Gemotions

A chill snaked its way up Maya's spine, despite the summer heat. The text notification, a simple "Hey, it's me," from "ShadowWolf13" was enough to set her teeth on edge. Their online friendship had been a lifeline, a safe space. The idea of him, of *them* being real was something different, making her want to just disappear.

She squeezed her eyes shut, and tried to concentrate on the gentle sway of the hammock in her backyard. The scent of jasmine usually soothed her. Tonight, it felt cloying, suffocating. She threw the phone onto the grass, the plastic hitting the soft blades of grass with a hollow sound.

Her hands started to tremble, and she buried her face in her arms, feeling the sun's warmth on her back and the unsettling certainty that her sanctuary was no longer secure. Every shadow seemed to lengthen, taking the shape of something unwelcome.