Gemotions

The spreadsheet blurred before Amelia's eyes. It was a simple report, due by noon, but suddenly the numbers swam. She pushed her glasses up her nose, a habit she'd developed lately, and took a shallow breath. The fluorescent lights of the office hummed, a relentless, irritating sound. Mark, her coworker, was humming too, a jaunty little tune that grated on her nerves. “Hey, you ever go to Camp Whispering Pines?” he’d asked earlier, completely out of the blue.

Her heart hammered against her ribs. She couldn’t believe he’d said it. Camp Whispering Pines. The mere name conjured a suffocating wave of memories. She swallowed, trying to appear composed. "Uh, maybe? Why?"

He was beaming at her. "No way! I did! Counselor Dave! Remember the talent show?" Amelia felt her palms begin to sweat. She excused herself, muttering something about needing coffee, and fled to the breakroom.