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Calm down, I'm right here with you.
Charles' words rang out through her head but she barely heard them as she watched the figured before her move in a flurry. The blood pounding in her ears making the words barely distinguishable. She wouldn't have known he was in her mind if she hadn't of felt him pushing past her mental walls.
Everything will be okay.
Everything was not okay. She knew that as much, it was never okay. There were too many people and too many sounds. It was all to much. She tried to focus on something - anything - but all she could feel was the thumping of her heart going into overdrive and the tightness in her chest.
I need you to breathe? Can you do that for me?
Breathe? If she had the capability, she would have laughed at him. The tightness in her chest was almost choking her and he wanted her to breathe?
In and out, darling. You can do it. In and out.
She tried taking a small breath but it left her gasping for air. Choking on her breath, she raised her hands to her throat to try and allow some oxygen in. She tried again. And again. And again. All the while, her eyes scanned the constant movement of fabrics and material in front of her, seeking out Charles.
That's it. It's as simple as that. Now, tell me five things you can see.
It was simple. Easy as breathing. She looked away from the masses in front of her and looked around the room towards the bar. It was simple enough; the bartender had a bottle of gin in hand as well as a cocktail shaker and a glass in front of him. She supposed that breathing was simple for him.
How about four things you can touch?
Slowly, she lowered her hands down from her throat, finding that the air now went in smoothly. Counting herself as one, she moved her hands down the material of her dress to her bracelet and then to her bag. Was it cheating? Maybe, but she did find the four things.
Three things you can hear.
The music was still deafening, so sure that counted as one. Taking a step forwards from her place by the wall, she stepped into the party, listening to the idle chatter of her fellow patrons. She could also hear Charles, still sitting in her mind.
Two things you can-
"Thank you, Charles." She said to herself, still making her way through the crowd of people. "I think, I'm good now."
Are you sure? We can go home?
"I'll wait on the balcony until your done networking. How about that?"
I won't be a minute.