SWNOVELS Chapter 16
Gifts
Chapter 16 — Mental Health Awareness—1
The party ended quickly after that. Alden left after one drink and, afterwards,
since the apparent draw of the evening was gone, all of the rest of the guests
began to filter out as well.
As I watched them all leave — none saying a word to me, though they certainly
looked me — I wondered about the point of this party.
Why had Kent wanted to introduce me to my father in front of all of these people,
instead of in private? It certainly hadn't been a party to celebrate me. Instead, it
was more like a proof of life. Kent was demonstrating to the world that I exist —
and that I'm in his power.
I stare down at the diamond on my finger, twisting the ring back and forth, seeing
how it catches the light. Even though I've changed and into a pair of leggings and
a super soft sweater — honestly, how do these clothes keep showing up in my
room? — I don't have the heart to take the ring off.
It's just so beautiful. I've rarely had anything really pretty in my life and this was...
stunning. And priceless, I think.
Maybe if I run away, I can sell this at a pawn shop and use the money to get to
Europe, where Kent and my father can’t find
1. me.
I grimace at the impossibility of all of that, though. I don’t even
a better chance to get back to my normal life.
But after this evening I realize that I'm just as much of a pawn in Alden’s world as
Kent's. And after seeing his crazy mood swings, I'm not sure Alden would be a
better choice. Kent can be cruel, but at least he’s always in control.
Suddenly, outside of my door, I hear a huge thump and a groan. What —
I jump up from the bed and stare at the door, expecting it to swing open like it
always does.
But nothing.
I hear the groan again.
Scared, but needing to know, I run to the door and pull it open.
I gasp at the sight before me.
Kent Lippert is laying on the ground of the hallway, groaning, his eyes pressed
closed as he clutches his chest.
“Oh my god!” I say, looking either way down the hall for help. No one’s there.
I fall to my knees beside him, reaching out to quickly feel for a pulse at his neck.
“Kent,” I say, “are you all right?”
“I'm. Fine.” He says, teeth gritted.
My eyes fliek to his face because — obviously — he is not fine.
But I'm relieved that he's conscious, at least. I hesitate, trying to remember the
First Responder course I took in college.
“What's wrong? Are you having pain in your chest, your left arm?”
“I'm fine —” he says again, his eyes still pressed shut as he begins to pant. He
tries to sit up but I put hands on his shoulders, pressing him down to the ground.
“Just stay still,” I say, my head whipping around, still looking up and down the hall
for help. Still, no one appears. How can I possibly be the only one who noticed!?
B
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Gifts
Chapter 16 — Mental Health Awareness—-2
“I'll go for help,” I say, rising to my knee, but he grabs my wrist.
“Fay,” he says, opening his eyes a little to squint at me. “Don’t go anywhere. Tell
no one.”
“What!?” I hiss at him, appalled. “Kent, you could die
“I'm not going to die,” he grumbles, forcing the words from between his clenched
teeth. “This happens sometimes. It will
He groans before forcing out the last word in the sentence.
“Pass.” He rests his head back against the floor, squeezing his eyes shut and
grimacing in pain.
I gape at him. Is he serious? Is this honestly a common thing for him?
“Well, what can I do to help?” I ask, still frantic.
He opens one eye and looks at me, clearly annoyed. “Go away, that’s what you
can do.”
“What!?” I stare at him. Was he crazy? “Kent, you're probably having a heart
attack
Suddenly footstone.co
Chapter 16 — Mental Health Awareness—-2
I stare at him, and I'm sure he can tell by my face that I think he’s definitely
wrong. He shakes his head and looks down —
embarrassed, I think — and pauses before he speaks.
3/3
“It's just...” he says, “something that happens to me. From time to time. It's been
happening for the past couple of years. At
times of. stress.”
I sink to the floor, my back still against the door, putting the pieces together.
I can't believe it. “Oh my god,” I say, not even thinking about whether or not I
should say it. “You have panic attacks.”
He glances up at me.
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Gifts
Chapter 16 — Mental Health Awareness—3
“They're really common,” I continue, “but not usually to this extent. But we
learned, in my program, that when they're really severe they can present with the
intensity of a heart attack...”
He doesn’t look at me or say a word. I bite my lip, feeling suddenly sorry for him.
I can't help it. I've never really been able to see another person in pain and not
want to help them.
“You know,” I say quietly. “There are doctors that can help you with this sort of
thing. You shouldn't suffer like this, if they happen all the time.”
“I don't need to see a doctor.” He says, his voice determined.
I roll my eyes at him, a gesture I'm not sure I'd make if he were looking at me.
“Well, if you don’t want to see a doctor,” I say, hesitating again. “Maybe I could
help?”
He lifts his head, his eyes open now. “How could you possibly help me.”
I purse my lips, frustrated. “Il mean, I am a trained therapist. I wouldn't think you'd
forget that, considering it's how we met.”
He laughs a little. “Yes. Fav’s little certificate” he says his voice
say, but he interrupts me.
“I have spoken to my doctor, Fay,” he says. “There is nothing wrong with me.”
But my training, and my desire to help, push back against my instinct to follow his
command. “You have an anxiety disorder, Kent,” I say, my voice serious.
He just laughs at me. “An anxiety disorder? A mental illness? Sissies make those
up terms so they can have an excuse for why they're so inadequate.”
With that, he pushes himself to his feet. I do too, blocking the door with my body.
“It's not for sissies — it’s an important aspect of your health —*
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« ” :
Fay,” he says, angry with me,
pressing his hand flat against the
) +
door so that I'm trapped between him
ou
and the exit. “Do you know what
would happen to me in this world, if
word ever got out that I have some
. . "
kind weakness in my mind?” The
content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!
I hesitate. I can guess, but I choose silence.
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“pr ” .
I'd be dead, Fay.” He says, glaring at
“gy PY)
me. “If they ever found my body, it'd
be at the bottom of a lake with cinder
blocks for shoes. And while I was
missing, all of my enemies would
come — like the carrion birds they are
3 : 5 w
— and pick pick pick —“he taps the top
of my head, like a little bird pecking —
“ )
at the world I've worked so hard to
bia :
build.” The content is on
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chapter therel
I stare up at him, not knowing what to say.
“So, if you don’t mind,” he says, still glaring, “I think I'll decline your offer of
mental health services.”
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He pushes himself up off the door
and I step aside so he can leave. He
twists the handle, but he hesitates
a :
before he pulls it open. “You will tell
no one what you witnessed tonight.
Ever. Not even Daniel. Do you
: ” f
understand?” The content is on
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chapter there!
Slowly, I nod as he strides out of my room and down the hall.
I watch him go, still shocked at the events of the evening.
Then, a slow smile creeps over my face.
Well. It looks like I finally got my first little piece of power in this mafia game. The
question was, how would I use it?
B
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