Gemotions

“Why?” The word escaped her lips, a quiet plea lost to the breeze rustling through the remaining trees. She hadn't slept well the night before, and the lack of rest made everything worse. Each shadow seemed to lengthen, becoming threatening. She felt a tickle in the back of her throat, a prelude to a cough.

She took a shaky step forward, then another, the gravel biting at the soles of her shoes. Her gaze was fixated on the desolate spot. A wave of nausea washed over her. She gripped her hands together, a desperate attempt to find some semblance of control.

Her whole body felt cold.