Gemotions

The newspaper lay open on the kitchen counter, the headline screaming at her: "New Bakery Sensation! The 'Sunshine Scones' Sweep the Nation!" Sarah felt a sudden chill, despite the warm morning sun streaming through the window. Her hands trembled as she reached out to touch the photo of the scones, identical to the ones she’d sold at the farmer's market for years.

A cold sweat slicked her palms. Her vision blurred, and the words on the page swam before her eyes. She wanted to crumple the paper, to tear it to shreds, but her limbs felt heavy, unresponsive. She felt the urge to hide, to disappear from the world, the bakery, the sunshine.