Gemotions

“Could you at least turn it down a little?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. The heavy metal blared from the apartment next door, making the pictures on my wall shake. My neighbour, whose name I didn't even know, just grinned and nodded, then cranked it up another notch.

I retreated back inside my apartment. I walked from room to room, the noise chased me. I closed every window, hoping to block the sound, but it seeped in through the walls.

I slumped onto my bed, the covers pulled up around me. I squeezed my eyes shut, but the music continued its unrelenting assault. I felt a knot forming in my stomach, and I knew sleep was out of the question.