Run (#Wattys2016)

46

There was a high pitched scream. I sat up, the chains dragging on my wrists. Aaron stood over me in the darkness. I could see Emily behind him, blood streaming down her face. My mouth opened to scream at him. Not Emily. No. What did she do?

I felt a hand grab my arm. But I was too focused on Emily. She looked like she was in so much pain…

Someone grabbed my face and turned it to them. An slowly appeared in front of me. What was she doing here? I glanced back at Aaron and Emily. They were gone.

“Lekia, you’re safe. Come back to us,” An’s lips weren’t moving. I grabbed her wrists, slowly taking her hands off my face. Then I turned and faced Lansing. 

My eyes were as big as headlights as he wrapped me in his arms.

“Who was it this time?”

“Em,” I told him snuggling in deeper. An came up from behind, wrapping her arms around me too. 

“Your friend almost gave me a heart attack,” Lansing told me, “I even pulled my gun on her.”

“Lansing, this is An. An, this is Lansing,” I mumbled.

“Nice to meet you, An,” Lansing took one hand off me and held it out to An. I felt as An took it and gave it a cautious shake. 

“You too,” she muttered. I broke away from the hug, laying back into the comfort of the pillows. Something was wrong, though. My thoughts were turning back to the panic attack. 

My hands clutched at the covers, concentrating on staying in the now. What was going on? It was like I was flashing in between the two. The dark room trying to overtake the sparkling clean one. It normally came in a sudden flash. 

“So how do you know Lekia?” Lansing asked An, obviously just trying to fill the awkward silence I’d unintentionally created.

“We started talking on a reading and writing site and met a little while after,” An explained, not giving the whole story. Just the basics.

“Something’s wrong,” I muttered, closing my eyes. I could feel their gazes as the turned upon me.

“What is?” Lansing. 

“It’s going back,” I told him as the dark room overtook again. 

“Go away!” I screamed at Aaron. He just smirked.

“Lekia,” he said, his voice coming out as Lansing’s. I jumped, suddenly seeing the hospital room again.

“It’s flickering!” I exclaimed, clutching the bed sheets even harder.

“Lekia, just listen to the sound of our voices,” Lansing told me. Keep me grounded. 

“I can’t have another panic attack,” I said more to myself than either of them, “I won’t.” I closed my eyes again. The room wasn’t appearing as fast. 

“I’ve been talking to the doctor about your release date,” Lansing was talking to help me out. 

“Really?” I was taking his advice, focusing on his voice. 

“He said that you were cleared to go. There’s really nothing else they can do in the hospital,” he explained. The dark room appeared again for a second. It was gone as soon as it appeared. I instantly felt better. It was gone for now. 

“It’s gone,” I told them, opening my eyes, “The room’s gone.”

“Good. Now, why don’t you go take a shower. I’m going to be taking you home once you’re ready.”