Gemotions

He heard the saw whine to life. Another day of cacophony. He pressed his face against the cool glass of the window, watching the demolition. The neighbor’s house was being gutted, a vibrant act of creation and destruction unfolding before his weary eyes. He hadn't left his apartment in three days.

The sunlight was too bright. He reached for the remote, switching on the television, letting the mindless chatter fill the void. He didn’t bother to find something he wanted to watch. The light was better with the curtains closed.

The smell of sawdust and fresh paint was already starting to waft over. He inhaled deeply, trying to identify the fragrance, and then let the breath go. There was nothing he wanted. Nothing. He returned to the sofa, letting his body sink deeper into the cushions, letting the world fade away.