Gemotions

The publication announcement was everywhere. Newspapers, social media, the grocery store checkout lane. “The Remarkable Journey of Silas Blackwood.” He hadn't known this person writing the book, and he certainly hadn't asked them. He felt a constriction in his chest, a tightness he couldn't quite name.

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them, the world looked different, filtered, distorted. Every person he passed on the street seemed to be staring at him, judging him. He grabbed a bottle of water and took a long, desperate swig, then he flung the bottle into the trash.

He found himself walking, fast, heading nowhere. The sun was hot on his face. He felt like his skin was crawling. He kept walking, the feeling growing with every step, and with a muttered curse, he spun around and started walking in the opposite direction.