Gemotions

The denial felt like a physical intrusion, a violation. Mark's chest tightened. He sat for a moment, completely still, the words on the screen blurring before his eyes. He felt a creeping nausea, a wave of revulsion washing over him. He deleted the message and shut down his laptop, the clack of the lid feeling unnecessarily loud.

He went to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. The water didn't help. The image in the mirror, his reflection, seemed distorted and repugnant. He felt a profound sense of self-loathing, a distaste for everything he was.

He went to the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the fridge, the metal of the can cold against his palm. He took a long, harsh gulp and shuddered, feeling no better, just more burdened by the day.