I struggle into a kneeling position, my hands connecting with a wooden wall.
“Let me out,” I scream, even though I know this is not how it works, but my rage still burns hot for a minute.
When I don’t hear anything, the reality starts to set in.
I’m in a crate, and I have to get out.
God, if this were a real scenario, I’d be loaded onto some boat and shipped off to the pits of hell.
Keep calm.
My heart beats frantically in my chest as I move my hands around me, feeling how small the space is, my breath catches in my throat.
Oh. God.
The next breath I take is strangled by the fear pouring into my veins like hot lava. There’s no stopping the panic attack.
My mind blanks out as I start to pound against the wood, begging, “Let me out. Please! Let me out.” I gasp for air, but nothing reaches my lungs while my heart hammers violently in my chest. “Please!”
Wrapping my arms around myself, I start to rock back and forth, pinching my eyes shut.
You’re not stuck in a small space.
I am! I fucking am, and I’m going to die!
My hand moves to my throat as I struggle to breathe, the sobs bursting from me only making it so much worse.
Losing my mind from the horror of being stuck in a small space, claustrophobia makes it feel like I’m having a heart attack. My chest aches something fierce, and my lungs burn for air.
My sanity leaves me completely, and I feel myself sink into the deepest part of my mind.
‘Hi.’
I can’t stop staring at his blue eyes. Crap, he’s attractive.
‘Hi,’ he murmurs, his tone deep and rough, making goosebumps rush over my skin.
He just watches me with a look of amazement on his face.
‘This isn’t weird at all,’ I chuckle nervously.
‘What?’
‘You staring at me.’
‘It’s because I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. I like taking my time to admire a work of art.’
He places his hand on my side, and feeling the heat of his skin makes a tremble ripple through my body.
‘I feel it, too,’ he admits, and I swear I lose myself in the blue depths of his irises. ‘The attraction.’
‘Yeah?’
He begins to lean down, and it has anticipation exploding in my abdomen. The moment our lips touch, it feels so right it makes emotions erupt in my chest.
I’m happy.
The horror yanks me back into the dark crate, and slamming my fists against the wood, I let out a broken scream.