Gemotions

A cold sweat slicked down Elias’s back as his roommate, Ben, described the perfect dog, a golden retriever named Winston. The image conjured in his mind's eye felt distorted, a menacing beast in disguise. He swallowed hard.

"He'll be good company, man," Ben said, oblivious. "We'll go hiking, play fetch..."

Elias’s chest constricted. He found himself backing away, a barely perceptible shift, but a retreat nonetheless. The walls of the room seemed to press in on him, suffocating. He needed air.

“That’s… that’s a big commitment, Ben,” he stammered, his voice tight. Each word felt like a tiny, fragile shield against a looming danger. His gaze flickered towards the window, a desperate plea for an escape route.

The thought of sharing his space with an animal, a creature he couldn't control, made him want to bolt.