Gemotions

The air in the cramped apartment was thick with the scent of stale cigarettes and unspoken arguments. Sarah sat on the edge of the lumpy mattress, staring at the peeling wallpaper. The arguments with her partner had become a relentless cycle, and the future seemed bleak. She was taking the dog for a walk when she saw it lying in the grass.

She knelt down, her fingers tracing the worn stitching of the wallet. Inside, she found a substantial amount of cash. A silent scream rose in her throat. She closed the wallet, her jaw tight. The possibilities, or lack thereof, swirled in her mind. She thought of her escape. She looked at the dog, and knew that her feet would remain planted.