Surrounded But Alone

Chapter 17- Panic Attack

Presley's Point Of View;

As we left the apartment Mitchum talked about all he and his friends did that evening. He, Lucus, and James went sightseeing in the city. Going by train station was more convenient because students got a free pass to ride. They rode on it until they reached one of the landmarks called Harris Square and tried the street food around there. Then he told me that he'd send me the pictures and recordings he got of squirrels, butterflies, and even uniquely colored plants.

I smiled as I listened and remembered how I use to be fond of those things but they just don't matter to me very much anymore. He went on to tell me how Lucus tried to climb up a tree to get a picture but the branch broke and he ended up landing on James instead. I guess that would have been funny to see. Then he went on to say that they toured an open house that was home to the city's first diplomats.

Apparently, James knew the tour guide so they were able to get in and meet the coordinator. That sounded a little strange considering what he told me about him before that he was new to the country. Most likely a friend of a family member situation to let them in such an important place.

After all of that, they came back here and it sounded like they had a lot of fun. I'm glad for him, at least there's something that brings him joy. The less time he spends around me the better. I wonder how long they were planning to go out? I guess it was just for Mitchum and them. That's fine, it's better I didn't go cause I would be too nervous walking around in this city to enjoy anything.

"So you'll be in on this next time. And thats not a question, I just proved to you that you can go outside the gates and come back in one piece. I already told them Im bringing you anyway," he said making me stop abruptly and just stare at him.

This made him break into a wide smile. "Well at least I know you're listening. You got me carrying this entire conversation by myself, dude."

He joked then he continued walking, at least I hoped it was a joke. I ran up to catch up with him and he tried to play off the awkward moment. Venturing out to site-see in this city isnt my idea of something relaxing.

When we landed the airport along and was waiting for a cab trying to calm down from the flight. A woman, in passing, was on the phone telling someone that even though HIDCA has great opportunities, it wasn't without risk. Then she stated in an subtle yet angry tone and she slammed the cabs trunk shut that the acronym should stand for a High Intensity Drug Crime Area. I know it was a play on the other acronym HIDTA where Trafficking is used instead but it still made me feel even more unsettled.

I shook my head to clear the thought from me. I couldn't deal with any flashbacks from the city I lived before highschool.

"Hey! You can't say no, you've never even tried it before," Mitchum said in response to me. I didn't know what he was referring to but I shrugged anyway hoping that he wouldnt read too much into it.

"Well even if you have a fear of heights you should at least come for the experience of it." As I continued listening to Mitchum I began to figure out just what I had missed in the conversation.

He was talking about an amusement park that would be coming back to the city every three months. The rides I'd probably solider through like I did on the plane ride here but just thinking about the park itself seemed loud and crowded. That's the entire reason why I can't come to the classroom everyday. I didn't know when it was but I knew I was going to be sick that day; not that I was any better now.

My hands were becoming so cold that I had to put them in my pocket even though it was a rather warm evening. It seemed like they were at a different temperature than the rest of me. Then my breathing was becoming a little more uneven than it was earlier. It felt like I wasn't getting enough air and I could hear my heart pounding as my chest hurt. I knew what this was; the other reason why I didnt come out much.