Gemotions

The ringing phone jolted Amelia awake. It was late. Daniel was already out of bed, fumbling for his phone in the dark. She feigned sleep, listening to his hushed tones, the way he moved away from the bed towards the window. Her heart thumped a heavy rhythm against her ribs.

He hung up, the silence after the call echoing in the small bedroom. She could sense him standing there, just beyond her, not touching her. She waited, eyes still closed, for him to come back to her. He didn't. Instead, the floorboards creaked as he went into the bathroom.

She finally opened her eyes, the dim light of the digital clock showing it was 3:17 AM. A strange hollowness had invaded her chest, a feeling of being untethered. She pulled the covers higher, finding no comfort in the familiar warmth.