Gemotions

The morning sun spilled across Maya's face, waking her with a jolt. She flung the covers back, every muscle eager to move. A playlist of upbeat Latin music already thrummed in her head. Today was the day she'd finally conquer that rock-climbing wall at the gym. She practically bounded down the stairs, already envisioning the satisfying burn in her forearms.

At the gym, she greeted the receptionist with a laugh, her cheeks flushed with the pre-workout energy. She made easy work of the warm-up, her body humming with readiness. As she tackled the wall, each grip and move felt natural, almost effortless. She scaled the toughest route with a grin plastered across her face, feeling utterly alive.

Later, while refilling her water bottle, she overheard a woman muttering about “the glitch.” Intrigued, Maya approached her. “The glitch?” she asked, a curious tilt to her head. The woman, eyes wide, launched into a frantic explanation about unusual physical abilities and a strange, shared medical history.