Gemotions

He was mid-sentence, recounting a story about his childhood, when the notification appeared on his phone. He excused himself, a polite smile plastered on his face. But as he read the words, the smile vanished.

His breathing became shallow, his chest constricted. He found himself unable to breathe. He excused himself, mumbling something about needing air, and stumbled out of the room. The faces of his friends and family seemed to blur.

He leaned against the wall, the cool surface doing little to alleviate the internal fire. He ran his hand over his face, as if trying to wipe away the truth that was now etched into his very being. The familiar world around him had morphed into something strange and unknowable.