Gemotions

The wallet was at the bottom of the lake. She held her breath and grabbed it. She looked at the money, and a cold dread filled her. She felt exposed in the water.

She raced back to the surface, her chest burning. She clambered onto the bank. She was aware of every twig that snapped beneath her feet. The birdsong seemed to mock her.

She had to get out of sight. She found a thicket of bushes and ducked inside, hiding. She pulled the wallet out again, the damp leather now cold against her skin. The sunlight felt harsh. She was alone, but she didn’t feel safe.