Gemotions

The doorbell's chime, a cheery sound usually, seemed to pierce through the silence of the afternoon, making Maya jump. A chill ran over her, even though the sun warmed the room. It was Mrs. Petrov, her new neighbor, the one with the piercing stare and the unnerving way she always seemed to know things.

Maya froze, her breath catching in her throat. She found herself clutching her chest. She slowly approached the door, her pace faltering.

She felt like she was wading through water. Her palms were already damp, and her vision was starting to blur at the edges.

"Oh, hello, dear," Mrs. Petrov said, her voice surprisingly soft. "I was wondering, it's just a small patch, if I could maybe put in a little herb garden along the fence?" Maya nodded slowly, a single drop of sweat tracing a path down her temple.