Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the hospital waiting room. Eleanor fidgeted, pulling at the threadbare sleeve of her cardigan. For weeks now, she'd been plagued by these bizarre episodes – a sudden, complete loss of the ability to taste anything, followed by an overwhelming craving for the scent of gasoline. The doctors had run every test imaginable, all coming back blank. She had never been so perplexed.

Across the room, a man with a shock of unruly grey hair kept glancing at her. Finally, he rose, his movements stiff, and shuffled over. "Excuse me," he began, his voice raspy. "I couldn't help but notice... did you also have that strange episode last Tuesday? The one with the... the petrol fumes?"

Eleanor's eyebrows shot up. "You… you smelled it too?"