Gemotions

She found the email at 3 AM. The subject line was innocuous, but the contents… a detailed description of her revolutionary energy source, along with a mocking congratulations for her “discovery.” Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat in her ears.

The street outside her workshop had a strange stillness. She saw the familiar faces of her neighbors for the first time with suspicion. Were they watching her? Were they involved? It seemed impossible that they weren't.

She started wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses indoors, erasing her features. She unplugged all her electronics, certain they were listening devices. The walls felt thin, the air thick with unseen threats.