Gemotions

The world was too loud. The buzzing of the refrigerator, the distant rumble of traffic, the incessant chirping of birds – everything grated on her nerves. She felt a growing sense of panic, a feeling of being trapped in a cage of her own making. The thought of doing anything, even something as simple as making a cup of tea, felt like an insurmountable task.

A knock on the door. Her neighbor, Mr. Harrison, his face lined with the awkwardness of the request. He wanted to talk about the dying ash tree. Her mouth went dry. She could barely manage to meet his gaze. She felt an overwhelming sense of despair, as if she were standing at the edge of a bottomless pit.