Gemotions

The afternoon sunlight seemed muted, as if filtered through a thick, invisible haze. Sarah was staring at her phone. The request was from Matthew, who, in her perception, had been the one who had made her teenage years such an ordeal. She had started the day with so much ambition. Now, she felt like her limbs had turned to lead. The tasks on her to-do list loomed over her like unwelcome guardians.

She remembered the constant criticisms, the public shaming, the way he'd made her question her worth. She was not able to focus on anything. The feeling of being trapped in a dark, unpleasant situation had returned. She tossed the phone onto the couch. She just wanted the day to end.