4 4. The old Claustrophobia

CHAPTER 4 : THE OLD CLAUSTROPHOBIA

"Ellie!" A feminine voice could be heard, making both Eleanora and Ethan turn towards the door.

And this time it was Ethan's parents - Emery Blackwood and Casper Blackwood.

"Mom-dad, I told you not to come!" Ethan was flabbergasted.

"As if we could relax after knowing what happened to Ellie! You step aside." Emery said, making Ethan unwillingly follow her orders.

And this way the Blackwood couple stayed for another half an hour. By the time they left, Eleanora's frappuccino didn't look great.

"Please forgive me this one time! I will go back and bring you another one immediately." Ethan said while already getting up to make another round to starbucks.

"Stay with me." Eleanora pouted, making Ethan smile.

He instantly turned around before settling himself beside Eleanora on the bed, pressing his lips to her forehead.

"Don't ever get hurt again." He said in a gentle voice as Eleanora rested her head on his shoulders.

"Maybe this ain't as bad as you are thinking-" And once again there was a knock on the door.

"Not again!!" Eleanora grunted as Ethan laughed before turning towards the door.

"Come in." Ethan said and stood up.

"Good evening Dr. Eleanora. How are you feeling?" Sister Olive entered while pushing a trolley inside the hospital room.

"I am definitely good, Olive. What have you brought?" Eleanora asked with a not-so-happy face, knowing what exactly it was.

"Oh, this is your hospital gown, Dr. Eleanora-" Olive was still speaking when Eleanora cut her off.

"Wrong answer. You can go back now." Eleanora pouted while turning her back to the sister.

"It is our chairman's order.. I can't help-" 

"Of course I knew it would be his stupud idea to make me wear a hospital gown. Honestly, who is coming here to see if every patient is wearing this damned gown!" Eleanora turned back towards the sister.

"Even I said the same thing, but chairman said that it is one of our hospital's rule to make sure that everyone is following the dress code and-"

"Rules are rules!" Both Eleanora and Ethan said in unison, finishing off Sister Olive's statement, making her laugh loudly.

"So should I help you change?" Olive asked.

"No, just keep it over here. Ethan, go bring me my frappuccino, I am about to lose my mind." Eleanora said, making both Ethan and Olive laugh once again, before they both left the room.

'How good it feels to have my people around! New life, new goals, new emotions-' Eleanora was happily changing into her hospital gown when her arm got stuck somewhere in it, making her unable to move.

'And my old claustrophobia? No no no… this can't be happening… no.. no it's alright.. take deep breaths.. count.. count one.. two.. you can.. can do this-' Eleanora was truly trying her best to keep her fears away and chant whatever her previous psychologist had taught her, but to no avail.

Her breathing had literally stopped and she felt dizzy all over, confiding in whatever little space she was entangled within that gown, her claustrophobia returning more powerfully.

She tried again, moving her arms, trying to shift that piece of cloth but nothing was working and she knew the longer she would be stuck here, the worse it would get.

'I shouldn't have sent Ethan… I bring bad luck to myself… I-' Eleanora was still trying, moving her hands randomly in all directions to find something when suddenly she halted, hearing a voice.

'Shhhh.. it's alright, I am here… with you always.." and Eleanora visibly calmed down.

'Don't worry… nothing will happen… Now take a deep breath and try to move out… you are strong and you have me-' by the time this voice ended, Eleanora had used all her willpower and tore open that hospital gown, finally freeing herself.

She took in huge breaths, gasping for air before she poured herself half a glass of water, all clumsily, and drank in big gulps, even getting her top wet in the process.

Once she felt settled, she looked at the ground, where the gown was lying, and did a small dance on the bed itself, ignoring her arm wounds and celebrating her first victory against her childhood enemy - claustrophobia.

She was fist pumping happily when she stopped mid-air, her expressions changing to that of terror as colour drained from her face. She turned to look at the door which was still closed.

'No way.' She shook her head while looking at the door with animosity.

"Is.. is anyone out there?" She asked in a timid voice, only to be met with silence.

'This.. this can't be happening. It was definitely that psycho's voice. I can not mistake that. But I am sure that he wasn't here. Did I just recall his voice in my lowest time and more importantly - it was his voice - The Alexander Laurent, the most terrible psychotic beast to exist in this world, pulled me out of my claustrophobia? Even my psychologist wasn't able to achieve this feat!' Eleanora thought to herself.

"Dr. Eleanora, we-" sister Olive came in and stopped abruptly after watching Eleanora all pale and covered with sweat while the gown she had given moments ago lay lifelessly on the ground, in not so good of a condition.

"Are you alright? Are you feeling feverish? Or maybe-" Olive was still speaking when Eleanora cut her off.

"I was stuck inside this gown and you know my situation, hence I-"

"You should have called me, or simply shouted my name?" Sister Olive immediately walked near her bed, holding her hand.

"It is difficult sister. Whenever I get this feeling, I feel as if I have lost my voice. No matter how badly I want to scream for help but nothing works." Eleanora explained.

"I already asked to help you with the gown but you dismissed me. Don't worry, I'll inform the chairman about your condition and-" Sister Olive was still speaking when a voice cut her off.

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Drink water, stay hydrated!

- Kizy