The Agoraphobic
A Story Every Day in 2024 Dec 20th 354/366
She went to the window. Close enough.
Breathe.
She was safe in here.
She loved birds. Flitting to feeders. They weren't her feeders; Gary at number 5 topped them up. A sympathetic neighbour. He knew she liked to watch them, entertainment in a dull day.
She'd known Gary of old. He could see that she was incapable. He understood that if she could she would, but physical fear wracked her body just stepping onto the doorstep: it was debilitating. She hated it: hated its restriction; hated her weakness, her lack of courage.
Gary's kindness buoyed her. But the feeders were empty. She felt the anxiety build, the guilt. It had been days. She wondered if he was alright. Any normal neighbour would have gone over to check.
She couldn't. But it was day three...
The more she thought something was wrong, the more she wound herself up. What if he was lying on the floor? She didn't have a phone number for him. She twisted her hands with anxiety. She should do something. Now! Call the police? Say what? "I've not seen Gary top up the bird feeders. Can you send someone?" No, she couldn't do that. But there was no-one else really she could ask. Her brother, Tom would dismiss it as hysteria, tell her to pull her socks up!
The more she thought, the more she worried.
She would never be able to live with herself if she did nothing. It just wasn't right. Gary...where are you? But to leave these walls...
She took deep, deep breaths. She opened the door.
Breathe.
Lights splintered her vision. She closed her eyes.
Breathe.
She wished Gary lived closer!
Breathe.
Foot down.
Don't panic! Breathe!
And slowly, slowly, she inched forward, squinting, breathing.
It was a voice that stopped her progress and jolted her with fright.
"Susan?"
The flood of relief was enormous.
"Gary?"
Pause.
"What are you doing?"
Disbelief.
She was near collapse, shaking.
"Looking for you."
Silence.
"I've been ill."
Then, "You left the house. For me."
Statement.
"Yes. I've been worried."
She felt the warmth of his arm around her like a lifebelt.
"You're okay?" she asked, eyes closed.
"I am now," he replied.
***
366 words
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More stories from Rachel Deeming and writers in Fiction and other communities.
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By Rachel Deemingabout a year ago in Fiction
Comments (14)
Oh but how I loved the premise and development of your story so very much, Rachel. Tears and more tears of sweetness fill my eyes. Such a lovely and heartbreaking portrayal of fear, accomplishment, and rescue. My daughter suffers with bouts of agoraphobia - it is no laughing matter.
I loved this story, this line particularly “She wished Gary lived closer!” For it’s humour, irony and yeah just made me feel sad. I loved the unexpected ending too. I wrote something similar recently about an agoraphobic. I’m not full blown agoraphobic but have struggled with elements of this in the past. Wonderful work buddy!! ☺️👍
That was amazing. One of my Mom's old friend suffered from agoraphobia. It took therapy, but thankfully, she was able to get over it.
Amazing! Your writing remains very strong as you come into the final stretch
Oh my god. This was like so romantic and beautiful. I feel like this would be me. So good Rachel.
Awww, this was so sweet! I can see myself as Susan because I have agoraphobic too but not as bad as hers
What an inspiring story… great job! I loved the “Breathe… breathe..”🤗
Oh my this was such a touching micro! Leave it to you to pull me through a full roller coaster of emotions in under 400 words. Very relieved that Gary was okay!
Excellent raw story of how many women feel.
Awwww! This was such a heart warming story Rachel!! I love this so much!! That's a true friendship there!!
I have to admit I got a little teary eyed. This is a standing ovation, a round of applause and a trophy. You cant see me doing any of these and I don't know your address to send the trophy so instead please accept my thanks for writing this
A powerful portrayal of fear, kindness, and overcoming personal barriers.
Wonderful. Go Susan! Gary sounds lovely.
This an impressive imaginative leap, Rachel! My grandmother was agoraphobic among other things. Her life was bound and imprisoned by fear.