Gemotions

"I…I don't understand," Maya mumbled, her voice thick and raspy. The university disciplinary board’s table felt like it was made of quicksand, sinking under her hands. The room swam into a blurry haze. The accusations hung in the air, each one a tiny pinprick that worsened the pressure building inside her skull.

She leaned forward, elbows on the table, trying to focus on the faces of the board members. The room's temperature felt oppressive, making her sweat. It was all a mistake, some cruel, elaborate misunderstanding. Why did everything feel so sluggish and slow?

The words of the panel members seemed to take forever to reach her ears, each syllable a mile long, each sentence an eternity. She just wanted it to be over.