Gemotions

The email arrived mid-afternoon, a blandly worded notification. He read it and then reread it. His pulse quickened. He imagined the fence, a physical boundary, dividing his home from theirs. He hadn't spoken to them in months. He felt a sudden, inexplicable tightening in his chest.

He rose from his chair, a sense of disquiet washing over him. He needed to go outside, to look. His feet felt heavy as he walked out, his gaze flitting over the property line. It felt as though his breathing was constricting. He could hear the blood rushing in his ears.