Gemotions

The dog's shadow, long and distorted in the dying sunlight, stretched across the freshly mown lawn. Michael flinched, even though the animal was a good distance away. He hadn't been able to eat all day. Every little noise, every rustle of leaves, made him jump.

He’d almost tripped over the sprinkler hose he’d been putting away earlier. His head swam just thinking about it.

He wanted to scream. He wanted to run. But he just stood there, rooted to the spot, a statue of unease. He felt as if everything he knew was at risk of disappearing.