Gemotions

The announcement had been broadcast over the PA system during lecture, and now, the sound of it, the words “permanently closing” echoed within Liam's mind. The professor had stopped, stammering through the rest of the lesson. He found himself walking the familiar paths of the college grounds, each step measured and slow, as if he were wading through thick water. His legs were heavy.

The vibrant colors of autumn, the reds and golds of the leaves, seemed muted. He felt no sharp pang of sorrow or anger. Just a profound sense of stillness, a settling. He slumped against a tree, his back against the rough bark. He should have been panicking. He wasn't.

He watched the other students, their faces etched with shock and confusion. He found himself unable to relate. Their agitation seemed foreign. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and Liam closed his eyes, accepting the quiet that enveloped him.