Gemotions

The afternoon sun, usually a comfort, felt harsh against her skin. Emily sat on the porch swing, the rhythmic creaks amplifying the silence. She’d avoided going inside all day. The unopened letter, tucked into her pocket, felt like a burning coal.

She kept checking her watch. The minutes stretched out, each one a test of her resolve. She’d been irritable and easily angered all day, snapping at her family for the smallest infractions. She felt a strange buzzing in her ears.

She closed her eyes, trying to focus on the swaying motion of the swing. The past was a thick fog, threatening to engulf her, and the letter was a siren's call, luring her into the darkness. She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the rising tide of panic.