Chapter XIV

My legs gave out and I sunk to the ground.

The image of my only friends leaving playing on repeat in my mind, the sound of the door slamming still echoed in my ears.

Every second was an eternity as thoughts started to swirl around in my head.

Dark thoughts.

I held on tightly to the locket as my breathing became ragged, each breath of air harder to take in than the previous one.

My hands shook, the feeling of the chain moving with them nonexistent.

Everything felt numb.

I could vaguely tell that there was a knock on the door but I couldn't seem to get my legs to work.

The knock came again, more hurried this time.

I tried to stand up but my legs gave out and I fell to the floor again.

I became more panicked.

It felt like I couldn't breathe.

Time seemed to stop.

All I could feel was a burn in my chest as I struggled for oxygen.

A dizziness overcame me.

Something gripped my shoulders, shaking me.

A voice came through the haze, calling my name repeatedly.

The voice sounded scared, the words frantic.

A hand clamped down on my face, covering my mouth and nose.

I couldn't breathe at all now.

I look up at the person whi restricted my breathing, seeing them clearly now.

It was Victor.

What was he doing here?

How did he get in?

Behind him I could see my flatmate looking at me worrierly.

He must have let him in.

The hand covering my mouth and nose let go.

"Are you okay?" Victors voice was gentle, soft.

I could feel my eyebrows knit together slightly while I nodded my head.

"I didn't mean to startle you. In a show a character... stopped the other breathing for a bit to help with their panic attack.." I

was confused as to why he had paused in the middle of the speech but decided to say nothing.

All I could think about was that he had helped me.

"What-" My voice was slightly hoarse so I cleared my throat. "What are you doing here?"

"Hmm? Oh. You looked uncomfortable earlier when you were walking back home with your friends so I.. decided to follow you." He looked away, a slight pink colour was on his cheeks.

I felt butterfly's in my tummy as I saw him blush.

"Then my mother rang me so I had to take the call. I saw them leaving looking angry so I wanted to make sure you were okay. You didn't answer the door but luckily your flatmate came back."

He finished with a sigh.

I could feel a grin form on my face, my earlier feelings forgotten. He was worried about me.