Gemotions

The gallery owner was enthusiastic, but Sofia found it difficult to muster a smile. Her ‘Serpentine Dance’ was now inked on a man's chest. He'd even sent her a photograph. She felt a strange detachment, a distance.

She felt a hollowness in her chest. She excused herself from the conversation, claiming a need for fresh air. Outside, the city was bustling, but she felt oddly disconnected, as if observing the world through a pane of glass.

She walked for blocks, aimlessly, the feeling of emptiness a constant companion. The laughter of children on the street grated on her nerves. She felt an overwhelming urge to go home and hide.