I watched Selene with a mounting sense of dread. She turned to me, her voice barely above a whisper. “You won’t drive me home?” she asked, hope mingled with desperation. She looked at me, waiting for me to offer something I had been too overwhelmed to provide. My heart ached seeing her in pain, and I felt paralyzed, unable to offer the support she needed.

I had wanted to drive her home, but as I looked at her, I felt a tightening in my chest. My anxiety was spiraling, a panic attack beginning to grip me. My hands were shaking uncontrollably, and I fought to keep them hidden behind my back. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. The confusion and sorrow I felt were overwhelming, and I could see the regret and anguish reflected in my own eyes.

The silence between us felt suffocating. I could see Selene's hope waning as I hesitated, and it only deepened my sense of guilt. It was like I was suddenly pulling away from her, not by choice, but because I was fighting my own battle. I was scared and overwhelmed, and I knew that if I tried to drive, it would only make things worse, I might put us both in danger. The shift in my demeanor was sharp and painful, but I couldn’t help it. My panic attack was worsening, and I knew I needed medical attention.

Before I could even begin to explain, Seb stepped in with a firm, reassuring offer. “I can drive you home, Selene,” he said, cutting through the tension with his calmness. “Please, let me do this for you. Look at the time; you should be resting at home already.”

His insistence was a lifeline I couldn’t grasp. I wanted to be the one to help her, to show that I cared, but the attack was making it impossible. I really am having a hard time breathing, I had this type of attack back then minutes after seeing my dad bathed with his own blood because he shot himself. I tried counting to regulate my breathing but it’s not working anymore. I felt like my chest been crumpled.

As Seb helped her toward the door, I finally found the strength to speak, though my voice came out strained and breathless. “Please... take good care of Selene,” I said, directing my plea at Seb. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at her; my gaze was fixed somewhere distant, trying to shield myself from the intensity of the situation.

I could barely hold back my panic as I watched them leave. The pain of not being able to be there for her, compounded by the physical and emotional turmoil I was experiencing, made it clear that something had irrevocably changed. I felt like I was losing grip on everything, and the chasm between us seemed to widen with every passing second. I feel on my knees I hurriedly texted Alex my twin, I really need medical help. I can’t breathe my chest pain getting worst.

I received no reply from her so I hurriedly went to my car despite the dizziness and chest pain. I grabbed my keys, fighting against the growing darkness. I staggered toward my car, each step a struggle, my legs feeling like they were made of lead.

I slumped into the driver’s seat, my vision spinning uncontrollably. The dashboard seemed to sway, and the pain in my chest intensified. I fumbled with the ignition, each motion feeling like an eternity. The world around me was a blur of shapes and colors, and I fought to focus on the road. My breaths came in ragged gasps, and I could barely keep my hands steady on the wheel. It’s good that I didn’t offer to drive her home, cause I think I’m gonna die tonight.

As I pulled out of the parking lot, my driving was erratic. Every turn was a gamble, every movement a potential disaster. My chest felt like it was being crushed under a heavy weight, and the dizziness was nearly unbearable. The hospital was so close, yet each second seemed to stretch into an eternity. The pain in my chest was searing, and my vision dimmed further with every passing moment.

But as I approached, my vision blurred to the point where I could barely distinguish the signs. I fought to maintain control, my breaths shallow and painful. I was so close, yet it felt like an impossible distance. My consciousness flickered like a dying light my last coherent thought a desperate hope that Selene was safe, even as my own world seemed to crumble into darkness.