Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the tempest inside Leo. He hadn't slept properly in days. The constant hum of anxiety was a physical weight, pressing down on him. When the insistent doorbell rang, he almost didn't answer. He considered pretending he wasn’t home, but the hammering persisted.

It was Mrs. Gable, clutching a damp flyer about a local tree-felling service. She wanted to talk about the towering pine near their shared fence.

"It’s just too close to the house," she said, her voice overly cheerful. "And you know, the roots..."

Leo felt a cold sweat prickle his skin. He backed away from the porch, suddenly desperate for air. He stammered, “I… I haven’t really thought about it.”