Page 131 of The Fae Girl 1

I looked around, seeing nothing but the outline of stone above us. It looked like two sections of wall had collapsed all but cocooning us in. “Are we, are we buried?” I stammered.

“Yes.” He said.

I gulped. My fear coiling inside me. “I can’t…” I began. “I can’t…” My words died but I could feel my tears already streaming.

“You’re safe.” Fain said as if he could feel my panic.

“I’m claustrophobic.” I gasped.

“What does that mean?”

“It means I can’t be in confined spaces. I can’t.” I gasped feeling my throat constrict, feeling a full panic attack coming on.

“It’s okay.” He said. “You’re safe.”

I felt his arms tighten just enough to be more comforting. I leant into him as much as the space around me would allow.

I could feel his warmth. I could hear his heart now, hear the thumping of it as it beat in his chest. His head was resting above mine. His body was half over me but only enough to shield me.

“You’re safe.” He said again.

I shook my head, wanting to believe it but how could I? We were buried. The very walls had fallen in on us.

“It’s okay.” He murmured.

“They’re going to crush us.” I gasped.

“Not if we stay still. They’re lying on top of each other. They won’t shift unless something moves them.”

“I can’t do this. I can’t…” I started heaving. My whole body shook violently as my fear overcame me.

“Just breathe.” He said. “I’ve got you. Nothing is going to happen.”

“But…”

“Breathe. Come on. Do it with me.”

His voice was calm. So soft. Like he wasn’t the same man who’d tied me up and dragged me away all those months ago. Like he was someone else entirely.

“In and out. Deep breaths.”

My body responded. Even as my head still panicked, my body began to calm. I shut my eyes, lay further into him, not understanding how he was having this affect but at least it was helping.

For a while I didn’t speak. I didn’t do anything but just breathe. Just listen to his heartbeat. I didn’t know where Indi and Nela were. I just hoped they weren’t injured.

“Do they know we’re here?” I whispered, unsure if Fain was even awake.

“Yes.” He said. “They’ll know.”

I didn’t reply that I couldn’t see how. I kept it to myself. I think he was only saying it to comfort me and I didn’t want to break the illusion.

“Why wouldn’t you let me help?” I asked.

He sighed. “Alice.”

“Please just tell me.”

“I don’t want you putting yourself in danger. I don’t want you risking your life…”

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