Gemotions

The elevator doors opened, and Emily found herself face-to-face with a book signing. A banner proclaimed: “Meet the author of ‘Emily Carter: A Portrait of Perseverance!’” Emily felt her blood run cold. She had never authorized an author, she'd never wanted a book, she’d never done any of this.

She stood frozen, the noise of the crowd, the bright lights, all amplifying the growing pressure inside her skull. The author, a woman with a saccharine smile, beamed in her direction. Emily wanted to flee, to disappear, to become invisible.

She pivoted abruptly, her pace quickening, her steps echoing on the cold tile of the hallway. The elevator doors closed behind her, cutting off the noise and the woman’s unsettling smile. She leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath, wishing she could just make it all stop.