Of all the times for her fragile control to be overwhelmed — it had to be while her car was in the shop. So many people, too many people, too many emotions — it felt like her head was splitting like a shot watermelon. Summer perched on the brick edging outside the mechanic’s, clutching her head and trying very, very hard not to scream. Nearly invisible in the sunlight, sparks licked up from her fingertips.
Since Summer had to bring her car to the auto shop, Isaac had offered to give her a lift home but suddenly her demeanor changed, something was very wrong.
When he saw the beginnings of a fire sprouting from the tips of her fingers he was given an idea of just how bad things were. He had never seen her lose control before and the thought terrified him but he could back away, he had to try and help her.
”Hey,” his voice was soft as he called out, “Summer just close your eyes and breathe,” he did his best to speak in a soothing tone, the sound low in pitch and quiet. “Just breathe.”
She dug her fingers into her skull as if that would somehow block out the emotional babble of a thousand people pouring through her mind. Someone was there, close, too close, there was a shadow between her and the light —
Isaac. Isaac was speaking, frowning, blue eyes dark; Isaac was worried. Breathe he said.
“Can’t.” It was almost a sob. “Hurts.” And that /was/ a sob. “Too many, too much, make it stop, please make it stop.” She kept her eyes open, kept them on his, because it would hurt less if she just fell into him, right? One person, that had to be easier than the crowd of thousands roaring in a hot-light jumble, overwhelming all her senses.
But if she just looked at him, just at those eyes, those hands arms shoulders chest heartbeat he was afraid of her why was he afraid of her a ribbon of grey leading back and back and back fear and control and helplessness what was that in his past why was it so cold —
Something sizzled against her skin — why was she crying? A spark rose lazily off her skin and drifted up between them. Summer became aware that her hands were shaking. That her whole body was trembling, great long shudders that jolted her teeth together and wormed pain through every muscle.
“Please,” she managed, through clenched jaws, “get me out of here.”