Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the turmoil inside Clara. She'd discovered the wallet near the bus stop, stuffed with enough cash to solve her mother’s medical bills. The temptation had been overwhelming. She'd debated, pacing her tiny apartment, the image of her mother’s weary face a constant ache.

Her phone vibrated. A notification from the bank. The late fees on her credit card. She'd been a fool. An utter fool.

She stared at the wall, at the peeling paint and the damp stains. The silence of the apartment felt heavy, suffocating. She felt a profound and uncomfortable heaviness settle on her shoulders.