Chapter 22
NIKOLAJ'S POV
"Wait... Breathe. You have to calm down," I urged, tossing aside the notepad where I'd been brainstorming tech concepts.
She was frantic, pressing her palm against the glass with wide, terror-stricken eyes, gasping for air.
"No... no, please, get me off this thing. I can't stay in here, I'm going to scream. I can't... I can't breathe," she stammered, her gaze darting around the confined space like a trapped animal.
I moved to her side immediately. I helped her out of her heavy jacket, thinking the weight was only adding to her sense of being smothered.
"Hold on. Just wait..."
She grabbed my shoulders, trying to stand up, but I forced her to stay seated. Tears began to stream down her face, and she lost the ability to speak entirely. Her hyperventilation was peaking; her mouth hung open as she fought for oxygen.
