Gemotions

The house seemed to shrink around Daniel. He sat on the floor, surrounded by his discarded youth. Every assignment, every test, every carefully preserved memento, was a judgment, a reminder of his perceived failures. The air felt thin, difficult to breathe.

He held a report card, the grades a searing indictment. He felt a strange tingling in his fingertips. He felt the bile rise in his throat.

He slowly sat back, letting out a frustrated breath. He wanted to disappear. He wanted to be anywhere but here. He looked up at the ceiling, feeling an inexplicable hollowness expand within him.