Finding Solace

Chapter 14

Callum

Jillian seemed to be making an effort to keep her distance from me. It almost appeared like she was scared of something. But I couldn't for the life of me understand what it was. Still, there was no denying that she was also attracted to me. I caught the occasional admiring glances she darted to me as I busied around the storeroom. It made my blood heat up, tempting me to throw to hell all the boundaries she was trying to set between us and make her mine. Still, I didn't want to scare her away with my possessiveness so I held back.

"It's gotten pretty late." Jillian remarked.

I glanced towards the window, only now realizing that the sun had already began to set. I never noticed the time passing. It was always like that with everything concerning Jillian. I heard her moving towards the door and I quickly put away the box in my hand, thinking about how I can convince her to let me walk her home. Just as I turned back to her, she suddenly cradled her head and released an ear-piercing screech.

Panic gripped my chest and I instantly rushed to her side.

"Jillian! What's wrong?" I called as I crouched down beside her. She had fallen to a kneeling position, her body wracked with sobs.

"Jillian!" I shouted again, but she didn't seem to hear me. I darted my gaze around, trying to make out what caused her sudden distress, but couldn't find anything unusual. I tried reaching for her shoulder but she flinched back as if my touch had burned her. She appeared to be having trouble breathing, her chest heaving uncontrollably. 

"What happened?" I asked in a distraught voice. "What's wrong with you?" I tried to get as close to her as possible without touching her. It pained me so much to see her like this… the helplessness was so crippling.

I shot my purposeful gaze to the door. I should get us both out of this cramped space before deciding what to do.

I tried opening the door but then realized it had been locked. But how could that be? Then it dawned on me. Surely Jillian was claustrophobic. That was why she had a panic attack as soon as she realized she was locked inside this room.

"Leave me alone…" Jillian suddenly mumbled in a trembling voice. 

I was instantly back at her side. "Jillian! It's okay… hold on."

She seemed unhearing of my words and hugged her arms around herself, scratching at her skin until she drew blood. 

"Stop this!" I shouted, gripping her hands. 

"No!" She screamed, thrashing around in an attempt to break my hold. "Let me go! Please just leave me alone!"

My hold on her arms loosened a bit, but she was instantly back to maiming her skin with a vengeance.

"Jillian... I beg you. Please stop hurting yourself." I murmured in a tortured voice. When I tried holding her arms again, she fought back, her nails scratching at my face and arms. I didn't bother trying to pull back from her assault. I'd much rather she hurt me than she hurt herself. 

The agonized expression on her face was making my heart bleed. I wished I could take away all her pain. Unable to help it, I laced my arms around her and squeezed her body to mine, hoping to comfort her. She was still restless at first, her hands maintaining their assault. I lowered my mouth to her ear and whispered soothing words while my hands caressed her back reassuringly. Her body remained tense against me but her resistance gradually ceased. I tightened my arms around her, trying my best to soothe her fear. Glaring at the door, I mulled over how to get it open. I didn't want to let go of Jillian or stop whispering soothing words to her. 

Her hands clutched my shirt, her body leaning further against mine as it gradually relaxed. I released a pent-up breath, also feeling a slight alleviation to my distress.

"Are you feeling better now?" I asked her softly. “Jillian?”

When she didn't answer, I pulled back to peer at her face, smoothing back the hair which had fallen on her face. It was when I realized with alarm that she had fallen unconscious. 

“Jillian!” I called, jostling her body gently, but she remained unresponsive.

I once again cast a desperate glance to the door. “Is anyone there?” I shouted. “We’re locked up inside! Help us!” I tried calling for help several more times and still didn’t receive any response. The distress caused my whole chest to physically hurt. I blamed myself for allowing her to come here. I should have insisted for her to go home. But I selfishly wanted to keep her here with me. Then again I would have never even fathomed I had such a serious case of claustrophobia.

I carefully placed Jillian against a nearby wall. “Just hold on a bit more.” I told her, caressing her face. “I’ll get you out of here no matter what.”

I then purposefully went towards the door and tried knocking it down. It merely rattled against its hinges on the first two attempts. My body still ached from my fight with Daniel the previous day, but I didn’t pay that any mind and went for the door with all my might. I sighed in relief when it gave, the wood tearing from its hinges. Rushing back to Jillian, and carefully cradled her in my arms, then darted out of that wretched storeroom, internally swearing that I’d never let her set foot in there again. I didn’t care if I had to do all the work myself or threaten that teacher… I’ll protect her no matter what.

It was already dark outside, the hallways dimly illuminated by lamps in the school yard. I worried about how I could get help for Jillian, my expression torn as I stared at her pretty face leaning against my shoulder. Deciding the best resort would be to take her to the hospital, I looked back in front making my steps more purposeful. However, as soon as I took in the sight in front of me, I froze, my eyes widening in shock momentarily. Standing several meters away from me was none other than Daniel. And he appeared to be fuming as his eyes darted from me to Jillian, still lying unconscious in my arms.