Panic

You know it all to well. When it starts, you fear it will never stop. Breathing becomes quicker, harder. Shaking, twitching, all over. The numbness, spreading like wildfire. Sensing the fear, taking over your body, ever so slightly, little by little. The world around you going quiet, dark. Only knowing, the never, ending, numbing, fear. The tightening of your chest, almost bruising your ribs, trying to be ok. Just wanting it to stop, needing it to stop. Keep repeating, "it's ok", "you're okay", "just breathe." You know sooner or later it has to end.

What feels like a lifetime. Breathing becomes, easier and easier. the Crippling fear, doesn't seem as bad. Shaking turns to steady. The numbing recedes, burning out. The world comes, crawling back, finally registering the worried voices around you, the light comes back, brighter and blinding as ever. Everything coming into focus once again. Taking that first breath of, I'm okay.

As the panic, runs further and further into, oblivion. Like it never even happened. Yet you know, you hear it, like a whisper, that you never truly hear. you just know.

"till next time."