Gemotions

"Oh, no," Elara whispered, the words barely audible. Her throat constricted, making it hard to breathe. The university website, glowing accusingly on her laptop screen, displayed her essay – a showcase of her vulnerabilities. She felt a burning sensation in her chest, as though something was constricting her.

She quickly scanned the page, her vision blurring. They had chosen her. The words she’d crafted, carefully, vulnerably, were now a public exhibit. The thought sent a chilling jolt through her. She felt the sudden urge to disappear, to vanish.

Elara backed away from the screen, her legs feeling weak. The air in her small apartment seemed thin, stale. She reached for the window, trying to grasp some fresh air, seeking a release from the weight pressing down on her. The world suddenly felt too loud, too bright.