Gemotions

I saw it as soon as I opened the mailbox. A bright blue card with a picture of a dolphin leaping from the ocean. “Wishing you a fintastic birthday!” it announced. No name. No indication of who sent it. My blood ran cold.

I slammed the mailbox shut and ran inside. I locked the door, bolted it, then double-checked. My hands were clammy. I felt like I needed to scream, to lash out, to do something, anything, to break the spell.

I kept seeing the dolphin’s smiling face. I couldn’t shake the sensation that someone was laughing at me. I felt exposed, vulnerable, and utterly terrified.