Gemotions

The news arrived in a forwarded text: "Sad news… The Sugar Shack is closing." Ben's chest tightened. He scrolled through the message, each word a blow. Sunday mornings, the smell of freshly baked donuts, the laughter of the regulars. Gone. He dropped his phone, the screen flashing its unread notifications.

He spent the rest of the day in a haze. The vibrant colours of his apartment seemed dimmed, the music on the radio sounded distant, and the thought of food made his stomach churn. The world felt…off-kilter.