At the clinic gate, a 7-year-old collapsed, crying, “Mommy has been sleeping for three days, please save them.” The doctor rushed to help the newborn twins, but as he lifted them, his hands shook. Underneath the babies was a handwritten note from the mother that made the doctor freeze in terror…

into organized chaos. A team of people in scrubs descended upon us. Gertrude reached into the dirty metal basin, lifting the limp bundles with a terrifying gentleness. They were rushed through a set of heavy swinging double doors.

I tried to follow, my bare, bloody feet slapping the tile, but my legs finally gave out. Gertrude, having passed the twins continue reading …