Gemotions

He’d known something was off the moment his phone pinged. A single text: "Party Canceled." A cold fist clutched at his gut. James had been counting down the hours, the anticipation bubbling inside him. He felt every muscle tense. He bounced on the balls of his feet.

His apartment, usually a haven of comfortable clutter, seemed to shrink around him. The air felt thin, difficult to breathe. He needed to *do* something. He grabbed his keys and wallet, then spun on his heel and rushed out the door.

He slammed the door behind him and headed down the fire escape. The world exploded with color: the vibrant red of the fire escape, the blue of the sky. He practically ran down the stairs. The concrete felt hard beneath his shoes as he raced towards the street.