Gemotions

“No,” he breathed, the word a small, broken sound against the vastness of the empty space. His legs felt like lead weights. He’d dreamed of this moment for weeks: returning to the house, seeing the old oak tree that stood in his yard from his childhood. Now, it was gone.

He felt a deep, aching emptiness in his chest. He took a few steps forward, then back again. His vision blurred, and he rubbed his eyes, thinking perhaps if he rubbed hard enough, the tree would reappear. The sunlight seemed to mock him, making the emptiness even more pronounced. He didn't know what to do.