False Gods: The Show Jumper's Challenge

Inside the stall, Allegra hadn’t moved. A dark mass the size of a cantaloupe, covered in a glistening coating like wet shrink-wrap, had appeared under her tail. The mare turned to look and dropped her head as a muscle spasm racked her body. Under the intense lights, the air in the stall was heavy, permeated with the scents of blood and manure. The mare strained and the cantaloupe spread and grew. With a wet sucking sound, the now enormous mass was expelled from her body in a rush, sliding onto the bedding in a pool of red-tinged fluid. Allegra let out a sigh and raised her head to look at it. The shining sack contained two small foals the size of collie dogs—dark, formed, and curled against each other like a yin and yang symbol. Their legs entwined, their tiny noses tucked against chests—chests that never drew a breath.

“Twins.” The vet pulled back the protective bubble membrane to reveal their tiny bodies. “How did this happen? We checked her three times. Vee, I’m so sorry.”