Gemotions

The school felt vast, the halls echoing with the shrill cries of children. Sarah clutched her daughter, Lily's, hand a little tighter as they approached the classroom. Her stomach churned. The brightly colored door seemed to leer at her. She’d known this was a possibility, of course, but now that the moment had arrived, a cold dread had begun to settle in her bones.

“Have a good day, sweetie,” Sarah managed, her voice a little too high. She forced a smile that felt brittle. The teacher, Mr. Henderson, looked older, his hair a little grayer, but the same sharp, assessing gaze was there. He remembered her. He had to.

“You’re Lily’s mother? Lovely to meet you,” he said, his voice smooth, professional. Sarah nodded, unable to meet his eyes. She felt a profound and unsettling unease, a wave of nausea building in her chest.