Gemotions

The world felt too loud this morning. Every rustle of leaves, every distant dog bark, grated on her nerves. Emily’s breath came in sharp, shallow bursts as she approached the old house. The air felt thin and charged.

She didn't need to see it to know, a premonition had been plaguing her all morning. The empty space, the sun striking the ground directly. A knot formed in her throat, making it difficult to breathe. She moved slowly towards the place.

Her hands instinctively shot out, reaching for the non-existent rough bark. Her knuckles turned white. Her vision narrowed. She felt an urgent need to know, to understand, to… to *react*.