Chapter 12. Time To Wake Up

Lola was gasping for air. Even though the room was massive, the windows were open, and nothing was lodged in her throat, she still couldn’t seem to catch a breath. It was as though an invisible hand was wrapped around her throat, squeezing it tighter until black dots formed in her vision.

“Lola!”

She saw through her blurry vision how Ash stumbled back. Someone came up in front of her. He held her shoulders and slowly sat down on the floor with her.

“Breathe!” He dragged his fingers through her hair, pinning her head back as he tried to see her face.

Her face was turning red from lack of oxygen.

“For fuck’s sake, Lola, you need to breathe!”

“Should I not have told her? Whoops!” Ash laughed, walking to the table.

“Look at me. You’re okay. You’re not dying. You can breathe. Feel the air, Lola.” He moved her hair away and lifted her face. “Feel the air going in your nose, down your windpipe, and feel your lungs expanding. Don’t think about anything other than the next step of the ne