Gemotions

The email, subject line "Important Building Update," hung on her screen. Sarah read it, re-read it, then slammed her laptop shut with a decisive click. The small act didn’t satisfy the surge of frustration that coursed through her. She felt a buzzing in her ears, a pressure behind her eyes that made her blink rapidly.

She grabbed a half-eaten bag of chips and ripped it open, then began to eat them with an almost violent energy. Salt crumbs scattered across her desk. She’d always loved this apartment, its sunny windows and quirky layout. She hated the thought of losing it.

She glared at the empty, lifeless screen, picturing all the things that would disappear: the friendly neighbors, the worn wooden floors, the sense of belonging. The apartment had been a constant in her life, a safe harbor. Now, she felt a profound sense of instability.