Gemotions

The silence of the library pressed in on Liam. He saw the article online on his phone, and the sight of it made his eyes burn. His heart hammered in his chest, a frantic drumbeat against his ribs. He had spent months wrestling with the material, crafting a voice, only to have it stolen. The air felt thin, difficult to breathe.

He slammed the phone shut, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet space. He pushed away from the table, abruptly abandoning the books he'd been using. The world felt tilted, unbalanced.

He walked aimlessly, his steps quick and erratic, the polished floors reflecting his agitated state. The meticulous order of the library, usually a source of comfort, now seemed to mock his inner turmoil. He pressed his palms against his temples, fighting the urge to scream.