It took you a while to build up the courage to uncover your eyes, your scarred hands trembling, pressed against your face so hard that once they’re removed you’ve got two large red marks on your cheeks. You’ve”Michael”found yourself under a desk, with no memory of how you got there, or who’s it is, but it’s definitely a change of scenery from your bedroom. Instead of your closet or your toys the room is filled with computer monitors”Michael!!”and technicolored wires. Computer towers surround you, making your body feel hot and sweaty- well, sweatier than it already was. Everything felt hot and thick and suffocating, you could nearly feel yourself slip back into pure panic, being dragged under by the
Your arms fling up in front of your face, defending yourself, and the movement that felt so foreign and distant from your actual self was enough to snap you back into your body. A hot fleck of bile rose in your throat, filling your lungs with thorns.
“I-I’m sorry, please don’t-!”
You fully expect a lap on the face, or more yelling, or for them to grab your arm and yank you up out of your spot. Instead a cold hand sneaks its way up onto your cheek, cupping it gently as it wipes a few of your tears away with it’s thumb.
“It’s Henry, take a deep breath Mikey. Do you think you can do that for me?”
“Where, I don’t know where I am” Your voice felt tinny and distant, your chest burned like someone dropped a hot iron in it and it was melting your lungs. “I want to go- home, I want- to go home. Where’s my dad.” There’s a quiet huff of breath, like Henry was struggling to breath too.
“We’re in my work office, and we’re the only two in the building right now, just us. Let’s take a moment to breath, ok?” You can hear the distinct noise of glasses being flicked open, and suddenly Henry's hands are back next to your face, placing your coke bottle glasses back on. “I made you some tea and apple sauce. The teas still warm, it was for you after your shift.” Henry takes your hand and guides it to the cup of tea, the mug feels abnormally hot causing you to flinch.
The real heat was grounding, you were able to see and feel your hand move, but you could make the choice to move your hand back. You’re in control of your hands again. Little by little, step by step.
“Let’s work on that breathing Mikey, you’re going to make yourself throw up if you keep hyperventilating like that. We were just about to set up Roxy’s party.”
