For five minutes, he huffed steam like a dragon having an existential crisis. The heat loosened the cement in his sinuses. A single, heroic drip appeared. He blew his nose into a tissue—and it was the most satisfying sound since the cork left a champagne bottle.
Finally, the He found a leftover packet of wasabi from last week’s sushi delivery. He dabbed a grain-sized speck on his tongue.
His eyes watered. His scalp tingled. A volcano erupted in his throat.
Leo gasped—through his nostrils—and laughed. It was 2:47 AM. He was sweating, tear-streaked, and tasting green hell. But he could breathe.
His phone screen blazed to life. The first suggestion was the Desperate, Leo sat up. He took a small sip of water, swallowed, and then pinched his nose shut. He held his breath. One second. Five. Ten. His lungs began to scream. Right as he was about to pass out (or invent a new swear word), he gasped for air.