The Assistant | Scavi

Getting through it

"We have paramedics on-site, maybe they can help," Kaleb just said and rushed out of the room.

Scott didn't care, he only hoped that someone would come and help Avi. While he was waiting, he continued to talk to Avi and tried to stay calm, despite Avi's visible distress.

"Help me, Scott," he said once more and held on to him for dear life.

"Help is underway, Avi," Scott said. "Try to focus. Stay with me, try to breathe with me. Slowly."

"I can't" Avi shook his head. "Too much... please."

It felt as if an eternity had passed when he heard Kaleb's voice again. "In here."

"Okay. Thank you."

Scott saw two paramedics entering the room. They put down their stuff and one of them immediately knelt down beside them. "What happened."

"He has anxiety. And somehow slipped into a panic attack" Scott explained. "Usually they're manageable with breathing exercises and shift of focus, but he's having trouble breathing."

While Scott was talking, the young woman checked Avi's pulse and nodded. "Definitely a panic attack. He's hyperventilating. Jackson?"

"Got it." The other paramedic got a mask and a bag out and handed it over.

"Okay," the woman said. "Avi? I'm Jenny. I want to help you breathe a little easier, okay?" She said loud and clear. "I have this little mask here and I need to put it over your mouth and nose."

Avi flinched when she touched his arm and shook his head. "No... help... Scott."

"I'm right here, Avi. Jenny wants to help you. Please let her put the mask on your face" Scott said and when he noticed that Avi was looking at him, he smiled. "Okay. Focus on me. Only on me. Jenny will put the mask on your face now. It'll help you breathe."

Somehow Jenny managed to put the mask on Avi's face. "Tell him to continue breathing regularly. He'll breathe in his own air, so he should calm down quickly."

"Did you hear, Avi? Just breathe. Look at me and breathe" Scott said and watched as the bag filled and emptied first rapidly and then slower. "You're doing fine, Avi, so good."

Avi noticed how he was calming down. He was able to breath better, his heartbeat slowed down and he just felt better.

Once she deemed him ready, Jenny removed the mask and smiled. "Are you feeling better?"

Avi looked over to her and nodded slowly. "Yeah," he said and then looked at Scott. "What happened?"

Scott smiled and pushed a strand of hair behind his ear. "You panicked and had trouble breathing, so Kaleb called for help. Jenny and Jackson helped you."

Avi turned around to the woman. "Thank you," he said and sat up straighter.

"Of course. Are you feeling better now?" Jenny asked.

"Yes," Avi said. "Still a bit confused, but I'll manage."

"Scott said that you were having a panic attack and it definitely was visible. Do you have them often?"

Avi shrugged his shoulders. "Not so much," he said, not wanting to tell them everything.

"Alright. There's not much we can do about this right now. But I would advise you to drink a lot of water and definitely talk to a professional. I guess that you don't have any emergency medicine?"

Avi shook his head. "No. I want to get an appointment once I am back at home, but first I need to complete this tour..." He looked at Scott. "What time is it? I need to go on stage!"