Gemotions

Clara felt her hands start to tremble as she scrolled through the comments. Her daughter, Sophie, was posting anonymous poetry, dark verses filled with longing and pain. The words cut deep, a stark contrast to the cheerful facade Sophie presented every day. Clara felt the need to hide, to become invisible.

She moved to the window, staring out at the rain-swept street. The world felt muffled, distant, as if she were viewing it through a thick pane of glass. She started to rub at her arm, as if trying to soothe a phantom ache. She heard the front door open, the sound of Sophie's footsteps coming closer. Clara found herself frozen, unable to move, unable to speak.