Gemotions

She found herself checking the lock twice before entering the dorm room. The air inside felt thick, stagnant, as if holding its breath. The image of her diary, lying exposed on the bedside table, was burned into her memory. Sarah chewed the inside of her cheek.

Her roommate, Chloe, was at her desk, studying. Sarah tried to act normal, but her movements felt jerky, her voice strained.

“Hey,” she said, her voice thin. Chloe barely glanced up.

Sarah fumbled with her books, dropping one with a loud thud. The sound echoed in the room.

She wanted to scream, to lash out, but instead, she just busied herself reorganizing her bookshelf, a flurry of panicked activity.