Ash

[Content Warning: Depiction of panic attacks / mental health topic]

A spasm crossed AJ’s face, and he quickly released him. Choking on his own saliva, Ash clumsily crawled from the futon, then backed up until he stood against a shelf. A place where  AJ’s shadow wouldn’t reach him. 

Unable to stand any longer, he slid down and took a dozen shallow breaths while rubbing his neck.  His neck, though raw, was still there. He dropped his hands and winced when his right hand hit the floor.

He was relieved for a second when he saw the fresh white gauze, neatly tied like it was ready to be shipped away. But beyond that was a thick puddle of dark red, seemingly oozing from under the shelf he was leaning on.

Ash blinked— His tongue smelled decay. 

A shuffling noise, the dark red darkened to black in an instant. 

Ash blinked— His eyes were numb. 

Now there was a scrape and a crinkle.

Ash blinked— The sounds were so sour.

He dared himself to follow the shadow that stretched over the puddle and himself. 

Ash blinked— His body saw darkness.

He couldn’t move.

Ash blinked—The air was too loud.

Shaken, he took a quick breath. 2 breaths—20 breaths—200 breaths—

“Kid, calm down—”

Ash blinked.

“KID—“

Ash blinked.

Ash breathed— “Black hair. Blue eyes. Piercing. Earrings. Tattoo.” 

Ash blinked.

Ash breathed— “Wet fingers. Cold floor. Scratchy wood. Smooth Glass.” 

“Ash—“

Ash breathed.

AJ ran his hand through his hair. “Tch. Look, you passed out yesterday. I brought you here to make sure that you didn’t choke on your own vomit, alright?” 

Ash breathed— “AJ’s click. AJ’s voice. AJ’s breathing.”

“What?... And stop fucking staring at me,” AJ warned as he looked down at his hands and returned the cigarette to the crinkly pack. 

Ash blinked.

Ash mumbled, “I smell smoke. I smell…AJ.”

Ash breathed in slowly, sweat pouring down his forehead, and sat up straight. With fingers wrapped around the scratchy wooden shelf, his legs only buckled once on his way up.

Ash wiped his wet neck with his hand and triumphantly licked his fingers, “…I taste salt.”

AJ whipped his arm out and pointed to the stairs; his anger showed itself through the veins and redness colonized on his face.

Huh?

Why is he so mad at me? He’s the one that—

“Get. Out.” AJ bellowed.

“Wha-what did I, um, why-why are you so—?“ Ash asked as he plodded across the room, carefully avoiding AJ.

“NOW!!” 

Ash sprinted down the stairs. 

~

On a lighter note, here is an initial character design for AJ from riezyoe: