Gemotions

She ran a hand through her already disheveled hair, the gesture a desperate attempt to regain some semblance of control. The letter, now crumpled in her hand, felt like a burden. Her breath came in short, shallow gasps. She felt a tremor run through her, a wave of unease that left her weak.

She paced the length of her small apartment, a caged animal. Every object, every piece of furniture, suddenly felt foreign, imbued with a sense of impermanence. She felt a burning sensation in her throat, a stifled cry threatening to escape. The future, previously a vast canvas for possibilities, seemed now to be reduced to a narrow, uncertain path.