Talescope Vol. 1

PreDestiny

Hearing the call outside her house, Charlotte opened the door and stepped out of her house. As she stepped out, she was surprised to see them. On seeing her, the waste collector said, "Oh there she is! I was afraid and was about to call the ambulance, but it's fine now. Okay then, I leave." As the waste collector left, Dr. Griffin proceeded towards Charlotte and said, "Child, are you alright?". Charlotte wasn't ready for this abrupt question and she hurriedly gave a smile and nodded her head. But Dr. Griffin understood that something was very wrong. He said, "May I come in?"

Charlotte: "Oh yeah sure, but..."

Dr. Griffin entered her house and looked at his wristwatch.

Dr. Griffin: "But? Are you busy right now?"

Charlotte: "Um, yes. Actually I will be going out now. I have some work."

Dr. Griffin: "Work? Do you need anything from the market? Tell me, I will be going there for a while, I'll bring it for you."

Charlotte: "No, not like that. Actually..."

Dr. Griffin: "Well, I bet you didn't eat apples today?"

Charlotte: "Why?"

Dr. Griffin: "You know I am a doctor, so if you did eat an apple today, I have to go away!"

Saying this, he laughed, but his effort to make Charlotte smile went in vain. It was then that he noticed that she was perspiring.

Dr. Griffin: "Hey Charlotte, you're panting? What happened?"

Charlotte didn't say anything. Seeing this, he asked, "Can I check your pulse rate if you don't mind?". Charlotte responded by nodding her head. Dr. Griffin held her wrist and checked her pulse rate.

Dr. Griffin: "Oh my God! It is so high."

Dr. Griffin understood that she was having an anxiety attack, due to which her heartbeat became higher. He readily took her near the chair and told her to sit.

Dr. Griffin: "Come, sit here and listen to me very carefully. Slowly breathe in for five to six seconds, and then hold it for three to five seconds."

Charlotte did what Dr. Griffin was saying, while he was holding her wrist.

Dr. Griffin: "Okay, now exhale slowly, take more time than you inhaled, for a few seconds."

After Charlotte did it a few times, he checked that her pulse rate was slowing down. Dr. Griffin smiled at her. After her pulse rate reached a normal level, Dr. Griffin told her to get up and move toward the washbasin.

Dr. Griffin: "Here, wash your face with cold water, three to four times. It's rainy today so the water will normally be cold. Splashing the face with cold water stimulates a nerve that controls our face. Don't worry, it'll help you to calm down."

All the windows were closed but still, Dr. Griffin felt that it was very sultry inside her house. He could sense that something was off about Charlotte. As he proceeded towards the table to bring a bottle of water for her, he heard some unusual sounds from her drawing room.

Dr. Griffin: "Oh, I didn't know you had guests today. Alright, I'll leave!"

Charlotte: "Guests? No, no, actually I was watching YouTube, and I forgot to turn it off. I'll just go and put it off."

Charlotte rushed into the room to switch off the YouTube hologram. While she went into the room, Dr. Griffin doubtfully looked at the hologram and became sure about his doubt. When Charlotte returned to the drawing room, Dr. Griffin confronted her.

Dr. Griffin: "Child, don't get me wrong but, I saw that you were watching that livestream. Is it true?"

Charlotte hesitantly looked the other way.

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