SINS (Completed)

SLIP IN THE COVER

"Are you planning to break it?"

"Open it." He stands back straight after his sharp immediate reply. And I walk up to him.

"I am tryi-"

"Just open it! Tessa open it, right now!"

"I said I am-"

"I won't be able to breathe."

"Don't be ridiculous, there's ventilation oka-"

"You're not getting it, you have to open it. I have to get out of here."

"I know, just-"

"I CAN'T BREATHE RUSSO! I'M GOING TO DIE, I DON'T WANT, TO DIE! JUST OPEN THE GODDAMNED DOOR!"

Hardin clenches my arms with a sudden, painful jolt, yanking me to him, his hands trembling; and howls at me in a murderous rage, mixed with unimaginable- fear. I stand stupefied, looking at him in a paralyzed daze.

His unsteady breath falls on my face, and somehow, I feel panic. Hardin, screaming like this, calling me Russo, talking about dyi-

This, is not- This is something else. I try to make my voice gentle, and calming, but Hardin-

"Hardin, relax. Listen. I'm trying to open it, it's just stuck alright I'm-"

"Get me out of here, get me out. GET ME OUT OF HERE!" He bellows out, in a maddening feral- trance, and I freeze, horror stricken.

Fuck, when did he get claustrophobic?

I have never seen Hardin like this. Never. I have seen him angry, afraid, but never this. The intensity of his voice- the volume, the hatred, the- pain.

I feel a whirlwind inside me, and I run to the door in an involuntary reflex, banging against it with a renewed fervour.

I have to get Hardin out of here. The metal pounds against my flesh, and I don't even spare a second to let myself feel the physical pain of it.

I push myself against it, heavi-

"No, just get awaaaay-yy!" I turn around, at the loud cry, and I see Hardin holding his head, with both his hands, his face twisted in agony and I return to push the door again!

Shit. No, please no. Open, just open, dammit!

I look around, trying to find something to butt it open, when I notice an iron rod, stacked by the doorframe.

I grab it hurriedly, and looping it around the handle, like the janitor tried to twist it into opening. The metal clangs, and clangs and I haul my arm back for another blow, when Hardin pulls me away from it.

I stumble into his hold, and planks of wood fall tumbling where I previously stood. Oh fuck. What is happeni-

I clutch his arms, and he bends down, resting his hands on his knees, breathing heavily.

"Be okay- don't- be-" He gruffs out hoarsely through his laboured breathing, and I feel a rupture in my conscience, suddenly feeling guilty, and emotional, and- protective in a strange way.

Hardin's legs give way under him, and he screams out in anguish as he lands on his knees.

I kneel down before him, in an instant, almost petrified of- doing the wrong thing. I just want him to be okay- not, not this. Looking at him, bawling in terror and pain, shaking- it twists up a pang of pain, and alarm in my head.

"Hardin." I whisper lightly, calling out as if he'll just listen and- return.

But he just screams another terrifying howl again, clutching his head fiercely, eyes shut tight and I almost cry.