Freaky Fetus

  Amir stepped through the door, thankful to be home after a long day on the job. For a moment, he hesitated in the entryway, eyes drifting longingly to his recliner. His usual routine after work was to crack a beer, kick up his feet, and play hours of video games. 

  But that was before. 

  Instead, he headed upstairs. 

  “Babe, I’m home,” he said, keeping his voice low in case she was napping. 

  He walked to what used to be the room where all of his action figures and comic books were stored. Stepping in, he saw a complete mess. It brought him more joy than his action figures and comic books ever had. A crib was in pieces in the corner, waiting to be built. Three gallons of paint were sitting in the middle of the room. The list of what needed to happen to get the nursery ready was long, but Amir smiled as he thought about it. He was finally going to be a father, and no amount of work could dampen his excitement. 

  Hours flew by as he built the crib, then started painting the walls. He made sure to do it exactly like his wife had asked, using tape to protect the crown molding. Pausing to admire his progress, he smiled, daydreaming about how it would feel to rock his son in this room. 

  Turning around, Amir jumped as he saw a monstrous figure standing in the doorway. 

  “Ahhh!” he yelled.

  A second later, a wave of embarrassment rushed over him. 

  “Honey, I’m sorry, you startled me.” 

  But his wife didn’t respond. She just stood there, eyes vacant, black saliva dripping from the side of her mouth. A second set of crimson pupils seemed to shadow her own, and they were locked firmly on Amir. A chill ran through him, and he took a tentative step toward her. 

  “B-Betty? Are you feeling alright?” 

  She slowly turned and shuffled away, going into the bathroom. When she emerged a few minutes later, she was acting normal and had no memory of the odd interaction. Amir frowned as he followed her down the stairs. This wasn’t the first time she’d stared at him in that disturbing, catatonic state. But every time it happened, she seemed to have no memory of it. They enjoyed the rest of their evening together before heading to bed. 

  Amir’s rest was dreamless for a time, but in the small hours of the night, haunting visions assailed his mind. He awoke with a start, breathing heavily and covered in sweat. He looked over to make sure he hadn’t disturbed Betty, but she wasn’t there. Instead, she was sitting on top of their dresser across the room, crimson eyes glaring at Amir. She was rubbing her belly and muttering to herself in a guttural, harsh language that Amir didn’t understand. 

  “Betty?” 

  She opened her mouth and spewed black goo onto the floor. Amir leapt from the bed and rushed over to her, trying to shake her out of whatever trance she was in. She didn’t respond, but started to cough up more of the odd substance. It spilled down the front of her body. 

  “Oh God, what is happening?” Amir muttered. 

  He rushed out of the room, going to the laundry room and gathering up some towels. When he came back to the bedroom, Betty was in bed, breathing deeply as if she were asleep. Amir approached her slowly, confused. 

  “Betty?” 

  He hovered over her for a moment, but she seemed to be fully asleep. Amir cleaned up the room, gagging from the smell of the black goo, then went back to bed. 

  Amir called work the next morning and told them he’d be in late. He then convinced Betty that it was in her and the baby's best interest to make an emergency doctor’s appointment. They had to wait an extra long time in the waiting room, but once in the exam room, all the tests showed excellent results. 

  “You and the baby are healthy as can be,” the doctor announced. “I’m just sorry the screen on the ultrasound isn’t working. I saved the data, so once it’s back up, I’ll email you the sonogram so you can see your precious little boy.” 

  Feeling partially relieved and also somewhat confused, Amir dropped Betty off at home and headed to work. He ended up stuck there until the early evening. It was already dark when he got home. 

  “Betty?” he called out. 

  Assuming she was upstairs napping, Amir stepped out onto the back patio and called his dad. After five rings, his father answered, sounding sleepy. 

  “Dad? Did I wake you? I’m sorry, I forget about the time difference,” Amir said. 

  “It’s okay. What is it, son?” 

  Amir took a deep breath, unsure of how to put his thoughts into words that wouldn’t sound insane. 

  “Dad, when mom was pregnant, did you ever feel, I don’t know, afraid of her?” 

  “What do you mean, afraid?” his dad asked. 

  “Like, did she ever stare at you strangely, or like, seem like she wanted to hurt you?” 

  His dad sighed before answering. 

  “Son. You’ve spent your life avoiding responsibilities and not living up to your duties as a man. Stop looking for reasons to reject this. You’re about to be a father.” 

  Amir sighed.

  “You’re right. Sorry I woke you. Goodnight, dad.” 

  He hung up the phone, feeling silly for even making the call. Before he went back inside, something in the middle of the yard caught his attention. Amir approached, a sick feeling growing in his gut. 

  “What the…” 

  It was a freshly dug grave. He gazed down into it, struggling to see the bottom. A hundred questions tumbled through his mind. Who dug it? And why? 
 
  Heavy, ragged breathing came from behind him. Amir turned to see Betty, her eyes entirely crimson now, just as she swung the shovel right at his head.