The Last Victim Chapter 17

Niko was discharged after being hospitalized for 23 days. The world seemed so strange to him or he was so strange to the world. It is not the same world he knew before. He looks at the world with different eyes now.
''Buckle up the seat belt.''
Niko was completely lost in his thoughts that he didn't even hear his father repeating his order over and over again. Rouvas grabbed his arm gently and said '' Niko, can't you hear me?''
''What?''
''I said buckle up the seat belt.''
''Oh! Ok.''
He looked utterly confused so his father helped him with it. The feeling of the thick black strap on his body brought him memories that hit him like a bullet. He wanted to scream and push his father's hands away but all he could feel is his heart thudding violently and he could hardly catch his breath.
''Niko! What's wrong?'' Rouvas screamed in panic.
Niko's face became red, his eyes wide in terror and struggling to breathe. Rouvas found Dr. Weldon standing outside the hospital smoking a cigarette.
''Help! Dr. Weldon I need help here.'' Rouvas screamed.
Dr. Weldon threw the cigarette and rushed to the car.
''What happened?''
''We were just going off when he started hyperventilating.''
''Help me to take him inside.''
They carried him out of the car and rushed inside the ER.

''He is fine, I examined him from head to toe.'' Dr. Weldon said in assurance.
''How do you explain what happened then?'' Rouvas said, his face twitched with worry.
''It's called a panic attack.''
''I think I heard that before, what is that exactly?''
''A panic attack seems like a heart attack with chest pains and pains in the arm. Panic attacks are characterized by a rapid heart beat, sweating, trembling, and a shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include chills, hot flashes, nausea, cramps, chest pain, tightness in the throat, trouble swallowing and dizziness. Although they can appear serious, they are not usually so.''
''And how to stop that?''
''One of the best ways to quicken recovery from a panic attack is to calm down as quickly as possible, control breathing to a slow regular rate.''
''There is no medication to stop it?''
'' Treatment may be different for each person. Typically, it involves psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or medication. Alternative treatments like meditation and relaxation therapy are often used to help relax the body and relieve anxiety.''
''What is the reason for panic attacks Dr. Weldon? From what you say I understand it may occur again!''
''The cause of most panic attacks is not clear but in Niko's case it is apparent that it is a result of what he's been through. When people start to deal with abuse issues, or adult rape, the process can be extremely overwhelming at first. The victim tend to become hyper vigilant, often always on the lookout for danger. This can leave his body in a state of almost been constantly on standby incase something happens. It is this constant state of bodily readiness that leaves the victim so open to panic attacks. One smell, sound, taste or even someone who looks like the predator, can push the body's state of readiness just a bit too far and it reacts in an instant without any conscious thought, getting the body ready for the fight or flight response.''
''Can I take him home now?''
''Yeah, sure he's waiting inside.'' Then he handed him folded paper and said ''These are the names and numbers of the best therapists in the city.''
Rouvas took and said gratefully ''Thank you Dr. Weldon.''

As soon as he stepped into the garden two American Eskimo dogs ran towards him. Niko kneeled and hugged them while they were barking and licking his hands and cheeks. Willow and Lilith are his dogs since he was ten.
''I missed you so much guys.'' He said passing his hands through their thick white fur. He couldn't help few tears streaming on his face. He is home, he is safe. He stood up on his feet and said to his father ''I thought I will never come home again.''
Rouvas wrapped his arm around his waist and said softly ''Welcome home darling.''
They walked together slowly to the house, Niko's heart was pounding, is everything still the same? The door was opened, Roderigo, Helen, her husband and her mother and their six sons and Niko's friends were all there. The house was decorated. A large banner was hanged on the wall with the words ''Welcome Home, We All Missed You''
''Oh thank you so much.'' He said with a flashing smile.
Helen's mother, Agatha, walked slowly towards him and said ''I have baked you your favorite coco nut biscuits.''
He leaned and kissed her wrinkled hand and said ''That's what I've been waiting for after the yucky food they serve in the hospital.''
Agatha was in her seventies, petite with wrinkled face with two blue bright eyes behind thick glasses. She took his hand and led him to the table. Everybody was merry and jovial but deep inside their hearts they felt that Niko is not the same person they used to know. Niko was the live wire in any gathering but right now he is sitting in the corner just watching everybody. His eyes were full of pain and fear. Rouvas for the first time since Niko disappeared could breathe. Like everybody, he knew that his son needs a lot of help to become the person they used to know, but at least he is now with him and safe. The party went well. Everybody was trying to cheer Niko up but he just couldn't respond. Just a faint smile and few words he could utter. After the party, Rouvas felt that he really wants to sleep. He kissed Niko on the cheek and went to his room. He opened the door and found Maddy lying on the bed watching TV. He glanced at her in anger. He wanted to say a lot but he was too tired. He fell asleep as soon as his face touched the pillow.