Gemotions

The fluorescent lights of the office hummed, a constant, irritating buzz that mirrored the noise in Sarah's head. The promotion had gone to someone else, her relationship was on the rocks, and she felt suffocated. It felt like everything was crumbling around her. She walked to the mailbox to find a bill she couldn't afford.

But there was a brightly colored card with glitter all over it. Her birthday was months away. An anonymous "Happy Birthday!" greeted her from the front of the card. She examined it with suspicion.

"Wishing you brighter days," the message inside read. Sarah's hands tightened into fists. She didn't want brighter days. She felt like she deserved the darkness. She ripped the card into shreds.

She went back into the office and sat at her desk, staring at the computer screen. She stared at it.