Gemotions

"Good morning, Mrs. Henderson!" The cheerful shout from the construction worker nearly made Emily jump out of her skin. She fumbled with the grocery bags, her knuckles white against the plastic. She managed a weak, "Morning," before scurrying inside.

She locked the door, as if it could keep out the impending doom. Her stomach churned. The vibrations from the jackhammer permeated her very bones. She felt a growing despair, a sense of being utterly out of control.

She closed the blinds, but the noise still seeped in. It was everywhere. It was in her head, buzzing, relentless. She wanted to scream. She sank into her armchair, the world shrinking to the confines of her living room.