Gemotions

The antique shop was usually a haven, the scent of aged paper and forgotten things calming. Now, Sarah felt a prickling at the back of her neck. Dust motes danced in the afternoon sun, each one a potential spy. She scanned the shelves, each book a silent accusation. Her biography. Unbidden, unauthorized. The spine felt slick beneath her trembling fingers when she finally saw it. *Sarah Chen: A Life Unspoken*.

Her breath hitched. She pulled it down, the world tilting slightly. The cover was a photo she hadn't posed for, a candid shot taken at a conference years ago. Her mouth twisted into a tight, almost imperceptible line. She clutched the book close, its weight a physical burden. Every detail of her life, laid bare. Exposed.

She walked out, the bell above the door a strident clang in the sudden quiet. She felt eyes on her, everywhere. Even the pigeons on the sidewalk seemed to watch her every move.