Gemotions

A sigh escaped Leo's lips as he stared at the dusty weight set on his workbench. He hadn’t felt any joy in his craft in months, the intricate carvings now feeling like pointless exercises. The workshop, once a sanctuary, was just a room, cold and unwelcoming. He’d picked up a letter at the post office earlier, addressed to him with a familiar name he hadn’t heard in years. He felt no emotion, just a dull ache. He couldn't remember the last time he felt anything beyond that. He found himself avoiding work, and the tools seemed heavy in his hands.

The letter lay open, the ink a dark smudge against the cream paper. It detailed a youthful misunderstanding. A fight, a lost project, a broken bond. The words weren't a revelation, but a reminder. Leo rubbed his temples, a dull headache forming. He closed his eyes, his breath hitching. The weight of all that time passed pressed on him.