Gemotions

“This is ridiculous,” I muttered, kicking a stray pebble across my overgrown lawn. The prospect of a fence felt like a final sentence. It would sever the last shreds of interaction I had with anyone.

I hadn’t spoken to anyone in days. The thought of engaging with my neighbor, even to complain about the intrusion, was exhausting. I just wanted to be left alone.

The sun beat down, but I felt cold, a deep, persistent chill that seemed to emanate from within. The world felt too bright, too loud, too everything.