The Baby Experiment by Anne Dublin

the inn.
    Johanna sighed and opened her bag. “I wanted to leave right away, so I didn’t eat anything today. This seems as good a time as any.” She put Rebecca down on a blanket and handed her a piece of cheese. Rebecca grabbed it and clutched it in her fist.
    â€œHere,” Johanna said, handing Cecile a piece of bread and cheese.
    â€œThank you,” said Cecile. “I’m starving!” She looked back down the road towards Hamburg. “Johanna, do you think we’re being followed?”
    Johanna shrugged. “I can’t be sure. All I know is I’m doing what I have to do.”
    â€œI wish I could have taken one of my babies, too.”
    â€œIf you want to leave, then leave,” Johanna snapped. “Go into the inn, and ask someone to take you back. Or go wherever you want to go.” All the tension and sleepless nights had caught up with Johanna. She felt tired to her very bones. More gently, she added, “I won’t blame you.”
    â€œI’m not leaving,” Cecile said, jutting out her chin. “I’m going to Altona with you.”
    Johanna squeezed Cecile’s arm. “I was hoping you’d say that. And Cecile?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’m sorry I was rude just now. I’m wound up like a spring.”
    â€œIt’s all right,” Cecile said. “A few words aren’t going to spoil our friendship.”
    Johanna smiled wanly. “I hope not.”
    â€œThat’s better,” Daniel said, coming out of the inn and wiping his mouth with his sleeve. He untied the reins, climbed back onto the wagon, and snapped the horse’s reins.

    Approaching Altona, they passed a wagon leaving the town. The wagon driver had a cloth pulled tightly around his nose and mouth. He pointed behind him, in the direction of Altona.
    â€œIf you know what’s good for you, don’t go there,” he said.
    â€œWhat’s that?” said Daniel.
    The man shuddered. “Plague!”
    Daniel pulled hard on the reins, as if the wagon were about to fall off a cliff. Cecile covered her face with a corner of her cloak. Johanna pulled Rebecca closer to her chest. Johanna looked behind her as the other wagon moved away. Corpses two and three deep were piled haphazardly on it. The bodies shook with every jolt of the wagon.
    Everyone knew about the plagues that had spread throughout Europe over the years. Johanna didn’t know all the names of the plague the physicians used. All she knew was that plague was usually fatal.
    If one person in a family caught the plague, the entire family would be locked inside their house. Watchmen would check the house from time to time to make sure no one tried to leave. The family would all be dead within the space of a week. Then the gravediggers would come to pile their carts with the sad cargoes and bring them to the cemeteries.
    Rich or poor, good or bad — the plague didn’t discriminate. It killed almost everyone it found, wiping out entire families and communities.
    When the cemeteries were full, when the mounds of earth created unnatural hills two or three feet high, the dead would be carted to the country to be buried in huge open pits. There was no time for a decent burial; no time for the bereaved to mourn. It was often their turn to die next.
    â€œI’m not going any closer!” said Daniel.
    â€œI must see if my family has been spared,” Cecile said.
    â€œForget it,” said Daniel, shaking his head. “I’m not going into a plague-infested town.” He held the reins tightly. “I kept my part of the bargain. Don’t say I didn’t. But I’m not going there!”
    â€œPlease!” Cecile said.
    â€œI can’t and I won’t,” said Daniel. “I’ve lost enough of my own family to the plague.” He gestured with his thumb. “Now get off!”
    Should I go with Cecile? Johanna thought. How much do I dare risk?