The Break (An Eddie Munson Story)

Chapter 33: Panic Attacks in Trailer Parks

A/N: This chapter contains mentions of a panic attack and gore. Please proceed with caution if this may potentially trigger you.

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At the sight of the darkened windows of the trailer, Steve could have sworn he felt bile rise up his throat and threaten to make him heave. The lack of light could only mean one thing, you were not home. His fear was confirmed, when he knocked on the door and there was no answer. No matter how many times he rapped his fist against the flimsy screen, you still failed to materialise in front of him. The brunet hoped that maybe, just maybe, you were sleeping and unable to hear his frantic knocking but even in his blind panic, Steve knew that he was just lying to himself. "Y/N! Y/N are you there!"

Where the hell could you be? He had checked the trailer first but at the lack of your presence, he had resorted to driving all over town. To the video store, the arcade- places you often frequented. He had even staked out your parents house, to see if you had made you way there. Despite the situation, he was glad you were not on their premises. In his frenzy, Steve had enlisted the help of the kids to keep an eye out for you but when the walkie talkie had remained silent, he had had no choice but to return to your shared home, in hopes that he had missed you during his search.

"Oi!" he heard the angered shout of a familiar voice, emanating from the open door of a neighbouring trailer. The bright light from behind them, completely transformed the annoyed figure into a silhouette, with indistinguishable features. Steve squinted at the illumination, as he attempted to shield his pained eyes. "Who the hell are you? And why the fuck are you shouting?" they called to him, hands firmly on their hips.

Before the brunet could utter out his name, another voice joined into the mix, one he was overwhelmed with relief to hear again. "Max! Why are you out here, what's going on?"

"Y/N!" the young man called out to you, as he abandoned his post and ran towards you, across the grass covered distance that separated yours and Max's respective homes.

You quietly whispered a reassurance to Max, whom upon realising the mad man at your door, was in fact her friend and babysitter, slightly  relaxed her stance and allowed you passed, to meet Steve halfway across the muddy ground. "Go back inside, I'll drop by tomorrow to check on you, okay?"

The brunet's trainers slipped on the unsteady surface and caused him to fall into your partly, as you haphazardly caught his form in your outstretched arms. "Steve?" you gasped, as you struggled to help him to his feet. "What are you-"

Suddenly holding youat arms length, the brunet raked his eyes over your body, as he checked for any marks or abrasions to your form. "You're okay, oh thank fuck." he thank his lucky stars, as he pulled you back towards him, to hold you firm in his embrace. He head dropped to your shoulder, hair ticking your neck, as he attempted to lose himself in your presence and ground himself. Heart beating ten to the dozen, he was certain that if he did not calm down, he would surely suffer from a heart attack.

His panic was payable and had you immediately on edge, as you feared the worse. "Why, what's happened? Is everyone alright?"

"Where were you?" he demanded, hot tears threatening to cascade down his cheeks, as he felt his hysteria rise.

"What?"

"I didn't see you on the streets, how did you get home?"

You frowned in response, trying to mentally connect the dots and understand why he was so distressed about how you had returned home. "I...I got a lift back, Eddie didn't-"

"Fuck, I'm so sorry." he breathed out and leaned heavily into your stable figure, as trembling hands grappled to take purchase of the material of your clothing. He swore his heart rate was picking up, threatening to rip out of his chest. If Steve could just catch his breath, he would be okay, he tried to rationalise with himself.