The Storm (2)

Chapter twenty six

 Melina's pov- 

 " AHHHH!" I sprung up from bed at the sound of River screaming. It's been a week since everything that's happened and River has had non-stop nightmares. 

 The black veins and eyes disappeared about a day after everything. It was actually a huge relief, part of me was scared they weren't going to fade. I've never seen them so bad before. 

 " Want me to get him?" Maddox asked sleepily, also having been awoken by River. 

 " I've got it." I said climbing over Silas and getting out of the bed. I sleepily walked across the hallway into River's room. I flicked on the lamp when I walked in and was greeted with sobbing River. 

 The day after everything had happened I sat River down and asked him what had happened with Mateo and Noah. They were supposed to be watching him and I wanted to know how he ended up with Naomi. Especially because it didn't appear there was a struggle.

 Apparently Mai had been posing as River's therapist, which is why he went with her. She showed up and coaxed him out of the house while some of Naomi's men snuck in and attacked Mateo and Noah. 

 We all tried to convince River to go back to therapy but he refused. And truthfully, I can't really blame him. I really don't want to go back myself. As much as I don't want to, I'm going to. I found a new therapist and I had my first session yesterday. 

 I walked over and sat down on the edge of River's bed, " Hey, kid." he crawled into my arms and continued to cry. I rubbed my hand in circles on his back and told him that he was safe. I really didn't know how to comfort him in these situations. I mean, he killed someone, he had a gun pointed to his head. The poor thing is traumatized and I'm not equipped to deal with it, I just don't want to make it worse. 

 He was becoming short of breath and his hand was clutching his chest.

 " River, I know you're scared right now but I need you to try and take some deep breaths with me." I said in a firm but gentle tone, recognizing that he was having an anxiety attack. 

 He ignored me and continued hyperventilating. I noticed that veins started to appear on his hands, " Silas?!" I shouted when I saw the veins. Ever since River's incident his episodes are getting worse, they're becoming more frequent.

 He's not the only one, my episodes are getting worse as well but for the most part I'm able to stay in control. River, unlike Max and I doesn't have years or practice though. This is all new for him and he doesn't know how to control it, and honestly, I don't know how to teach him. Max and I had to teach ourselves and it took years. 

 Silas came running/sliding into the room with a bat and his pink fuzzy socks on, " Who?! Where?!" he asked in a panic, frantically looking around the room. Where did he even get the bat? None of us play baseball.  

 " Jesus Christ," I muttered out of amusement, " Can you get him some water and brush please?" I asked, he looked past me and noticed that panicked River before quickly leaving to retrieve the items.

 " Mu-m-ma" he hiccuped, " You're okay, you're safe." I whispered to him as he clung to me.

 Silas came back into the room and handed me the items. Silas took a seat next to River, River's back was facing him since he was still clinging to me. 

 I handed the water to River, " Can you try and take a few sips, please?" I asked gently. He brought a shaky hand up and took a few sips of the water. 

 " Good job, buddy." Silas praised. 

 I took the brush and gently ran it over his arms, Silas also had a brush and gently ran it over his back. I know it's a little weird but it calms him down, I think it's a sensory thing. You can do it with your nails but he prefers the brush and it works faster when it comes to calming him down.