Gemotions

The flickering gaslight cast dancing shadows on the walls of the old apartment. Daniel, his face illuminated by the fragile glow, reread the letter. It was to his estranged brother, a plea for forgiveness he’d never dared to send. The words, stained with regret, now echoed with a new kind of despair. The space around him closed in.

He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers tangling in the strands. His heart hammered against his ribs. He felt the cold creep up from his feet and then through his body. He remembered the fight that had torn them apart, the harsh words, the silence that followed. He longed for the past, and he desperately wished he could go back.

He sat back in his chair, trying to ground himself. His eyes darted to the locked front door. He couldn’t escape this, he realized. He had to face the truth, the consequences of his actions. He felt pinned down, stuck, and alone.