Julian couldn't find the proper rhythm of his breathing. It was hard, like the airways had been clogged.
It made his chest tight, and his body went even more rigid.
But even as he watched the worried faces of the children, he did not speak of this.
"It's… nothing." He didn't want the children to worry.
This attack will go away soon, he believed. He just needed a moment to breathe after his heart had been hammering so dangerously just now.
"I'll be fine… in a moment," But that wasn't what the cold beads of sweat appearing on his head said. "Just… hah… give me a moment."
It was an embarrassing sight to show to the children who had looked up to him. A pathetic weak side.
But he could not do anything about it.
Julian rested his back on the pillow, his body stiff and his chest heaving up and down in a hard rhythm.
He really just needed a moment to catch his breath, and after that… after that.
