Gemotions

The constant pounding was becoming unbearable. Clara pressed her hands to her ears, the pressure doing little to quell the rising tide of panic. Her teeth chattered despite the summer heat. She felt trapped, like a bird in a cage, desperately flapping its wings.

She found herself staring at the crack in her ceiling, growing larger with each thud and bang, convinced it was going to collapse. She considered calling the police, the city, anyone who would listen to her fears.

She thought about escaping. Packing a bag and just running away, but she felt too weak to move. She felt paralyzed, stuck in place, as the house across the street was slowly torn down.