Something Close to Normal

Chapter 1 - The First Time

I was thirteen when it happened. That was the first time anyway. The first in a parade of long nights and emergency room visits. I thought I was dying. My mom was at work late again, so Dad found himself speeding through traffic to get me to an emergency room. 

If I didn't know any better I would've thought that he was more terrified than I was. But it was me who was curled up in the back seat, crying a river. My chest all but crumbling under the weight of fear. My lungs were clutched by the powerful chain of anxiety. 

By the time my dad burst into the emergency room, his daughter laying helplessly in his arms, my hands and feet were numb. But everything after that gets a bit fuzzy. I remember doctors and nurses rushing back and forth in the emergency, but I couldn't recall which one helped me. I can remember when oxygen finally came flooding back into my lungs. And I remember that the next morning I woke up in my own bed. 

My mother was asleep in the bay window that usually found itself covered in decorative pillows. My father laid on the floor, also asleep.

When I moved to sit up I remember being relieved that I could feel my limbs, but that feeling was rapidly replaced by one of pain. My muscles and joints ached like nothing my generally inactive self had ever felt before. 

"Delthea, you're up." My mom stood from the less than comfortable bay window, she stepped over my dad, waking him on her way to me. 

"What happened?" I muttered, my head was pounding. 

"The doctor said it was a panic attack." Dad stood behind mom now, his hands draped over her delicate shoulders, "He warned us that you would be sore, I guess it's a common side effect. You should feel fine again in a day or so." Dad explained. 

I clenched my eyes shut and held my aching forehead in my hands, "Okay." I groaned, "Why does my head hurt so much?" 

You're most likely dehydrated, sweetheart. Let me get you some water." She offered and hurried to the kitchen. 

I looked towards my dad, his eyes were bloodshot "Are you okay?" I asked him gently. 

"You really scared me, Thea." He rubbed the back of his neck and released a heavy sigh, "I'm glad you're okay though. Do you remember anything that happened last night? You know, before the panic attack?" 

I nodded "I guess I remember a bit. There was a storm, the power went out." I took a deep breath, slowly piecing together the evening's events, "The thunder was so loud, I guess I just...I got scared. I'm really sorry, dad." 

He rested his hand over mine "Don't apologize, sweetie. We're gonna figure this out, alright?" 

I suppose a part of me believed my father that day. At least I wanted to.  There's was hope inside all three of us that the first round of anxiety would be the last one. Little did we know that my battle in the ring of mental health was far from finished.

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Hi readers! I hope you all enjoyed chapter one in the series! Be sure to vote and leave a comment letting me know what you thought of it. More to come real soon! Thanks so much for reading!