"No… noooo… no!"
"Rosalia, wake up! Wake up! You're okay—I'm here. I'm here, don't be afraid."
I heard Cassel calling my name, his voice trembling violently with fear and panic.
My eyes flew open.
Sweat poured down my forehead in thick drops as I jerked upright, my chest heaving uncontrollably.
"Cae…"
My voice shook terribly.
That horrifying sound still echoed inside my ears. It felt as though an invisible hand was crushing my heart alive, squeezing tighter and tighter until breathing itself became painful.
"Hah… huff… I… Cassel… you…"
"Breathe slowly." His deep voice wrapped around me immediately. "Rosalia, look at me. Look into my eyes."
Large hands cupped my trembling face gently.
"You're here with me. Nothing will happen to you while I'm beside you."
"Breathe… slowly."
His tone was low, calm, steady.
Like an anchor in the middle of a storm.
Little by little, my breathing began to stabilize.
