“Guided by Aurora's Light”

Submitted into Contest #222 in response to: Write a story that includes someone saying, “You’ve got this.”... view prompt

0 comments

Coming of Age Drama Inspirational



Sarah's face contorted in agony as she felt the primal, unbridled energy surge through her, tearing away the civilized layers of her existence. She was a cavewoman succumbing to the fierce forces of nature, reducing her to a creature of raw instinct and primal struggle.


"I can't do this." She mouthed silently, unable to find the breath needed to articulate her defeat.


Aurora, a frail and gentle woman with a perplexing inner strength, bent over and looked into Sarah's wild and desperate eyes. She clenched her hands and released a burst of energy from within her, like a profound guiding light, trying to break down Sarah's walls of defeat.


"You are a powerful warrior. Embrace the strength within you. You are tapping into the ancient power of women who came before us. Let it flow through you. You've got this." She whispered in a low growl, her voice resonating with an otherworldly wisdom that seemed to transcend time.


Sarah gripped Aurora's wrinkled, thin hands, her knuckles white with the strain of her pain. Her breaths came in short, ragged gasps, her chest heaving with each wave that crashed over her like a never-ending tide.


Sarah's every muscle quivered with the strain of her effort as if every fiber of her being were straining to break free from the confines of her own flesh.

Aurora's touch was a grounding force amid Sarah's increasing discomfort. Her hands were firm yet gentle as they massaged the pressure points on her trembling body, moving with the precision of a seasoned conductor, navigating the orchestra of Sarah's distress with a tender grace that belied her inner strength.


As a wave crescendoed through Sarah, Aurora applied the total weight of her body to the deep, radiating pain in her lower back, allowing her to catch her breath momentarily.


As Sarah's breaths quickened, the room seemed to shrink around her, suffocating her with the weight of anticipation and uncertainty. Each cry that escaped her lips reverberated through the sterile walls, mingling with the distant hum of medical machinery, creating a discordant symphony of birth and rebirth.


"You are not alone, Sarah. You are a part of the long line of warriors who have borne the burden of creation. Feel it coursing through your veins, the ancient wisdom of your ancestors guiding you through this sacred rite of passage. You are the embodiment of strength," Aurora intoned her voice, a chant that echoed through the very core of Sarah's being.


Sarah clutched Aurora's shoulders with desperate ferocity as another convulsive pang seized her. Tears welled up in her eyes, a testament to the relentless battle she was fighting within herself. She yearned for a moment of respite, for the torment to end and the perpetual agony to ease. Yet, even as the encroaching shadows of doubt threatened to consume her, a flicker of determination ignited within her, fueled by Aurora's unwavering faith in her strength.


 "You're stronger than you realize. Your body knows what to do. Trust in the ancient power within you." Aurora resounded.


Sarah let out a primal scream, gruff and raw. Aurora's words rang in her mind like an ancient mantra, urging her to embrace the power within.


"You can do this. I'm here with you. The pain is a bridge to something extraordinary. Breathe through it. Focus." Aurora said, breathing in with her and exhaling in a rhythmic flow.


The air crackled with a charged energy as if the atoms around them hummed with the anticipation of a miracle in the making.


Concentrating on her breath, Sarah closed her eyes, shutting out the world beyond the piercing currents surging through her. She immersed herself in the quiet depths of her being, plunging into the reservoir of dormant resilience nested within her soul. In this fleeting moment of stillness, she unearthed a fragment of time-honored wisdom, a hushed whisper from the origin of women who had endured this ritual throughout the ages.


"You're created to endure this pain. Use this power as a force to create life." The whispers sang.


Sarah opened her eyes and let out a ferocious guttural cry, one that mirrored the cries of innumerable women who had gone before her on the wild journey of childbirth. It was a lament, a plea, and an affirmation, all rolled into one primal utterance that thundered through the room.


An instinctual drive surged through her, and she surrendered to the incredible force of life within her. With one last feral scream that seemed to come from the depths of her soul, she gave in to the wild currents of labor, allowing them to carry her through a vortex of agony and ecstasy, of fear and transcendence.


Aurora's voice, a faint murmur in the resurrection, encouraged Sarah's intuitive revival. "You're doing it, Sarah. You're bringing new life into this world. Embrace the power within you. You are not alone."


Sarah summoned every last bit of her strength, a flickering flame, to surrender to the fierce ring of fire. Her body became a vessel for the miracle of life, her spirit joining the timeless cortege of mothers who had borne the world's weight on their shoulders.


Aurora's voice broke through the flames of pain, her words a lifeline. "You're almost there, Sarah. Your baby is coming. You're bearing your soul, like a soldier, like a cavewoman, like the embodiment of strength."


With one final, profound push, Sarah gave birth to a new life, her child emerging into the world with a cry that was a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity. 


The room, which had once been filled with the sound of pain, was now filled with a quiet sense of awe as if the walls were bearing witness to the miracle of new life.


Aurora's aged eyes shone with pride and empathy, acknowledging the strength she had seen in Sarah and the countless other women she had helped through similar experiences.


In that instant, Sarah understood that the pain, the doubt, and the struggle were not just obstacles to overcome but essential components of a profound metamorphosis. She had accessed a primal wellspring of strength, linking her to the kin of women who had given labor to the world anew, generation after generation.


As Sarah cradled her newborn, she cast a grateful glance toward Aurora, whose unwavering support and guidance had been instrumental in her transformative journey. In that shared moment of profound connection, Sarah silently conveyed her appreciation for the wisdom and faith that Aurora had instilled within her, serving as a steadfast beacon of strength throughout the tumultuous ordeal.


Aurora's presence was more than just a source of comfort; it was a lifeline, a seed of unwavering belief in Sarah's ability to overcome her pain and embrace her inner strength. Her words, which resonated with a timeless understanding of the resilience of females, had ignited a fire of determination in Sarah, guiding her through the darkest moments of doubt and fear.


Sarah squeezed Aurora's weathered hand gently to express her gratitude for the crucial role she had played in her journey, acknowledging the profound impact of her steadfast presence and the invaluable gift of ancient wisdom that had strengthened her spirit. In Aurora's knowing gaze, Sarah saw a kindred spirit, a fellow guardian of the sacred passage of life, whose legacy of strength and compassion would forever be woven into the fabric of her own story.


October 28, 2023 06:09

You must sign up or log in to submit a comment.

0 comments

Bring your short stories to life

Fuse character, story, and conflict with tools in the Reedsy Book Editor. 100% free.