Gemotions

The drive home felt torturous, each mile a step closer to something she dreaded. Maria watched the rearview mirror, checking for anyone, anything. The sun was setting, casting long, menacing shadows.

Coach Reynolds had been unusually quiet at practice, a silence that felt heavier than words. Every comment from teammates, every glance, every gesture was a coded message, confirming her worst fears. She replayed the practice in her head, itemizing every missed pass, every sloppy play.

She felt the dread constricting her chest, making it hard to breathe. The world seemed to be closing in around her, each building, each tree, a looming threat.

The house seemed empty, echoing with the silence of her thoughts. The phone sat on the counter, a silent, menacing presence.