The cashier said something, her voice soft and steady, but it was lost in the cacophony of his own racing thoughts and the weight of those stares. The cashier’s voice was a distant hum, drowned out by the rushing sound in his ears. Jacob’s hands trembled as he tried to gather the items, but he couldn’t focus. Panic surged through him, overwhelming and unrelenting.
The panic overtook him. Jacob turned abruptly, his movements jerky and desperate as he abandoned the counter. The chime of the automatic doors rang hollow in his ears as he stumbled out into the cold air. His legs carried him to the curb almost on autopilot, where he sank down heavily, his head in his hands, gasping for breath.