Gemotions

"Mario's Pizza" – the name was a comfort. The smell of baking dough, the boisterous laughter, the familiar faces. Now, Maria stood frozen in front of the boarded-up windows, a sense of doom creeping over her. She used to feel free.

She let out a frustrated sigh. The bus station felt a mile away, and the walk was a burden. The world suddenly seemed to shrink, closing in on her. Her favorite corner table, where she always sat, seemed to mock her with its absence.

She dug her nails into her palms, a habit she'd developed when overwhelmed. The world's colors seemed muted, the energy around her diminished.