Gemotions

The email notification had arrived like a blow. *Congratulations! Your essay has been selected for the university's website.* Sarah sat frozen at her desk, the screen reflecting her wide, panicked eyes. She'd written about her hidden love of comic books, something she'd kept secret from everyone, terrified of judgment.

She stared at the image of the essay online, scrolling through the comments, each one a potential critique, a potential dissection of her innermost self. A sudden tremor ran through her limbs. She felt the sudden desperate need for silence.

She stood abruptly, pushing her chair back, the movement too fast, too aggressive. She had to get away from the computer, away from the prying eyes of the internet. Grabbing her keys, she fled the apartment.