Gemotions

The news felt like a punch to the gut. The notice was taped to the front door, and a feeling of dread washed over her. She knew a feeling like that; she knew it very well.

She tried to distract herself by cleaning, scrubbing the kitchen counter until it gleamed. The effort was mechanical, and once finished, the task felt pointless. The silence was deafening, amplified by the ticking clock on the wall.

Later, she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. The sounds of the city, the distant sirens, the muffled laughter, felt like a cruel joke. The walls seemed to close in, and she had the urge to scream.