"Hey, take a deep breath," Gritty said softly, touching my shoulder.
"I- I can't-," I gasped, even as I fought desperately to get my breathing back under control. The tears started falling as I imagined being trapped in the castle again.
The sound of my father's voice screaming, the banging of his fist on the door.
"Alex, hey… you're alright…"
Suddenly I was hiding under the bed, hoping he was too drunk to get the door open. The corners of my vision turned black as I slid down the wall.











