Gemotions

The bright yellow of the envelope felt like an insult. He’d known it was coming, of course, but that didn’t make it any easier to swallow. The air in his small room suddenly felt thick, hard to breathe. He slumped onto his bed, the springs groaning in protest.

He felt the blood drain from his face. His arms and legs felt heavy, as though filled with concrete. The colorful posters on his walls, usually a source of comfort, now seemed to mock his situation.

His gaze drifted to the ceiling. The paint was peeling in places, a detail he had never noticed before. He felt a deep, profound sense of helplessness settle over him. He felt hollow.