Gemotions

The key scraped in the lock, and Olivia entered the apartment. She smelled the familiar scent of sandalwood incense and the usual gentle music. But today, a different sound mingled with the music—a series of rapid-fire syllables, a language she didn’t recognize, but recognized as something other.

She stood in the entryway, paralyzed, as she heard the sound coming from her partner, Sophia, in the living room. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps. She clutched her purse so tightly, her knuckles turned white.

Sophia looked up, her expression changing when she saw Olivia. She stood there, frozen. The music continued.