Gemotions

The sign in the window, stark white letters on faded blue: "Closed Indefinitely." Maya felt a flicker of heat, starting in her stomach and spreading outwards. She'd driven across town specifically for this. For a taste of their famous kimchi fried rice. For a sense of normalcy in a chaotic world.

She kicked the curb of the sidewalk, a sharp, satisfying *thunk*. The street was deserted, the silence amplifying her internal turmoil. She wanted to scream. She wanted to shatter something.

She shoved her hands into her pockets, balling them into fists. The fabric felt rough against her skin, offering a small, temporary anchor. The whole damn day felt like a cruel joke.