Page 64 - DeepRestFlipFinal

NICHOLAS BOOTHMAN
She found a pair of bulky headphones, the kind
used for listening to records, and placed them over his
ears. She plugged them into the audio player, the one
with her synthesized frequencies.
"Focus on my voice," she instructed, her hands
pressing gently on his temples, trying to ground him.
"Breathe. Deep breaths. Let the sounds wash over
you. Let go of the fear. Let go of the noise."
The sounds began. The deep thrum, almost lost
beneath the helicopter's roar, then the ethereal chimes,
struggling to pierce through the chaos.
Liam’s eyes squeezed. He was fighting the
external world, fighting his own panic, trying to find
that elusive state of stillness.
Evelyn watched him. This was a gamble of epic
proportions. If he couldn't achieve the stillness under
these conditions, they were finished. If he did, what
would he find? And would they have enough time to
use it?
Another CRASH from downstairs. Closer. The
sound of splintering wood. The heavy tread of boots.
"They're coming up the stairs," she said, her eyes
darting to the apartment door.
She knelt beside him. "Go deeper, Liam. Find the
stillness. Find the clarity. Look for patterns. For
connections. For answers."
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