Gemotions

The weight in his stomach felt like a lead ball. Every task felt pointless, every interaction draining. He sat at his desk, staring blankly at the computer screen, the words he needed to write eluding him. The office noises, the chatter, the ringing phones, all grated on his nerves. He barely acknowledged anyone.

"Hey, Alex," said Maria. She was trying to be friendly. "You seem kind of quiet today."

He offered a half-hearted shrug.

"I was thinking about the old days, you know," Maria continued, "at Camp Pine Ridge. Remember the campfires?"

Alex's head snapped up. Pine Ridge? He hadn't thought about it in a while. It felt like a lifetime ago.