Gemotions

The house had felt safe, a fortress. Ever since the break-in at the hardware store, she’d felt a pressing need to maintain a state of watchfulness. The click of the security system arming itself was a comfort, yet it provided no real sense of calm. Now, the grinding of gears outside her window shattered the illusion of peace.

She slammed open the front door, shouting. "Get away from my car!" Her hand instinctively reached for the pepper spray clipped to her belt. The tow truck operator, a man with a heavy mustache, just gestured towards a sign.

She paced back and forth, muttering. "This isn't right. I pay my taxes. This is a deliberate act, a personal affront." Her gaze remained fixed on the scene.