Chapter Thirty Four: Her safety comes first

*Vivienne*

“Help me, Vivi,” I heard her sob. “Please help me.”

And my heart plummeted, panic gripping me tight. I straightened in my seat, my fingers tightening around my phone.

“Where are you?” I managed to sputter, my voice barely above a whisper. Each breath felt heavy, as if I were drawing in lead instead of air.

“I... I don’t know... please...” Her cries echoed, raw and desperate, twisting my gut into knots. I clenched the phone tighter, feeling her fear seep through the receiver, a palpable thing that gripped me like a vice.

I felt my surroundings tilting, the air thickening as dread washed over me. My mind raced, conjuring images of accidents, dark alleys, and shattered glass.

I quickly squeezed my eyes shut as images of her lying in a pool of her own blood tried to push its way to the center of my mind.

No, she is fine. She will be.

“Rosa, I need you to calm down a bit for me,” I forced out even as I felt my chest constricting making it hard for me to breath. “Please.”

Slow