Gemotions

The cheerful balloon design on the card felt mocking. Robert's blood pressure spiked. He scanned the street, his eyes darting from house to house. The innocuous activity of his neighbors took on a deceptive veneer. He had the distinct feeling of being watched.

He retreated inside, locking the door and bolting the windows. His heart thudded in his chest. The silence of the house amplified his anxiety. He walked from window to window, pulling the curtains closed. He was locked in.

He read the card, the simple birthday wish. He ripped it in half, then into smaller pieces. Then, he gathered the shreds and placed them on a tray, and lit a match. He watched the paper burn, as if destroying any evidence of the threat. But he still didn't feel safe.