Gemotions

The complaint, delivered by her landlord, felt like a physical blow. Her shoulders slumped. The words, *“Noise complaints… unacceptable…”* seemed to echo in the empty hallways of her mind. She hadn’t even realized she was playing the piano so loud. She had just needed the music. Needed to feel something, anything other than this vast, blank canvas of nothingness.

She wandered towards the window, staring at the blurred cityscape below. The buildings seemed distant, uncaring. A cold breeze snaked in through the cracked panes, raising gooseflesh on her arms. It was getting colder outside, and her apartment seemed to grow icier with each passing moment.

A wave of exhaustion washed over her. She turned away from the window, the piano now a looming shadow in the dim light. She considered the thought of turning it off, but the thought of the silence that would follow made her shudder.