Gemotions

The doorbell chimed, a shrill note that scraped against her nerves. She dragged herself to the door, the floorboards seeming to shift beneath her feet. On the porch sat a vase overflowing with lilies, their scent already heavy in the air. No card. She knew no one who would send anonymous flowers. A sigh escaped her lips, a sound of profound depletion.

She carried them inside, the weight of the vase surprisingly significant. The kitchen felt dim, the sunlight struggling to pierce the grime on the window. She placed the flowers on the table, their stark beauty a jarring contrast to the neglected room. She ran a hand through her hair, a gesture that felt slow and heavy.

Who? And why now? The questions echoed in her head, unbidden and unhelpful. She needed something to eat. She needed to sit down. She needed... something.