Gemotions

The world was suddenly a blur of motion and chaos. Sarah slammed the car door shut, ignoring the way her sandals were still on the wrong feet. The sound, a monstrous crack followed by a thunderous boom, echoed in her ears. She ran, her legs pumping like pistons.

Her neighbor, Mrs. Gable, was standing on her porch, eyes wide, mouth working silently. The tree had fallen. It was… everywhere. She struggled to take a breath, the air thick with the smell of freshly split wood and crushed leaves. Her chest felt constricted. She couldn’t think.

"Is… is everyone alright?" she managed to croak out, the words barely audible. She wanted to scream. She wanted to run. She wanted to rewind time, to undo what had just happened. She just stood there, swaying, feeling her vision begin to darken at the edges.