Gemotions

The late-night diner was almost empty, the harsh fluorescent lights casting long shadows. Alex picked at a plate of cold fries, the food tasting like ash. The accusation had come as a shock, a sudden betrayal of trust. Everything he had worked for felt futile.

He felt the tremors in his hands as he wrapped them around the warm cup of coffee. He was alone, isolated. The vibrant city outside, full of people and life, felt impossibly distant.

He stared out the window, watching the rain streak down the glass. He needed a lifeline, a way to escape.