Gemotions

John felt a chill despite the summer heat. He’d accidentally seen the portfolio, the one his neighbor, Mr. Sterling, left on his porch. The sheer amount of wealth was staggering, obscene. The friendly banter, the shared lawnmowing duties, now felt like a cruel joke.

He paced his living room, his mind racing. He felt a profound sense of isolation, as though a wall had sprung up between him and the rest of the world. The mundane details of his life seemed insignificant, almost pathetic, in comparison.

He checked the locks on his doors and windows, a habit he hadn't indulged in years. The shadows in his own home seemed to lengthen, to twist into threatening shapes. The knowledge he possessed felt like a dangerous secret, a burden he couldn't shake.