Gemotions

The tremor went right through me. I bolted upright, breath held. Then I heard it, the unmistakable sound of something massive collapsing. I was instantly on high gear, a strange clarity filling my senses. The mundane details of the room – the chipped paint on the wall, the dust motes dancing in the sunlight – were suddenly hyper-real.

I was outside in seconds. Mrs. Petrov’s cat was missing. I had to make sure no one was hurt. My mind raced, assessing the situation even before my eyes could fully take in the scene.

I ran toward the fallen limb, already scanning the damaged roof and the surrounding yard. "Hello?" I yelled.