Gemotions

The world felt muted, like watching a film through a thick sheet of glass. A knock at the door, a polite, almost hesitant one. It was Sarah, her neighbor, her face etched with a mixture of concern and something she couldn't quite decipher.

“Morning, Emily,” Sarah said, offering a weak smile. “I was… hoping… maybe I could use a little bit of your space? To start a garden. My backyard… well, it’s not ideal.”

Emily struggled to process the information, the words seemed to bounce around her head like rubber balls. Her own backyard was a jungle. When had she stopped caring about the world?

Her gaze flickered over Sarah, then to the unkempt lawn, and finally to her own shaking hands. A wave of nausea washed over her. She gripped the doorframe for support, a silent plea for understanding.