My name is Carla Stone. I experienced a life changing accident when I was seventeen. Some friends and I were out partying one night. We had a bit to much to drink before deciding to go for a drive. It was a stupid mistake. Something I could've avoided so easily.

Instead, I got in the car. Not even five minutes down the road, we got into a head-on collision with a passing car. Luckily I was wearing my seatbelt. Unluckily, none of my friends were... I lost two of those friends that night...

The whole event kind of faded to the background afterwards and I didn't think about it again until my late twenties. That's when it became a problem. I started having recurring nightmares. I developed a deep anxiety for cars. I refused to step foot in one after that. And, eventually, the anxiety grew.

Before I knew it, I was in my forties and I hadn't left my house in over ten years...

I sat on my couch, glass of whiskey in hand. The living room was silent, aside from the ticking of the clock hanging from the wall in front of me.

My reflection looked back at me through the black TV screen, the sound of a bird flying past my window.

I sipped my whiskey before setting it on the glass coffee table, getting to my feet just as a knock rang out from the door.

My eyes closed instinctively, my lungs pulling in a tight breath. "You know who it is... Just relax..." I whispered to myself as I made my way to the door.

Four locks stood in front of me. I slowly unlocked all four before turning the knob, my heart beating faster in my chest.

My sister stood on the other side, bag of groceries in hand.

I released a breath as I let her in.

"How're you feeling today?" She asked.

I made sure to re-lock all four locks before joining her in the small kitchen. "Same as always..."

My sister let out a sigh, unloading the groceries into the cabinets and fridge. "You know, I'm not gonna be around forever, Carla. Who's gonna do your shopping for you when I'm gone?"

I sat at the kitchen table, tapping my nail on the wooden tabletop. "Michelle..."

She raised her hand. "I know... I just... I wish I could understand..."

I rested my chin in my hand, digging my nails into the table. "Me to..."

Michelle closed the fridge. "I met with a therapist today... I think she might be able to help with your situation..."

My eyes traveled up to hers quickly. "You want me to see a shrink?"

She raised her hands. "I just want you to get help... You're wasting away inside this place, can't you see that?"

I looked down again, adding another scratch to the tabletop. "I know..."

Michelle let out a sigh as she sat down across from me, looking over the army of scratches on my side of the table. She gently grabbed my hand. "I wish you wouldn't do that to moms table."

I wiped the wood shavings onto the floor, running my hands through my hair afterwards. "What's their name?"

"Doctor Emily Chase... She's very polite and understanding. And, she already seems to think she can help you... You just have to give her the chance..."

I stared down at the table, my mind going blank. "Is she cute?"

Michelle smiled. "Very cute."

I stood then, walking over to the glass of whiskey I left on the coffee table. "Ok... When can she come by?"

Michelle stood as well. "Actually... She wants you to come to her office for your first appointment-"

"Michelle-" I cut off.

She raised her hand. "I know... But, after that, she'll come here. She just wants to see how you'll do outside the house."

I downed the rest of the whiskey with a shake of my head. "And, when does she expect me to do all of this?"

Michelle checked her watch. "Right about now, actually."

I groaned. "Michelle, I'm not even dressed."

She stood in front of me then, taking my hands in hers. "Please, Carla, for me..."

I let out a little sigh. "Fine... I'll meet you outside..."

After getting dressed, I stood in front of the door once again, the familiar fear spreading through every inch of me. I tried to lift my hand, but my body refused. "C'mon, Carla... Open the door..." I whispered.

My hand lifted to the first lock, then the second. And, before I knew it, my hand was wrapped around the doorknob. "You're almost there..."

I turned it, pulling the door open, looking out over the dead grass in my front yard, then to the overgrown bushes next to the porch.

Michelle leaned against her car. "You're almost there." She encouraged.

I closed my eyes as I gingerly lifted my foot over the threshold, placing it on my front porch.

Little by little, I made my way down the front steps and into the driveway.

Michelle helped me into the passenger's seat before joining me in the car. "You ready?"

I just nodded, pulling the seatbelt on, my fingers tightening around the thick fabric. "Let's go..."

The drive was surprisingly calm, my grip on the seatbelt loosened a little bit. My window was cracked, letting in just enough air to fill my lungs. It was actually kind of nice.

Then, we stopped at a red light, Michelle tapping her finger against the steering wheel as I looked over the empty intersection.

I could feel myself losing all the confidence I had built up so far. "C'mon, let's just go, there's no one around."

"Carla, I'm not breaking the law for-" She was cut off my a loud tap against her window.

I jumped in my seat as Michelle rolled it down. "Just relax." She said to me.

I clutched the seatbelt tightly as a girl stood outside our car. "Excuse me, ma'am? Could you spare some change?" She asked.

I looked at her, studying her. She couldn't have been much older than I was when I got in that accident.

Michelle checked her pockets, but came up empty. "I'm sorry, I don't have any change on me."

The girl nodded before standing up straight, looking around our empty surroundings.

I noticed the light flash green. "C'mon it's a green light..."

Suddenly, the girl pulled a gun, sticking it right in Michelle's face. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I'm gonna need your car."

Michelle raised her hands as my body went into full panic mode.

My eyes widened as I took my seat belt off, quickly stepping out of the car.

The girl turned the gun on me. "Don't move!" She ordered.

I froze in place, my chest tightening, my breathing becoming labored. "Please, I can't stay here, I have to get home."

The girl started walking over to my side. "Just don't move." She said, her hands shaking. She was scared. So was I. It was a terrible mix.

My body refused to take it any longer, my feet seemingly moving on their own accord.

That's when I saw the flash, our surroundings fading out as my ears started ringing.

I closed my eyes, shaking my head, but the ringing continued.

Then, a burning pain shot through my stomach. I forced myself to look down, seeing blood staining my shirt. My blood.

I collapsed to my knees as Michelle rushed to my side. "Carla..!" I faintly heard.

The girl ran off as Michelle knelt next to me. "Someone call an ambulance..!" Her muffled voice rang out once again.

I could feel myself fading, my eyes falling closed.

Everything around me turning to black...