Gemotions

The restaurant buzzed around him, but all he could focus on was the newspaper spread open on the table. The article, his article, under another’s name. His hands were clenched into fists, the knuckles white. He could feel his face flush, and heat rising into his neck.

He felt a tightness in his chest, as if a physical weight had been placed upon him. He pushed his plate away, suddenly unable to eat. The chatter of the other diners grated on his nerves; their laughter felt hollow, mocking. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the rapid, shallow gasps.

He considered leaving, but he couldn't move. He felt rooted to the spot, trapped by the impossible situation. He looked at the window, the bustling city outside offering no escape from the suffocating feeling of being utterly, completely lost.