[ We take a step back in time. The night before but from Autumn's perspective ]
The water had long since turned cold, but Autumn didn't feel it.
She sat slumped against the shower wall, her skin numb, her fingers wrinkled.The steam had dissipated, leaving only the biting chill of the night air creeping through the half open ventilator.
Her breath came in shallow, uneven gasps, her ribs constricting around the erratic hammering of her heart.
Thump thump. Too fast.
Thump thump. Too wild.
Like it was no longer hers.
Like someone else was tugging at the strings of her pulse, yanking her forward even as her body begged to collapse.
Autumn pressed a trembling hand to her chest, her nails digging into damp skin.
"No…" But the rhythm wouldn't steady. It fluttered, frantic…the kind of heartbeat that only came with fear. With pain.
Her body curled slightly inward, chest heaving… and then tightening again.