Firesiders - Enochlophobia

It was during their efforts to pass through a crowd of roaring demolition derby spectators that an alien feeling gradually pulled JD Wells out of her surroundings. Anxiety? Panic? Her? She was the type to rescue wallflowers from the corners of rooms. Always a part of the in-crowd and never had a bad thought to spare toward her fellow human beings. Now, it felt as if these hundreds of strangers fluttering by were hunting her. Circling in on her. Her mind screamed that an attack was imminent, but from what angle? JD froze, her breathing short and rapid, beads of sweat breaking across her skin.

A tidal wave of memories rolled into her. The riot.

It wasn't much farther ahead where Noah's attention flicked back toward the sound of tearful choking in his wake. He could only speculate as he hauled JD out of the gathering and let her retreat into a still side passage where the festivities had become a dull drone. He took a knee in front of her huddled form, hopefully putting himself between her and... whatever had turned this lioness into a trembling lamb. After deducing that the fleet of hyper children dashing by were just that, he swiveled back around and felt her head fall against his chest.

Does a sign of trust always have to be such a surprise?

~

Noah and JD, characters from the Firesiders project, tucked into an alley after JD had a run-in with her newly discovered fear of crowds.