Gemotions

The text message arrived like a bolt of lightning: "Hey, it's Kevin. Remember those school days?" Her chest constricted, a knot of dread tightening with each beat of her heart. She flung the phone across the room, where it landed with a dull thud. Her hands, balled into fists, trembled.

Her heart raced, a frantic drum against her ribs. She sank into the nearest chair, her legs suddenly weak. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the memories, but they came anyway: Kevin's sneering face, the constant harassment, the feeling of utter vulnerability.

She let out a strangled cry. She felt trapped, suffocated by the past. The walls of her apartment seemed to close in, the air thick and heavy. She stood up abruptly, and began to pace. Every step was filled with a nervous energy she couldn't seem to contain.