Page 39 of Nowhere to Hide

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Just like that night.

“Breathe.”

I gulped in a breath and met his hazel eyes.

“Hold, one, two, three, four. Let it out slowly.”

I followed direction and the pounding around me lessened.

“Again.”

The orders rankled, but I followed them.

And again.

Following his voice again and again.

Feeling the bed beneath me.

His hand on my chest.

Steady.

“There. Good.”

My fingers unclenched from the sheets. The sounds of the hospital started to fade in.

I looked up at Locke.

Safety Locke.

Then he withdrew and I wanted to reach for him.

Demand him back.

But he was a stranger.

I turned to look for Stone. He was standing by the door, his face unreadable. Then he slipped out.

“I don’t think I helped at all.”

I hated that my voice sounded so weak. The tears were so close, but it felt like if I let them out there would be no going back.

That I’d drown.

So I swallowed and did the breathing trick.

Again.

And the scent of the water drifted away into the antiseptic hospital smells.

I looked up and Locke was standing by my bed.

“Just rest. I’ll be here.”

I didn’t want to ask for the help, but my eyes slid closed.

I was so tired.

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