Gemotions

The cold seeping into Maria’s bones mirrored the chill that ran through her veins. She sat on a bench, hidden beneath the shadow of a large oak tree, the autumn leaves swirling around her feet. The vibrant colors of the season felt dull and lifeless.

She stared at her phone, at the evidence against her, at the daunting path ahead. Her breath hitched in her throat, making it difficult to find the words, the strength to explain herself. She felt a profound sense of isolation, of being utterly alone.

The world seemed to tilt on its axis, threatening to spill her into a vast, empty abyss. She pulled her coat tighter, shivering not just from the cold, but from the icy grip of fear.