Gemotions

The grit of the construction work settled into Maya's already frayed nerves. She leaned against the kitchen counter, listlessly stirring her tea. Her muscles ached, a deep, persistent throb that seemed to permeate her very bones. She had been staring at the same page of her book for ten minutes.

The hammering was rhythmic but not comforting.

"This is ridiculous," she finally said aloud, her voice flat. She considered going next door and demanding a respite, but the very idea felt exhausting. Instead, she just turned off the lights and went back to bed.