She couldn't catch her breath, her lungs closing up — practically shriveled. Her hand fisted into her shirt over her chest, pressing hard and trying to force herself to take in oxygen. The little room around her spun, and she slid down to the floor, hand sliding against the stone.
The air felt hot and suffocating, sweat beading on her forehead, vision swimming. For a moment, she wondered if she might actually pass out.
But just when everything started to tint black, the door to the cupboard got thrown open — and Zei was there.
It was like a splash of water to her face.
Suddenly her lungs inflated and her vision cleared up, and at the very least she was able to turn her head and glance up at him.
He was panting — breathless, his tie still slung over his shoulder from what must have been a breakneck pace.
"What happened?"
