Gemotions

The afternoon sun felt heavy on Thomas’s skin. He was meant to be enjoying himself, playing with his nephew, Ethan. But a drawing – a depiction of a gangly figure with mismatched features – rested on the picnic table. It was the same creature Thomas used to talk to during his childhood.

He found himself being overly competitive during their game of catch, throwing the ball with more force than necessary. Each laugh from Ethan sounded distant, as though muffled by some unseen barrier. He felt a familiar hollowness in his chest, a deep unease that spread through his limbs.

Thomas abruptly stopped the game, the ball falling to the ground. He muttered a quick apology and turned away. He needed to be alone. He needed to find a way to breathe.