Gemotions

The thumping started again. It was a low, insistent pulse that rattled the teacups in the cabinet. Agnes’s jaw tightened. She’d tried being nice, leaving a plate of cookies with a note. Silence for a whole day. Then, back to it. Now, she felt a burning heat travel from her chest to her cheeks. She peered through the peephole, focusing on the sliver of hallway visible. Nothing.

Her hand trembled as she reached for the phone. This time, she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She dialed, her finger hovering over the green button. The hallway lights flickered. She imagined the young man, oblivious, his music a soundtrack to his carefree life. But was he really carefree?

The dial tone buzzed in her ear. She was ready to be heard.