Chapter 44: Normalise Locking People in Small Spaces Until They Make Up

                                    

                                          
Gally's Pov
                          
I couldn't comprehend what Olivia had just told me. She's pregnant?! But we've never had sex, so how is that possible?!
                          
Then I realise something horrible. It was Zart's or Sean's kid. Not mine. One of those two slintheads were going to become a father. God, I pity that child. A cheating mother and an awful father.
                          
"I'm... happy for you" I force out my words between gritted teeth, fighting the urge to punch her in her stomach. Too far? Maybe.
                          
"Gally, I don't know what to do" Olivia's voice cracks as she talks, giving away that she's crying. I look up for the first time since she told me the news, and see tears streaming down her face. "I can't have a child here! It's literally the worst place possible! The environment we're in could never be used to raise a kid! And I'm only- Actually, I don't know how old I am, but I'm guessing fifteen, maybe sixteen! And the two possible fathers... I'm sure the Grievers could do a better job at looking after a child than them!"
                          
I could see how stressed she was, and that certainly wouldn't be good for the baby, so I sat beside her and pulled her into my chest.
                          
"Stop worrying, Olivia. It'll be ok. You're going to be a great mother. Just don't let anyone you don't trust near your child, ok? I'll secretly ask for a pregnancy test because I'm sure you don't want everybody finding out yet, and I'll give it to you when nobody is looking. That way, you'll know for certain. But just imagine a mini you running around the Glade. Wouldn't that be adorable?"
                          
"I guess" she sniffles.
                          
"Have you thought of any names yet?"
                          
"Gally. It's been a week"
                          
"So? I thought girls thought of names for their future babies when they were about six or seven"
                          
"Yeah, but for some reason, I can't remember my childhood. I wonder why"
                          
"Good point. But I know you. I'm sure you have some ideas"
                          
She sighs. "You're right. If it's a girl, definitely Ella. There's no doubt about that. If it's a boy... I'm not sure, actually. I like the name Nathaniel, I guess. Or Charlie"
                          
"Could I suggest the name 'Gally'?" I joke, causing her to let out a small laugh.
                          
"Yeah, no. I'm not naming my kid after you"
                          
"Why not?! My name is amazing. Everybody should name their kid that, regardless of the gender" I make her laugh even more. "I can't wait to be a dad"
                          
"What do you mean by 'dad'?"
                          
"SHIT! Did I say that bit out loud?"
                          
"Yeah" She nervously giggles.
                          
"Just, uh, just forget that, please"
                          
"Already forgotten"
                          
"Thanks"
                          
"You're welcome"
                          
I noticed my arm was still around her, so I quickly recoiled it and placed both my hands in my lap.
                          
"I'm never going near alcohol again" Olivia says after a while. "Not after what happened last time"
                          
"That's probably for the best"
                          
"I agree" She pauses. "There's something else you need to know" She tells me about how Zart and Sean wouldn't take no for an answer when they took her into a hut and told her what they were going to do. She said that they had threatened her, although she couldn't remember exactly what the threat was, thanks to the alcohol. It suddenly made a lot more sense. Even black out drunk, she wouldn't cheat on me, but she had no choice in the matter that night.