Gemotions

"Unbelievable," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but vibrating with a suppressed intensity. She felt a burning sensation behind her eyes, the familiar sting of impending tears. She blinked furiously, determined not to give in, not to show vulnerability. The air felt heavy, saturated with a sense of… wrongness. She'd spent hours, days, tending to that tree. It had been her sanctuary, a living symbol of hope. Now, a harsh, brutal reality punched her in the gut. She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to regain control.