Gemotions

The shared history suddenly cast a dark shadow over the office. Alex, with a breezy smile, mentioned Camp Firefly. The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken dread. David felt an internal shift, a sinking sensation in his stomach.

"Camp Firefly was my favorite place growing up," Alex said, oblivious. "The friendships, the late-night bonfires..."

David felt a coldness spread through him, a numbness that settled in his limbs. He stared at his computer screen, unable to focus. The bright colors of the webpage seemed to blur. He felt a knot tighten in his chest, making it hard to breathe.

He excused himself, claiming he needed to stretch his legs, and left the office. The sunlight outside felt harsh, unforgiving. The world seemed to tilt. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, the lingering echo of Alex's words, still ringing in his ears.