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Crazy.
Stalker.
I cry out and jerk awake, pain jolts through my wrist. I groan and cradle it with my hand as sudden light bursts into the darkness.
“Autumn!” I see a figure come to me from the lighted doorway. “Are you okay?”
The sound of Jackson’s voice instantly grounds me. He took me to his apartment in town because it was closer to the hospital. I’m safe. Not at the festival surrounded by bodies.
My stomach rolls at the thought. Logically I know the situation could have been far worse, but in the moment, it was scary. All the shouts, all the people closing in on me, it was like being pulled underwater.
The same feeling suddenly comes over me again. I press my hand to my chest, drawing in deep breaths, but my lungs burn. I can’t breathe. I can’t…
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here.”
The voice is muffled.
A hand touches my back, slowly rubbing up and down. “You’re safe, Autumn. You’re having a panic attack. Try to slow your breaths. Deep breath in, slowly out. Can you do that with me?”
I feel his body slowly inhale against mine then deeply exhale. I try to follow his lead. I squeeze my eyes shut. I’m okay. I’m safe. I’m with Jackson. I concentrate on his voice, his words slowly becoming clearer as he murmurs words of encouragement. The panic ebbs and my breathing calms.
“Feeling better?”
I nod. “Yeah, I think I’m okay now. Thank you.”
He keeps rubbing my back and I lean into his soothing yet electric touch. I don’t think Jackson’s touch will ever not spark something inside me.
“That feels amazing.”
He makes this humming noise then leans in until my shoulder is resting against his chest. “How’s your wrist?”
“It’s throbbing a bit. Pain meds must be wearing off.”
“There’s more on the nightstand.”
As wonderful as those sounds, the last round knocked me out. Though probably some of the sleepiness came from the adrenaline crash. I barely remember the short drive here and him immediately steering me to his bed before I was out like a light.
“Maybe some over-the-counter pain meds.”
“Okay, be right back.”
As soon as his body heat is gone, I immediately miss it. So much so that tears burn my eyes and I want to call him back. It’s ridiculous, I know it is, but I also don’t care. Tonight, I need him. I simply need him.
He returns with the pills and a glass of water. He must notice my distress because he rushes to my side.
“What is it?”
I shake my head. “It’s silly.”
“I don’t care. What’s wrong?”
I take the pills and water from him and take them then hand the water back. He sets it down, never taking his concerned gaze from me. “Autumn? What is it?”
“I…I missed you.”
He stares at me for a moment as if the words are taking time to sink in then his expression immediately softens. He sits next to me and pulls me back into his chest. “I’m here.”
“Stay.”
