It had been weeks since Flora's initial struggles began, and while there had been moments of improvement, things were gradually becoming harder for her. It wasn't just that she was physically tired or emotionally drained—there was something deeper happening. Flora could feel herself slipping further away from the person she used to be, the person who could take care of herself and handle everything on her own.No matter how hard she tried to hold on, it seemed like her body and mind were giving way to something she couldn't control. It wasn't just the occasional slip-up or the difficulty in focusing—it was more than that. She felt as though she were losing grip on herself, piece by piece.It started with the small things—tiny moments that added up over time. One morning, when she was supposed to meet the others for breakfast, Flora woke up late and couldn't bring herself to get out of bed. Her body felt heavy, and when she tried to stand, dizziness swept over her. The exhaustion, both physical and mental, had become unbearable."Flora? Are you okay?" came Sky's voice from the doorframe, his tone laced with concern.Flora had been staring at the ceiling, trying to gather the energy to move. But she didn't have the strength to lift herself from the bed. She barely heard Sky's knock before he entered and saw her struggling."I... I can't," Flora murmured, her voice small, almost childlike. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel so tired, Sky... I can't even get out of bed today."Sky moved closer, sitting down beside her on the bed. "It's okay, Flora. You don't have to do everything today. Just take it easy."Flora's eyes were filled with frustration and helplessness. "I don't want to be like this. I don't want to keep depending on everyone. I used to be so strong, Sky. But now... now it feels like I can't even do the smallest things anymore."Sky's face softened with understanding, and he gently took her hand in his. "You don't have to be strong all the time, Flora. We're here for you. You don't have to carry this burden alone. You don't have to feel bad for needing help."But Flora couldn't shake the guilt. It was as if each day, the part of her that wanted to stand tall, to be the strong and capable person she used to be, was getting smaller and smaller. She could feel herself becoming someone she didn't recognize, and that frightened her. She hadn't felt this way since her childhood, when she had needed constant help, when her world had felt much smaller. Her body wasn't just tired—it was failing her. Her hands trembled when she tried to do even the simplest tasks, and the accidents, the wetting herself, had become more frequent and uncontrollable. She was having a harder time holding onto her sense of independence, and it felt like she was slipping into a state of regression.---The next few days passed in a blur. Flora spent most of her time in her room, avoiding the outside world. When she did venture out, she was met with loving but concerned glances from her friends. She was having trouble maintaining focus in conversations, often zoning out or losing her words midway through. At times, it felt like she wasn't even there at all, like she was a ghost in her own body.One afternoon, when the group had gathered in the common area to work on a project, Flora tried to sit up straight, her hands clutching her lap tightly, but the anxiety of not being able to keep up with her friends grew more overwhelming. She could see them chatting, brainstorming ideas, but the words sounded distant, as though they were coming from a place far away. She tried to speak but only managed a soft, unintelligible murmur. Her stomach twisted in knots as she looked at them, suddenly feeling smaller than ever."Flora?" Bloom's gentle voice broke through the fog. "Are you alright?"Flora opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. She just sat there, unable to meet Bloom's eyes, her hands shaking in her lap.Sky, who had been working quietly beside her, noticed the change immediately. His hand gently rested on her back. "Flora... we don't need you to be perfect. You can take a break if you want. No pressure."Flora couldn't help but feel the tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't do anything, Sky. I'm... I'm useless," she whispered, her voice cracking.Sky's expression softened as he leaned in closer, pulling her into a gentle embrace. "You're not useless, Flora. You're just going through something right now, and we're all here to help you. You're more than enough just as you are."Flora's body trembled as she clung to Sky's embrace, the overwhelming sense of helplessness washing over her. She didn't want to be a burden to her friends. She didn't want to keep losing control, to become someone she didn't recognize. But the truth was, it was happening, whether she wanted it to or not. She had always been the one to offer support, to be the gentle and nurturing friend, but now she felt like she couldn't even nurture herself. She was failing at even the simplest tasks—getting dressed, brushing her hair, holding a conversation—everything had become a struggle.---Later that evening, when the group had gathered for dinner, Flora barely touched her food. She picked at her plate absentmindedly, her thoughts drifting away again. She could hear the voices of her friends around her, but they felt far away, as if she was watching them from a distance. The weight of everything pressing down on her chest made it hard to focus, to think, to even feel like herself."Flora?" Layla's voice broke through her haze. "Are you sure you're alright? You haven't been eating much lately."Flora blinked slowly, as if waking from a dream. "I'm... fine," she mumbled, not even believing the words herself. "I'm just tired. I think I'll go to bed early tonight."But as she stood up to leave, her body betrayed her. Her legs wobbled beneath her, and for a moment, it felt like the floor was spinning. Sky immediately stood up, his hand coming to rest on her arm, steadying her."Flora, let's get you to your room. You don't have to go through this by yourself," he said softly.Flora's heart twisted in her chest as she looked up at Sky. "I don't want to keep being like this. I don't want to keep asking for help, Sky."Sky's expression was filled with empathy as he gently led her out of the room. "Flora, you don't have to apologize for needing help. We're a team, remember? We'll help you through this, no matter what."Flora allowed him to guide her to her room, her head spinning with a mixture of emotions. She had never felt this fragile, this small. It was as if the world around her had become too large, too fast-paced, and she was getting lost in it. She hated feeling this way, hated that she couldn't even trust her own body anymore.That night, Flora lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing. She was losing control, and she didn't know how to stop it. There was a part of her that longed for the days when she was able to take care of herself, when everything seemed so much simpler. But that part of her seemed like a distant memory now, something she could no longer hold onto. And as much as she wanted to fight against it, she realized something deep within her—she wasn't just losing control of her body. She was losing control of the person she once was, and that terrified her.---#### **The Next Morning: Seeking Help**Flora woke up the next morning, feeling both physically and emotionally drained. Her body ached, her mind was foggy, and the overwhelming sensation of helplessness lingered. She knew she had to face her reality—she couldn't keep going like this.Sitting up slowly, Flora took a deep breath and reached for her phone. She knew she needed more than just the support of her friends now—she needed professional help. Someone who could help her understand what was happening to her body and mind, and how she could regain control.With trembling hands, Flora dialed the number of a specialist she had spoken to briefly a few weeks ago, when things had first started getting difficult. The call went through, and Flora's heart pounded in her chest as the phone rang."Hello, this is Dr. Marlowe," came the voice on the other end.Flora swallowed hard. "Dr. Marlowe, it's Flora. I... I think I need help. I don't know what's happening to me, but I can't do this alone anymore."Dr. Marlowe's voice was calm and reassuring. "Flora, you've made an important step by reaching out. I'm here to help. Let's talk about what's going on, and we'll figure out a way to support you through this."Flora exhaled shakily, feeling a small sense of relief. She had taken the first
