Page 26 of Graves

I try to copy him, but the iron chain around my chest is too tight.

“Again.”

My fingers dig into the couch. I try so hard, but it doesn’t work.

“Okay, then…” Koh stays perfectly calm. “Look around. What do you see?”

“The… fucking TV,” I pant. “The coffee table. The phone.”

“That’s three. Can you name two more?”

Pixie comes out from behind the kitchen island, licking her lips. “The old-lady dog and…” I feel almost blind. Even though I know this apartment, it’s hard to focus. I follow Pixie as she walks past the TV toward the terrace. That’s when I notice Koh sitting just a couple of feet away. “My roommate.”

“Good. Now what do you feel? Four things you can physically feel.”

“I feel nothing,” I choke out.

“Try.”

I’m shaking all over as I close my eyes and concentrate. “The soft couch fabric.” I grip it so hard my fingers hurt. “The sweat on my skin.” I’m soaked. “The cool wooden floor.” I’m barefoot.

“Okay, one more.”

“Fear.”

The word slips out before I can stop it. I’m too far gone to keep wearing the mask in front of Koh.

“What do you hear?”

My pulse is finally slowing, but I’m still breathing in short gasps.

“My breathing. And…” I tilt my head. “A siren.”

“Good. What else?”

I notice Koh has a surprisingly soft, calming voice.

“You.”

“Any smells? Can you name two?”

I shake my head and wipe my cheek.

“None?”

“No.”

“How about this?” Koh extends his arm so I can smell his sleeve.

“I don’t know… lavender? Clouds?”

He laughs. I turn my head to look at him. I like the sound.

“One last thing. Something you can taste.”

“There’s nothing. My tongue is dry as a desert.”

“So you taste a desert?”