Gemotions

The world had tilted on its axis. One moment, Clara was organizing her groceries; the next, a deep, hollow ache had taken root in her chest. She had left her keys inside. Just a moment. She could feel the blood thrumming behind her eyes as she absorbed the situation. Her car, gone.

She stood frozen, the grocery bags slipping from her numb fingers, scattering cans and vegetables across the damp pavement. A low moan escaped her lips, a sound of profound distress. She scanned the street as if expecting the vehicle to magically reappear, to correct the terrible wrong.

She stumbled inside, the weight of the realization pressing down on her like a physical burden. It felt as though someone had stolen not just her car, but a piece of her very identity.