Fear.
That’s what Amity thinks she is feeling.
It would explain everything, the tightness in her chest, her heartbeat in her ears.
But she doesn’t think that word is right.
It doesn’t feel right.
She tries to think of other words to describe her scenario, as the imposter advances closer.
She thinks the monster is saying something, but the sound of her blood rushing is to loud to hear over.
She takes a step back.
Then another.
Then Principal Bump is their.
Shouting something, saying something.
Should she be running?
She can’t tell.
But her legs won’t move.
She keeps trying to think of words to describe herself.
Alarm seems to tame. Definitely not the viscous stabbing she feels in her chest.
Horror seems to real? Like she’s their and present.
But she doesn’t feel present.
She doesn’t really feel anything.
Except this feeling she can’t identify.
It’s not until Principal bump Drops to the floor, drained of life and soul, looking inches away from death, did her brain finally make the connection.
Panic.
Amity is panicking.
It’s the pure and devoted panic that swarms her brain, that causes her to try and defend herself.
But the beast opens its mouth.
And Amity slowly feels her life draining from the very depths of her soul.
Until nothing.
.
.
.
.
AIR.
She feels air in her lungs.
She feels her heart start to pound.
And ringing in her ears.
She can vaguely hear voices over the ringing, some familiar, some not.
Luz.
She can hear Luz.
She can’t breath.
It was true. The breath that was so natural felt clogged and sputtered.
Her chest moved uneasily, and when she tried to stand the room spun so fast she could see stars.
Those are pretty, why don’t they stay?
Someone please stay...
Their is black spots in her vision, that disappear after blinking a few times.
The ringing soon dissipates. But her breathing does not calm down.
She glances around the room.
Too many people.
Anyone could be an imposter.
Waiting for her.
Prowling.
Patiently stalking until she was weak, ready to finish the job and suck the life out of her.
She needed to run.
And so she did.
She ran right out of the room.
Out Into the empty hallway.
So quiet
So big.
She needed space but not too much, but knew her body would soon start to fail again.
It was only the rush of adrenaline allowing her to move right now.
Soon that would be over.
She spied a dark, tucked away corner near to her right.
Perfect.
She thinks she walks over and curls into a ball.
But she starts to loose memories as quick as they form.
Images brush by, thought slip throughs,
She imagines her brain is like an hourglass.
And the memories are the sand.
Carelessly falling through without a care.
She thinks she is crying.
She can’t tell.
She can’t feel.
She needs someone.
But who?
Time goes by, but nothing recollects,
She feels vibration on the floor.
Maybe it’s the imposter combing back to fulfill her mission.
No that’s wrong.
These are too light.
The steps pick up the pace, she is barely aware of her voice being called.
She can’t see.
The tears mask her vision, and then dizziness causes the room to spin uncontrollably.
The voice becomes louder.
Until the voice stops.
Seconds later she feels pressure from everywhere.
No, no.
It’s too much.
She’s choking.
Amity tries to fight the pressure, the arms that bind her.
But they only grip on tighter.
It is only when she smells a whiff of Spices and vanilla does her mind start to settle.
She relaxes her body, and the ringing starts to fade.
The room has stopped spinning, and she can finally breath without pain.
She closes her eyes and makes herself utter one word.
“Luz.”
It is enough.
Luz understands.
Thank you, thank you.
Luz holds her close and sways back and forth, not letting go, never letting go.
She calms her down and her mind doesn’t stray.
Amity can clear the panic, and blink the tears away
Thank you, thank you.
Someone stayed.