“River City Connections" for 2025-10-22 (Patreon)

NOT LIKE BEFORE by Cindi Curtis

Sometimes, I hate being right. This is one of those times.

I said yesterday that my anxiety was brewing something up, hidden, lurking just below my ability to counter its plans. I said that Generalized Anxiety Disorder needs no stimulus to create unease and… panic.

I went to bed after a nice evening with Michael on FaceTime. That has become something I plan for and look forward to daily.

As I got under the covers, I felt like something wasn’t right, but I turned the lights out anyway. Everything is fine. I know that. But feelings don’t always heed reason.

I sat up in the dark as adrenaline began to course my veins. My autonomic nervous system took over. Cortisol joined the fight against my reasoning and my heart raced. My breathing escalated.

My rational thinking was torn…

No, not again.

There’s no reason for this.

Run! Flee! Hide!

Calm down, it’s not real. It's your… brain chemistry.

My body revolted… Racing heart. Shortness of breath. Dizziness and lightheadedness. Numbness in the hands and feet. Sweating.

It’s happened a few times since I started posting. In the past, I had a mechanism to regain control. When I moved here, I set up a safe corner in my guest room. Pillows, blankets, candles on the floor. I’d go there, ball up, clutch my knees, and wait it out.

I’ve posted pictures of myself there before.

Tonight?

I did not retreat.

Instead, I took a blanket and defied the anxiety. I walked calmly to the open sanctuary of my greenhouse.

I let my thoughts carry me to Memphis and my friends there—Jordan, but especially Michael.

I claimed my victory with determined steps away from the small quiet corner and into the expanses of glass and green plants.

Tonight…

I am calling this a victory.

Be your best you!

Become a Patreon Member (Click Here)

The Storylines are the heart of Ailana Geven Imagines, and they are found in the Collections section of the site.

Support AGI with:• one-time contribution through TipTopJar.• one-time contribution through Throne.• Patreon Membership.

Please remember that all characters in this story are fictional characters, their images generated with AI for AGI Stories. They do not represent any real person, nor is their appearance based on any real human.

"Thank You" Message to Paying Supporters:

Thank you very much for your help underwriting the cost of producing AGI Stories content. You can be sure that your paid membership is valued greatly! It helps keep things going.

The cost of software is real and far from trivial. At the time of this post, not counting hardware, AGI Stories racks up expenses of just at $100 per month. Patreon members are covering a nice portion of that.

I believe most of you who help with the costs are doing so because you want to support the production process and show your encouragement. While most of the content is free and public, the hope is that reserving a few pictures and small sections of the post for you is a modest indication of gratitude!

Again, thank you very, very much.

~AGI Original Stories & AI Images