As the pain continued to grip her in its merciless hold, Valeria's cries grew louder, more desperate with each passing moment. Her body shook with tremors, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she fought to hold onto consciousness.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the pain began to ebb away, leaving Valeria shaken and drained, but somehow still standing. 

Tears streamed down her cheeks anew as she lay back against the soft pillows, her entire body trembling with exhaustion and ...