Flee!Reyna urged in her mind, but Harper's body wouldn't respond. The ash seemed to mock her, a grim reminder of how quickly safety could turn to ashes. The wax, still glistening as if freshly melted, made her skin crawl. It was as if time had folded back on itself, thrusting her into a moment she'd fought so hard to forget.
Reyna whimpered, the sound echoing through Harper's mind, finally breaking through her paralysis. She stumbled backward until her back hit the door frame, the solid surface the only thing keeping her upright. She barely even registered the cruel titters of Vanessa, Tiffany, and Janis in the distance.
Harper's heart hammered in her chest as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. This was beyond a simple prank or act of workplace bullying. This was personal, targeted – and terrifying.
Her fingers trembled as she pulled her phone from her purse, struggling to press the right buttons. The screen blurred before her eyes as she pulled up Jake's number.
"Jake? Can you... can you come to my office? Please?" Her voice cracked on the last word.
"On my way."
She heard his footsteps approaching at a run moments later. Jake appeared in her doorway, his face hardening as he took in the scene.
"Don't touch anything," he ordered, pulling out his own phone. "I'm calling Lydia."
Harper nodded mutely, unable to tear her gaze from the destruction. The acrid smell of smoke burned her nostrils, making her fox whimper.Danger, Reyna insisted.Not safe here.
She heard Jake curse as he got Lydia's voicemail. "She's at lunch."
"Harper?" Kelly's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. "Step back, sweetie. Let's get you away from here."
Jake's hand settled on her shoulder, gentle but firm as he guided Harper away from the doorway, into the main room. "I'm calling the police."
The words penetrated Harper's fog of panic. Police meant questions. Questions meant attention. Attention was dangerous.
"No," she whispered. "No police. Please."
"Harper." Kelly's voice was steel wrapped in silk. "This isn't a simple office prank. This is criminal vandalism, and possibly attempted arson. We need to document everything."
The truth of Kelly's words sank in, but it didn't make the prospect any less terrifying. Harper wrapped her arms around herself, trying to stop shaking. The smell of smoke seemed to follow her, clinging to her clothes, her hair, her skin.
"I can't..." Harper's voice broke. "I can't breathe."
Harper couldn't tear her gaze from the ashen disaster before her, her mind reeling. The acrid scent of smoke filled her nostrils, so real, so vivid, she could almost see tendrils of it curling through the air. Her chest tightened, each breath becoming a struggle.
The crackle of imaginary flames filled her ears, drowning out the usual office buzz. Phantom heat licked at her skin, sweatbeading on her forehead. In her mind's eye, orange flames danced along the edges of her desk, consuming everything in their path. Panicked screams echoed in her memory, the terrified voices of her former coworkers as they fled the inferno. Harper's own voice joined the chorus, a strangled whimper escaping her throat.
She tried to swallow, but her mouth was dry, coated with the taste of ash and fear. Each inhale burned, as if the smoke was real, filling her lungs and choking off her air supply.
Some distant part of Harper's mind recognized the irrationality of her reactions. This wasn't real. There was no fire, no immediate danger. But that logical voice was drowned out by the overwhelming tide of panic. Her fingers clutched the edge of the door frame, knuckles white with the effort. It was the only thing keeping her upright as her legs threatened to give way beneath her. She wanted to run, to escape, but her body refused to obey.
Reyna whined in distress, sharing Harper's fear but unable to break through the paralysis gripping them both. The fox's panic only amplified Harper's own, creating a feedback loop of terror.
Harper's breath came in short, sharp gasps. Black spots danced at the edges of her vision as hyperventilation set in. She knew, somewhere in the recesses of her mind, that this was a panic attack. But knowing didn't help. She was trapped, a prisoner of her own memories and fears.
The world narrowed to the nightmarish scene before her and the thundering of her own heart, as she was caught between the horror of her past and the shock of the present, unable to move either forward or back.
"Harper!" Jake's strong hands gripped her shoulders, turning her away from the nightmarish view. His blue eyes, filled with concern, searched her face. "Harper, can you hear me?"
She tried to respond, but no words came. Her lungs burned, desperate for air that seemed just out of reach. Harper gasped and wheezed, her body trembling with the effort to breathe.
Jake's voice softened, "It's okay, Harper. You're safe. Try to take slow, deep breaths."
More voices joined the commotion, a cacophony of shocked exclamations and hurried whispers. Harper's gaze darted around, taking in the growing crowd of coworkers. Some wore expressions of genuine concern, others looked merely curious.
Then she saw them. Vanessa, Tiffany, and Janis stood at the edge of the group, their faces a mix of feigned innocence and barely concealed triumph. Tiffany's lips curled into a smirk, her eyes glittering with malicious satisfaction.
The sight of their victorious stares sent a fresh wave of panic through Harper. Her knees buckled, and she would have collapsed if not for Jake's steady support.
