Gemotions

The notice was taped to the inside of his mailbox, a garish announcement with a cartoonish depiction of the building, now a sparkling, modernized condo. He ripped it down, then crumpled it in his fist. His breathing felt shallow. He stood on the sidewalk, the city noise, normally a comfort, now assaulted his senses.

He felt a strange, detached sensation, as if observing himself from a distance. The world seemed to wobble. He saw a pigeon, pecking for food, and felt a pang of kinship. He started walking, not knowing where he was going, simply needing to move, his pace quickening.