Gemotions

A wave of utter exhaustion washed over me the moment the doorbell chimed, a high-pitched, irritating sound that sliced through the fog in my brain. I groaned, my limbs heavy as lead, each motion an effort. My gaze darted around the room, struggling to latch onto something, anything, that could justify ignoring the summons. Nothing seemed to warrant action.

“Coming!” I croaked, the sound raspy, each syllable a challenge. The words felt disconnected from my thought process, as though spoken by some other person. The dull ache in my head intensified.

When I finally reached the door, the neighbor’s scowl was the only thing I registered. “The noise…” she began, her voice rising with an edge of irritation. I didn't care.