Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows of the coffee shop, mirroring the tempest brewing inside Leo. He hunched over his lukewarm latte, the ceramic mug a cold comfort in his shaking hands. He kept replaying the doctor's words in his head, each repetition sending a fresh wave of unease crashing through him.

He saw her then, across the room. A woman with a haunted look, nursing a cup of tea. He knew. He just knew. The way she kept touching her chest, as if she were trying to soothe a pain only she could feel. The way her eyes darted around, constantly scanning the room. He felt a profound sense of…something…a tightening in his gut.

He wanted to approach her, but his feet felt rooted to the floor. He wanted to scream. He wanted to run. Instead, he just sat there, the taste of bitter coffee turning to ash in his mouth, watching her.