Chapter 623: Chapter 623: Childbirth

Wendy told Evelyn that an expelled man had appeared in the teams behind them. He had been kicked out of Team Three and, resentful, found a venomous snake, intending to poison everyone for revenge.

Wendy was indignant. "Is that guy crazy? Forget for a moment why he’d want revenge on everybody. Why didn’t he go after the captain of Team Three, the one who kicked him out? Why come after the people in Team Five instead?"

Evelyn was organizing the medicine in her cases. Hearing this, she glanced at Wendy. "Perhaps he couldn’t catch up to Team Three, so he could only lie in wait for our team and redirect his hatred toward us."

Wendy grew even angrier. "I heard he got expelled for stealing someone’s canned food. He was crying and wailing about how pitiful he is, but isn’t the person who got their food stolen the one to feel sorry for?"

In the corner, Lily West and the other two apprentices were each practicing their bandaging on a piece of wood. They weren’t curious about the events within the convoy. For them, learning medical skills was the top priority.

"With so many people at the base, there are bound to be some oddballs. All sorts of terrible things happen every day in the teams behind us. Stealing food is the most common thing, but some people even cut flesh off of others."

As Evelyn finished, Wendy and the three apprentices all shuddered.

"No wonder the team leader confiscated so many daggers and kitchen knives before."

"Lily West, Helen Nash, and Rosemary Sullivan, you three need to be careful when you go to rest in the back at night. Try to take turns sleeping. You can also leave your backpacks on the truck. It’s safe in here; your things won’t get stolen. Most importantly, don’t hold on to the extra cans you’re given each day. Eat them as soon as they’re handed out. Don’t let anyone know you get a bonus supply, or you’ll attract trouble."

The three women nodded solemnly. Evelyn went on to give them a few more instructions. Noticing their appearances, she pulled several worn-out hats from a nearby case and handed them over.

"Don’t wash your faces too often. It’s been hot and dusty lately, and your skin can easily get chapped and crack. Do your best to wear hats and masks. And even though it’s hot, don’t expose your arms or lower legs. While we’re on the road, many people are filled with resentment and are prone to doing extreme things. In an environment like this, the weak can only do their utmost to protect themselves."

Even though there are many soldiers in each team, their primary mission is to protect and distribute supplies and maintain order, not to guarantee the personal safety of every individual at all times.

"Also, it’s best to go to the restroom with a partner; don’t go alone. The captain has said before that if anyone goes missing, their name will simply be crossed off the list. There will be no search party."

Forget wind or rain—even if it were raining daggers, the convoy has to keep moving every day. They would never waste time looking for someone.

"Mr. Ford, we will be extremely careful."

At twelve noon, the woman pregnant with twins went into labor. Evelyn took Wendy to assist with the birth, and the three apprentices followed them.

Upon entering the truck’s carriage, Evelyn saw the woman lying flat on her back. The woman’s eyes lit up the moment she saw her. The convoy had just stopped for lunch, and a crowd of onlookers had already gathered around the truck. The expectant mother’s husband paced anxiously beside the vehicle. Hearing the screams coming from inside, his legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees on the ground.

"Joy Ford, her belly is huge. Will she be able to have a natural birth?"

"She should be able to, but she’s only dilated to three fingers. We’ll probably have to wait several more hours." Evelyn took a small piece of brown sugar from the medical kit, handed it to Wendy, and told her to dissolve it in water for the woman to drink.

"Dr. Ford, I’m in so much pain! Can you make them come out faster? I can’t take it anymore."

"You can’t rush this. You can’t start pushing until you’re dilated to five fingers. Don’t scream and shout right now; you need to save your strength."

The woman shook her head. "But it hurts so much, I feel like I’m going to die. Where’s my husband? Can he come in? I’m afraid I won’t get to see him one last time."

The corner of Evelyn’s mouth twitched. "You won’t. You seem to be in good spirits; you’ll definitely deliver the babies safely. The carriage is crowded, and there are other pregnant women around. Your husband can’t come in right now."

The woman’s forehead was covered in sweat, and Lily West took a towel to wipe it clean. Evelyn continued checking the items in her medical kit while chatting with the mother-to-be to distract her.

"Dr. Ford, can you tell me the gender of the babies ahead of time?"

Evelyn shook her head. "They’ll be out very soon. Why don’t you wait and find out for yourself?"

"Will they be healthy?"

"I hope they’ll be healthy."

"Can I keep them alive?"

"I believe you can."

The woman began to scream again. Evelyn checked her and could already see the baby’s head.

"Get ready to push. Drink this bowl of sugar water."

Once she reached five fingers, the pain intensified. Evelyn told her to relax as much as possible, but the mother was too tense. She couldn’t hear a word and just kept screaming.

Just then, the convoy’s trucks set off. The vehicle gave a lurch as it started to move, and the first baby was suddenly born. Even Evelyn was stunned for a second. She had thought it would take more time; she never expected a simple jolt would pop the baby right out.

Evelyn quickly picked up the baby to examine it. Limbs intact, fingers and toes all accounted for, normal features. The baby’s cry was loud and strong, its heart and lung functions were normal. It was a healthy child.

"It’s a boy."

After cutting the umbilical cord, Evelyn told Lily West and Helen Nash to wrap the baby. It was their first delivery, and they were so nervous they were all thumbs. In the end, Rosemary Sullivan took the infant and wrapped it in a calm, orderly manner.

"Do you have any strength left? There’s one more baby. I can see the head."

The new mother burst into tears. "It hurts so much! Dr. Ford, can you give my husband a vasectomy?"

Evelyn was speechless.

"Just cut the damn thing off. I’ll lend you a scalpel later, and you can do it yourself." Evelyn urged her to focus and get ready for the second baby. The woman started howling again.

"No! I want him sterilized, not made into a eunuch!"

Evelyn shot her an exasperated look. "Then I’m afraid I can’t help you."

Ten minutes later, the second baby was born. It was a girl with very fair skin and a thick head of hair, resembling her father quite a bit. Genetics are a powerful thing indeed.

By the time she had cleaned up the placenta, blood, and other filth, Evelyn was utterly exhausted.

The woman’s husband had been jogging behind the truck the entire time. He was finally allowed inside to care for his wife. Evelyn handed the two babies to him, explained a few things, and then dragged her exhausted body back to her own truck.

"It’s a good thing the convoy provides nutritional supplements for mothers and infants. This woman was already malnourished, and carrying twins is many times harder than a single baby. These two children absorbed so much of her lifeblood. She’s completely depleted, isn’t producing any milk, and has even developed dark spots all over her face. Joy Ford, I suddenly feel that there’s nothing noble about a woman giving birth. It’s actually terrifying and pitiful."

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