Gemotions

The first nail gun burst shattered the morning. Sarah almost dropped her coffee mug, the ceramic clinking against the countertop. She gripped it tighter, her knuckles white. Each blast resonated through the thin walls, vibrating into her bones. Outside, the world was a cacophony of hammering and shouting. Her jaw ached; she couldn’t seem to unclench it.

She glanced at the half-finished crossword puzzle on the kitchen table. The words blurred before her eyes, illegible. Taking a shaky breath, Sarah forced herself to sit, determined to regain some semblance of control. But the rhythmic pounding continued, relentless and unforgiving.