birth to your third child."

"Yes, I did," Margaret replied. "But I didn't want to leave my baby without a mother. I've been watching over you, Eliza. I see the pain you cause, the fear you instill in these women."

Eliza's heart ached. She had never known Margaret had survived the birth, let alone that she was a ghost. "I'm so sorry, Margaret. I didn't know. I never meant to hurt you or the others."

Margaret's eyes softened. "You're a good woman, Eliza. But you need to face your past and learn from it. The spirits here are not just ghosts; they are the spirits of women who died because of your mistakes."

Eliza's mind raced. She had made several errors over the years, but she had always believed she had learned from them. "What do you want me to do?"

Margaret's voice grew stern. "You must change. You must learn to listen to the women, to trust your instincts, and to care for them as you would care for your own child."

As the hours passed, Eliza worked tirelessly by Maria's side. She felt the spirits around her, watching, guiding, and correcting her every move. By the time the baby was born, Eliza felt a sense of peace she had never known before.

In the days that followed, Eliza began to change. She spent time with the women, getting to know them, understanding their fears and their hopes. She learned to trust her instincts, and her confidence in her abilities grew.

One night, as she was leaving the suite, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Margaret standing before her, her face radiant with joy. "Eliza, you have done well. The spirits are at peace now. You have saved many lives."

Eliza smiled, her heart swelling with pride and relief. "Thank you, Margaret. I will never forget you or the others."

Margaret nodded, her eyes twinkling. "You have a long road ahead, Eliza. But you will be a great midwife. Remember, it's not just about delivering babies; it's about delivering hope."

As Eliza walked away from the haunted birthing suite, she felt a new sense of purpose. She knew that she had been given a second chance, and she was determined to make the most of it. The spirits of the past had taught her a valuable lesson, and she was ready to face the future with open eyes and an open heart.