A swirl of hellfire gathered at the bottom of his stomach, threatening to climb past his heart and into his throat. His limbs ached from their crouched position, the room a spinning blur. His chest felt heavy, all compressed lungs and tightened air ways threatening death this very instant. Quick breaths, in and out, panting in hopes that one of the breaths will catch, inflate his lungs and help him shake the chill of impending death.
“Eds... nothings going to happen to you. I swear...” The trashmouth was all quiet whispers and gentle looks, hands raised in the air, proving to be innocent. Safe even. The air around Eddie tightened itself around his throat as he strained to listen to Richie,
“Look at me Eds. Just look at me. Eyes right here...” his fingers point at his moving chest, deep breaths allowing it to ease up and down carefully. The choked boy on the ground struggled to focus, the room tilting, threatening to take him with it,
“Eyes on me Eddie. Follow my breathing.” Eddie desperately tries to mimick the slow movement of the others chest, tears pricking his eyes as he forces himself to focus. He feels ridiculous, his mind too numb to even remember what caused the panick, but it doesn’t matter. Richie slowly descends onto his knees, sitting a few meters away from the shaking boy. This wasn’t the first time Richie has witness his friend unravel in a panick induced haze, and Richie was sure it wouldn’t be the last. Gently and slowly, Richie moved closer to the boy whose breaths have turned into a shaky rythm,
“You got this Eds. You’re doing so well. Eyes on me, just keep following my lead.” Eventually the hellfire is quenched, just leaving the boy gasping and shaky, a quiet thank you filling the boys bedroom. Richie just shakes his head, a soft smile tugging at his lips,
“It’s no problem Eddie Spaghetti.” Both boys finding each other’s eyes, the bedroom filled with an unspoken promise, I’ll always be here so keep your eyes on me.