Gemotions

The clatter of construction started early, the rhythmic thudding of hammers echoing through the otherwise peaceful neighborhood. It was the fence. The fence that Mr. Chen had decided to erect. For Margaret, it felt like an attack.

Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. She hated this feeling, this tightness in her chest, the churning in her stomach. She watched, her face contorted, as the fence grew taller, more solid.

She felt a strange sense of helplessness, a feeling that no matter how she tried, she would not be able to stop it. She wanted to scream. She wanted to run.

She sank into the nearest chair, her body heavy with dread. Her gaze went to the window, and for the first time in a while she was unable to look forward.