Page 43 of The Road Less Traveled By

I hear a door shut, and before I can say anything, another voice whispers in my ear, his arms anchoring me to my spot. “It’s Vince. Come back. You’re safe. Everything’s alright.”

“He was here.” My body feels heavy, like weights are attached to my ankles. If Vince wasn’t holding me up, I’d collapse.

“Just in your mind, Bree. It’s you and me here now.” The cold water and his reassurances are helping me come out of whatever tunnel vision I was in, but I’m still crying, still shaking, and it’s not from being cold.

I’m terrified. I could’ve sworn I was back in my old house, that he was with me, but I realize it’s just Vince and I here.

“You’re getting all wet,” I tell him. Both of us are fully clothed in my shower as the water cascades down my body.

“Don't worry about me, Bree. I’m not going to melt.”

I burst out laughing before I can stop it, and instead of quivering with fear in his arms, I’m laughing as tears continue to leak down my face, mixing with the cold water from the shower.

“What’s so funny, angel?”

“You made a reference toThe Wizard of Oz.”

“And that’s funny because?”

“I can't imagine you sitting down to watch a movie and picking that one.”

I hear him chuckle in my ear, his arms still wrapped around me as if he can't bear to let go. “It’s my sister's favorite movie. After our parents died, we must’ve watched it a thousand times.”

I didn't know his parents were dead. I wonder how old he was when that happened. “I’m sorry.”

I feel his head shake next to me. “We’re not here to talk about me, Bree. Are you okay?”

No, and I never will be.I’m half in my body and half out of it. I’m so afraid of my own mind. It felt so real—being back in my house with Ralph. God, when will this end? When will it be over? “What happened?”

“You read the note, and your entire body went pale. Nico and I started talking about how best to go about this, and you started shaking. Nico tried to grab you to calm you down, and you yelled at him to stop.”

“I wasn't yelling at him. Ugh, I feel terrible. I need to apologize.” I try to get out of his hold on me, but he keeps me upright.

“Nico’s fine. He understands, Bree. Just stay here with me for a few more minutes. I need to make sure you’re okay.”

“I thought it was him. I thoughthewas touching me.” I feel more tears fall from my eyes, and he turns me around to face him, the water of the shower cascading between us.

“I figured,” Vince says in a low voice. “I thought you were going to pass out right where you stood, so I carried you in here. I thought it would help.”

“It did help, so thank you. You always seem to know how best to help me.”

My mind is my biggest enemy. All it does is play tricks on me when I’m trying to retreat into myself, and I hate it. “I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

“Not physically, Bree.” His eyes glance down at the tile of my shower, and a few seconds later, he turns the shower off. “I’ll grab us towels.”

I nod, and before he leaves, his touch lingers on my waist, and he’s looking at me as if I’m going to disappear into thin air. It sure felt like I did earlier, but once again, Vince helped me through one of the worst panic attacks I’ve ever had.

Because it’s his job.

“Thank you,” I say as he holds a towel out for me. He nods as I watch him dry himself off, ultimately giving up and heading back to his room to change.

I go to follow him to say more, but Teags barrels up the stairs and throws her arms around me.

“Teags?” I question the sudden physical touch.

“Nico let me in when Vince was carrying you bridal style up the stairs. Are you okay? I’ve never seen you so pale.”

I pull back from her, only to meet Vince’s gaze behind where she stands. “I’m okay, but I can’t talk about it.”

---