Gemotions

The metallic clang of the tow truck's hook echoed in her ears long after it was gone. She stood frozen in her slippers, staring at the now-empty space. Her sedan. Her life, reduced to a parking violation.

She hadn't been to work in three days. Her phone buzzed with unanswered messages, each a tiny needle of guilt. Now this. A wave of exhaustion washed over her. She wanted to scream, to break something, to somehow make the hollowness inside her dissipate.

The cold air hit her face as she retreated inside, the chill of the morning seeping through her skin. The world outside felt aggressive, while the inside felt empty and bleak. She was suddenly overwhelmed by the monumental task of facing the day, the week, the rest of her life.