Gemotions

The morning light felt like acid on Amelia's skin as she peeled herself from bed. Another day. Another meeting. Another stack of emails threatening to topple over onto her. Her niece, Lily, skipped into the kitchen, a drawing clutched in her hand. "Auntie Mia, look!" Lily chirped, her eyes shining. It was a crayon sketch of a bright green creature with three eyes. Amelia managed a weak smile. "That's lovely, sweetie." The creature looked strangely familiar, like a half-forgotten dream.

Amelia poured herself a coffee, the bitter scent doing nothing to rouse her. She barely remembered her own childhood, let alone who might have been residing in the realms of Lily's imagination. Still, as she stared at the drawing, a phantom ache settled behind her eyes.

Later, at work, she found herself staring out the window, the bustling city below a blur. A sudden wave of intense exhaustion made her head throb. She had to sit down. She had been pushing herself too hard. Too long.