Gemotions

Her fingers, usually adept at navigating her phone, fumbled as she tried to close the article. The words, splashed across the screen, seemed to writhe and taunt her. A sudden prickle of heat crawled up her neck, reaching her ears, which felt like they were on fire. She dropped the phone onto the worn wooden table, the sound echoing unnaturally loud in the silent apartment.

She got up and started pacing. Back and forth, the worn rug offered little comfort. Her jaw clenched; a dull ache was beginning to bloom behind her eyes. Every creak of the floorboards felt amplified, each rustle of the leaves outside the window sent a jolt through her.

The door buzzer blared. With a gasp, she froze mid-step. She glanced at the peephole, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. Her best friend, Sarah. Even seeing her familiar face through the glass offered little respite.