Gemotions

The doorbell rang, and Sarah nearly leaped out of her skin. She peeked through the peephole, heart hammering against her ribs. It was just Mrs. Henderson, the neighbor, returning a borrowed casserole dish. Still, the relief was momentary.

The incident from that morning kept playing in her head. A quick glance at her daughter, Lily's, phone screen. A name, a face she didn’t recognize. A fleeting moment, but enough to ignite a fire of suspicion.

She poured herself a glass of water, her hand unsteady. The water sloshed over the rim. She could feel every muscle in her body tense, every nerve on high alert. The house felt suddenly claustrophobic.

She needed to know. The need became a physical ache. The kitchen timer beeped, announcing dinner was ready. She called out for Lily, her voice sounding unnaturally loud in the silent house.