Gemotions

The harsh fluorescent light of the apartment hallway seemed to bore into Amelia’s skull. She squinted, the eviction notice clutched loosely in her hand. The words swam before her eyes, blurring into an unintelligible mess. All she wanted was to lie down, to close her eyes for just a moment. Her eyelids felt heavy, like lead weights.

She shuffled back into her apartment, the click of the lock echoing in the sudden quiet. The stale air felt thick, making her chest feel heavier. The kitchen table, littered with unwashed dishes from last night's takeout, seemed a million miles away.

“This is just… ridiculous,” she mumbled, her voice thick and slow. She longed for the plushness of her bed, the promise of oblivion.