Chapter 15: Hesitation
His heart pounded at a frantic pace, as if it wanted to escape his chest. The palpitations were violent, painful, and each beat echoed in his ears. Sweat began to bead on his forehead, cold droplets sliding down his temples. His hands trembled, and he felt weakness in his legs, as if the ground were giving way beneath him.
He knew what was happening. It was a panic attack, an old enemy that sporadically returned to haunt him, always with the same devastating intensity.
His hand swept across the table in search of something. He nearly knocked over his laptop but caught it just in time. He stood abruptly, staggering.
"Shit! Shit! SHIT!"
He stumbled, catching himself on the edge of the bed, and rushed to the nightstand. His trembling fingers rummaged through the drawer, desperately seeking the small box of medication he always kept within reach. He finally grabbed it, opened the lid with frantic haste, and swallowed two pills without even checking the dose.
"Aaaaah..."
A sigh of relief mixed with despair escaped his lips. He collapsed onto the bed, his heavy, exhausted body sinking into the mattress. Slowly, the effects of the medication took hold. His heart rate slowed, the beats becoming more regular, less oppressive. His mind, previously overrun by a storm of chaotic thoughts, grew foggy, as if he were floating in a thick mist.
He turned his head toward the window. Outside, the sky was already dark, the first stars beginning to twinkle faintly. The city's glow filtered through the thin curtains, casting shifting shadows on the bedroom walls.
Distractedly, he grabbed his phone from the pillow. The screen lit up, illuminating his pale, weary face. He opened Instagram, almost by reflex, and clicked on the latest story.
*[Hugo, holding a glass of whiskey, jumps and dances with boundless energy. His laughter rings out, joyful and carefree. He embraces Ben, who sips a beer nonchalantly, while waving at the camera with a smirk. Hugo then turns the camera to Carter, completely absorbed in the music.]*
"They're having fun..."