Gemotions

The world was a noisy place, and the sounds were amplified. Even the quiet of his own house was unsettling. He tossed and turned in his sleep, the dreams always turning dark and the night never bringing rest. His appetite had disappeared. He could go an entire day without food or water. It was difficult to breathe, as if something were crushing his chest.

His friend had recommended a therapist, someone who could supposedly help. When he arrived at the office, he felt his blood run cold. It was Sarah, the girl who had systematically dismantled his self-esteem, whose cutting words had lingered in his mind for years.

“Please, come in, Michael,” she said, her voice soft, professional. He could feel his hands beginning to shake.

“So, tell me what’s been going on,” she prompted, her eyes filled with an unsettling intensity. He couldn’t meet her gaze. The room suddenly seemed far too small.