Gemotions

He knew the knock before it happened. He heard the footsteps approaching his door. His neighbor, Emily, was a constant, friendly presence in the neighborhood, and he wanted nothing to do with it. She wanted to grow a flower garden on his side of the property.

He stayed perfectly still, listening. He tried to slow his breathing. He heard her call out, but he remained silent, hidden away.

The silence that followed stretched out, punctuated only by his own racing heartbeat. The knock sounded again, the echo far away, like a phantom limb. He remained locked away.