Gemotions

The news felt like a physical blow. Sarah leaned against the kitchen counter, the cool granite doing little to soothe the sudden wave of exhaustion. Her eyelids felt leaden, threatening to close at any moment. Her jaw loosened, her mouth slightly agape.

She absently rubbed her temples, attempting to alleviate the pressure building behind her eyes. The scent of the coffee brewing on the stove, usually invigorating, now seemed distant and muted.

The world seemed to slow. She focused on the rhythm of her own breathing, each inhale and exhale a monumental task. She wanted to simply cease moving, to let everything go, to surrender to the overwhelming desire for stillness.