Gemotions

"Oh, marvelous," Clara muttered, her voice a thin, brittle sound. She held the flyer at arm's length, as if it were contaminated. The vibrant colours of the glossy paper assaulted her eyes. “Modern living! Enhanced amenities!”

She crumpled the paper into a tight ball, a small act of defiance. The air in her apartment suddenly felt thicker, more oppressive. She could practically feel the weight of the coming renovations, the incessant noise, the forced smiles of the well-heeled newcomers. She hated the idea of sharing her space with the newly rich.

Her shoulders slumped. She'd lived in this building for over thirty years. It was her sanctuary, her refuge. The thought of it being transformed into something… other… filled her with an unpleasant sense of unease. She opened the fridge, then slammed it shut. Nothing in there appealed to her anymore.