Gemotions

David found the listing while avoiding another project deadline. The house, once filled with the warmth of his family, now looked cold and sterile on the screen. He felt a familiar knot tighten in his throat.

He hadn't been to the grocery store in days. The leftovers in the fridge were starting to smell questionable. He’d even stopped caring about his appearance, and the reflection he saw in the mirror each morning was increasingly disturbing.

He just wanted to be left alone. His phone was off, his curtains drawn. The outside world felt like a threat.

He closed his eyes and inhaled.

The air felt stale, heavy, like it was clinging to his very bones.