Gemotions

"Condo conversion," the landlord had announced, his voice booming in the hallway. "Get ready for a new era!" He closed his door, the sound echoing hollowly in the sudden quiet. He felt a profound sense of loss, though he couldn't quite name what he was losing.

He found himself avoiding eye contact, even with the familiar faces in the building. He’d usually say hello, or chat about the weather. Now, he’d duck his head and hurry past. The simplest social interaction felt like a Herculean task.

His sleep was fragmented and fitful. He'd wake up in the dead of night, heart hammering in his chest, a nameless dread clinging to the edges of his consciousness. The city outside, usually a source of comfort, now seemed like a chaotic, indifferent beast.