Gemotions

The first crash of wood against wood sent Carol scrambling for the aspirin. Her head throbbed. The noise was unbearable. She poured a glass of water, her hand shaking so badly she nearly spilled it. She swallowed the pills, but the ache in her head only worsened.

She felt a hot flush rising from her chest to her face. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the sound, but it was useless. It invaded her consciousness, echoing through her skull. She squeezed the bridge of her nose.

She needed to do something, anything, to make it stop. She jumped up and started to pace. She had to get away. But where? The thought of going out into the world with her head like this seemed impossible.