Gemotions

The alarm had blared an hour ago, but the world was still swimming. Amelia fumbled with the clasp of her robe, her mind struggling to form coherent thoughts. Even the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other felt like navigating through molasses. She pushed open the mailbox door.

Inside, among the usual paper clutter, a card. Brightly colored, covered in cheerful doodles. An unsigned wish for a happy birthday.

Amelia's fingers traced the edges of the card. A flicker of something, a hint of a smile – quickly extinguished. She felt a profound sense of… detachment, as if she were watching herself from outside her own body. The day stretched before her, a vast expanse of tasks to be completed, and she wondered how she would even begin.