Gemotions

The rain hammered against the windows, mirroring the relentless drumming in his head. Mark paced the living room, the worn rug offering no solace. He had already read every article in the newspaper. He had already scanned every social media feed. He had already done the crossword.

The phone rang. It was her, as usual. But this time, she slipped away to answer it in the garden, muttering a quick, dismissive excuse. He watched from the window, the image of her hunched over the phone, a secret held tight, lodging a cold knot in his stomach.

Later, he found her phone lying open. A single, cryptic text message was visible. His mind spun, desperate to find an escape from the suffocating routine of his days.