Panicked

• Maya Weston, Grade 7
• Short Story
• 2014

The controlling, confusing chaos was overwhelming as I ducked for cover under a blackened object. Black smoke covered everything. I couldn't see anything. The sound of explosions milliseconds apart deafened my ears.
A continuous hum filled my brain, I couldn't think properly. A black carpet hinted in my peripheral vision. I tasted a metallic, chemical ashy taste lingering in my bone dry mouth.
I sank to my knees, head in my hands. Everything was annoying me. Too many noises. Too much stuff to do. Too many tests. I HAVE to study - I have a French test coming up.
But; I am Not neat, Not organized, Not "planned out".
I have English work to do.
"I am alright" I screech but It is so obvious I'm not. I'm Screeching, a sound comparable to fingernails scraping on a black board. Horrible.
My head's pounding. My nose is red, my eyes and puffy and my cheeks blotchy.
Inside my head feels like a warzone.
We are studying World War 2 in History - I have a test on that soon. Another test.
I can't breathe properly - My hearts and Lungs are working just fine but I am gasping for air. Glorious air. Fresh air.
We have a test soon on Anatomy also.
I hear my teacher calling for an ambulance. "I'm alright" I gasp "I'm fine!" I aim to stand up, but I am on the floor again, curled up into a tight ball, screaming.
My friends crowd around me, trying to understand, trying to comfort, trying to Help but... Its all too loud. Too noisy. Too LOUD. My Brain fills with a vigorous "hum", bigger then it was before. Magnifying all noise around me.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
"Stop" I plead "Make it stop"
They come, the life-saving paramedics.
I stare up, screaming. Screaming. screaming.
"shes having a panic attack" They say
Then the world goes back.
Just me and my brain.





Help me, please.