Gemotions

She walked through the grocery store, her steps lagging, her head down. Everything seemed to shimmer with an unreal quality, as if viewed through a distorted lens. The call from the school had broken her.

“Your son, Liam, is now in Mr. Thorne's class.” The name brought a sense of dread. He remembered the man’s stern countenance, the rigid rules, the way he seemed to enjoy making people uncomfortable. That teacher was the reason for so many dark nights of crying in her room.

She picked up a carton of milk, her hand trembling slightly. The weight of the world felt concentrated on her shoulders. She wanted to run, to escape this feeling of impending doom, but she knew she couldn’t.