Page 27 of Redeemed

I hear her footsteps rapidly approaching from behind, and then she’s skidding to a stop beside me. Dropping to her knees, Athelia glances between me and Colton.

“What happened?”

“I found her like this,” Colton says. “She’s freaking out, and I can’t get her to stop.”

“She’s having a panic attack, you idiot.” Shoving Colton out of the way, Athelia pushes my hair out of my face. “Hey. Can you take my hand?”

Athelia isn’t like most of the women or men at Cornerstone. She’s not like Colton, either, or the boy who shoved me to the ground. She’s proven herself to be nothing but gentle.

Safe.

So I nod, reaching for her, and she meets me halfway. Her grip is firm and reassuring, and she places her free hand on my shoulder.

“That’s it.” Her thumb runs over the back of my hand. “Now can you try to take a deep breath?”

So calm.How is she so calm? It feels like the earth is about to crack open and swallow us whole.

“Haven, hey.” Athelia squeezes my shoulder. “Breathe nice and deep for me. Can you do that?”

I try to. I really do. But then someone moves—one of the boys, I think—and the panic starts all over again.

“Th-Th-Thelia,” I gasp out.

“I’m here. I’m right here.” Her hand smooths its way down my arm and then back up again. “You’re gonna be okay.”

“I don’t want him to hurt me again,” I whisper.

“Him?Himhim?”

A sob breaks free as I nod. She’s the only one I’ve told about Isaiah. It’s safer to keep it all a secret, I know, but I couldn’t hold it all in.

“Haven, honey, he can’t. He’s not—”

“He can! He—he’s everywhere.”

“So youdidhurt her,” the larger guy spits out as he glares at Colton.

“What? No! I’m her friend. I would never—”

“She’s not talking about any of you,” Athelia snaps. “Just shut up and give her some space.”

Colton said I was shaking earlier, but I couldn’t tell if I actually was or not. Now, it feels like an earthquake is going off in my body. I can’t stop it, and it feels like it’s getting worse and worse.

Maybe I’m going to explode.

Can that happen?

Am I going to die?

“He can’t find you,” Athelia says. “Julie made sure of that, remember? You’re safe here.”

All I can do is shake my head over and over again. It’s like I’m in a never-ending tunnel, destined to die without ever feeling the sun on my face again. I’m trapped.

“Hey.” Athelia leans in close so her forehead is touching mine. Her fingers are in my hair, stroking, and it calms me just enough that I can comprehend what she’s saying. “Can you walk? I think you’ll do better if we can get you back to our dorm.”

She’s right, but I can’t move. I’m frozen, stuck with my back against the wall while Isaiah yells and yells, first driving his fist into the wall, and then into me.

He’s going to kill me this time.

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