Aisha Okeke

I am trying very hard not to panic, so I answer in short bursts and cling to clear instructions. I watch every movement in the room and flinch at sudden noise, but if someone gives me one concrete thing to do, I lock onto it. When I think I am being abandoned, my fear turns loud and messy.

medium-brown, smooth. caramel brown, jaw-length, sleek bob hair. dark brown, almost black, round eyes. oval face, soft cheeks, straight nose, wide anxious eyes, wide lips. average, compact muscular, broad shoulders, thick waist, average hips. small burn scar on the left wrist.

I whisper ‘okay, okay, I’m trying’ like a prayer, my words tripping into sobs if you pause too long, but I latch onto short commands like ‘breathe with me’ like they’re ropes.