(Requested by X_EmLee_X )

Jessie's POV

My chest rises incredibly fast, my breaths short and quick. I haven't felt this afraid in a long time, and I really wish it wasn't happening. Petra and I were trapped in the smallest space we could fit into, pressed too close together as the threat of more gravel falling on our heads became more and more terrifying. I could feel Petra's slow yet shaking breaths, she was staying as calm as she could while I was freaking out as much as I could.

"Jessie, you need to calm down." She whispered, as if talking any louder would make more gravel fall. I couldn't say anything back, I was too focused on the fact that my fingers felt like they were going numb. I faintly felt her hand rest on my shoulder, closing my eyes tightly as I breathe in deeply, shakily exhaling after a few hearbeats before having my breath quicken again. Petra turned as slowly and carefully as she could, turning me at the same time. It was as if she was trying not to scare me, even though I felt as if my heart might explode if anything else happened. 

She took my hands in her's, squeezing them softly, "Focus on my hands. Squeeze them as hard as you can if you need to." She was whispering as calmly as she could, making me slowly open my eyes as I gripped onto her hands, making her look a little shocked at the sudden hold I had on her. "Good." She finally whispered, rubbing the tops of my hands with her thumbs, "Now I need you to try and match my breaths. Do you think you can do that?" I nodded numbly, trying to focus as best I could as Petra started to make her breathing louder than normal, ker breaths slow and calm. How did she manage to stay so calm?

The first breath I take backfires miserably, ending with me gasping for air again, almost curling away from Petra before gripping her hands tighter. "Please Jessie, you need to follow my breaths." She reminded me softly, making me breathe in again, trying and failing to breathe in normally. I try again, with the same result. My head feels like it's spinning. I'm not getting enough air, I need more air! I sucked in another breath, starting to shake even more with effort as I try to hold it for longer this time.

"That's it Jessie, just a few more." She whispers, breathing in again, pausing before slowly breathing out. I copy her, my breaths still fast but starting to slow down as I continue to breathe along with her. She smiles comfortingly when I can finally look her in the eyes, seeing the small spark of relief. "You gave me a scare just now Jessie." She mumbled, squeezing my hands lightly. "You were scared?" I gasped, resting my head on her shoulder as I regained my breath. She sighed softly before wrapping her arms around me.

"We're going to be okay." She whispered, nuzzling her cheek against the top of my head, "The others will find us soon." I nodded, still feeling numb as we sat in silence for a moment. "Thankyou." I mumbled, not even realizing I said it. Petra looked down at me in confusion, "Thank me? For what?"

I didn't say anything in reply, but instead simply resting my head on her shoulder, snuggling up to her so I couldn't tell how close the walls were. She didn't protest, instead wrapping an arm around me, keeping me calm as I heard her heart beating slowly.