Drown

Pills

A few days had passed, and I mustered up the courage to finally make an appointment with the doctor. Desperation consumed me as I realized how crucial his help was to alleviate my troubles.

Stepping into the doctor's office, we underwent the routine check-ups, which seemed to reveal no abnormalities. However, it was not until I shared the details of my specific problem that the doctor's expression shifted, and an eyebrow raised in slight surprise. I couldn't help but feel his gaze fixated on me, possibly considering me to be an unusual case.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room as the doctor scribbled down his notes, seemingly unsure if he possessed the expertise needed to assist me. Despite this uncertainty, he felt a responsibility to at least attempt to offer some guidance and support.

In his attempt to address my sleep disturbances, the doctor prescribed sleeping pills in the hopes of improving my rest. He then suggested seeking counselling to address the choking episodes, surmising that anxiety might be the underlying cause. However, he also nonchalantly mentioned that if counselling proved ineffective, I should consider seeking solace in religious faith.

Leaving the doctor's office with a mixture of relief and lingering unease, I made my way slowly towards my car. Yet, as I walked, an eerie sensation gripped me. The sound of footsteps reverberated behind me, but to my bewilderment, no visible source accompanied them. The unnerving noise grew louder and closer, fuelling an instinctual fear within me. I felt compelled to run for my life, disregarding anything except reaching the safety of my car.

The sensation of choking tightened its grip on me, intensifying my panic as I fumbled to unlock the car door. In a desperate stroke of luck, the window obediently rolled down, granting me swift access to the vehicle's interior. Without hesitation, I threw myself into the driver's seat, ready to start the engine and speed away from this eerie presence. To my astonishment, as soon as I secured myself within the car's confines, the overwhelming feeling dissipated, leaving behind an eerie silence as if nothing had transpired.

Allowing myself a moment to catch my breath and calm my racing heart, I started the car's engine and embarked on my journey back to work. Upon arrival, I discreetly hung a sign on the door bearing the simple message: "Back in 30 minutes." Sneaking into the backroom, my eyes landed on a well-placed sofa, a sanctuary I had purposely installed for brief moments of respite. Eagerly, I settled onto the comfortable surface, determined to find solace in a few moments of rest. As I lay there, I swallowed the prescribed pills, hoping they would bring about the relaxation and tranquillity that had eluded me for so long.

The minutes ticked by slowly, offering a temporary reprieve from the chaos of life. In those fleeting moments, I sought refuge in the quiet as I tried to ease the troubled thoughts that plagued my mind. With each passing second, I gradually found myself drifting into a state of calmness, relishing the stillness that enveloped the room.

Eventually, the 30 minutes elapsed, and I reluctantly rose from the sofa, feeling reluctantly recharged. Pushing aside the drowsiness that threatened to linger, I returned to my responsibilities with renewed determination, hoping that this brief respite had provided me with the resiliency to face whatever challenges lie ahead.