Gemotions

It was the suddenness of it that threw her. A knock, a hurried greeting, a direct ask. Mr. Garcia, all smiles, wanting to cultivate a small plot of her backyard.

She felt a wave of cold rush over her, starting at her toes. She wanted to scream out, to say no. Her mouth, however, remained frozen. Her arms felt heavy, as if weighted down.

She swallowed. "I... I'll have to think about it," she finally managed, her voice a strained whisper. She barely heard his thanks. After closing the door, she leaned against it, her body trembling. The image of his digging, his presence, on her land, filled her with a feeling she couldn't quite name, a knot of dread.