Not Coded

3

Touring Theo around the school hadn't been such a bad idea after all. At least, that's what Liam told himself as he made his way down the quiet hallway towards the school office- to return the keys. The small talk they shared wasn't unbearable, and Liam could feel himself slowly growing more comfortable around Theo. The guy was still intimidating-no question about that-but at least he wasn't completely unnerving anymore.

Theo had some paperwork to finish at the office, so Liam left once the tour was over. He preferred walking home anyway, rather than a car ride. It gave him time to think. The thirty-minute walk was peaceful, a welcome reprieve from the chaos of school. With his favorite playlist buzzing in his ears, Liam let himself get lost in the solitude.

The quiet streets of the neighborhood felt like a safe space, a place where he could escape the weight of everything he had to juggle. The tall trees lining the streets rustled gently in the wind, a sound that was almost drowned out by his music. Sometimes, he'd turn off his earbuds just to listen to the world around him-a kind of peaceful silence he knew he'd miss when he leaves for college.

When he finally reached the mansion-The Dunbar Mansion, a gift from his grandpa to his parents when they married-Liam felt a twinge of nostalgia. His mother had kept her maiden name after marrying his father, so the house bore the name "Dunbar" rather than "Geyer." It was a reminder of her strength and independence, something Liam respected so as his dad.

Isaac, his older brother, had also taken his biological mother's name. Though they shared the same father, their mothers were different, and their bond with their stepfather, Dr. Ethan Geyer, was stronger than any connection to their biological dad. Dr. Geyer had raised them both, loved them unconditionally, and treated them as his own.

As Liam stepped through the front door, he noted that the house was as quiet as ever. Dad was still at work, and there was a serene stillness to the place that he usually enjoyed. He made his way up the stairs, intending to head straight to his room. He was in no mood to talk or socialize. As he passed through the grand hall, he called out for James, the family's butler, to bring his dinner to his room.

But just as he was about to reach the top of the staircase, a familiar voice echoed through the house, freezing him in his tracks.

"Darling, is that you? Are you home?"

It was his mother.

Liam's heart lurched into his throat. He hadn't realised how late it had gotten, and now his mother was awake. Panic set in immediately, the anxiety wrapping around his chest like a vice. His breathing became shallow, quickened by the sudden rush of fear. How could he have been so careless?

Her footsteps grew closer, and Liam could feel his panic intensifying. His vision blurred for a moment, and the familiar suffocating sensation began to overwhelm him. The air in his lungs felt thick and heavy, and he struggled to steady his breath.

Can't breathe! Can't breathe!Can't breathe! Can't breathe!Can't breathe!Can't breathe!Can't breathe!Can't breathe!Can't breathe!Can't breathe!Can't breathe!Can't breathe!

He felt like he'll die there.

From the other side of the house, his father's voice rang out, calm and reassuring. "Honey, I'm here."

His mother's footsteps retreated, and Liam slumped against the bannister, gasping for air as he fought to compose himself.

Breathe! Liam, breathe!

He needed to move-needed to get to his room before she called out again. He practically stumbled into his room, closing the door behind him and collapsing onto the bed. The panic attack still lingered in the back of his mind, like a dark cloud hovering just above him. He fumbled for the small bottle of medication on his nightstand, popping a pill and holding his head in his hands as he tried to calm down.