Gemotions

The basement was a labyrinth of shadows and forgotten things. Michael, his breath misting in the cold air, felt a coldness creep into his bones that had nothing to do with the temperature. He scanned the rows of boxes, each a potential landmine.

He lifted the lid on a particularly large one. Inside, nestled amongst stacks of old photographs and letters, were his college transcripts, his graduation announcements, even the rejection letters from graduate programs. The sight of these things twisted his stomach.

He felt a deep, profound unease. He felt trapped. He felt suffocated by the echoes of his past. He kicked the box, sending its contents scattering across the dusty floor. He didn't bother to pick anything up.