Gemotions

The silence that followed Mr. Harrison’s request was deafening. Sarah found herself frozen, her feet rooted to the spot as if cemented. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the sudden shift in reality. He wanted to do *what*?

She stared, unblinking, at her neighbor, her mind racing, searching for any hint of a joke, a trick. But his face was earnest, his eyes expectant. The familiar green of her lawn suddenly seemed alien, threatening.

She took a shaky breath, trying to regain control. Her hands, which had been resting at her sides, clenched into fists. “I… I… could you repeat that?” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. The world swam around her.