Gemotions

The world seemed to shimmer with a vibrant energy. Every step he took felt springy, light. He had spent the morning painting in the park, capturing the way the leaves rustled in the breeze, the vibrant colours of Autumn. It filled him with such inner joy. Returning to the dorm, he found the place empty. His roommate, Mark, was at football practice. He made himself a snack, and pulled out his journal to record the day's events.

The leather cover felt…different, like it had been handled recently. A tiny piece of dust had fallen onto the cover. He flipped the pages, and a sense of dread washed over him. The book felt tainted. He heard the door creak open, and Mark was coming back, humming to himself.