Panic (Pt 1)

Tzeitel jumped when Nine kicked the door shut. She felt shut in. She ran to the door and opened it. She froze in her doorway.

Some women walking by waved at Tzeitel. “Afternoon,” One of them said as they continued on their way. The other whispered, “That guy in there is adorable.”

Tzeitel jumped back into her room. She frowned at Nine and pointed at the door. “Go, you’re not supposed to be in the women’s ward anyways.”

Nine sat on the floor and did not move.

Tzeitel flared repellent pheromones. “Go!”

Nine, shockingly, refused to move. He went so far as to hold his breath.

“You can’t hold your breath forever.” Tzeitel said, continuing to give off repellent pheromones.

Nine moved to her bed, hiding under it before letting out his breath. He made an agitated fox sound.

Tzeitel completely flooded her room with repellent pheromones, even under the bed. “Go!”

Nine yowled in anger and shook his head, resisting.

“GO!” Tzeitel shouted, flaring more repellent pheromones.

Nine covered his nose, still not moving.

Tzeitel grabbed a corner of her bed and started dragging it away from the wall.

Nine moved closer to the wall then and snarled.

Tzeitel burst into tears. It was too much. Her comfort zone was invaded by… Nine. And he was snarling at her.

Nine whined, unable to comprehend what was wrong.

Tzeitel walked to her door, starting to hyperventilate.

Nine poked his head out and watched her, hoping she would be okay, but he really did not wish to leave. He wanted to stay with his safe person.

Tzeitel realized that her pheromones would be drifting out her open door. “Sh-shiiit.” Tzeiel stuttered, switching off her pheromones.

In fact, some people were already veering away from the door the instant they got near it. Some even asked, “Why did I go this way?”

Nine tilted his head in confusion at their questions and made a fox chirping sound.

“Get the fuck out of my room!” Tzeitel ordered Nine, hoping Klaire would not find out about this incident too now.

Nine was out from under the bed now and shook his head, ears falling back. The order was triggering, but he knew this wasn’t Coral. She wouldn’t do what Coral did. She was a good person, she’d gotten the muzzle off…

Tears ran down Tzeitel’s face as she panicked.

Nine didn’t understand as he went over to Tzeitel and gently grabbed her hand, putting it on his face. It was where she had touched him when she’d taken the muzzle off. He was trying to remind her of that.

Tzeitel freaked out, she did not want to be touched. She suddenly bolted from her room giving off a variety of pheromones- none of them pleasant.

Nine just sat there in silence, ears falling back.