Gemotions

The shadows seemed to dance in the periphery of Clara’s vision. She knew this feeling. The heightened awareness of every detail, the constant assessment of her surroundings. The letter from him had been unexpected, a stark white rectangle amidst the usual bills and junk mail. She’d been expecting something, maybe not *this*.

She sat rigidly on the edge of her sofa, the unopened letter resting on the coffee table. She felt a prickle of sweat between her shoulder blades. She glanced at the windows, making sure the curtains were drawn, then back at the letter. She stood, went to the kitchen and made tea, then went to the hallway and checked the peephole one last time.