Gemotions

The house felt too big, the empty rooms amplifying his isolation. He paced the living room, his footsteps echoing in the silence. Even the familiar creaks of the floorboards felt accusatory.

He picked up a book, attempting to lose himself in the pages, but the words blurred before his eyes. His mind was a battlefield, filled with unwelcome thoughts and self-recriminations. He slammed the book shut, the sound a sharp punctuation mark in the quiet.

His father knocked on the door, his face etched with worry. "Everything alright, son?" His voice was a lifeline, but he didn't feel strong enough to grasp it.