Gemotions

The discovery sent a tremor through her. She found the wallet tucked under a table at the cafe. She carefully opened it. The bills were crisp, new, and numerous. Her throat felt tight. She needed to breathe, but couldn't seem to draw a complete breath.

She looked around, her eyes flitting from face to face, searching for a sign, a clue. The clinking of cups, the murmur of conversations, all seemed amplified, each sound a potential threat. Her grip on the wallet tightened as she felt sweat prickle her palms.

She excused herself from the table, her movements precise and quick. Each step felt deliberate, measured. She had to leave, and she had to leave now. The air inside the cafe felt oppressive, thick with unspoken judgements.