phobias.

1.

fear: enclosed spaces.
(claustrophobia)

first, it was at bill's house.

bill had addressed to the group that he had his basement redone, and that it was finally ready to go in. they were all excited, for they had been waiting to see it since bill's parents brought it up.

that night, the group gathered at bill's place. they all headed downstairs into the dimly lit basement, which was strewn with old comic books, video game consoles, and a couple board games.

as the losers oohed and ahhed with their eyes, richie looked around nervously. he was no longer happy to be there, and not because of the creepy crawlies hiding in the corners. but because the walls of the basement seemed to be closing in on him.

"man, i already hate it here," richie said under his breath, eyes darting around the room as they reached the floor.

as his friends descended the creaky stairs, their faces morphed from curiosity to concern. they'd never seen richie like this, all taking quick notice right away.

"what's going on with richie?" eddie asked, whispering to the group.

"i don't know. he looks like he's seen a ghost," said stanley in response.

richie's fear of enclosed spaces was a well-guarded secret, one that he'd expertly hidden from his friends all these years. but now, trapped in the basement for a planned game night, his anxiety spiraled out of control. he clutched his chest, his breath quickening, and sweat beads formed on his forehead.

bill put a soft hand on richie's shoulder, who looked at him. "hey, you okay?" asked bill.

"y-yeah! just.. uh, basement air, ya know? it's kind of musty down here," richie said, trying his best to sound nonchalant.

"come on, rich, it was literally redone a day ago. this isn't like you," mike said, skeptical.

leaving the others clueless, richie looked around again. his heart pounded in his chest like a jackhammer, and the room felt like it was closing in, like the walls were getting closer and closer.

panic gripped him, and his hands began to tremble. he swallowed hard and tried to ignore it, tears pricking the back of his eyes as his voice was caught in his throat.

"richie," eddie said demandingly. "do you want water or something? what's going on?"

"nothing, eds, i'm not really sure. b-but yeah, let's get some," he said quietly, unsure how he could speak at this point. he was eager to leave.

"okay, i'll be back," eddie announced, and richie's breath picked up.

"no, can i come with you?" he rushed. eddie just stared at him, looking at the others.

"yeah.. why?" eddie asked suspiciously.

before richie could even answer, his fear had already taken a firm grip on him. he couldn't move, couldn't breathe. the room felt too small for his own space to be included, and the darkness was suffocating.

"hey, w-what's going on? richie?" bill asked, who was already standing next to him.

"i can't move," richie whispered, barely audible. bill was appreciative that his hearing was impeccable.

"stan, can you open the door?" bill asked, and stanley rushed up the stairs to open it, letting in a flood of light. bill turned back to richie, trying to put a hand on his arm.

"bill, can we leave?" richie asked desperately, looking at him with tears in his eyes. bill's eyebrows furrowed.

"come on," bill said softly, guiding him up the stairs and out of the room. the group exchanged looks, then proceeded to follow.