Gemotions

The silence felt deafening. The usually noisy street was eerily calm, the air thick with unspoken questions. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the stillness. The absence of her car was a tangible thing, a hole in the morning.

She scanned the street, her eyes darting from side to side. Every house looked different, unfamiliar. Had she parked somewhere else? She didn’t remember. Her mind felt like a poorly assembled jigsaw puzzle, the pieces scattered and out of order.

She ran a hand through her hair, tugging at the strands. The world seemed to lean, to tilt. Her mouth was dry. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. It was no use.