Gemotions

The sunlight glinted off the expensive watch nestled beside the money. Clara’s heart thumped in her chest, a frantic drumbeat against her ribs. She was supposed to be at the library, researching some stupid project. But she held something more interesting now. She looked at the watch, envisioning how it would look on her wrist.

She ignored the flutter of anxiety in her stomach. The urge to flee, to disappear, was overwhelming. She took a deep breath, steeling herself.

Her hands closed around the wallet, her knuckles white. She was done with doing what was expected. She would be free.