Gemotions

The relentless drumming of the washing machine echoed the pounding in Sarah's head. The house was a mess, her to-do list a never-ending monster. Her sister's daughter, Mia, handed her a crayon drawing, a chaotic mess of bright colors and a tall, slender figure with mismatched hands.

Sarah’s breath hitched. It was "Stitches," the silent companion of her childhood, a friend she’d fabricated to escape a world that felt too harsh. A sharp, unpleasant pressure built behind her eyes. "Oh, that's… nice, Mia," Sarah managed, forcing a smile that felt brittle.

She wanted to be alone. She craved silence. She took the drawing, crumpled it, and tossed it into the bin. The snap echoed in the otherwise quiet room.