Gemotions

The world felt muted, as if filtered through a thick layer of cotton. She was in her small apartment, unable to sit still. She picked up a book, the pages already yellowed, a mystery she’d purchased for a dollar. She flipped to a random chapter, her eyes scanning the words without comprehension. Her fingers trembled.

A folded note. She picked it up. She felt a sudden wave of heat rush over her, prickling her skin. The words swam before her eyes. The room began to spin.

She crumpled to the floor, the book falling beside her.