It happened in the middle of a gig.

Matt ran across the stage to return to the microphone, white lab coat trailing behind. He took a gasping breath before screaming out the lyrics to the last chorus of Dark Shines, the roar of the crowd and the sound of the instruments creating their usual state of euphoria within him. Sweat dripped down his face and he grinned hugely.

Grinned? His euphoric mood was clouded with confusion. He frowned. No, tried to frown. He was still grinning. Still passionately screaming out the lyrics and deflating his lungs, taking another huge breath for the second to last line- no, no breath. He went right into the line without taking a breath. His chest burned as the song ended and he tried to suck in some much needed air, but realized with a pang of fear that it was not happening. I can't breathe, flashed through his mind, immediately followed by, No, don't panic. It won't help. He attempted to turn and look at Dom, but found to his horror that he couldn't do that either. He could do nothing but stand completely still and gaze at the audience. Okay, time to panic.

"Matt, you okay?" Chris asked through the headset.

The singer couldn't turn to look at Chris, but his voice was heavy with concern. Matt figured he must look as terrified as he felt. Suddenly and without warning, his body (that he was definitely no longer controlling) took a breath. The intense relief felt like heaven. He looked over at Chris with intent to shake his head no, but involuntarily flashed the bassist a grin.

"I'm fantastic!"

It wasn't Matt who said it. It came from his mouth, but it wasn't him. He was gripped with frantic terror and wanted to scream to Chris that he wasn't okay, but instead he heard himself announcing the next song. His body began to run and jump around the stage without his permission as the band played, the crowed roared and the instruments blared loudly. Matt was having a panic attack invisible to everyone else, was being forced to play and sing when he felt like breaking down and wanted to be screaming for help.

They can't possibly think I'm alright! C'mon, Dom, look at my eyes and see that this is not alright. Oh god, please just let me stop playing. This makes no logical sense and I need it to stop. I need it to-

"Shut up, Matthew."

The singer's blood ran cold. The low and bizarrely inhuman voice didn't come through the headset.

Although it didn't speak up again, the rest of the show was hell.