Page 61 of Fighting Conviction

“Maybe.” She did a little dance with her shoulders as she stood up, only for the world to fade in and out at the edges. She took a few steadying breaths and her vision cleared again.

“Hey girl, could you help me carry some of these? I think I bit off more than I could chew.”

“Uh, yeah, sure.” Ellie walked the few feet to Virginia’s open dressing room before shaking her head to clear the fuzz. Big mistake.

Her body felt lighter than the gravity pushing it down, and as she leaned against the open door, a hand grabbed on to her arm.

“Good, God, El, are you alright?”

Ellie nodded but quickly regretted that decision. “Yes… yes, I’m fine. Just stood up too fast, is all.”

Virginia’s brow furrowed in concern like she didn’t believe her. “You know what? Let’s get somethin’ to eat on the way home. You’re scarin’ me.”

Ellie’s stomach twisted with guilt at the worry etched on her friend’s face. “It’s alright, V. I promise. I got up too fast.”

Virginia shook her head and led Ellie by the arm away from her dressing room.

“No ma’am, it’s your birthday and you’ve got the rest of the day off. I’m forcin’ some Chick-fil-A down your throat and then tuckin’ you in for a nap before your hot—”

The world was going by quicker than her eyes could adjust. “V, can you slow down?” she mumbled but wasn’t sure if the words came out right. The twist in her belly roiled up her throat, making her feel like she was going to get sick. Ellie covered her mouth with one hand and tugged the other away from Virginia’s grip.

“Please, V. Stop.”

“What? We’re not movin’—Oh my God, Ellie!” Virginia dropped the dresses and grabbed Ellie by both arms, but it was too late. Ellie fell backward, hitting something on her way down. Three white walls stretched over her, caving her in.

“Someone call 911!” Her friend bent over her. Ellie was on the floor, but she wasn’t certain how she got there. Before she knew it, hands passed over her and Virginia was being peppered with questions too fast for Ellie to register.

“I’m okay…” The words mumbled past her lips as she tried to sit up. She was grabbed from all sides and she tried to shake them off and push the panic away. The world came back into blurry focus only to have a stranger in her face shouting something at her and one yelling behind her. There were people everywhere, crowding her. She tried to see past them but the only things in her vision were walls and people grabbing, pulling, holding her down, closing her in. Trapping her.

“Ma’am. Ma’am, we think you passed out. We’re gonna check your— ma’am? Oh shit, she’s hyperventilating.”

“What the fuck is going on?”

“Dev?” His name came out of her mouth all fuzzy. He was yelling but he still sounded too far away.

“Sir, we’re gonna check her out. We think it might be exhaustion but she’s hyperventilating so it might be—”

“She’s fucking claustrophobic and you assholes have her in a goddamn dressing room. Get the fuck out! I’ve got this.”

“Sir, she fell here. We shouldn’t move her until we’ve—sir, wait—”

“I found you, angel. You’re safe.” The deep voice coated her like a salve before strong arms cradled her. She nestled into the cinnamon scent, relaxing to the gentle, warm vibration against her ear. She reached her hand out and only felt air. She was free.

Her vision came back into focus, and the rumbling grew louder until she could tell what it was.

“You are safe. You are in control. You are safe. You are in control. You are safe. You are in control.”

She mumbled the words back and the soothing effect on her nerves was instant. They repeated the mantra until cool air blew on her cheeks.

“I’m safe. I’m in control. I’m with Dev.”

“That’s right, baby. You’re safe with me. Just breathe. We’re outside and you’re safe. Breathe deep for me.”

Her eyes had been open but on the first big inhale of cold air it was like a shock to her system and she could see for the first time. It snapped her back to the moment and she concentrated on breathing at the same speed as the man holding her.

“You are safe. You are—”

“I’m okay, Dev. I’m okay.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself up farther in his arms.