Chapter 53
1337words
“What? I thought we were done with all the events for a while. Did I forget one?”
I stare out the living room window at the cityscape. The morning sun is just poking up over the horizon, giving everything a warm glow. But no matter how pretty it is, it does nothing to the dark cloud forming over me.
Jane sighs. “We didn’t forget about this one. I thought I had the event rescheduled, but for some strange reason, the sponsor and the event organizer came back telling me it can’t be rescheduled. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything I can do about it. We have to go through with the event. I’ve asked the sponsor to provide additional security, along with the mall. The only saving grace is the mall is aware of my requirements. It is at the same mall and location as the last event, so you will know the routine.”
My blood runs ice cold.
I remember the last event like it had just happened a few minutes ago. We got through it with no big stalker problem, but it doesn’t mean I wasn’t an emotional basket case. That crazy woman has reduced me down to a terrified kid.
I don’t want to go through that again, but I also know I don’t have any way to prevent it either. The agency doesn’t want to pay the large cancellation fee, and I have no say in the matter.
She quickly adds, “I’ll make it safe just like last time. No one will be able to get close to you. I promise.”
I shake my head. Even though she is promising, I already know there is a good likelihood she can’t keep her promise.
My gut twists, and a sense of dread washes over me. I want to protest, but instead, I softly reply, “We will do it.” My voice sounds flat with no emotion.
She sighs. “Trevor, I know you are concerned and worried. So am I, but I’m going to do whatever I have to make sure you are kept safe. You have my word on it.”
The determination in her voice and the confidence in her words doesn’t ease my restlessness.
I have a bad feeling about this.
She quickly adds, “I’ve got to go, but I’ll follow up with you and Tiffany about the schedule for the event and the security. I need to see what is available, and if I can get the same people as before. Bye.”
The call ends, and I’m left wallowing in my own silence. Tiffany is in the bathroom, and I quickly struggle to figure out how to tell her. If her reaction is anything like mine, she isn’t going to be happy either about this turn of events.
I glance down at my phone while my mind spins in chaos.
A frown etches into my face. What can we do to make sure the crazy woman doesn’t get to me?
With just that one question, my stomach churns, and my body trembles. My breathing shallows out and almost turns into short pants. Little beads of sweat explode across my body as I lose my last bit of sanity I’m desperately holding onto.
I don’t want to see the old hag ever again.
Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m making a phone call.
Ring…ring…ring….
“Hello. This is Dr. Heartland. How may I help you?”
I open my mouth to tell him who it is, but the only sound I can get out is a weird grunt.
My throat tightens, and I gasp for air.
“Breathe nice and easy. Slowly breathe in. And out.”
I grab the edge of the windowsill and try to focus on his voice and his directions.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
“Good. Keep it up. Focus on my voice and everything will slowly come back to normal.”
The calmness of his voice eases my nerves, but it isn’t what I need. I open my mouth, and again, all I can do is force out a strained grunt. No matter how hard I try, my mouth won’t work.
My knees wobble, and before I collapse onto the floor, I slowly ease myself down. Once on the floor, I turn around and rest my back and head against the wall.
Please, let me get back to normal fast.
Rustling noise comes through the phone as the doctor asks, “Are you feeling better?”
I shake my head and grunt, hoping he can understand me. Why can’t I talk?
Tiffany walks out of the bedroom smiling, but as soon as she spots me on the floor, her smile disappears, and she rushes towards me. “Trevor! What happened? What is wrong?” She drops to the floor beside me on her knees while she examines me.
The doctor asks, “Is Tiffany with you? If so, put the phone on speaker.”
I suck in my breath and hold the phone out in front of me, putting it on speaker.
In a calm, even tone, the doctor asks, “Tiffany, are you there?”
She frantically bobs her head up and down and turns towards my phone. “Yes. Who is this?”
“This is Dr. Heartland. It appears Trevor is having a panic attack. Can you calm him down enough so I can talk to him?”
She nods. “Sure.”
She turns her attention back towards me and scoots closer as her eyes glisten. “You are alright. There is no one here except you and me. You are safe.”
A tear rolls down her cheek, and she leans in and kisses my cheek. Her plumps lips hoover just about my face, as her warm breath cascades across my delicate skin.
I swallow hard and focus on her gorgeous face. Her warm brown eyes and loving gaze ease my tension.
Tiffany’s soft hands cup my face, and she keeps her moist lips hovering just above my skin. “You are home. There is no one but me here. You are safe.”
She quickly pecks my lips.
As soon as her moist lips leave mine, I want them back. I fight the urge to pull her back in.
She tightens her hands around my cheeks and coos, “See. You are safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I continue to stare into her inviting eyes, and my tensions slowly ease.
Another tear rolls down her cheek as a smile slides across her face. “Are you feeling better now?”
I nod. “Yes.”
Dr. Heartland clears his throat. “If you are able to talk now, can you please tell us what has triggered this attack? It sounds like Tiffany was somewhere close, but you still had it.”
My girlfriend releases her hold on my face and snuggles up beside me, wrapping her hand around my arm. “Yes, I was. I was in the bathroom. He could have called out to me for help.”
The doctor prods again. “So, what happened while Tiffany was in the other room? Did you get another message from your stalker, or maybe a phone call from her?”
I shake my head and sigh. “We have an event.” I want to explain more, but my throat tightens.
Tiffany sits up straight with her eyes wide open and spins around, facing me. “What? I thought all the remaining events have been canceled with only a handful being rescheduled. What happened? Did someone come back and say they didn’t want it moved it?”
I nod. “Yeah. Same place as before.”
She shakes her head, and disbelief clouds her vision. “Who would do something like that? I know Jane told everyone about the situation and your safety being put at risk. Who would come back after agreeing to the change to then decide to not agree to the change? This doesn’t make any sense.”
It doesn’t make any sense to me either.
All I know is if I have this kind of panic attack on the day of the event, I’ll be a sitting duck just waiting to be picked off by the crazy witch.
