Gemotions

The humid air pressed in on Amelia as she stalked the overgrown path. She'd been pacing the length of her tiny apartment for hours, the worn floorboards creaking with each agitated step. Her hands, usually still, fidgeted, tracing the frayed edges of her favorite shawl. She craved escape, a break from the monotonous hum of city life. The bus stop was just a few blocks away. This afternoon, she'd decided, she'd finally go. To see it.

She recalled the sunlight dappling through the leaves, the scent of pine needles underfoot. Memories, sharp and clear, flooded her mind as she walked.

The clearing was exposed. The space where the old oak had once stood was empty, a jagged stump the only reminder. A cold, hollow feeling bloomed in her chest. She took a deep, shuddering breath, her fingers clenching into fists. The gentle rhythm of the forest, once a comfort, now felt like a taunt.