Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked down Liam’s back as he approached the door. He’d left his journal on his desk, opened to a particularly vulnerable page. The handle felt heavy, his fingers clumsy as he twisted it.

Inside, the room was silent. Too silent. His roommate, Ben, wasn’t there. Liam’s eyes darted around, searching. The bedsheets were rumpled, a book lay open on the pillow. He took a hesitant step forward, stomach churning.

He forced himself to check. His journal was on the desk, closed, but not quite in the same position he’d left it. A prickling sensation ran across his scalp.

Liam went to the window, the fresh air doing little to soothe the tightness in his throat. He wished he could disappear. He needed to be alone.