Each Snowflake

I see a face. His face.

This is what I'll do. I walk out the door, checking down the hallway. I look to my door and realize I have no clue where my key card is. I head to the lobby being as sneaky as possible. Not only because of the obvious, avoiding Leo, but also because I'm wearing just a sweatshirt and boxers. I use a few back hallways to get to the breakroom Amber is sitting at the table.

"Oh, hey Chelsea... Nice outfit." She says.

"Yeah, sorry, I just need a key card for my room."

"Oh yeah I have yours right here." She says as she reaches into her pocket and tosses me a card and key.

"Thanks." I say.

I take the same back hallways, checking every corner for Leo. I make it to the elevator. I'm almost home free. I insert my key, but before I can turn it the doors open. I look at my key to pull it out, when someone walking out the elevator bumps my shoulder.

"Sorry." I say, walking past into the elevator.

"It's fine."

My heart stops. That voice. I turn in the elevator to see who spoke. The elevator doors begin to close. I see a face. His face. Horror fills and boils in my blood. The doors open back up on the 4th floor. I sprint to my door. My stomach is twisting and my hands are sweaty. My insides feel as if they are gone, vanished, leaving a hole inside of me. I reach my door and try to pull out my card to unlock it. I try to place it in the card-hold but my shaking makes me drop it. GOD! I hit the door with my hand. I reach down to pick it up, but drop it again. With my left hand trying to pick up the flat plastic card my right hand aggressively shakes the handle, hoping the door will open. However the only door that opens is Leo's.

"There you are." He says.

I look up at him from my kneeling position.

"Are you okay?" He asks.

The elevator 'dings' and the doors start to open. I look at the doors and then back to Leo. That might be him in the elevator. I give up trying to open my door and just run to Leo. I push Leo into the room and slam the door behind me.

"What's wrong?" Leo asks, panicking, trying to calm me down.

I grab onto his shirt and try to pull him away from the door. He grabs my wrists together, forcing me to release his shirt.

"What are you doing?" He asks.

I pull my arms trying to escape his grasp.

"Let go of me!" I say through my heavy gasps of air.

He instantly lets go of me and I hit the floor. I get up and run to the other side of the room. Leo follows close behind. I look around to find a hiding place but only see a corner. I dart to it. Leaning against two walls and a curtain, and partially behind the leather chair.

"What is the matter?" Leo asks once more, as he gets on the floor next to me.

I look around the room. It looks as if the room is full of smoke, it's rising, it's choking me. I'm losing again, I'm losing myself. My lungs close as I try to breathe in. Tensing up, and only getting worse with every breath. I cover my face with my arms.

"Chelsea!" Leo shouts at me.

"I saw him." I whisper through my limbs.

"Who? Who did you see?" He asks.

I bring my head up my eyes have let go of tears. I see leo through my blurry vision. I see his eyes are filled with worry. His eyes look quite frightening. He locks his gaze onto my face. Then he stands up. He turns to walk away.

"Where are you going?" I ask.

"I think I know something." He says.

He walks over to the door.

"Wait, don't leave me!" I say coming out of my own embrace.

"Just stay here and you'll be safe. I promise."

He walks out the door.

"Don't make promises you can't keep." I say to an empty room.