CHAPTER FORTY

That night, a storm blowing outside prevents me from falling asleep. The cracks of thunder and the flash of lightning accompanied by a violent sound of rain and wind, keep my eyes wide open and cause me to flinch every other second. Ever since I was a child, I have been scared of heavy downpour but more recent events have even compounded this fear. As I lay still, I feel my heart pound harder and harder against my chest until it starts to hurt and my throat starts to constrict. I sit up immediately, knowing that my breathing is getting harder and my vision is getting blurry. But the storm does not let up so the condition that is making me panic only gets worse. In a matter of seconds I can hear my breathing coming out as whistles, loud enough for me to hear despite the windy storm. I might actually die tonight.

Just then, the door swings open. My first thought is that somebody is about to attack me during this storm when I will be unable to scream for help so I shift backwards on the