Gemotions

The advertisement for the house shimmered before Clara’s eyes, the bright colors of the newly painted siding a stark contrast to the faded hues of her memories. A feeling of unease crawled over her skin, goosebumps erupting on her arms.

She clicked on the “schedule a viewing” button, her heart thudding against her ribs. The click sounded deafening in the silence of her apartment. She immediately regretted it. Her fingers fumbled as she tried to back out, but the confirmation email was already pinging into her inbox.

She sat frozen, staring at the screen. She felt a rising tide of panic, a sensation like being trapped in a slowly closing box. She took deep breaths, forcing herself to count, to try and regain some semblance of control.