Gemotions

The crisp autumn air held no solace as Maya stared at the letter. It felt like a punch to the gut. The guilt she had managed to bury was now dug up, raw and exposed. She stood rooted to the spot, the letter an unwelcome extension of her hand.

Her breathing quickened. She started to sweat, even though the air was cool. She felt a profound sense of unreality, as if she were a character in someone else’s play.

The sounds of the city faded away, replaced by the relentless thrum of her own pulse. She wanted to scream, to run, to do anything to escape the moment, but her feet were frozen to the sidewalk. She couldn’t look away.